Leon and his party were sitting and enjoying their al, sharing light laughter and conversation, when soone suddenly barged in and sat with them.
"Sorry, mate, but the table is fully booked," Leon looked at the bulky man and said casually. However, the man ignored him completely and instead grabbed the bread from Roselia's plate, giving her a dirty look.
"I guess it's ti for so exercise," Leon chuckled as he swiftly moved his hand, landing a punch on the bulky guy. The carefree intruder suddenly felt a powerful impact on his chest before he was sent flying out of the inn, crashing through the walls.
"That's gonna cost you," the innkeeper remarked.
Leon tossed him so money. "That should cover it."
The innkeeper caught the money bag, weighed it in his hand, and smirked. "It'll do," he said, nodding before walking away. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire
Leon then stood up and turned his attention to the ones who had arrived with the bulky man. His eyes glead dangerously as he spoke in a cold voice, "You guys have three seconds to explain who the hell you are before I begin my massacre."
The remaining n exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsettled by Leon's words. One of them, a lean man with sharp features and a dark green coat, stepped forward cautiously, raising his hands in a non-threatening gesture.
"Wait! We're not here to pick a fight," he said quickly. "That idiot acted on his own." He shot a glare toward the hole in the wall where the bulky man had disappeared.
Leon remained standing, arms crossed, his piercing gaze demanding an explanation.
The man cleared his throat. "We're recruiters from the Silver Vortex Guild, one of the top ten guilds dominating the fifth floor. Our leader sent us after hearing about your group's achievents. We ca to extend an invitation."
Roselia scoffed, leaning back in her chair. "And you thought the best way to do that was by stealing our food?"
The recruiter sighed. "Yeah… not our best approach."
Kara tapped her fingers on the table, unimpressed. "Silver Vortex, huh? Never heard of you."
The recruiter clenched his jaw but kept his composure. "We control three major territories on the fifth floor, and our guild ranks among the top contenders in the ongoing Dungeon Conquest. We've seen how you cleared the Undead Monastery and the Divine Ruins and handled the elite monsters like it was nothing. We know talent when we see it."
Leon smirked, sitting back down. "And what exactly do you offer?"
The recruiter's eyes glead. "We provide resources, dungeon intel, top-tier equipnt, and a solid alliance with other high-ranking guilds. In return, we expect strength, loyalty, and results."
Leon chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "Interesting. And if I refuse?"
The recruiter hesitated before replying carefully, "Then we won't force you. But… not everyone on the fifth floor is as polite as us. The top guilds are always in competition, and unaffiliated parties like yours tend to get targeted—whether for recruitnt or elimination."
Leon's smirk widened. "Is that a threat?"
The recruiter shook his head. "A warning."
For a mont, silence hung in the air. Then, Leon laughed.
"Fine," he said. "I'll think about it. But next ti, if you really want to make a good impression, bring better food."
The recruiter exhaled in relief, giving a nod before signaling to his group. "We'll be in touch."
As they left, Roselia leaned toward Leon. "Are you actually considering their offer?"
Leon's grin was unreadable. "Not yet. But it doesn't hurt to let them think I am."
Millim smirked. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
Leon simply took a bite of his food and shrugged. "Always."
Leon and his group barely had ti to finish their al before another group entered the inn. This ti, they carried themselves with more refinent, wearing polished armor and robes embroidered with unique insignias. Unlike the previous recruiters, these ones didn't act recklessly.
A tall woman with silver hair and piercing golden eyes stepped forward, her movents graceful yet commanding. She examined the broken wall where the previous recruiter had been sent flying, then turned her gaze to Leon. A small smirk played on her lips.
"I take it the Silver Vortex's approach wasn't to your liking," she said smoothly.
Leon leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "If by 'approach,' you an crashing in, stealing food, and getting thrown through a wall, then no, not particularly."
The woman chuckled. "Not surprising. Their leader values brute force over brains." She placed a gloved hand on her chest. "I am Selene Nightshade, representative of the Obsidian Fang Guild. We, too, recognize your strength and would like to extend an invitation."
