At the same time as Corporate United members heard the notification, Jack also received one, albeit different. His notification congratulated him for successfully raiding another guild’s headquarters. His guild received lots of reputation points, the 20% resources currently in Corporate United’s warehouse, and corporate United’s Guild Hostage Token. Jack also received a generous amount of Contribution Points.
As for General Manager Ironfist, Jack could see his confused face after hearing the notification.
“I said before that you will know once I destroy this core, right?”
The guild core which was in pieces re-assembled again in front of him. Curious, Jack smacked at it again. Ironfist was having a fright seeing Jack’s action and was about to lunge at him, but Jack’s sword bounced back without touching the newly-formed core.
“You can’t destroy the same core at a single battle. Once the battle outside ends, this headquarters will enter a protection status like Heavenly Citadel. The difference was theirs will have the notification of defeat instead of a successful defense. They will also lose some reputation points,” Peniel explained.
Ironfist looked at Peniel. He had been interested in the fairy ever since she healed Jack during the battle.
“Oh, so the fight will still be ongoing even though the guild core has been destroyed?” Jack asked.
“Yes. As long as combat does not end, the defensive battle will still be considered ongoing. Guild structures can still be destroyed.”
“Where do you find this fairy?” Ironfist asked.
“She is my familiar, only an archmage can summon one,” Jack answered. He did not hide the information, it’s not like they could get their hands on a familiar at Peniel’s level anyway. He also didn’t mention that one must pass the Archmage trial on the first try if they wanted to get the spell.
Ironfist’s eyes lingered on Peniel for a bit longer before they returned to Jack. “This Guild Hostage Token… So, now we have to surrender our resources to your guild?”
“It will automatically be deducted every time you receive resources, so you don’t need to worry about it. Just see it as a tax for your guild’s transgression on ours.”
“Hmph. We will rather throw this headquarters away and find a new one,” Ironfist uttered.
“Wait! Let me tell you something first before you waste your time and effort conquering a new headquarters,” Jack said. “Even if you throw away this headquarters, we will still have your Guild Hostage Token. When you build a new Guild Headquarters, your resources will still be deducted and sent to us.”
Ironfist frowned hearing it.
Jack added, “You don’t have to trust me. You can go ahead and try looking for a new Guild Headquarters if you think your guild has so much free time. Don’t come crying to me and say I never warn you though.”
Ironfist took a deep breath. Without a word, he lunged at Jack, his large claymore swing violently. This time not only his claymore that split into three images, in Jack’s vision, he even saw three Ironfist coming at him.
Jack didn’t dare to underestimate. He quickly back-stepped away. “Whoa! Our fight is over, you still want to continue?”
“Shut up! Pay for what you have done with your life!” Ironfist bellowed.
Jack used his two swords and re-engaged him using Formless Flowing Sword style. All the while continued speaking, “As thrilling as it is to fight you, I don’t have that much free time. I only have one more thing to say before I leave.”
“You think you can leave?” Ironfist increased his pace.
Jack responded in kind. Although Ironfist’s swordplay was more skilled, Jack’s improved sword style was not lacking as well. Combined with his superior attributes, he was actually in an advantage. Ironfist was embittered, it appeared this kid was toying with him.
“Use your magic spells!” Ironfist shouted.
“I need you to be alive to give the others my messages,” Jack replied. “I don’t have much time left, so I will just say it. Tell Death Associates, Wicked Witches, or any other in the coalition who already have a Guild Headquarters. I will be coming for them next!”
Jack then stored his swords and stopped moving. Ironfist was bewildered but his assault didn’t stop. His slash cut through Jack’s body. Yet, Jack was completely fine. Jack even grinned and waved his hand at Ironfist, before he vanished.
Ironfist was standing there alone inside the spacious Guild Hall.
“RAARRGGGHHH….!!!” He screamed in frustration. He couldn’t believe a veteran like him could be played around by this youth.
Outside, Jack had changed place with one of his copies just as the Body Double’s duration was about to run out.
The battle outside had turned in favor of the Demon Weed. Many of the players had lost their spirit after they heard the notification, reducing their battle power. Many had been killed or pushed back. Even the Flame Succubus had been beset upon by more rare elites. Its HP was only half now.
The roots had reached the outer structures and were now hitting at it. Jack saw HP bars on top of those structures. Even if Corporate United successfully defended this headquarters, many of its structures would get demolished.
Perhaps Ironfist’s claim to abandon this headquarters and search for a new one was a better choice. Jack didn’t really care anyway. He had done what he came to do. The other guilds in the coalition would receive this news. Even if Ironfist didn’t deliver his threat to them, they would still be worried if Jack would come for them next. In this way, they would spend more time preparing their headquarters’ defense rather than staging an assault on Heavenly Citadel.
The others in the coalition won’t dare to move without the three big guilds’ support. They had failed even with those three during their first assault, their chances would be slimmer without the three. This should give Everlasting Heavenly Legends enough time to recoup.
Jack walked away from there. On his radar, he saw three dots not far away. They should be Wilted Tree’s group. Jack didn’t go over to meet them. He took out a scroll, activated it, and disappeared.
Wilted Tree also saw Jack on his radar after Jack walked away from Corporate United’s army. It was easy to spot a lone dot going away from the battlefield. The dot soon vanished from her radar.
‘So, he did not die,’ Wilted Tree thought.
“Where are you looking at?” Handsome Joe asked.
“Is it him?” Anotherday asked.
Wilted Tree nodded. “Yes. He has left.” She then stood up. “Let’s leave.”
“We are leaving? The battle is still ongoing,” Handsome Joe said.
“I think we see enough. Let’s go, there are other matters to attend to.”
Anotherday stood up.
Seeing his two companions no longer interested in seeing the conclusion of the battle ahead, Handsome Joe had no choice but to acquiesce.
—————
In a dark room without any light. A girl was lying on the floor. She was trembling not from the cold, but from the understanding of what was to come. She heard footsteps, her body tensed up. The latch on the door was unlocked and the door opened, allowing a ray of light inside.
The light illuminated the girl, she was half-naked and had wound marks on her. “No! No! No! Not again…! Please!!” She pleaded.
A short person came in. He smiled at her. He looked to the side and saw plates of food untouched. He shook his head.
“Didn’t I ask you to eat the food? It will recover your HP. You know you will only revive here with full health when you die, right? It makes no difference if you eat the food or not. You will only postpone my enjoyment.”
“Please… Please just let me go…” The girl continued to plead. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
The short man squatted down and looked at her as if a boy looking at his plaything.
“You know, this world, it’s a paradise. In the old one, I can only play with one girl at a time. When I’m done playing… Well, let’s say they are not fit to be played on anymore. I have to find another one, which… comes with a risk. I have to scout my prey, plan the capture, plan my escape. All those have the chance of getting found out by the authority. Here, however, not only there is no authority as long as we are out of town, but I can also play with the same victim over and over again.”
“You are a monster…” The girl cursed. Her red eyes were full of fear and hate.
“I am. But better be the monster than the prey,” the short man smirked as he took out a curved dagger.
“No, no, no… Please…” The girl started crying again.
“I see you still haven’t quit your sick desire,” a voice was heard from the back. A man was standing behind the door.
When the girl saw this new man, she hurriedly shouted out. “Help! Help! Please help me! This man keeps on torturing me until I die. But then I get back to life again here, and he does it again! Please! You have to help me get out from–”
“Shut up!” The short man scolded as he slapped the girl hard. She fell to the side of the room.
The short man then turned to the man who just appeared. “Gridhacker, what are you doing here?” He asked.
