All eyes were fixed on KidFury as he stood at the center of the tense assembly. The silence was shattered when Chisa stepped forward, her voice ringing clear:

  

  “You shouldn’t intimidate those who are weaker than you!”

  Inside, Hayato seethed with conflicting thoughts: (Is that supposed to help me? That was more of an insult.)

  KidFury’s response was immediate and venomous:

  

  “H?MM! Who the hell gave orders to that bitch?”

  Before anyone could react further, Kiba advanced, his tone as cold as steel:

  

  “So, you’ve chosen death, have you? Not exactly your smartest decision.”

  The air crackled as KidFury and Kiba faced each other. KidFury sneered:

  

  “Hahaha! With your puny guild? What do you think you can possibly do?”

  Kiba’s calm retort cut through the tension:

  

  “If you’re so eager, we can settle this with a duel between our leaders.”

  A flicker of fear briefly danced in KidFury’s eyes—quickly hidden behind bravado:

  

  “Why would I agree to a duel when I can wipe out all of you in an open war?”

  Kiba’s smile was thin and dangerous:

  

  “Don’t complain when my guild massacres you.”

  KidFury’s voice grew even darker:

  

  “How about this: whoever loses this war must disband their guild!”

  Kiba’s eyes narrowed.

  

  “You’d rather be left without a guild? Fine then—let’s formalize it. A war contract.”

  At that moment, Hayato leaned toward Chisa, whispering uncertainly:

  

  “A war contract?”

  Chisa explained softly but firmly:

  

  “It’s an agreement where both sides define their victory and defeat conditions. If the loser refuses to abide by the rules—like disbanding the clan—the contract forces them to comply.”

  Hayato nodded slowly. (I never had this in my day…)

  Kiba continued, his voice steady:

  

  “I propose a ‘King Hunt’ mode.”

  KidFury immediately shot back:

  

  “And who said I’d let you choose the rules?”

  Hayato glanced at Chisa in confusion as she clarified:

  

  “In King Hunt mode, each guild selects a king—who doesn’t have to be the leader. The first guild to slay the enemy king wins. Oh, and the king isn’t allowed in safe zones; if he enters one, his side loses.”

  The leader of Hayato’s guild, with a confident smirk, interjected:

  

  “Don’t worry—I won’t be king. He will.”

  (He pointed directly at Hayato.)

  KidFury roared with laughter:

  

  “Hahahahaha, it will be a pleasure to destroy you all!”

  Kiba then set a condition:

  

  “But first, disable the hunter’s mark on him.”

  KidFury’s eyes flicked to the female hunter who had applied the mark. With a curt nod, she removed it. Kiba extended his hand, and from thin air appeared an open contract stamped with a fiery seal. After a brief moment, KidFury took the contract and declared:

  

  “Terms accepted.”

  In an instant, the burning seal consumed the paper. KidFury’s final words echoed ominously:

  

  “Until tomorrow—enjoy your last moments as a guild! Hahahaha!”

  With that, KidFury turned and departed with his entourage. The leader of Hayato’s guild regarded the scene with a confident air while Hayato muttered bitterly:

  

  “Are you out of your mind?”

  Kiba merely replied with a dismissive grunt. Hayato continued, his frustration simmering:

  

  “I appreciate you saving me and removing that mark, but I’ll barely reach level 15 by the time the war starts—while he’s already level 100. It’s far easier to finish me off than to take him on.”

  Kiba gave a reassuring thumbs-up, his expression radiating quiet confidence.

  

  “We’re lost…”

  Chisa placed a steadying hand on Hayato’s shoulder. Lifting his gaze, she encouraged:

  

  “You can do this!”

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  Though Hayato tried to muster confidence, his thoughts remained bleak. (It’s no use—these leaders are fools.)

  The scene shifted to the guild base. Kiba addressed the gathered members:

  

  “That’s what happened. There were more of you here than at Hayato’s introduction.”

  (Hayato thought: Now they’ll hate me—I’ve already caused trouble…)

  Voices erupted among the crowd:

  

  
• “OHHHHHH! That’s what I’m talking about!”


  
• “Finally, some action!”


  
• “I never liked them anyway.”


  
• “My opinion of you, rookie, has changed—at least you did something right!”


  

  The majority celebrated the impending conflict, though a small minority protested. Kiba’s eyes scanned the crowd as he declared:

  

  “I’m counting on all of you for tomorrow’s war!”

  A gruff voice from the back shouted:

  

  “As if you couldn’t take them all on by yourself!”

  Kiba’s reply was cool and measured:

  

  “If I could, I wouldn’t be asking for your help.”

  Another member joked:

  

  “It sure looks that way!”

  Kiba then stepped aside and moved close to Chisa.

  

  “Chisa…”

  Without missing a beat, Chisa proclaimed:

  

  “I’m going to fight!”

  Kiba hesitated for a moment.

  

  “Are you sure?”

  Her determination was unwavering:

  

  “Absolutely. It isn’t fair for me to sit this out—everything started when you saved me, so I’ll fight too.”

  Kiba nodded slowly.

  

  “Alright then. No more talking.”

  The next day, on a frigid, ice-covered map where every breath crystallized in the air, the warriors gathered. Kiba addressed them:

  

  “Nobody is forced to fight. If you don’t want to participate, you can leave.”

  Yet not a single person stepped away. A satisfied smile played on Kiba’s lips as he continued:

  

  “Excellent! Let’s go destroy them!”

  The cheers were deafening. Nearly everyone sported cold-weather gear—except Hayato. Chisa teased him:

  

  “Where’s your cold-weather outfit?”

