Yep. For some mysterious reasons, these S-rank hunters had this idea in their head:

'Sure. Atlas was an SS-rank. But if the three of us fought together, we can be on-par with Atlas!'

No. Not at all.

Jeff would be surprised if they lasted 10 seconds against Atlas.

"Are you lecturing me, hunter." Atlas looked across the cave.

"So what if I am?" That S-rank smirked. Taking a step forward, looking at Atlas with a menacing gaze, this hunter stirred up the mana in the air.

The other two S-ranks followed suit.

In Jeff's view, a wave of invisible mana crashed against Altas.

Atlas was fine.

But below the platform, the low-rank hunters halted their breaths. They were suffocating under this immense pressure.

Some started to sweat in fear. The faces of some hunters paled. Some tried to control their shivering bodies, but failed in the end.

The S-ranks hunters stood on the platform like top-tier predators. The low-rank hunters below cowered like helpless prey.

Across the cove, seeing this result, a scornful gaze flashed by in Atlas' eyes.

Atlas turned his gaze back to the three S-ranks. His gaze gradually turned cold. Unrestrained bloodlust and kill-intent overflowed from Atlas' eyes.

"Are you seeking a fight." Atlas solemnly asked.

SS-rank mana bursted out from Atlas' body. With ease, Atlas' tide of invisible mana overpowered the three S-ranks' collective effort.

One after another, the low-rank hunters dropped to the ground.

An innate fear had drowned out their reasoning.

Some trembled in fear. Some balled up and closed their eyes. Some looked at Jeff for help.

On the platform, those three S-ranks were better off. But standing under Atlas' gaze, they felt an immense pressure as well.

This level of mana... It's beyond their expectations!

Multiple S-ranks were supposed to be on-par with an SS-rank!

... Right?

But why...

They froze in place. Subconsciously, their gazes moved away, dodging eye contact with Atlas.

Jeff's sigh echoed down this cove.

In an instance, the atmosphere in this cave felt light again. Yet, the hunters did not get up. Their knees were still weak.

The S-ranks looked at Jeff in disbelief. They were wrapped in an invisible mana film now. Their mana had been constrained with ease!

Atlas looked at Jeff with a solemn expression. He wasn't surprised though.

"Atlas. You have a quick message right? Please go on." Jeff nodded.

Atlas took a good look at Jeff.

After a pause, Atlas turned to the three S-ranks.

"As most of you know, there had been a restructuring of the sanctuary's force deployment."

"After the New Year's incident, it's evident that the sanctuary's internal defenses are lacking."

"Since I am stronger than Magni, I will now take over as the head of internal securities."

Jeff's cheek twitched a little.

Jeff would call Atlas out... if he didn't make an internal agreement prior to this.

But now, Atlas was still tied to the sanctuary's public images...

Jeff sighed. 'Well played.'

"Now, I make an offer to you. As S-ranks, you are wasting your time playing small here. You can do something much more significant. Join me." Atlas extended a hand.

The S-ranks frowned at the offer.

Sitting on his chair, Jeff looked down at that A-rank with raised brows.

Atlas' trip here made sense. The high-ranking internal security agents did suffer a major loss.

And most survivors followed Magni into the Sanctuary Task Force.

Did any high-rank individual(s) follow Atlas into the Sanctuary Securities? The answer was right here.

Only the sound of waves could be heard now...

A moment later...

"I know you cannot accept a job that confines you to the sanctuary." Atlas continued. "This is why I created a new department."

"Internal Investigation Squad."

"You will be monitoring the activity of the hunters, the Sanctuary Task Forces, even the elite Smite squads."

"To ensure that these people are following good practices. To maintain justice and fairness in the hunting business. To-"

"Tsk." A hunter smirked. "Of all people, you are the one talking justice and fairness."

Atlas stared at the hunter with a solemn face.

"You think we don't know about your record?" Another hunter looked at Atlas with a playful smile.

"Can you really keep those promises? Or will you give us another role, and keep on giving us excuses?"

"Get out Atlas."

"You think we are stupid?"

"Tsk. Join you? Wake up buddy. You are dreaming."

Atlas slightly raised his brows at the three S-ranks.

After the clear rejections, nobody spoke here for a moment.

Atlas heavily sighed.

"I seriously cannot understand you hunters." Atlas shook his head.

"What's the best you can do as a hunter. Be like him?" Atlas pointed at Jeff. "President of Hunters Council. Working as a conflict mediator, babysitting these low-ranks. This is the destination you want to climb for? This is the ceiling you want to reach?"

"You. S-ranks, sitting at the peak of personal might. Yet, you don't have any actual power, or any say in the sanctuary."

"As hunters, you will always be the peripheral members of this city. Is this what you want?"

"Staying with these weaklings. Is this really what you want?!"

Some low-rank hunters clenched their fists in unreconciliation, but quickly let go. Some hid their angry faces from Atlas. Some looked ashamed and tried to hide themselves.

On the platform, the S-ranks exchanged glances and shrugged.

"Yeah. We are perfectly fine with this, Atlas." An S-rank hunter rose his chin. He looked proud to be a hunter.

"I'm a top dog as a hunter." Another S-rank nodded. "I do whatever I want with my time."

"Almost everyone respects and reveres us. And we are happy with this." The third S-rank raised his brows. "But once we step into the sanctuary system, what will happen?"

"That's right. There will be bull crap. Buuullll crap! And we'll just have endure it. So no thanks. Not happening."

Hearing this second round of rejections, Atlas' gaze turned cold. "Very well..."

"As the head of the Sanctuary Securities, you three have been conscripted."

"Conscription?" An S-rank laughed.

"You can't do that."

"We refuse. What can you do about it?"

Atlas's breath became shortened. Agitation flashed by on this dude's face.

"Refusing me? I'd be careful if I were you." Atlas squinted.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's means..." Atlas coldly chuckled.

"You better pray that your asses are clean." Atlas growled. "And you better be careful with your hunts. Just a reminder. The Smite team leaders were my subordinates."

The S-ranks tightened their fists. If Atlas decided to play dirty, they couldn't do much to fight back.

"Is this a threat." Jeff asked.

Atlas turned to Jeff. "I thought you'd know better Jeff. We need measures to strengthen sanctuary security. Urgently."

Jeff shook his head. "You mean you need to expand your personal subordinates, urgently."

"Jeff Norman. Are you sure you want to get into this."

"Well. You did cross a line." Jeff stood up. "And I am the president of the Hunters after all. Standing up for hunters is my job."

"Well very." Atlas faintly smiled. That smile quickly disappeared. "Since we are at the Hunters' Council, let's go by the hunter's rules."

"If I win, you stay out of this. If I lose, I won't play underhanded moves on these hunters."

The hunters turned their gazes towards Jeff now.

Jeff raised his brows. "Deal."