The first-floor hall of the Phantom Lord guild.
The battle was over. The first-floor hall now looked like a primeval forest ravaged by a typhoon, with shattered tables and chairs everywhere and even the newly grown trees battered and gouged.
The Phantom Lord members who had managed to dodge the Wood Release attack now hung their heads. Occasionally, one let out a low rumble, though it was hard to tell whether they were groaning or snoring.
The Fairy Tail members sat or stood as they caught their breath.
Natsu sat cross-legged on a fallen tree trunk, glaring unhappily at the enemies strewn across the floor:
"What the heck? That's it? That wasn't even enough for a warm-up!"
"Before you start bragging, try hiding those injuries on your face." Gray leaned shirtless against a tree, snarking without even turning his head.
"Huh? That's just dirt! How could these small fry possibly hurt me? You wanna fight, underwear guy?"
"Perfect. I haven't had my fill yet, fire-breathing idiot!"
The two pressed their foreheads together, neither giving an inch as sparks flew between their eyes.
Seeing them square off, Erza gave a displeased cough nearby.
At the sound, they suddenly remembered Erza was still there. In an instant, they threw their arms around each other's shoulders, smiling brightly like a pair of brothers.
Meanwhile, Cana had somehow dug up an intact bottle of liquor and was sitting on the wreckage of the bar, drinking with a delighted grin:
"Tsk, these Phantom Lord guys might be lousy people, but they sure know their liquor."
"This place is completely wrecked. Where did you find that...?" Blanc asked, looking at Cana in surprise.
Elfman clenched his fists and raised them high, standing before a pile of unconscious Phantom Lord members as he shouted excitedly, "Crushing the