Chapter 75: Misunderstandings—A Grave Predicament!

After White Valentine's explanation, I finally understood that, once a mercenary group has made sufficient contributions to the empire, they can apply for a 'Wanted Order'! (The Wanted Order is a special item; it can be issued against an individual or against an entire mercenary group.)

Each month, a mercenary group can apply for three Wanted Orders, which only qualified leaders can use. Once issued, within twenty-four hours, members of the issuing group enter a hostile state with the targeted group. As long as they're not inside a city, they can freely PK anywhere.

Upon hearing this, enlightenment dawned on me.

No wonder Supreme had threatened that the Dragonwolf Knights must never appear outside Frost City—he held this 'trump card' of the Wanted Order in his hand!

A ruthless tactic!

Using the incident at the Shadow Gorge as an excuse, Supreme could justifiably issue a Wanted Order against the Dragonwolf Mercenary Group, completely thwarting their plans to take on quests in the Shadow Gorge, and further, permanently barring them from the gates of Frost City!

After all, the Dragonwolf Mercenary Group had already fallen far behind the Supreme Mercenary Group, both in numbers and strength. If a Wanted Order were truly issued, the ones to suffer would undoubtedly be the Dragonwolf Mercenary Group...

If I were the leader of the Dragonwolf Knights, I certainly wouldn’t want my people to go to Frost City to die, weakening our forces!

But since everyone knew there was danger at Frost City, why had those two who were killed by Supreme ten hours ago dared to appear so brazenly outside its gates?

At this moment, White Valentine explained.

“Those two were vice-captains of the Dragonwolf Knights, veteran top-tier experts of the third rank! Compared to Purple Lightning of the Whisper Mercenary Group, they’re every bit as strong, if not stronger! Their speed and attack are terrifying. Except for Supreme himself, no one from the Supreme Mercenary Group would risk provoking them—that would be suicide.”

White Valentine paused, sighing, “Honestly, with their strength, if they joined forces, maybe they could even take on Supreme himself!”

“Uh…” I glanced at him, not agreeing.

The scene of the Gryphon Knight easily catching up to the Dragonwolf Knight was still vivid in my mind—those unstoppable lightning spells unleashed by the Gryphon beast… Supreme’s own terrifying, unbeatable attacks… These were not things two third-tier players could handle, even together!

Just as I was about to argue with White Valentine, a sudden, chaotic rush of footsteps echoed from deep within Blackwind Forest, racing toward me.

The sound instantly reminded me of the six people I’d encountered earlier, the ones who’d lured the Wind Demon Wolf pack. My heart tightened; I quickly ended my conversation with White Valentine and focused intently on the source of the noise…

When the six familiar figures broke into view, my gaze sharpened.

One mage, two warriors, three archers…

It was them again! Members of the Dragonwolf Knights!

These damned fools—how long did they intend to keep this up? Were they planning to lure every demon wolf in Blackwind Forest out, just to be satisfied?

What was their goal… Was it merely to cause trouble and negative news for the Supreme Mercenary Group? Was it worth dragging so many first and second-tier players into this mess?

Bastards!

Cursing inwardly, I quickly led the two newly spawned Blackwind Demon Wolves aside, activating my Sprint—after finally finding two demon wolves, I couldn’t let them destroy the spawn point again!

Yet, as I drew the wolves, I suddenly noticed a trace of tension on the faces of those six familiar figures; their armor was damaged, as if they were fleeing from something… racing toward me!

As I stared at them, they also noticed me, instantly recognizing me as the one leading the two Blackwind Demon Wolves. The group’s eyes widened in surprise, and suddenly, the mage in the center recovered from his shock, a sly, mischievous grin curling on his lips.

Ever watchful of their every move, I saw that sinister smile on the mage’s face and felt a chill—an inexplicable sense of danger welled up inside me!

Just as my heart pounded, suddenly—

“Kirin! Run!!” the mage shouted at me hysterically.

Startled, I had no idea what he was up to, when the archer beside him also cried out urgently, “Run! Supreme’s men are coming!”

“Damn it, why are you still luring demon wolves? Run!”

The six looked flustered, as if they were old friends of mine—I was utterly confused…

What was going on? Were we really so familiar?

I’m luring demon wolves—what does that have to do with Supreme’s people? I’m worried about you fools…

While I was lost in confusion, the six veered left, racing into Blackwind Forest.

As they vanished, each wore a malicious, mocking smile tinged with pity…

“Not good!”

My heart clenched; at last, I sensed something wrong… a conspiracy!

In the blink of an eye, dozens of murderous players burst from the depths of the forest where the six had fled!

At the front rode two unknown giant beasts, their riders wielding golden knight’s swords and silver greatswords, followed by a dozen archers, all moving far faster than me! As I looked at them, the two third-tier experts atop their beasts swept their sharp gazes my way, and I felt a surge of killing intent envelop me.

Damn it!

In that instant, I finally understood the meaning behind the two sentences the six had shouted…

Too cunning! Too shameless! They’d used such low and despicable tricks to divert attention, easing the pressure on themselves…

And clearly, their scheme had worked!

With two Blackwind Demon Wolves trailing me, I looked every bit like one of their group; thanks to their words, it would be odd if I wasn't mistaken for an ally of the Dragonwolf Knights!

Sure enough, before I could stop, one of the knights shot me a cold glance as he rode by, snorting, “Sending a first-tier rookie over—has the Dragonwolf Knights run out of people?!”

“One’s over there! Deal with him!”