A few days after the Valantar Guilds Alliance’s attack on Slumdon Town, the Temple of Resurrection in Valantar City was filled with a large crowd of hundreds of people, all recently returned to life after their defeat in the attempted siege.
“Look at them…” one onlooker said, “the so-called pro guilds who got utterly humiliated trying to take on Slumdon Town and the Ass Guild.”
“Haha… they were really foolish to think they could beat the Ass Guild.”
At the front of the crowd stood Lucy, her face twisted with frustration.
“Stop insulting us!” she shouted. “Don’t you realize the hardships we have suffered?”
One of her guildmates, standing beside her, placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her.
“We can still come up with a new strategy, Lucy. We’ll attack the Ass Guild again, next time with a full team.”
Tears began streaming down Lucy’s cheeks. “I need the money for my wedding… I need more popularity to gather more funds.” She sobbed harder. “But we’ve lost so badly, and now we’re humiliated like fools.”
Her guildmate comforted her, “It’s okay, Lucy, we did our best. I’m sure we can still attack again, but this time with a more thought-out strategy than before.”
They added, “All we need is the right moment-when the members of the Ass Guild are out hunting or away from Slumdon. That will be our chance to launch an even bigger attack.”
Lucy nodded slowly. “We need to do it one more time. Yes, I agree. We have to make another stand. This isn’t over-we only failed because of the lack of preparation and the indiscipline of many.”
One of them chimed in, “Or, we could simply hunt down members of the Ass Guild when they’re in smaller groups. We target them, make them weaker, and gain popularity by defeating that arrogant guild. If we keep picking them off, we’ll wear them down.”
“Yeah, we need to discuss the right strategy to squeeze popularity out of this situation,” Lucy agreed. “We will find a way to turn this loss into an opportunity. We can’t let our reputation end like this.”
At that moment, a figure emerged from the crowd and stopped in front of them-it was Constantine. He had foreseen this outcome; he knew that the foolish Valantar Guilds Alliance would fail against the Ass Guild. That’s why he had returned, ready to set his next plan in motion.
As expected, his strategy had worked flawlessly. These na?ve players would grow increasingly obsessed with defeating the Ass Guild, and eventually, the Ass Guild would be compelled to launch a counterattack on this pitiful city.
As Constantine drew nearer, Lucy noticed him, her irritation flaring instantly.
“Would you like assistance from my well-known and powerful guild?” Constantine asked. “I’m certain I have a captivating offer for you.”
“Damn you, Constantine!” Lucy snapped, her anger evident, though she couldn’t quite ignore her curiosity. “Fine, tell me what this offer is!”
***
Broken found himself once again in the inn room they had rented for a few days before continuing their expedition. The morning light streaming in softly through the window. He looked around at the quiet space, taking in the warmth of the early sunlight.
“Polly, Pawpaw,” he called.
Immediately, the two beasts appeared in the room. Polly bounded in and, with a quick leap, jumped onto the bed, hiding behind Broken. Pawpaw, on the other hand, lay sprawled on the floor, grooming his head and lazily licking his paw. He yawned, his big eyes wandering around the room with sleepy curiosity.
“Broken… I want to eat…” the little cat said, yawning again.
Broken smiled, reaching behind him to pick up Polly. He placed her on his lap, gently stroking her small fox-like body. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cm
“We have plenty of time in this village while waiting for the others, so I think you two can wander around the forest,” he said. “Just make sure you don’t attack anything except monsters,” he emphasized.
“Hahaha… but I wanted to eat some of the humans in this village.”
“No, no eating anything without my permission, okay?” Broken repeated firmly, giving the kitten a pointed look.
Pawpaw gave a sigh, rolling over onto his back. “Fine, fine… no fun, as usual.”
Broken couldn’t help but think about the trouble that might arise if someone spotted Pawpaw looking like he did now. Sure, Pawpaw was just a small kitten, but the horns on his head clearly marked him as a demon, and that could cause quite a stir.
“Actually,” Broken said, “Pawpaw, if you go out, try to stay hidden or cover up your horns. We don’t need any misunderstandings with the villagers.”
Pawpaw sat up, looking puzzled for a moment. Shadows began to form around him, gathering around his head, until he was suddenly sporting a large mane like a lion.
“What about like this?” he asked, puffing out his chest.
Broken raised an eyebrow, “No, no little lion has a mane that thick. And you’re not even a lion, Pawpaw.”
Pawpaw grumbled at the response. He opened his mouth wide, letting out a noise that sounded more like a yawn than anything intimidating.
“I am the mighty demon lion!” he roared.
“No, you’re just a naughty little cat, Pawpaw,” Polly surprisingly interjected.
“Rawr! I’m the mighty ruler of hell! I’ll eat whatever I want, even a silly fox like you!”
Pawpaw shot back, suddenly darting toward Polly, ready to pounce.
Before he could reach her, Broken caught the kitten in mid-air, holding him securely. Polly immediately scampered away, hiding behind the bed.
“See, Pawpaw?” Broken said, holding the cat with a calm expression. “Show me how
impressive your Vermilion Dusk power is. Use it to cover those horns, can you?”
Pawpaw narrowed his eyes and let out another exaggerated “rawr.”
“You’re not the boss of me! I live by my own rules!” he declared.
But after a moment, the shadows began to gather around his head, this time forming a thick
tuft of fur that concealed the small horns completely.
“Fine… see? I’ll show you just how cool my Vermilion Dusk can be!”
Broken smiled at the little cat. “That’s perfect. Your Vermilion Dusk is really powerful. And it looks so cool!” he praised, scratching Pawpaw gently behind the ears.
Pawpaw let out a small purr, clearly pleased despite his earlier protests.
Broken remembered the conversation he’d had with Ivana about handling Pawpaw. He had asked her for advice on how to deal with the stubborn little kitten, and Ivana had responded with a giggle as she spoke.
“Pawpaw is still like a child,” she had said. “He wants his freedom and doesn’t want to listen to anyone. But you don’t need to worry. All you need to do is learn how to communicate with him, and use his pride to guide him. When he matures a bit more, he’ll start to follow your lead better, Broken. Don’t worry you’ll be a good master for him.” Those words echoed in his mind as he watched Pawpaw squirming slightly in his grasp, clearly annoyed yet trying to appear dignified. Not bad, he was already starting to get a handle on this little troublemaker, just as Ivana had advised.