Absolute Craft-Chapter 87: Anonymous House (6)

Chapter 87: Anonymous House (6)

Killing more hounds had boosted Anonymous House’s reputation among new players who were primarily interested in leveling up. The conflict between them and The Hounds escalated to the point that at least twelve parties were now clashing with one another.

It turned into a small-scale battlefield between two guilds.

Throughout these battles, everyone naturally became stronger and more coordinated.

That included Blake. He began manipulating the terrain more effectively to support Beatrix, Joel, and the others with his unique skills. He even used one of his tracks to shield the healer, helping him reposition safely.

Surprisingly, everyone learned how to slide on Blake’s paths with ease. He had expected Kyria and Wolfang to pick it up eventually, but even Lily Lift and the healer started using the boosted movement speed and momentum to their advantage.

It was clear those two hadn’t ended up on Kyria’s team by coincidence.

Before long, it was time for a break—a necessity in this game world, where everyone still breathed, ate, drank, and exercised. Even if their avatars were supernatural, their minds weren’t.

The team found a clearing in the forest, sat on a thick log, and drank potions to restore their energy. The potions’ foul taste made everyone but Kyria grimace—though it was hard to tell what Kyria’s reaction was, given how he concealed his face.

After so many victories without a single loss, the team’s morale soared. They chatted freely, and even Joel showed more interest in Lily Lift, telling Blake—before walking over to her—that he might be a masochist. Blake found that a bit baffling.

Then, all at once, the healer’s head flew off his neck. It splattered against a nearby tree trunk, while his body toppled forward. Standing behind where the healer had been was a tall woman in striking attire, balanced on one leg with the other raised and bent—apparently the weapon she had used to one-shot him.

She wore no shoes, only black knee socks that seemed sturdy enough to protect her legs. Long black strips of her slit dress hung down, preventing any lecherous stares from wandering too far. Above, a red steel corset lined with thorn designs hugged her figure and guarded her stomach. Matching armor of the same color extended over her shoulders, collarbone, and arms, leaving a bold "boob window" for any fool to get caught in her snare.

She lowered her raised leg and stood imposingly over everyone, glaring at one person in particular—Kyria.

"I’m busy, so you have a minute before I kill all of you," she said.

<Alex Red Moon Lv. 15 HP: 2240/2240 MP: 710/710>

Kyria smiled and stood. "We’ve earned more than a minute of your time, Alex. Stay where you are and listen. None of us will make the first move."

"A minute and a half, then," Alex replied with a sneer.

While these two began talking, Blake examined the woman’s stats. She hadn’t used any mana, which meant she must have overwhelmed the healer with raw Strength alone. The effortless, sudden way she’d done it suggested her skills and battle experience were top-tier. Beyond that, she had to be the famous leader of The Hounds.

She was a beautiful, black-haired woman with full lips and striking golden eyes. Her high Strength matched her commanding presence.

Blake found it hard to believe that someone like her would lead a guild devoted to punishing those who had wronged them. He also hadn’t expected someone so powerful to be in charge.

It was all becoming too much for him to take in.

Meanwhile, the conversation between the two guild leaders branched off in several directions, making it seem impossible to reach a consensus.

"There’s nothing to gain from your offer," Alex said, crossing her arms.

Kyria tilted his head. "Is that so?"

Alex harrumphed. "We don’t care for The Tutorial Alliance for the same reasons. We don’t need to make concessions or follow anyone else’s plan. There’ll always be a way for our guild to enter the Rotten Leviathan’s Resurrection Event. Guilds will crumble. Your allies will look out for their own guilds first, no matter this makeshift alliance. We’ll just flood in and seize control, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Also, you have no real benefit to offer us."

"Who said I have nothing to offer?" Kyria replied. "Anonymous House can guarantee your entire guild gets to the boss without interference, giving you all a fair chance to deal as much damage as you can to the Rotten Leviathan. That said, I’m not sure how many of you can handle that..."

That last comment was sure to provoke The Hounds, especially since Supreme Blade was known for rushing headlong into any challenge.

This was the mindset Kyria hoped to exploit.

In one of his famous interviews, Supreme Blade had said he would never give up as long as there was any chance of success. Even a one-percent chance was enough for him to strive. He would forge his own path and claim everything in his way.

He proved that by never changing his methods. He kept pushing forward, dragging his guild along with him. Even after Cerberus abandoned him, he continued charging like a meteor toward the Rotten Leviathan.

"Good bait, Kyria..." Alex said. "Just good bait."

Kyria narrowed his eyes.

Alex smirked. "Do you know why we idolize Supreme Blade and despise Cerberus’ former guild members? Supreme Blade was always honest with them. He walked his own path and believed in their capabilities. As for Cerberus—"

"Wrong," Blake cut in. "Supreme Blade didn’t really believe in his guild members; he imposed his will on them. He never considered them enough... and that cost him everything."

Alex shook her head. "Cerberus never considered him, either. None of them were honest. They just rode his momentum, hoping he’d carry them through the beta finale like he always did. Supreme Blade’s aura was too overwhelming for them. In the end, though, both sides had faults.

"But no one should forget that Supreme Blade was a teen, then a young adult, when he was a beta tester. He was alone and vulnerable, even though nearly a hundred guild members—of various ages—stood behind him. The fact that they all left him in such a critical moment speaks volumes about them!

"I’ll never forgive them! I’ll hunt them down, even if it becomes my personal vendetta!" Alex declared.

She pressed a hand to her forehead and tilted her head back, as though trying to calm herself. She had already said far too much and felt an irresistible urge to vent further.

"Mmm... it’s killing time," she whispered seductively.