Chapter 93

Leon met the heroes who had managed to slay the undead leadership in the Dwarf Foothills and forced Talamea, the god leading the offensive in that part of the front, to retreat. These heroes were exceptional individuals—the best of the best. One of them had even posted footage of the battle online, recorded from one participant’s perspective. The final attack defied all reason. The mage who had conjured the Death Star couldn’t be seen in the recording—only the work of three professional assassins. But the aftermath of the spell was staggering. The attack shattered a divine shield and wiped out five percent of the avatar’s health pool—despite its 100% resistance to physical damage! No one in the clan even came close to what this mage had achieved.

The dwarves reacted instantly—as if they had been watching the battle themselves. Four hours ago, a global announcement had appeared, declaring the dwarven race unlocked. A messenger arrived through a portal, confirming the completion of the quest. Leon was thrilled by the news and quickly contacted the League, requesting that the task’s executors be summoned for a personal reward. Fighters like these needed to be recruited immediately.

Word spread that Leon had unlocked the dwarven race, and by evening, a massive crowd had gathered in the clan fortress—people eager to thank the heroes. Among them were recruiters hoping to enlist them, journalists, power-leveling specialists, and gladiators seeking worthy opponents.

But when the executors appeared, everyone was stunned. The applause died instantly; no one understood what was happening. Five figures emerged from the portal. The assassins vanished into stealth immediately, leaving only two girls behind—one more unsettling than the other. Horror—they were just kids!

One of the victors was a girl clad in an exquisitely expensive black suit of armor, reeking of forbidden magic. Gods could sense such things without even touching them. Her helmet obscured her face, but long red hair betrayed her gender.

The second girl was being carried on the back of the armored one. Her dress and golden curls peeking from under her hood were the only hints of her femininity. Through Leon’s magical sight, she was drenched in blood, surrounded by a terrifying crimson aura. She was covered in forbidden artifacts! And why was there nothing but darkness under her hood? Why was she being carried? Where were the other raid members?

No one clapped. The crowd only whispered as this eerie procession of "severely wounded frontline fighters" made its way to the reward platform. The assassins reappeared, flanking the two children from three sides. Wait—where was the mage?

"Greetings, dear Hunters," Leon began. "I, the God Leon, thank you for your bravery." The golden-haired girl stirred and stared directly into his face. "Your actions have unlocked the dwarven race. Players may now choose it during character creation or through a rebirth ritual. You are welcome to join the Golden Hand clan. We have a special unit for warriors like you."

"Thank you for the offer and your praise, God Leon," the armored girl replied, evidently speaking for the entire group. The assassins remained silent.

"Why are you carrying her?" Leon asked, trying to lighten the grim mood.

"She’s overloaded with post-death debuffs. And she refuses to discard anything, so I had to carry her," the girl laughed.

"I can remove the debuff—no need to burden yourself," Leon offered. "And I’d like to know the player’s name." He assumed she was the mage.

The golden-haired girl looked straight at him. Beneath her hood was only impenetrable darkness.

"No need. This is my cross to bear. Such is my path, God Leon."

"As you wish. As a reward for unlocking the dwarves, I grant you a year-long buff."

[The Great Divine Blessing]

Effect: All primary and secondary stats increased by 10%.

Duration: 365 days.

All five received the buff notification, but strangely, none accepted it. The girls exchanged glances, and the knight answered:

"We thank you for such generosity, but we cannot accept it. Hunters are people who rely only on their own strength."

"You all refuse such a significant gift?" The assassins merely nodded, while the knight spoke for both. "Very well. Then accept these gifts from the Golden Hand clan."

A grand procession of five stunning maidens presented each Hunter with a personalized reward. The armored girl took both items meant for the girls.

"We thank you, God Leon." She bowed, and the assassins followed suit.

"Once again, I thank you for your service and extend an invitation to the Golden Hand."

"We appreciate it, but we already have a clan we’ll be joining soon."

"That is your choice." A brief pause. "Our portal can take you anywhere on the continent."

"Thank you. Then we’ll take our leave. We haven’t rested since the mission."

The group swiftly headed for the portal. The moment its veil swallowed the last Hunter, Leon issued orders.

"Nate, to the fortress control room—now. I need all their names, fast."

"Yes, sir."

"Do we have anyone to tail them?"

"Mage-assassins could do it. One squad is here now. Orders?" Nate immediately switched to the chat panel.

"Gather intel. Their desires, values, habits, duties—anything to recruit them."

"Uh-oh."

"What ‘uh-oh’? Did you mess up?"

"No. The mage-assassin squad went after them, but they were already gone. Vanished in under ten seconds."

When Leon received the list of names, one stood out—Saji. It felt too familiar. But with so many players, name overlaps happened. Besides, this one was a girl, not a guy.

A faint unease lingered—nothing more. Yet even that hinted at something unresolved in this whole situation.