  Hayato shrugged, his tone casual:

  

  “For what? The cold in this game isn’t real—it gives me no advantage.”

  Chisa’s tone turned scornful:

  

  “Maybe it’s because you don’t have any proper gear?”

  Hayato frowned:

  

  “Huh? Even if I had it, I wouldn’t wear it—it just wouldn’t suit me.”

  With a mock-pitiful expression, Chisa added:

  

  “Poor thing—so miserably deprived of the game’s resources.”

  Hayato snapped back, his irritation evident:

  

  “Did you hear me? I’m not wearing it!”

  Before he could protest further, two figures emerged from the shadows behind him. Kiba’s command was swift:

  

  “Now!”

  They forced upon him a ludicrous, garish cold-weather outfit—clashing colors and styles that made him look more comical than formidable.

  Hayato struggled, exclaiming:

  

  “What the hell is this?”

  As he attempted to remove it, a system message flashed:

  

  Outfit locked for 1 hour.

  Hayato growled:

  

  “How did you do that?”

  Kiba laughed softly:

  

  “Like it? It’s the outfit from the Christmas event. After an hour, it unlocks and you can swap it with someone else.”

  Gritting his teeth, Hayato muttered with a burning promise of retribution:

  

  “At least I’ll get my revenge later.”

  Chisa chuckled sweetly:

  

  “How cute!”

  Hayato’s eyes blazed:

  

  “Where?!”

  (He shouted in fury.)

  Kiba’s grin widened as he addressed the assembled warriors:

  

  “Now that everyone’s suited up for battle,” he said with a sly laugh—an action that only fueled Hayato’s anger—“let’s review our strategy. We’ll split into three groups: two attack teams operating separately, and one defense team tasked with protecting Hayato. Any questions?”

  A grumpy member raised his hand. Kiba pretended not to notice, but the man persisted:

  

  “Why am I in the defense group?! I want to be on the attack!”

  Kiba’s tone was firm:

  

  “Since there are no further questions, let’s begin!”

  The disgruntled warrior muttered:

  

  “Just because I’m with that other guild? They started this mess!”

  Realizing his words were ignored, he slumped:

  

  “Damn, I’m stuck in an insignificant group that’ll do nothing all event long.”

  Chisa overheard his grumbling and approached Kiba:

  

  “Why am I in the group that won’t fight? I want to defend the guild too!”

  Kiba’s expression turned serious as he grasped Hayato’s chin firmly.

  

  “What are you talking about? We all depend on you. You’ve been given the most important task of all—to protect this buffoon.”

  Hayato spluttered:

  

  “Buffoon? You—”

  Kiba’s tone grew grim:

  

  “If you fail, the guild is finished. Everyone here counts on you and your performance in this battle.”

  Chisa’s eyes shone with determination:

  

  “Don’t worry—I’ll live up to everyone’s expectations!”

  (Hayato thought: She’s so easily manipulated.)

  Meanwhile, in the Outlaws guild, two girls in cold-weather gear were discussing their outfits. KidFury interrupted abruptly:

  

  “Huh? Who ordered you to wear that trash? Take it off—this isn’t a joke!”

  The girls, along with a few others, quickly changed. KidFury then roared:

  

  “Everyone is required to participate. If you refuse, you’ll be expelled from the guild.”

  Some members hesitated and stepped back. KidFury added coldly:

  

  “And those who are expelled will be hunted down after the war. But you’re free to choose if you want to leave.”

  After a brief pause, the hesitant ones stepped forward again. KidFury beamed with twisted satisfaction:

  

  “Excellent! I love your motivation! You’ll all serve as bait while I go after that bastard crowned as king. If anyone dies, respawn immediately—no excuses. We’re in the majority, so at least keep them occupied. And if I catch anyone slacking when it’s time to return, you’ll be hunted too!”

  Returning to Hayato’s guild, Kiba reminded everyone:

  

  “Remember, the map is instanced. There will be no monsters—only players. Enjoy the hunt.”

  The war had begun. Hayato wore a resigned expression, the grumpy warrior looked visibly irritated, Chisa was practically glowing with excitement, and the rest of the defense team appeared subdued. (Hayato thought: Those guys who stayed back don’t seem very strong—except that one grumpy dude who looks like he’s already been punished.)

  Time passed. The frontline attack teams were making headway, while the enemy king of the guild lagged behind and the Outlaws’ king was nowhere to be seen.

  Chisa cried out triumphantly:

  

  “I’m doing my job!”

  (Hayato mused: You haven’t done anything!)

  The grumpy warrior suddenly bellowed:

  

  “Ahhhh! I’m moving to the front lines!”

  Hayato offered a dry remark:

  

  “Good luck.”

  Chisa protested sharply:

  

  “No, you can’t just leave our defense weak!”

  The warrior retorted:

  

  “What defense? Nothing’s happening—and nothing ever will!”

  Chisa’s voice wavered as she insisted:

  

  “But defense plays a crucial role…”

  The warrior scoffed:

  

  “And you fell for that nonsense? Hahaha, how naive!”

  Dejected, Chisa’s gaze dropped, while Hayato maintained a stoic expression. The warrior then challenged:

  

  “What, are you going to try and stop me?”

  Hayato deadpanned:

  

  “Oh, you’re still here? Forgot to give me a goodbye kiss?”

  The warrior snarled in response:

  

  “You’re lucky we’re in the middle of a war and you’re the king. Otherwise, I’d finish you off right here.”

  From the edge of the trees, a solitary figure emerged, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically—it was the leader of the Outlaws.

  KidFury’s voice, laced with dark satisfaction, rang out:

  

  “Got him.”