Roselia rolled her eyes. "Another one?"
Before Selene could respond, the doors to the inn swung open again. This ti, a group clad in dark cloaks and enchanted gear entered. Their leader, a masked man with an eerie presence, stepped forward. His voice was calm yet carried an unmistakable edge.
"We of the Eclipse Covenant would also like to discuss a partnership."
Roman frowned. "This is getting ridiculous. Are all the top guilds after us?"
Millim giggled, resting her chin on her hands. "Leon is quite the catch, after all."
Leon sighed and stood up, cracking his knuckles. "Alright. Enough of this. If you all want to talk, we're not doing it here." He gestured toward the door. "Outside. Now."
The recruiters exchanged glances before silently agreeing, following Leon and his party outside. The mont they stepped into the open street, curious onlookers began gathering, sensing an important confrontation.
Leon crossed his arms, his aura flaring slightly, sending a clear ssage that he wasn't to be trifled with. "Now, let's make one thing clear. I'm not interested in playing politics or being soone's lackey." His sharp gaze swept over the recruiters. "If you want on your side, you'd better have a damn good reason why I should even consider it."
Selene smirked. "Straight to the point. I like that."
The masked man from Eclipse Covenant tilted his head. "The fifth floor is not like the lower levels. Here, only those with influence survive. Power alone won't be enough."
Leon grinned. "Good. That ans it won't be boring."
The tension in the air thickened as more guild representatives began arriving, each eager to claim Leon and his formidable group before their rivals did.
And Leon? He was just getting started.
As more recruiters gathered, the street outside the inn beca a spectacle. People whispered among themselves, recognizing the powerful guilds now competing over a single group.
Leon, standing at the center of it all, remained unimpressed. His arms were crossed, eyes scanning each representative like a predator evaluating its prey. Roselia stood beside him, her crimson eyes glowing faintly, while Roman kept his hand near his sword, ready for anything. Millim, on the other hand, seed more entertained than concerned, a smirk playing on her lips as she leaned against Liliana, who remained composed alongside Naval.
Selene Nightshade from Obsidian Fang took a step forward, keeping her confident smile. "You want a reason why you should consider us? Simple—we don't just rule the fifth floor, we shape its future. Aligning with us ans securing a place among the true power players of this dungeon."
Leon let out a short chuckle. "And yet, you still feel the need to recruit ."
Before Selene could respond, the masked leader of Eclipse Covenant spoke. "The fifth floor is a battlefield of factions, but alliances determine who truly reigns. We offer knowledge—secrets even the so-called rulers of this floor don't possess." His voice was calm but carried a sinister undertone.
Leon tilted his head slightly. "Intriguing. But I don't make decisions based on empty words."
A third voice interrupted, coming from a muscular man clad in heavy enchanted armor, bearing the crest of Titan's Wrath, another top guild. "Enough talk. Strength speaks louder than words." He cracked his knuckles, his eyes locked onto Leon. "Let's settle this the proper way. A duel. If you win, we'll leave you alone. If I win, you join our guild."
The onlookers gasped. A direct challenge from Titan's Wrath wasn't sothing to take lightly.
Roman took a step forward, gripping his sword. "If you think Leon will accept such a ridiculous deal—"
Leon raised a hand, stopping him. A smirk stretched across his face. "A duel, huh?" His golden eyes glead with excitent. "Fine. But let's make it more interesting."
The armored warrior narrowed his eyes. "What do you an?"
Leon's aura flared slightly, a teasing grin on his lips. "If I win, you'll owe . All of you." His gaze swept over the gathered guilds. "Every single guild present here will owe a favor."
A murmur spread through the crowd. That was a dangerous wager.
Selene laughed softly. "Bold. I like it."
The warrior from Titan's Wrath grinned, cracking his neck. "Then let's not waste any ti."
The tension reached its peak as a battle circle was ford in the middle of the street. The duel was about to begin, and the entire fifth floor would soon learn why Leon was soone they couldn't afford to underestimate.
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