The sudden interruption left Zanis completely stunned. Clad in a gray-black cloak, the young adventurer from the Far East had directly broken through the tightly shut doors of the Familia.
By the time Zanis came back to his senses, he saw that Lili had already run over to Liang Yue's side. And in front of all the other Familia members, no less—
She was speaking words that made absolutely no sense to them.
At this point, everything began to click into place. No wonder Liliruca, despite being just a supporter, had dared to use such a bold method—drugging the Familia members in an attempt to bypass Zanis and meet Soma to negotiate her withdrawal.
So that was the backup plan—Liang Yue.
Staring at this unfamiliar adventurer's face, Zanis's expression grew increasingly dark.
"So that's it."
"You actually teamed up with another adventurer, huh, Liliruca? You really are full of surprises."
"So…"
He retracted his grim gaze.
Liang Yue barging into the Soma Familia's base during a major gathering meant one thing—he had absolute confidence in his strength.
At the very least, he had to be a Level 2 adventurer.
Zanis quickly calculated the situation in his head. With this bunch of Level 1 adventurers who'd wasted themselves on god wine and women? There was no way they could stop him.
Not a chance.
He spoke in a warning tone:
"How much did Liliruca pay you to make you take such a risk? You're even willing to offend the entire Soma Familia?"
"If you leave now, I'll let this trespassing incident slide."
It was a clear ultimatum.
Abandon Lili and walk away with 500,000 valis. Given the circumstances, that was the optimal choice.
But if he really did that—how would he be any different from the old Lili?
Liang Yue, who prided himself on being a champion of justice, couldn't stomach that. He turned to see Lili clutching the hem of her clothes, struggling to stay calm.
If she was willing to pay more, that was negotiable.
He shrugged and looked directly into Zanis's threatening eyes, his voice casual:
"Then go ahead and hold me accountable."
"…"
Zanis's expression stiffened for a moment, quickly replaced by a ruthless look.
All these years managing the Soma Familia, he had poured his focus into running it like a business. If divine wine could control his members, it could also turn them into tools of violence.
"You useless trash—what are you standing around for?!"
"We've got an outsider trying to sway one of our members and undermine the Soma Familia! Deal with him!"
"Anyone who helps take him down tonight gets double rations of god wine!"
With Zanis's words, the once silent room began to stir.
Unity had never existed in the Soma Familia.
But under the influence of god wine…
The adventurers who hadn't been knocked out by the Blue Butterfly Scale Powder saw an opportunity. Eyes gleaming with greed, they grabbed their weapons and glared at Liang Yue.
"This setup is just…"
Unlike monsters in the dungeon that simply attacked with brute force, these guys were experienced Level 1 adventurers.
This would be a bit of a hassle.
Liang Yue understood that how he chose to fight now would decide the outcome. He gripped his mid-grade weapon tightly, his expression becoming serious.
Seeing how serious things were getting, Lili took out her compact self-defense crossbow—Robin. Short range, but powerful.
At the very least, she could relieve some of the pressure on Liang Yue.
She looked up, her usual smile replaced by a rare, focused expression.
"What should I do?"
"Stay back."
As the Flowing Core support skill activated, Liang Yue felt some stamina drain from his body. His sword radiated an aura of sword intent as it buzzed with a low hum.
Zanis had tried to use the pressure of the Soma Familia to force him out. And while Liang Yue couldn't exactly copy that hero's god-tier staff-wielding performance…
Demonstrating overwhelming strength to show these cowards what they were up against would be more than enough.
With a swift slash—
A razor-sharp wave of sword energy surged forward, aimed squarely at the few adventurers getting ready to attack!
The wooden floor shattered under the force, splinters flying. The wide arc of the sword aura stopped perfectly—
Right in front of the would-be attackers.
A surprise attack with zero casting signs—just like magic.
The effect was immediate: a bucket of cold water on their wine-clouded minds.
No one moved. Fear spread like wildfire. Magic was on a completely different level compared to regular combat skills.
The speed of the attack had surpassed their reaction time. None of them were confident they wouldn't be the next target.
"Your captain spoke first."
"So I'll give you a choice too."
Having achieved his goal of intimidation, Liang Yue stepped up onto a bench, his eyes calmly sweeping across the crowd as he delivered his ultimatum:
"I'll give you ten seconds to leave. I'll pretend I didn't see anything."
"…"
Zanis, still processing the sword aura, had initially thought Liang Yue's confidence came from his adventurer level.
But now, that slash had shattered his expectations.
A casual swing producing a blade of energy like that—was it a magic skill?
He didn't have time to dwell on it.
Knowing his members well, he realized that faced with real danger, they'd retreat. He turned to the Level 2 adventurer beside him—Ganu.
"Ganu, help out in the fight."
"Don't tell me the mighty Soma Familia can't handle a single Level 2 punk?"
"Just take him down."
Zanis's voice trembled with anger. He practically growled:
"As long as we get rid of this troublemaker, tonight—unlimited god wine!"
"!!"
With one of the few Level 2 adventurers joining the fray, the fear caused by that "magic slash" began to fade.
In its place: greed.
And an overwhelming craving for god wine.
An archer among them had already climbed onto a table, completely ignoring Liang Yue's ongoing countdown.
"3."
"2."
"…Time's about up."
Liang Yue had no expectations for these addicts.
He had long since prepared for a fight. As his countdown ended, he scanned the adventurers before him with a relaxed smile.
Then—he kicked the table over.
The crashing of bowls and plates onto the ground was clear and sharp.
It was the start of the battle—
And also the beginning of the end.
To Lili, her feelings toward Liang Yue were overwhelmingly complicated.
She had never imagined that someone like her—so worthless in her own eyes—could be saved by someone else.
Especially at the most dangerous moment.
Maybe it had been a misunderstanding. Maybe she had just paid him to do it.
But when Liang Yue told her to "stay back," her heart was instantly wrapped in a gentle warmth.
She wanted to prove that supporters weren't just useless baggage.
When she aimed her crossbow at the enemy archer—
What happened next completely shattered her understanding of what it meant to be an adventurer.
These guys who had bullied her for so long—
Were so weak?
And then it hit her.
That phrase—"stay back"—wasn't about her being weak.
It was because…
He didn't want her to get in the way.
As her thoughts ground to a halt, Lili looked on, face stiff, watching Liang Yue's completely one-sided domination.
Unconsciously, she remembered something he had said.
"Up ahead… is hell."
Yeah.
He'd meant it for these Soma Familia bastards.
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