Chapter 86: The Circle Beneath The Battleground

The vehicle doors swung open.

From the first vehicle, Jasper and David stepped out, followed by another hunter. Five more hunters emerged from the second vehicle. All were from the Razor Wolf guild.

Meanwhile, from the two vehicles that had arrived from the opposite direction, one figure stepped out first. He was wearing a navy-blue cloak over his combat gear. His long hair was tied neatly behind his back, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses rested on his nose. Confidence seemed to radiate from every step he took.

He walked toward Jasper with a chuckle.

"Jasper, I never thought the day would come when you’d ask for my help."

Before Jasper could respond, the door of the last vehicle opened.

Another man stepped out. Unlike the others, he wore no combat gear at all. A sleeveless shirt exposed his bulging muscles, and a cigar hung lazily from the corner of his lips as smoke curled into the air.

Looking at the two men, he snorted. "Don’t you two get tired? Always bickering whenever you get the chance."

"This isn’t a game, Oliver. Drop that high-and-mighty attitude for once," Jasper replied coldly.

The man with the glasses laughed. "Come on now, Jasper. You’re the one who asked for our help, so don’t be so rude. Keep frowning like that, and those wrinkles on your forehead are going to become permanent."

"Be serious, Archie." Jasper snapped.

"Fine, fine." Archie raised both hands in surrender. "Now tell us what was so urgent that you had to call us here."

Oliver didn’t say anything and waited for Jasper to continue.

Jasper’s expression turned grim. "Yesterday, a helicopter infiltrated our country’s airspace. After a thorough investigation and information from the Hunter Association, we confirmed that it belongs to the Bloodhound Guild."

The moment those words left his mouth, the relaxed expressions on Archie’s and Oliver’s faces vanished.

"Are you sure?" Archie asked.

"Without a doubt," Jasper replied.

"And you called us here because they’re in the Bowen estate?" Oliver asked, looking at the estate that was on the opposite side of the road.

"Yes. They kidnapped my brother. I don’t know their exact purpose, but I’m certain Noah isn’t the only reason they came this time."

"What do you mean?" Archie frowned.

"Two of their members were spotted near the Delvan Tower."

Jasper paused briefly before continuing. "You know what that gate represents. It’s a dungeon, yes. But it’s also the only permanent gate that contains powerful weapons and valuable artifacts, along with dangers that can wipe out entire teams. So, entry without official permission is strictly prohibited."

His eyes narrowed. "But they’re definitely planning something big. Maybe, they’re after something that is hidden inside the tower."

Archie and Oliver exchanged glances.

"You’re sure about this?" Oliver asked.

Jasper nodded. "That’s why Jessica, the current president of the Hunter Association, approved this joint operation. Our mission isn’t just to rescue my brother. We’re going to capture every member of the Bloodhound Guild alive. Not only to protect the weapons and artifacts, but also to force the information out of them."

Silence descended upon the group. No further explanation was needed. One after another, their gazes shifted toward the Bowen Estate.

The Bowen Estate was less of an estate and more of a palace. A massive five-story mansion stood at its center, radiating wealth and authority. In front of the building stretched a vast open area large enough to serve as a training ground. The entire property was enclosed by towering walls, ensuring that no one could enter without permission.

Jasper and the others stepped through the main entrance. Oddly enough, there wasn’t a single guard stationed outside.

But the moment they entered the estate, they immediately understood why.

More than fifty people stood waiting in the open space ahead. Not one of them looked ordinary. Every single person present was an awakened. Either hunters or mercenaries.

"Pfft!" Oliver let out a laugh as he glanced over the crowd. "Who do these assassins think we are? A bunch of nobodies?"

His eyes swept across the gathered forces dismissively. "They’re actually trying to stop us with this? The strongest one among them is only an A-Class." He shook his head, amused.

Jasper and Archie remained calm. With their superior mana and heightened senses, they could immediately gauge the strength of those standing before them.

To ordinary awakened, the force assembled here might have seemed overwhelming.

But to them...

It was hardly enough to pose a threat.

Jasper, Archie, and Oliver stood at the front with fifteen hunters behind them — seven A-Class hunters from the Razor Wolf Guild, four from the Raging Bull Guild, and five from the Domineering Rhino Guild.

For some reason, Archie’s eyes remained narrowed. ’This definitely feels like a trap. But what’s the catch?’

Before he could think any further, the fifty-plus awakened standing within the Bowen estate suddenly charged at Jasper’s group.

Archie didn’t move. Jasper and Oliver didn’t either. Not because they shared Archie’s suspicions, but because they simply didn’t believe their intervention was necessary against opponents of this level.

The A-Class hunters behind them immediately shot forward. Steel clashed against steel. Spells collided with spells.

Smoke and dust erupted in every direction as the battlefield descended into chaos.

Meanwhile, the six assassins remained standing at the mansion’s entrance, silently watching everything unfold.

"Could you complete the circle, Bravo?"

Alpha asked the assassin standing to his right. The man was thin and wore a tight-fitting outfit. He carried no weapons and held no staff for casting or amplifying spells. The only things adorning him were several strange-looking rings on his fingers.

"Ages ago," Bravo replied calmly.

"Good." Alpha nodded. "The show is about to begin. Let’s watch them tear each other apart."

Just then, Simon hurried over.

"Alpha, we know how to find Leon Bale. His sister is actually in this very villa at the moment. But my son is refusing to cooperate. He’s still young and doesn’t understand what’s best for him. Please don’t mind him and help me make him understand."

Alpha didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he glanced at another assassin.

Unlike Bravo, this man possessed a bulky build and a sharp, intimidating face. "Make it quick, Charlie."

The bulky assassin nodded and left alongside Simon.

As the two disappeared, Alpha turned back toward Bravo.

"Bravo... now."

Bravo nodded and slowly raised both hands into the air.

At that moment, the A-Class hunters were fully occupied battling the mercenaries Simon had hired. Suddenly, a massive magic circle blazed to life beneath the battlefield. It surrounded every hunter engaged in combat.

Even the three S-Class hunters stood within its range.

"What is that?" Archie noticed it immediately.

But, before anyone could react, something erupted from beneath the ground.

A strange gas.

"Watch out!" Archie shouted.

But it was already too late. The gas spread with terrifying speed, engulfing everyone within seconds.

And then...

Their vision went black.