A threat. A naked threat.
Scott's eyes turned cold, and he tightened his grip on his longbow.
Roderick's original five hundred-odd believers rose as well. The lingering glow of Holy Armament shone around them as they faced off against the Blood Wolf Guild.
The air turned tense in an instant.
Roderick looked at Black, at the familiar greed and envy in his eyes. His expression did not change.
"I told you, the War Ladder chooses only true Seekers," he said calmly.
"Bullshit!" Black roared. "There are so many of us, and not one succeeded! Why should those worthless solo players get in?!"
Just then, a cold, emotionless system notification sounded in the minds of Black and every one of his subordinates.
[Blasphemy and false belief detected.] [You have been permanently rejected by the War Ladder.]
Black's pupils contracted.
Before he could react, another system notification rang in the ears of every player who had gained the status of Seeker or Prospective Believer.
[Faction quest issued: Purge the False Believers] [Objective: Purify the blasphemers before you (0/42).] [Reward: War Ladder Points +10 per person.]
Scott read the quest notification, then looked at Black and his companions, whose faces had changed drastically. A cruel smile spread across his face.
"The War Ladder has given its answer."
The moment Roderick finished speaking, Scott drew his longbow to a full arc.
Without the slightest hesitation, he loosed an arrow!
The arrow shrieked through the air. Its target was not Black, the Blood Wolf Guild's Vice President, but the thief behind him who had been shouting the loudest.
The thief had never expected them to strike first. Before the vicious grin left his face, the arrow pierced his throat.
Clutching his neck, he collapsed in disbelief.
"How dare you!" Shock and