Walking on the road to Ghoul Spirit, Shane was obviously in a very good mood, even humming a tuneless little song.
Erza thought back to what happened and couldn't help asking, "Shane, you seem very happy? And... pointing a sword at the client just now, was that really okay?"
Although Duke Everlue's attitude made her very uncomfortable, according to the guild's teaching principles, taking action against a client was, after all, a very serious act.
"Don't worry, I know my limits; I didn't intend to really hurt him." Shane waved his hand, his smile even brighter. "I'm happy because that Everlue looks exceptionally rich."
"Besides, if there's really a problem, let the Master have the headache. As guild members, we just need to complete the commission well!"
Although he hadn't spent much time with Gildarts, Shane had already grasped the essence of this move; it was indeed useful.
"I see..." Erza nodded thoughtfully at first, then was still a bit confused. "But is this... a good thing?"
"Of course it's a good thing!" Shane's eyes lit up. "This shows he can definitely afford the commission fee! And think about it, if he dares to find excuses to delay payment afterward..."
"We can also 'pay a visit' without any psychological burden."
The two chatted while heading northwest. The vegetation on both sides of the mountain road gradually became sparse, revealing compacted soil ground.
It was silent all around, only the rustling of wind blowing through tree branches.
"Erza, watch the surroundings." Shane reminded in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the slope ahead, then deftly chose an old tree and climbed up in a few moves.
He looked far into the distance, and the outline of a gloomy building resembling a converted abandoned church clearly came into view—that was the base of "Ghoul Spirit."
According to the intelligence of the commission, there were no outstanding Mages in Ghoul Spirit. Apart from the cruel style customary to Dark Guilds, only a man named Deresy Monch Zart needed a little attention.
But after all, it concerned a huge reward of 2 million Jewels, so Shane wasn't careless at all.
Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit.
Just as he was pondering what method would be the easiest to deal with this group, Erza under the tree looked up and suggested:
"How about I lure them out, and you be responsible for sniping from here?"
Since they formed a team, she didn't want to rely completely on Shane and hoped to contribute her own strength.
Shane looked down and met the girl's trust-filled gaze.
Long-term sparring gave him a clear understanding of Erza's strength. As long as she wasn't defeated instantly or fell into a heavy encirclement, with his long-range sniping cover, safety should be no issue.
"Okay," Shane thought for a moment and nodded. "But prioritize your own safety."
"I'll be fine." Erza was a woman of action as always. Before her voice fell, she had already turned around and charged straight toward that building.
The girl's trust wasn't blind. In her understanding, as long as the enemies were exposed to Shane's arrows, for those people, it was tantamount to the Reaper calling their names.
There wouldn't be any danger at all.
Shane hesitated no longer. He adjusted his posture on the tree, bowstring slightly drawn, ready to release at any time.
Not long after, Erza had already rushed to the front gate of the "Ghoul Spirit" guild. Without any hesitation, she kicked the heavy wooden door violently!
BANG!
Accompanied by a loud noise and flying dust, the door burst open.
Her scarlet long hair flew wildly in the in-pouring wind. The girl stood holding her sword, her majestic voice clearly spreading throughout the hall:
"Ghoul Spirit scum, get out here!"
"..."
Shane, watching from afar, saw her rude opening and couldn't help shaking his head inwardly. This one has gone further and further down the path of "battle maniac."
Inside Ghoul Spirit, there was silence first, followed by an outbreak of chaotic cursing.
"Who the hell dares to break in?!"
"Tired of living?!"
However, when they saw clearly that the intruder was just a young girl, disdain and laughter immediately mixed into the cursing.
A man with turbid eyes rubbed his hands, approached with a grin: "Yo, a kid ran to such a remote place? Is there something you want to tell Uncle?"
Breaking into a Dark Guild alone, Erza was actually a bit nervous inside.
So... facing the groping, hairy dirty hand, she chose the simplest and most direct response—drawing her sword.
A flash of sword light!
The smile on the man's face froze instantly. He didn't even see the movement clearly before feeling a huge force hit his chest. His whole body flew backward, smashed heavily onto the wall, and moved no more.
"Phew..."
Erza exhaled a long breath, her tense nerves already transformed into indescribable excitement.
Indeed, slashing down brings peace of mind.
Then, she raised her eyes, imitating Shane's occasionally exasperating look, and gently flicked the tip of her sword at the remaining people.
"Bastard!"
"Brat, do you want to die?!"
Have to say, the provocative effect of this action was exceptional.
In an instant, five or six people roared and surrounded her.
Erza gripped the hilt with both hands, her stance steady, her eyes frighteningly calm.
Not enough people yet... must defeat them, anger more people, make them chase out, and then...
In the girl's black pupils, the oncoming killing intent was reflected calmly.
She dodged sideways to let a fireball pass, her longsword slashing horizontally with the momentum, sweeping away two enemies.
But a short knife on the right grazed her arm, drawing a string of blood beads; although the sharp blade on the left didn't hurt her flesh, it cut her sleeve, revealing the clear Fairy emblem on her arm.
"It's Fairy Tail!" Someone with sharp eyes immediately exclaimed.
This time, even the people watching from the back couldn't sit still. The guild being provoked by a member of a formal guild, they absolutely couldn't let her leave!
Nearly twenty people swarmed up like disturbed hornets.
Facing the surging offensive, Erza clenched her teeth, her sword dancing in circles, blocking attacks from all directions, moving toward the door while blocking.
Seeing so many people failing to take down a little girl for so long, the tall man who had been sitting in the main seat stood up abruptly. He wore exaggerated rings on all ten fingers, had an afro hairstyle, and his face was full of tyranny.
"A bunch of trash!"
It was exactly the person Shane reminded to pay special attention to—Deresy Monch Zart.
Seeing the main target finally angered into action, Erza knew the plan succeeded.
She hesitated no longer. Borrowing the counter-force of a block, she turned around violently and rushed out of the gate without looking back!
"Want to escape? Too late!" Deresy grinned hideously and waved his hand. "Everyone chase! I want to crush this fairy's bones with my own hands!"
Seeing the girl flee, the members of Ghoul Spirit gained great momentum, completely forgetting the embarrassment of failing to take her down just now, shouting and swarming out in pursuit.
But just after rushing out a hundred meters, the scarlet-haired girl running in front stopped abruptly, turning around to stand in the center of an open space. There was no panic on her face, only calm determination.
The people chasing at the front were intimidated by her gaze, their steps involuntarily stagnating.
At this moment, the wind sounded—
That wasn't natural wind, but a sharp whistle tearing through the air.
"Erza, well done..." Shane's whisper came with the wind.
Thwack!
The man chasing at the very front fell to the ground at the sound, a blood flower blooming on his chest.
"There are more enemies?"
Before the exclamation fell, the second, the third arrow had successively broken through the air and arrived!
Whiz! Whiz! Whiz!
The arrows never missed. The pursuers fell one after another like wheat harvested by an invisible sickle amidst the tooth-aching sound of flesh being pierced.