Monty was a massive guy at two meters tall. That muscular body was like a barbarian's. According to what Iza had said, Monty was of barbarian lineage.

Monty did not seem to waste much effort. He looked dimwitted but followed whatever Iza said. Iza was so established in the Combat Team and had become a fearsome person. Other than her special abilities, it was due to her close friendship with Monty, who had such terrifying fighting strength.

"The last one – Cerberus!"

Merlin glanced at Iza, who seemed to loathe Cerberus. Almost everyone in the Combat Team hated Cerberus. As a member of the Combat Team, he had betrayed his teammates and escaped alone in the past.

Although no one knew why, the Team Leader did not investigate Cerberus' role in this. Nonetheless, in the Combat Team, Cerberus had become an unwelcome character. Almost no one was willing to form a team with him.

Merlin went to Cerberus' residence but did not see him. When they were at the Combat Team's training ground, they found Cerberus training by himself.

Cerberus was a rather skinny guy, sporting a loose afro. Furthermore, he had used some unknown dyes to color his hair in various hues, so it looked quite gaudy.

This was Cerberus, who looked like he belonged to the "alternative culture" of Merlin's past life. Still, on closer observation, one could discern a malicious glint in his eyes. This was someone treacherous, crafty, and self-serving to the extreme. It was not surprising that the Combat Team did not like him, practically treating him as a "public enemy".

"All of you wait here. I'll handle Cerberus."

Merlin sauntered forward and stood behind Cerberus before asking coldly, "Are you Cerberus?"

"Hmm? Indeed, that's me!"

After seeing Merlin, Cerberus' eyes narrowed. He had vaguely guessed Merlin's identity. After all, the Deputy Team Leader of the Combat Team was not a nobody. Many people would be eager to learn all they could about Merlin.

"Boom."

Merlin did not say anything else but unleashed his fourth-form at once. His peak fourth-form appearance was displayed before the crowd for the first time. Other than his head, the rest of his body was covered in ropes of muscles and scales.

The pair of wings at his back was sharp as a blade, filled with explosive strength.

"Bang."

Merlin stepped forward suddenly and hurtled toward Cerberus at once.

"Deputy Team Leader!"

Cerberus let out a roar. He immediately unleashed his shifted form as well, which was a black Three-headed Dog. His six eyes twinkled with a cunning and treacherous light.

However, faced with Merlin, he had no power to retaliate at all. He was smacked down by Merlin's claws – his three heads crashing heavily into the ground.

It was not over yet. Merlin's tail whipped forward mercilessly, and the Three-headed Dog's colossal body was sent flying, landing loudly on the ground. Merlin raised one foot and stamped it ruthlessly. Cerberus let out a burst of whimpers as he was beaten by Merlin without any power to retaliate.

At this point, the entire training ground was shaken. Many members of the Combat Team who were training were rather flabbergasted upon seeing this violent battle. In particular, the formidable fighting powers Merlin exhibited had caused them to feel apprehensive.

When they saw that the target of Merlin's stamping was Cerberus, they burst out in carefree laughter.

"Haha, it's Cerberus. That despicable, shameless, treacherous scum. He's offended the Deputy Team Leader and deserves what's coming to him."

"Cerberus should've been sorted out like this long ago. Who's this Deputy Team Leader? Someone whom even the Team Leader appreciates, personally picked by the Minister to be our Combat Team's Deputy Team Leader. Plus, the rebel armies' Orsato and Blackbat died at his hands. This person's a savage. Cerberus had provoked him. It'll make a good show."

"Based on how Cerberus looks, if he doesn't plead forgiveness, he'll be beaten to death. However, if that happens, it serves him right."

These members of the Combat Team looked as if they were enjoying a good show, feeling no sympathy toward Cerberus.

After Merlin had heard their words, he shook his head helplessly. It looked like Cerberus' reputation in the Combat Team was not just bad – it was atrocious. Not a single person felt sorry for him.

Cerberus was dazed by the blows. He did not know how he had offended Merlin. Initially, he was enraged but as he was unable to retaliate at all, he was viciously beaten up by Merlin. Furthermore, Merlin was exuding a faintly discernible intent to kill. This alarmed Cerberus, who felt as if he was facing death.

"Deputy Team Leader, I don't know how I've offended you. I'm willing to make amends, and will agree to any conditions."

Cerberus yelped hurriedly.

"Bang."

Merlin's foot immediately pressed down upon Cerberus' three heads. Compared to Merlin's gigantic bulk, the Three-headed Dog was not worth a look. The Blood-eye Dragon's bloodline was mighty indeed. High-tier almighty beast – this was not a hollow label but a real representation of strength. At the same level, it would completely suppress mid-tier almighty beast bloodlines.

Nonetheless, this was not the Blood-eye Dragon's strongest form. Only the final full-shift could activate the Blood-eye Dragon's Blood-eye, which contained the Blood-eye Dragon's most terrifying Supreme Talent. Therefore, Merlin was eagerly anticipating the Blood-eye Dragon's power at full-shifting.

"Cerberus, I need you to cooperate for a mission. In this mission, I'm sure you know how to behave? I don't hope for the past to be repeated. Otherwise, you'll die for sure!"

Merlin's voice was calm but in Cerberus' ears, it chilled him to the bone. He dared not doubt the veracity of Merlin's words at all. Had he not witnessed how Tolman and the Nightmare Deathstalker ended up? Both of them ranked above Cerberus in terms of strength but they were immediately killed by Merlin in the Combat Team because they had "offended" the Deputy Team Leader.

News of this had spread to the entire Combat Team. Everyone seemed hesitant to talk about this mysterious Deputy Team Leader's fearsomeness and did not dare to investigate deeper.

"I won't dare to, I won't. Whatever mission Deputy Team Leader has for me, I'll cooperate to the fullest!"

Cerberus let out pleading sounds. This was no joke. If he did not plead, he would die. Although he was the Three-headed Dog, he did not have three lives by having three heads. Once he was dead, he was dead. Furthermore, being beaten to death for no reason was an injustice.

When Merlin saw that Cerberus was pleading, he reversed his shifted form and glared coldly at Cerberus who had a battered face that nonetheless wore a look of respect.

"Cerberus, listen well to these words today. Go back and prepare at once. We're starting out tomorrow!"

Merlin said icily.

"Yes, yes, Deputy Team Leader. I wonder what our mission is this time?"

"To kill the White Rajah!"

Cerberus' expression changed swiftly. The White Rajah was a general under Doomsday. He finally understood why Merlin would look for him – to track down the White Rajah. Surely they must kill him or they would have no use for tracking.

After understanding the danger of this mission, Cerberus still dared not refuse. This is no laughing matter. Staring at Merlin's cold, fierce face, if Cerberus rejected the mission now, was that not asking for death?

"Alright, all of you head back and prepare as well. After all, this is no ordinary mission."

Merlin gathered everyone and gave them a solemn warning, asking them to go back and get ready. Moreover, Merlin also had to return and prepare himself.

…

"Butler, I might not return for the next few days."

Merlin said to the manor's butler.

Although the butler was somewhat astonished, Merlin was the manor's current owner, the honorable count. The butler could only nod. "Honorable Count, please be rest assured. I'll take good care of the manor."

"That's good. If Count Altadin or someone from the royal family comes, tell this to them. I'll be back after some time."

After giving his instructions, Merlin directly left the manor. This time, he did not board a carriage but immediately went to a corner in Holy Dragon City. There, four figures were already waiting long ago. It was Iza and the rest.

"Everyone's here? Good, let's go then."

The group of five did not exchange many words, swiftly vanishing into the crowd.