CHAPTER 188 - WELCOME

The other factions welcomed their contestants at the front of the training site. Some were smiling, while others looked devastated. The factions that scored zero points knew their entire teams had perished in the contest. Still, they refused to give up and waited patiently, clinging to whatever hope remained.

Some had come simply for amusement, drawn by the feud between the Merchant Alliance and the three other factions. For the others, this event served as both a test and an opportunity. They hoped to seize their chance amid the chaos and elevate their status among the four dominant factions.

A heavy scent of gunpowder lingered over the four factions. Each had reigned as a superpower in Myriad City for over a century, and the grudges between them ran deep. This time, however, the Merchant Alliance had grievously offended the other three factions. In response, those factions united to force the Merchant Alliance out.

Today marked only the beginning of their plan. Hundreds of Platinum adventurers gathered near the area controlled by the three factions, including five elite Diamond adventurers. Even the Myriad King, who commanded the Imperial Knights, had arrived. He sat on his throne with a cold, unreadable expression, leaving everyone guessing his thoughts.

The Merchant Alliance had spent a fortune recruiting fifty Platinum adventurers to stand with them. Yet it was clear they could not match the overwhelming power assembled by the other three factions.

The Merchant Alliance’s leader wiped sweat from his brow under the intense gaze of the other factions. Though he had faced many major events, even he trembled before the hundreds of Platinum and five Diamond adventurers glaring at him as if ready to devour him.

One of the higher-ups close to the leader finally lost his composure and suggested, “Leader, why don’t we withdraw now? We shouldn’t be here to greet them. We can just hand them over to the other three factions to appease their anger. At least that way, our alliance won’t suffer as much.”

The leader heard the suggestion and slapped him sharply. The sound echoed through the room, drawing the attention of the other higher-ups. All of them were sharp enough to guess what had just been said, and the slap made the leader’s stance clear.

“You’ve followed me for so long, and you still don’t understand what we merchants stand for? Why do you think we’ve managed to establish ourselves for so long in Myriad City? Why do you think the adventurers continue to do business with us? It’s because of our trust and honor. Trust, not money, must be the foundation of the Merchant Alliance.

“Abandoning our friends today may prevent immediate losses, but it will brand us as untrustworthy in the eyes of everyone in Myriad City. Without trust, no adventurer will work with us. Without customers, we become nothing more than drifting leaves on water. Even with money, the factions will despise us and tear us down in a single day. Your suggestion won’t save us money—it will kill us all.”

The leader’s voice trembled with anger, while the higher-up broke out in cold sweat. “I’m so sorry, Leader. Please forgive me. My mind must have been clouded to say such things. Please don’t take it to heart.”

The leader sighed heavily. “You are no longer fit to hold your position. Once this ends, please resign. You have served me for a long time, and I will never forget your contributions.”

The higher-up regretted voicing his suggestion but knew it was too late. His leader had made his decision, and all he could do was return and wait with a heavy heart.

The leader’s decisive action also silenced any further attempts to persuade him. It was clear he expected them all to stand with him and the Merchant Alliance, no matter the cost. They would uphold their honor, even if it meant dying for it.

The brief scuffle within the Merchant Alliance drew little attention, as all eyes were fixed on the training site’s entrance. Soon, the first contestant appeared. Blood stained his body, evidence of the fierce battles he had endured during the contest.

His faction quickly rushed over to greet him. After a quick discussion, their leader turned angrily to another faction and shouted, “Black Sheep! How dare you kill my brother? How are you going to compensate us?”

Black Sheep was a middle-sized adventurer guild with some experts. Their leader rose defiantly. “Anyone who dies in the contest has only themselves to blame. They were weak. I will not compensate for their deaths.”

“You bastard! Come and fight me! We’ll settle this with a fight to the death. This ends no matter who wins!”

“Fine. Come at me then.”

The two leaders then moved to a clearing to face off to the death. Meanwhile, the other contestants streamed out from the training site. Many listed everything they had faced during the contest, especially naming the groups that had attacked them.

Some planned to seek compensation from those factions. Typically, the stronger contestants chose to fight to the death, while the weaker ones pursued monetary settlements.

A contestant stepped out, and the Shadow Alliance erupted with joy upon seeing it was their own. The Shadow Alliance’s leader approached and asked what had happened.

By the time the adventurer finished recounting the events, the leader was cursing under his breath. After all, the Merchant Alliance’s Gold adventurer had killed their Diamond adventurer and looted all his items. It was humiliating.

A Diamond adventurer falling to a Gold adventurer was bad enough, but now the leader had to speak up for their fallen warrior. To avoid disappointing his followers, he steadied himself and demanded, “Merchant Alliance, hand over your Gold adventurer for punishment as we see fit. If you comply, we will let this matter rest. If not, we will continue to harass you in the future.”

His words left no doubt. He believed the Merchant Alliance would see reason. Trading one Gold adventurer for peace seemed like a generous deal.

The Merchant Alliance’s higher-ups were already discussing the situation. They were profit-driven by nature and doubted their leader would make the wrong decision. From their perspective, giving up Han Wu to buy peace was a bargain.

Meanwhile, the leader was considering something else. Why does the Shadow Alliance want only Han Wu? He’s well-known, yes, but still just a Gold adventurer. Why go to such lengths for him alone? Could he be connected to the Diamond adventurer’s death? If that’s true, I can’t hand him over. How strong will he get if I nurture him to the Diamond rank? He already has the power to kill a Diamond adventurer at Gold rank, which means...

The Merchant Alliance’s leader shuddered at the implication.