Sunlight struggled to filter through the layers of branches, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow.
The shadows flickered, and strange noises could be heard from afar.
Fang Xian led the women deeper into the forest.
The deeper they went, the heavier the yin energy became, and the higher the level of the monsters.
Saeko Busujima glanced coldly at the group following behind, gripping her katana tightly.
"Honey, they've all followed."
"Hmm."
Fang Xian looked ahead; a large sign hung on a tree:
Monster level 200 in the area ahead.
"Let's go. That cave up ahead is nice; it'll be a good burial spot for them."
Fang Xian headed straight for the cave, where he heard sounds of fighting coming from within.
He frowned slightly, not wanting to waste any more time on them, and decided to go in to see what was going on, while also asking the people inside to make room for him.
Shortly after entering the cave, he saw more than a dozen burly men surrounding two stunningly beautiful women, with more than ten corpses lying around them.
It seemed to be a scene of murder, robbery, and theft of a beautiful woman.
He used "Eye of Insight" to examine the two women.
[Name: Tifa
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Occupation: Warrior
Talent: SSS
Appearance: 94
Figure: 96
Height: 167cm
Level: LV211
Character: Perfect
Affection: 0]
Tifa had long, silky black hair, a delicate oval face with graceful lines.
Her skin was like white jade, smooth and lustrous.
She wore a black bodysuit that accentuated her perfect curves.
Large, beautiful, deep eyes glared angrily at their surroundings.
The other woman with Tifa was named Asuna.
[Name: Asuna
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Occupation: Knight
Talent: SSS
Appearance: 94
Figure: 92
Height: 166cm
Level: LV208
Character: Impeccable
Affection: 0]
Asuna had long, flowing chestnut hair that cascaded naturally over her shoulders.
Her eyes were like sparkling sapphires, bright and lively.
Her face was delicate and sweet, her skin snow-white and smooth, almost translucent.
Her figure was tall and slender, with long, straight legs.
Asuna wore silver armor, wielding a rapier, looking incredibly dashing.
The burly men surrounding them grinned lewdly, constantly eyeing Tifa and Asuna's figures.
One of the men, a lecherous-looking fellow, rested his chin on his hand and chuckled maliciously.
"Tifa, Asuna, you'd better just submit to us and avoid any physical harm."
The burly men burst into laughter.
"That's right, I promise we'll treat you gently."
"Haha, if you're too gentle, she'll say you're no good."
"Get lost, you're the one who's no good!"
Tifa and Asuna glared at them, furious.
"Klad, you traitor!"
The lecherous man named Klad grinned wickedly.
"Tifa, do you really think we came to 'Asian City' with you out of kindness to find materials?"
"Hahaha! Don't be naive. We just want to imprison the number one and number two beauties of 'European City' and pamper them."
Asuna raised her rapier, pointing it at Krad.
"Krad, aren't you afraid of the guild's retaliation?"
"Retaliation? Hahahaha!"
Krad covered his face and laughed, the others joining in.
"You're all incredibly naive. Without your Guild Master Elizabeth's permission, would we dare?"
Tifa and Asuna's expressions changed drastically, their faces filled with disbelief.
"You—what do you mean?"
"Think about it, ever since you joined the guild, you've stolen Elizabeth's daughter's title of the most beautiful woman, relegating her to third."
"As the guild master, what will she think? Hehe!"
Tifa and Asuna's eyes widened, recalling some of Elizabeth's actions, and a wave of dizziness washed over them.
Previously, they had wondered about Elizabeth's unusual behavior, but now, with Krad's explanation, they instantly understood—it was all part of Elizabeth's plan to eliminate them.
Krad looked at their dejected expressions and couldn't help but feel smug.
"You weak and beautiful girls, thinking Elizabeth is your safe haven? You're sorely mistaken."
"Submitting to us is your ultimate destiny."
He opened his arms, waiting for them to throw themselves into his embrace, a look of absolute certainty on his face.
"Come, throw yourselves into my arms, and you will find protection."
Asuna and Tifa were somewhat dejected; they hated Elizabeth, and they loathed Krad just as much.
Tifa clenched her fists, glaring fiercely at Krad.
"Krad, even if I die, I will not let you have your way."
Asuna said nothing more; her fighting stance said it all.
Krad's eyes turned ruthless, and he spoke mockingly.
"You are no match for us; you are merely putting up a futile resistance."
"But that's fine too; the more you resist, the more excited we become."
Asuna and Tifa prepared for a fight to the death; even if it meant their demise, they would never let Krad succeed.
Just as the tension was about to reach its peak, a voice interrupted them.
"Excuse me, you guys go outside to fight. I need to use this place for a bit."
They looked in the direction of the voice and saw Fang Xian and his group.
When Krad and the others saw the group of women behind Fang Xian, their eyes widened, and they were overjoyed.
"Oh my god! So many beauties!"
"Each one is no less beautiful than Tifa and Asuna, and several are even prettier."
"We've struck gold!"
Fang Xian was very displeased with their behavior, and his eyes narrowed.
"Bang!"
"Bang bang bang bang!"
Their heads exploded one after another like balloons, leaving them all headless corpses.
Asuna and Tifa frowned deeply. They never expected that Fang Xian, who was with a group of beauties, would kill people without a word.
And with just a glance, he killed a group of awakened beings over level 200. It was truly terrifying.
Krad wanted to kneel down and beg for mercy, but it was too late.
He had just been greedily eyeing Fang Xian's woman, so he deserved to die too.
"Bang!"
Krad's head exploded instantly, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.
Tifa and Asuna, seeing Krad killed so easily, felt their fear vanish, replaced by relief.
This way, they could finally console their friends who had been killed by Krad.
Tifa and Asuna, seeing that Fang Xian showed no intention of attacking them, spoke first.
"You, we'll leave immediately. This place is yours."
"Wait."
They stopped in their tracks upon hearing Fang Xian's voice, looking at him warily.
Fang Xian turned to look at the cave entrance and said calmly:
"You probably won't be able to leave."
Just then, dozens of footsteps approached from outside the cave.
"He's right, you can't leave."