"You're the ones who killed Doruni?"
The three newly arrived Adjuchas stood before them, their spiritual pressure spreading like a heavy storm.
Sombravida tilted his head slightly.
"You mean that gorilla-looking Adjuchas?" he said lazily.
"Yeah. We killed that trash. What — you here to avenge him?"
"Enough!"
Casgard's eyes narrowed beneath his mask as his spiritual pressure surged violently.
"Since when did a mere Gillian earn the right to speak before Adjuchas!"
He thrust his hammer-like fists forward.
Two crimson Bala condensed instantly and shot toward Sombravida's face.
Bang! Bang!
Sombravida did not move his feet.
With a casual sweep of his pale hand, he struck the projectiles aside. They streaked past him and exploded against nearby trees.
The forest trembled.
Casgard's eyes sharpened.
"Oh? Not bad."
His killing intent rose.
"No wonder Doruni died. One low-tier Adjuchas… and a Gillian at the peak of evolution."
In his eyes, the two outsiders had already become prey.
"Good," he growled. "Otherwise this would be boring."
He stepped forward—
—but Varta stopped him.
"Enough. We negotiate first."
After that brief exchange, Varta had already judged the situation.
This Gillian was dangerous.
Recruitment was worth attempting.
He stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"My companion acted rashly. Accept my apology."
The Negotiator
Varta's build was moderate for an Adjuchas. Were it not for the keratin ridges along his mask, he might almost resemble a masked human.
Combined with his courteous gesture, Sombravida couldn't help but wonder if he had once been human.
But the subtle fluctuations of spiritual pressure surrounding him made Sombravida remain cautious.
"What do you want?" Sombravida asked flatly.
Varta smiled faintly.
"Then let us speak plainly."
"My name is Varta. This one is Casgard. The one behind us is a newcomer — Whisperwind. Though newly joined, his strength is considerable."
He continued:
"You killed Doruni, the lord of this territory. We of the Central Forest have come to demand an explanation."
Sombravida snorted.
"That thing was a lord? Then this forest must be pretty weak."
He tilted his head.
"Three Adjuchas to intimidate us? Lady Nilu… perhaps we should leave. This forest isn't worth staying in."
Nel stepped forward smoothly, catching Sombravida's cue.
"Indeed," she said with gentle disdain.
"He was weaker than that giant worm from the Northern Forest. Not worth serving."
The change in address was deliberate.
The plan had shifted.
Provoke.
Create an opening.
Strike.
Then escape.
When Sombravida said "Lady Nilu," Nel understood.
Rising Tension
"Arrogance!" Casgard roared.
"You know nothing of our King's greatness!"
"Our King?" Sombravida sneered.
"So even you trash have a master?"
He laughed.
"Must be blind. Otherwise he wouldn't choose you."
He tilted his mask slightly.
"If you're smart, kneel before Lady Nel. Maybe she'll spare you."
Casgard's spiritual pressure exploded.
"You insect — DIE!"
But Varta's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"You provoke deliberately," he said calmly.
"Do you seek conflict?"
He stepped forward.
"We came in goodwill. Is hostility necessary?"
Sombravida scoffed.
"Goodwill? You show up with three Adjuchas and call it goodwill?"
Casgard was nearly feral with rage.
But Varta remained composed.
That made him dangerous.
And behind them, the silent Whisperwind watched without moving.
Sombravida knew: that one was the real threat.
The Offer
Varta shifted his gaze from Sombravida to Nel.
"Lady Nel," he said respectfully,
"I speak on behalf of our lord."
"Are you willing to join us?"
Nel pawed the ground lightly.
"Joining… is one matter. Not joining… is another."
"If you join," Varta continued,
"this territory becomes yours."
"You will tribute one hundred Gillians yearly and obey our lord's commands."
"If you refuse…"
He did not finish.
He did not need to.
Nel's tail swayed twice behind her.
She was ready.
The Signal
Sombravida chuckled.
"Lady Nel… what he says sounds reasonable. Much more rational than that idiot Ka—"
The unfinished insult was the signal.
The target was confirmed.
The First Strike
WHOOSH!!!
A nearly colorless Cero tore through the air.
Varta's eyes widened—
BOOM!!!
The blast detonated directly in front of him.
Before the smoke expanded—
Nel moved.
Her figure vanished.
An Emerald Spear formed instantly in her hand.
She hurled it toward Casgard like a streak of pink lightning.
And the battle began.