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Izroth regrouped with the players from Sacred Beasts. By the ti he returned, the barrier set by ng Jiang was gone, and the party appeared in a healthier state after having recovered a bit. However, going from one high stakes situation right into another caused them to enter into a state of vigilance.
Nevertheless, the mbers of Sacred Beasts could not forget what they witnessed just monts ago. To say they underestimated Izroth was an understatent.
They were amazed at how he breezed through an ambush of almost forty players single-handedly! Even if those players were not as strong as the elites from top guilds, it was still an impressive feat. After all, seeing how they had the strength to survive in this part of the Rosentarus jungle, there had to be so decent skill to their nas.
"I shouldn’t have listened to my friends back then and chose warrior over the combat master class. If I knew combat masters could get this strong, I would not have hesitated at the ti." One of the Sacred Beasts players sighed.
"What are you talking about? Combat masters aren’t that simple. Anyone can beco one, but few can reach a level of usefulness. There’s a reason it’s considered a trash class despite being the most powerful class on paper." One Shot Brick explained.
He then continued, "Most players think combat masters are weak because the top guilds labeled it a trash class. But, they misunderstood our reason for doing so. It’s known as a trash class because of the insane learning curve attached to it. Anyone can be a mage, warrior, or any other class and get by for the most part with the system’s guidance. But, combat masters have no such rcy from the system. Every gain has to be earned by their own hands. Therefore, while they have no theoretical, combat masters are too inconsistent and unpredictable. Pair that with having no skill tree to learn from, and you get a class even the top guilds want nothing to do with."
"He’s right. Being a combat master isn’t all it’s cut out to be. I have a few friends who picked it. The majority of them failed to learn a single skill, but a few were able to. However, the highest was a C-ranked skill—that they spent almost a week in-ga ti learning. Why go through the trouble when you can just choose a class with a stable skill tree?" Banshee comnted.
"A week just for one C-ranked skill?!" The Sacred Beast player exclaid. After he heard that, he no longer regretted not choosing the combat master class. If he had done so, there was no way he would have made it to the status of a Sacred Beasts core mber. But that’s when it dawned on him.
If it took Banshee’s friend a week to learn one C-ranked skill, what ridiculous amount of ti did Mr. First Place spend learning so many high-ranked skills?
However, how would the mbers of Sacred Beasts react if they found out that the majority of the skills Izroth displayed were not ones of his creation, but rather ones he acquired from skill books?!
The entire ti during the fight against the Failed Chira and even in his battle against the players from the Headhunter Syndicate, Izroth had not revealed even 5% of the skills he created!
"I didn’t take you for the rciful type, Mr. First Place." ng Jiang said as she approached Izroth alone upon his return.
"Impressive summon. A skill?" Izroth stated as he glanced over at Acogu’An, who was resting on the ground near the other Sacred Beasts mbers.
"Nothing so fancy. Just a basic sense of sll." ng Jiang replied with a smile.
Whatever was previously cloaking the Headhunter Syndicate players’ scent allowed them to get close without Acogu’An noticing their presence. However, its effects had long since faded. Therefore, ng Jiang was aware that Izroth let the last person from their attackers live due to Acogu’An’s great sense of sll.
"I don’t know why you’ve chosen to let them escape, but I’m sure there is a reason behind your action. That being said—I assu you know the identity of our attackers, correct? You even seem to have so sort of personal history with them." ng Jiang questioned as her gaze flashed with a trace of sharpness.
It was not over yet. Whoever those players were, ng Jiang wanted to make sure they knew the price of attacking and threatening her Sacred Beasts.
"You can say we have a bit of history. Though if I were you, I would not waste my ti chasing them—since I plan to remove the Headhunter Syndicate from this event personally." Izroth stated.
"The Headhunter Syndicate... My, how bold they’ve beco in recent tis. They always had an aura of arrogance and recklessness. But, they understood who they could and could not afford to offend. After a bit of success, they must view my Sacred Beasts as sothing they can trample on without consequence. Tell , if you were in my shoes, would you be able to sit idle?" ng Jiang asserted.
A carefree smile appeared on Izroth’s face as he responded, "No, I suppose not. What do you intend to do?"
"Since our goals align, why not cooperate? If you’ve co this far from Amaharpe, you must be headed towards the Demilitarization Belt situated between Rosentarus and Tempest. You may be strong, but the Demilitarization Belt is chaotic and unpredictable. The control of territory is continually shifting, and there are multiple high-level NPCs present on both sides. I can help you avoid these troubleso obstacles." ng Jiang explained.
She then continued, "In return, all I ask is that we cooperate—an alliance of sorts, if you will."
Izroth put so thought into ng Jiang’s proposal. Initially, he planned to face the Headhunter Syndicate alone. However, after hearing about the state of the Demilitarization Belt, Izroth believed that perhaps having an extra hand would allow him to weave through many potential difficulties.
Not to ntion, ng Jiang did not seem like the type to sit back and wait for soone else to take action for her. Regardless of whether or not he accepted her invitation, Sacred Beasts would move against the Headhunter Syndicate.
’If what she says is true, the coordinates given to by Empyrean and Mariposa can change at any mont. If that happens, searching for their bases one by one would be too ti-consuming.’
In the end, Sleeping Gardenia was based in Amaharpe, not Rosentarus like Sacred Beasts. While they certainly had mbers present at the Demilitarization Belt, it did not co close to comparing with the number of players Sacred Beasts had at its disposal.
’Having another pair of eyes and ears could prove useful. I should make the most of it.’
"It’s not easy for one to beco my ally, guild leader ng Jiang. However, as our goals happen to align, there’s no point knocking on the sa door twice." Izroth said.
ng Jiang nodded, "Now that that’s settled—shall we compare notes while we head to the Demilitarization Belt? You and I have quite a few secrets, Mr. First Place."
After coming to an agreent, ng Jiang inford Sacred Beasts of her decision over a voice call with its highest-ranking mbers present.
So were worried about the timing of ng Jiang’s decision; however, after hearing about the arrogance demonstrated by the Headhunter Syndicate, they were easily swayed.
"We’re moving out." ng Jiang commanded as the players from Sacred Beasts took the lead towards the Demilitarization Belt.
anwhile, ng Jiang kept a safe distance between the group as Izroth accompanied her.
"What we’re about to discuss is highly sensitive; therefore, I gave the order for no one to disturb us. This way, we can both be at ease." ng Jiang stated.
"Oh? What’s so sensitive that guild leader ng Jiang does not trust her own guild mbers with the information?" Izroth questioned.
"It’s not that I don’t trust them. Just that, I’m confident you would not want them to hear our conversation." ng Jiang corrected.
She then continued, "A combat master who possesses 30 skills—five of which are at S-rank or above, none of which are below C-ranked. In fact, the skills at C-rank number the smallest among your arsenal. You can imagine my surprise."
Izroth narrowed his eyes and, at first, remained silent at ng Jiang’s words.
’That feeling of being watched from earlier... So, it was her.’
"You should know that I don’t enjoy others peering at my secrets, guild leader ng Jiang," Izroth stated coldly.
"Then, to deepen the trust of our alliance—how about I let you in on a few secrets of my own, Mr. First Place?" ng Jiang said as her lips curled into a delightful smile.
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