A tense atmosphere permeated the room. All the Silver Crest Guild executives, along with Neris, the Vice Guild Leader, were staring at the figures before them in shock.

Seated across from them were Riven and the Crimson Arc Guild Elite Squad.

The two sides stared at each other for a moment without anyone speaking.

Invisible sparks flew everywhere.

Neither side was willing to be the first to lower their gaze.

The silence itself became a contest of wills.

Compared to when Riven was merely a Level 35 Tank, now that he had leveled up and become Level 36, his aura was thicker and more domineering.

His bulging muscles, protruding with veins, were packed with power. Every subtle movement carried overwhelming confidence.

Simply sitting there made him resemble a mountain that could not be moved. Apart from him leveling up, most of the Elite Squad had seen a surge in their strength and levels.

With Black Water and the numerous ruins discovered almost every day, how could their power remain stagnant?

Not only them, but all the members of the Crimson Arc Guild had also seen a surge in their strength.

Mantis Men and ordinary human awakeners had all improved by leaps and bounds.

The once poor guild now possessed confidence that could only be forged through repeated victories.

Many members who previously struggled against ordinary beasts could now hunt powerful monsters in organized groups.

Their equipment had improved.

Their skills had improved.

Even their mentality had undergone a complete transformation.

The Mantis Town might have been the weakest town previously, but now, the situation was changing.

Silver Crest Guild had always looked down on the Crimson Arc Guild, but now, looking at their men, their armor and weapons glistened dangerously.

The polished armor reflected the light brilliantly.

Every weapon radiated a murderous aura earned through countless battles.

None of them looked like the ragged guild they once mocked.

The Silver Crest Guild executives forcefully swallowed the lumps in their throats, adjusting their seats slightly.

Many of them subconsciously tightened their grip on their weapons.

"What do I owe the visit?" Neris said calmly.

Even though she was shocked by the Crimson Arc Elite Squad, she was not intimidated in the least.

"Are you here for cooperation or what?" she continued in the same confident tone. "As you can see, we are in a deep meeting. Tell us what you want so that we can get this over with."

Riven chuckled, shaking his head.

Watching his reaction, all the Silver Crest Guild executives were confused, including Neris.

"What’s funny?" she couldn’t help but ask with a frown.

"You, of course," Riven responded calmly.

"I don’t know where you get this confidence to look down on everyone."

His tone dripped with disdain.

"Crimson Dune is changing rapidly, and here you are, still on your high horse."

"Pathetic."

"What do I expect from a guild run by miscreants?"

The words struck like sharp blades.

Every executive’s expression darkened.

No one had ever spoken to them so directly inside their own headquarters.

"Are you here for war? If that’s what you want, you know my guild never fears battle. This time, we are going to make sure to wipe you out for good," Neris fired back.

Her voice was cold.

Her eyes never left Riven’s face. The other executives slowly released their auras.

The atmosphere immediately became even heavier.

Several members of the Elite Squad merely smiled.

Others crossed their arms casually.

None of them appeared nervous.

Instead, they looked almost disappointed.

"Ah! How I wish for a bloody, satisfying battle. Unfortunately..." Riven shook his head, his face filled with regret.

Looking at his exaggerated expression, every member of the Silver Crest Guild was stunned.

Was he that confident they could defeat their guild?

Even the Slave Trade Guild would not dare look down on them like this.

Yet today...

They were being completely ignored.

Hmm. Hmm.

Riven cleared his throat, and his expression became serious.

"I’m not here for this minor squabble."

"I bring a message to you all."

His eyes moved from one person’s face to another before they finally rested on Neris.

No one interrupted him.

"You have one day to reveal the hideout of the Slave Trade Guild in this town and everyone related to them."

"This is not a request but a command."

"A command you don’t dare ignore."

His voice was calm, yet every word carried unquestionable authority.

No one could tell where such confidence came from.

"Also, you must reveal the secret passage to Scorpion City."

"That is the message."

He rose to his feet, preparing to depart.

The members of the Elite Squad also stood simultaneously. Their movements were perfectly synchronized.

It was obvious they had fought together countless times.

Hmm?

All the Silver Crest Guild executives were stunned for a moment.

Then their expressions shifted into confusion.

Finally, they turned into disdain.

"Have you gone senile hiding in that small town?" Neris asked, raising her head and looking at Riven like a fool.

The room erupted with cold laughter.

Several executives sneered openly.

Did the Crimson Arc Guild truly believe they could command the Silver Crest Guild?

The idea sounded ridiculous.

Riven did not bother to look back as he continued toward the door.

Reaching the door, he halted in his tracks.

"Oh, I forgot to mention who sent the message," he said casually, as if he had just remembered.

Everyone froze and stared at him, waiting to hear who sent him.

Even Neris unconsciously leaned forward.

"Have you ever wondered how your Guild Master vanished?" he asked, a playful smile playing on his lips.

Hearing this, a deep frown appeared on Neris’s face and on the faces of every executive.

"Since even Garron could not stop what is coming, do you think you small fries could stop the storm that is coming?" He clicked his tongue.

The mockery in his voice was impossible to hide.

"I can’t wait to see your faces when you face him."

"When you face the Grim Reaper."

He laughed.

The laughter echoed throughout the meeting hall like a curse.

"We will be staying in the town for a day and will be expecting your reply."

With that, he and his men sauntered out of the room, leaving the Silver Crest Guild members dumbfounded.

The heavy wooden door slowly closed behind them.

Creak.

The sound seemed unusually loud.

Even after a full minute following Riven’s departure, the room was still deathly quiet.

Various thoughts ran through each person’s mind.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Their Guild Master was killed by the Grim Reaper.

How?

When?

The more they thought about it, the more they began to understand the gravity behind the name Grim Reaper.

Of course, they knew who the Grim Reaper was and his exploits.

"G-Grim Reaper..." one of the executives stuttered.

His face had already turned pale and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

His hands trembled uncontrollably.

"We’re done."

****

[AN: Happy New Month everyone.

Please support this book with your golden ticket and power stones.

Last month, we did not achieve 200 Golden Tickets. This made me sad.

This month, I’ve promised to work as a donkey for your Gifts.

Magic Castle + 5 Chapters.

Golden Gachapoon. + 12 Chapters.

For Magic Castle, the bonus Chapter will be delivered within three days.

Golden Gachapoon, the bonus Chapter will be delivered within ten days.

I can’t wait to start working as a donkey for you all

Thank you very much. ]