The news about the clan battle between the F-rank clan against a B-rank proliferated like a wildfire on the farm.

It was the main topic of the day. Most of the students were laughing at it. How could a F-rank clan fight against B-rank? It was a big laughingstock. Many of the students were making fun of it.

"This F-rank clan is now a bird in a birdcage," commented a student in the hallway.

"After all, it is a sure defeat. Haha!" Another one said and laughed.

In the barracks of Merciless Clan, Eman caught the other members having somber expressions. 

It must have been a shock to them to receive such a challenge. On top of that, it was against a strong clan. The Merciless wasn't even a battle-oriented clan. It was more focused on the minimal tasks of gaining points rather than battling the other clan.

In a sense, it was a sure defeat no matter if they agreed to the challenge or not. Worst, they would lose all their hard-earned points.

"In this regard, it's better to get disbanded than agreeing to the challenge," said Herro in a somber voice. "However…" he looked down as he clenched his hands.

Eman understood where he was coming from. If the Merciless clan agreed to the battle invitation, all of their points would be gone after their defeat. The Merciless clan wasn't even that rich. It wasn't easy to gain points either. Especially, to a clan like the Merciless clan.

If they chose to get disbanded, they could only pay a small number of points and still be able to keep some.

But everyone knew that it wasn't easy to start a new clan.

Also, Eman could feel that Herro and the others were unwilling to disband the clan. After all, it was already a part of their life. They laughed and grieved all along. It was like a second home to them.

Regardless, he was the only one who was not concerned about it. Maybe if the real Eman was in this body, he would certainly feel the same as them. But since it was him, an earthling, and barely knew everyone in this room, he had nothing but a fake sadness.

Eman asked Herro about the battle schedule and also his honest feelings about it.

With a skeptical face and teary eyes, Herro told him that he disliked seeing his friends get beaten like a dog in front of many people.

With just this reply, Eman understood what he meant. It didn't mean that he wanted the clan to get disbanded. He just wanted to protect his friends and their future. So it wasn't about choosing whether to battle or not. It was about whether he chose his friend or his clan.

Looks like that previous host did a great job on choosing his friend unlike him who only had a backstabber traitor as a friend. Though Eman was not fully committed to becoming everyone's best friend. He already experienced being betrayed by a best friend so it wasn't easy for him to trust again.

Even until now, he was acting following the previous host's personality towards his friends, but his honest feelings as Yeman still had a trust issue towards others. He could only put his trust in the people in his Lord's Domain. After all, there was no way for them to betray him.

Nonetheless, he would see what he could do regarding the current predicament. After all, he was part of the clan also and a deputy to boot. Also, he was the reason that these people got involved in this shit.

Hah! He sighed.

Looks like he had to become the betrayer this time.

"Let me see what I can do..." Eman tapped Herro's shoulder before leaving the Merciless Clan barracks.

Herro stared at him. "Bro, what are you planning to do?" He asked but Eman already left the room.

After their practical class in the afternoon, Herro went to the Clan Headquarters to report. After a very long pondering, he concluded that it was better to disband the clan.

However, "What? Accepted the challenge? A person in the Merciless Clan accepted the battle invitation?"

"Yes, yes. The battle was scheduled to happen next week."

After hearing it, Herro gaped. He asked about the identity of the person who accepted the challenge.

Wait. He was the clan leader so how come someone else took his role? Only the clan leader was allowed to accept and decline.

Herro then asked the staff.

"Sir, it was the clan leader of the Merciless clan himself who accepted the challenge."

"Eh?! But I am the clan leader of the Merciless Clan," Herro tapped his forehead.

The female staff of the Clan Headquarters stared at him with doubtful eyes. "Please state your name," she inquired.

"Herro." 

"Uhm, due to negligence of duty as the leader, the leader Herro was reported by all his members. He was relieved from his status and the new leader of the Merciless clan was appointed, " the female staff read aloud the report card.

"What!!!" This made Herro shocked. Did someone betray him? "Who is the new leader?" He asked.

"The person named Eman."

"....."

His sworn brother?!!!

"Wait, wait, wait, that is impossible!" Herro could not believe it. There was no way his sworn brother would betray him. In fact, he did not neglect his duty as their leader. Wait, did the others think he was incapable as their leader? Perhaps he did someone that infuriated them without him noticing.

With crestfallen, Herro went back to the clan barracks.

He had to ask them personally.

However, when Herro arrived at the Merciless Clan barracks, he noticed it was closed and was locked.

"What is the meaning of this?" He asked himself.

Why is this happening now?

Did his brother actually abandon and betray him?

No way.

Just no way.

The news about the Merciless clan reached the other's ears.

"What, they changed their leader?"

"What bullshit is that?"

"Did they think changing their leader could change their fate?"

"Haha, trash!"

"They should have disbanded already!"

"What a joke they were pulling about!"

Many students spat insulting words against the Merciless clan.

While everyone was trashing the Merciless clan, the days went by.

The day for the appointed Clan Battle had finally arrived.