Guild Under Attack

Noon, Demon Island

After learning that they had never been cursed and had recovered their memories, the villagers of Demon Island held a feast to thank Ye Yang and the others.

As Gray drank the wine poured by the demon girl, he said, "Lyon, what are you planning to do next? Why not try joining a guild? Ur was right—there are some incredibly powerful mages here."

"And Ye Yang is the strongest one I've ever seen."

The moment Sherry heard that, she immediately said, "Zero Emperor, would you like to join our Serpent's Scale guild?"

Ye Yang looked at Sherry and the others.

"You're from Grandmother Oba's guild, right?"

As soon as Sherry and the others heard Ye Yang call them out, they immediately sat up straight.

"Yes!"

"Although you had your reasons this time, a mistake is still a mistake. Grandmother Oba will decide your punishment."

Upon hearing that, they immediately lowered their heads in disappointment, though they had long been prepared for it.

At that moment, the Village Chief walked over enthusiastically.

"Thank you, sir, for waiving our payment."

"Hahaha, Old Man, there's no need to thank me anymore. This job wasn't S-rank to begin with, and since those idiots from our guild took it without permission, we'll let it go this time."

Village Chief: "But I truly cannot accept this in good conscience. Since you do not want money, please accept this key."

The Village Chief then took a Golden Key from his pocket.

Ye Yang glanced at the key and immediately called Lucy over.

"Lucy, come take a look."

Lucy had been happily eating when Ye Yang suddenly called her. Though confused, she still came over. The instant she saw the Key of the Golden Zodiac in Ye Yang's hand, her eyes widened.

"W-why do you have a Key of the Golden Zodiac?!"

"Oh, the Village Chief gave it to me." As he spoke, he handed the Key of the Golden Zodiac to Lucy.

Lucy stared at Ye Yang in shock.

"Y-you're really giving it to me? This is worth ten million Jewel, and it's something money can't even buy!"

Ye Yang looked at Lucy in confusion. "You're weird. You're the only Celestial Spirit Mage here, so who else would I give it to? If you don't want it, I'll sell it."

Lucy snatched the key from Ye Yang's hand.

"I want it! Why wouldn't I?!" She immediately put on an infatuated expression.

Ye Yang looked at Lucy with disgust.

Seeing that she was pleased, the Village Chief also revealed a relieved smile.

After everyone finished eating, they bid the Village Chief farewell and boarded a ship away from Demon Island.

Before long, they arrived at Harujion Port. After saying goodbye to Lyon and the others, they headed toward Fairy Tail.

Natsu grinned all the way.

"Hahaha! I can take S-rank jobs from now on too!"

Ye Yang slapped Natsu straight onto the ground.

"You think you two won't be punished? Old Man has already decided what punishment to use on you!"

Natsu seemed to remember something, and his face instantly twisted as though he had eaten shit.

"No! Anything but that!"

Gray laughed gleefully from the side. He had completed an S-rank job, would not be punished, and had untied the knot in his heart. Seeing Natsu like that, he immediately began mocking him mercilessly.

Happy flew in front of Ye Yang and said, "Boss, Boss, I'm a cat. I shouldn't have to take that punishment, right?"

"Emmm, I can't guarantee that."

"Don't do this, Boss. At worst, I'll give you half my dried fish."

Ye Yang rubbed Happy's head.

"Haha, you'll be fine. Don't worry."

Lucy was the only one who looked completely lost.

"Can someone tell me what that punishment is?"

Ye Yang gave her a wicked grin. "You'll find out when the time comes."

Seeing Ye Yang's expression, cold sweat immediately poured down Lucy's face.

Happy said, "Lucy, you're leaking lots of juice again."

"I told you, that's sweat!"

Just as they entered Magnolia Town, the people around them saw Ye Yang and the others' guild marks and recognized them as members of Fairy Tail.

"These people probably don't know yet, do they?"

"Looks like they don't. But maybe not knowing is a good thing."

"What are you talking about? They'll find out once they get back anyway."

Ye Yang immediately felt a bad premonition, and Natsu and the others also noticed that something was wrong with the people around them.

Lucy said, "What's wrong with them? Why are they looking at us like that?"

Natsu said, "For some reason, it's really irritating."

Gray said, "Let's get back to the guild quickly. It looks like something happened."

Before long, they reached a point where they could see the guild building. Its exterior was covered in iron pillars.

At that moment, the entire town began to shake violently. The sky instantly darkened, and lightning flashed continuously within the storm clouds.

Natsu and the others standing around Ye Yang were instantly crushed to the ground by his overwhelming aura, unable to move. Lucy and Happy fainted on the spot.

Natsu and Gray struggled to raise their heads and look at Ye Yang. They found that his expression had changed, becoming utterly cold and terrifying.

Makarov immediately sensed the oppressive force, and everyone in the guild was also pinned down by that aura, unable to move.

"Oh no! That brat Ye Yang is back!"

Makarov hurried outside. The moment he emerged, he saw that the entire sky had changed, as though the world were ending.

That brat has already grown this strong?!

At this rate, something is going to happen.

"You brat, calm down right now!"

At that moment, Mirajane ran straight out of the guild and tightly hugged Ye Yang.

"Ye Yang, calm down. We're all fine!"

After hearing Makarov and Mirajane's words, Ye Yang's aura gradually began to weaken.

Makarov said sternly, "You brat, are you trying to get me locked up for the rest of my life?!"

Ye Yang did not reply. Mirajane took his hand and led him toward the guild.

Once Ye Yang's pressure was gone, Natsu and Gray looked at his departing figure with the expressions of survivors. Only then did they truly understand how vast the gap between them and Ye Yang was.

The scene shifted to the guild basement.

Natsu could not help shouting, "Grandpa, what the hell happened?!"

Mirajane explained, "It was Phantom. They ambushed the guild at night while we were away, so everyone is safe."

Natsu angrily said, "Then we should go destroy their guild too! I can't swallow this anger!"

Makarov drank his wine and said, "Calm down, calm down. It's nothing serious. They're just a bunch of clowns who can't even make it onto the stage. Don't mind them."

"For the time being, if anyone wants to take a job, do it down here. I've moved the request board underground."

"Be careful when carrying out jobs. If anything changes, leave immediately."

Natsu said, "How can anyone be in the mood to do jobs after something like this?!"

Though everyone was unwilling, the guild master had spoken, so they could only swallow their anger.

Ye Yang did not say a word the entire time. San Mao and Er Gou stood beside him, pressing their hands onto his shoulders, afraid that he might do something.