Zanis sat in the room, looking utterly vexed.
His smuggling of Xenos had been sabotaged.
The identity of the perpetrator was unknown, the only certainty being that their power was immense.
Whether it was the Dark Faction Remnants members responsible for delivery, or the adventurers sent by the buyers to pick up the goods, neither was a match for the attacker.
"Damn it, who the hell did this?"
Zanis went through every potentially hostile target in his mind, from start to finish, but Zanis couldn't think of a single target that fit the description.
He usually left no loose ends when he acted.
Anyone he had a grudge against had basically been squeezed dry and then tossed into the Dungeon.
As for those who were strong, he wouldn't provoke them actively, and even if he did, he would apologize immediately.
It couldn't be that the Freya Familia suddenly discovered his Xenos smuggling and sent someone to cause trouble, right?
"I must be going crazy."
Zanis tossed this thought out of his mind.
The strong possessed privileges.
If top-tier Falmilas like the Loki Familia or the Freya Familia found something wrong with him, even if they acted directly, the Guild wouldn't say much, perhaps offering some token punishment on the surface.
"Leader! Someone is looking for you!"
Just then, a tall man entered the room and reported to Zanis.
"Looking for me? Who is it?"
"The leader of the Hestia Familia, Cain."
"The Hestia Familia?"
Zanis recalled slightly; he had some impression of that name.
"Is that the Familia currently operating with the Takemikazuchi Familia?"
"Yes, Boss," Canoe nodded.
He had also heard of the Hestia Familia.
The reason was simple: the Takemikazuchi Familia had become too famous recently.
For the past few days, every time the Takemikazuchi Familia returned from the Dungeon, they reeked.
Because the smell was so overwhelming, the Takemikazuchi Familia's name quickly spread throughout the adventurer community.
Influenced by this, the Hestia Familia, which operated with them, also entered the public eye.
"How strong is the Hestia Familia?"
"It's just a small Familia with no real power. That guy named Cain was even setting up a stall on the street not long ago."
"I estimate the Takemikazuchi Familia was also attracted by his cooking skills, which is why they asked him to operate with them."
"Oh right, Leader, I also heard that Lefia from the Loki Familia invited that man, and someone even saw Sword Princess with him..."
"Enough, you don't need to say anymore."
Zanis impatiently interrupted.
While having slightly dim-witted Familia members was beneficial to him, this was perhaps a bit too dense.
Inviting someone to explore the Dungeon just because of good cooking skills, how could such a ridiculous thing happen?
As for the subsequent matter concerning the Loki Familia, it was even more absurd.
The Loki Familia was a major Familia in Orario; its members were either trained from childhood or recruited as promising LV2s or LV3s.
How could an ordinary LV1 like Cain possibly be valued by the Loki Familia? Even thinking with his rear end, it had to be a rumor; it was a pity the other party believed it.
"Where is Cain now?"
"The first-floor lobby."
"I'm here."
The two voices spoke almost simultaneously.
Zanis and Canoe froze, their gazes involuntarily turning toward the doorway.
The next second, a handsome, black-haired youth walked in from outside.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
"You are Cain?"
Zanis narrowed his eyes: "Acting on someone else's territory without permission is illegal."
Cain raised an eyebrow: "Oh? So you still know the meaning of the word 'illegal'?"
"Hey! Watch your attitude!"
Seeing Cain's poor demeanor, Canoe, who already disliked him, seized the opportunity to lash out.
"A mere LV1 dares to speak so disrespectfully to Lord Zanis! Hurry up and apologize..."
Before the words were even finished, a sandbag-sized fist appeared before Canoe without warning.
In the next instant, a violent roar echoed.
Canoe's robust body was sent flying, turning into a blur that smashed through the wall and out of the building.
"Fuck off!"
Cain lowered his fist, acting as if nothing had happened, and looked at Zanis nonchalantly.
"Alright, let's continue our previous conversation... Forget it, I'll be more direct."
"Zanis, I'm here to start a business and make money. Give me all the money from the Soma Familia."
"I think you're completely insane!"
Zanis stood up with a dark expression, a dense killing intent emerging from him.
"Trespassing into the Soma Familia's base and attacking a member of the Soma Familia."
"Even if I kill you right here, the Guild won't say much."
"You are correct." Cain nodded: "The Guild indeed won't say much, after all, they have no reason to shield a dangerous individual who colludes with the Dark Faction Remnants and smuggles monsters in secret."
"?!"
Zanis froze, his expression drastically changing.
But before he could speak, a series of footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.
"Leader! We're here!"
"Whoever dares to cause trouble in the Soma Familia, I will end their life!"
"Charge! For the divine wine!"
A large number of Soma Familia members flooded into the room.
The Soma Familia had an internal contribution system; as long as one made enough contributions, they could exchange for divine wine.
Therefore, upon discovering that Canoe had been beaten, the members of the Soma Familia were overjoyed.
It was great that someone was causing trouble; they loved trouble, as it gave them a chance to earn contributions.
Following the direction of the sounds, a large number of members from the Soma Familia rushed in and joined the fray.
In just a few breaths, Cain was surrounded three rings deep.
"Everyone stop!"
Seeing that both sides were about to fight, Zanis roared, immediately stopping everyone.
Cain currently held his secret. If the other party felt displeased and exposed the matter, his troubles would be immense.
"This is none of your business! Get out!"
"..."
The sounds in the room abruptly ceased.
The eager Familia members exchanged glances, confusion appearing on their faces.
They couldn't understand why Zanis was swallowing his anger when Canoe had clearly been beaten.
However, due to Zanis's authority, after a moment of hesitation, they obeyed the order and left the room.
After driving everyone out, Zanis finally looked at Cain, forcing a smile onto his face.
"Calm down, we can talk."
"No, buddy, aren't you a little too calm?" Cain showed a look of confusion.
"Right now, I'm the one holding your secret, not you holding mine, understand?"
"Cain! Don't push it too far!"
Zanis clenched his fists, veins bulging.
"Even if you know my secret, you have no evidence to prove it..."
"Who says I don't have evidence?"
Cain took out a crystal ball from his pocket.
Looking at Zanis, who had suddenly fallen silent, he let out a light chuckle.
"Should I release it now for you to see?"
"..."
"I advise you not to do anything foolish. Since I dared to take this out, I am confident in protecting it."
"... What exactly do you want?"
"I want the Soma Familia."
"Are you out of your mind?!"
Zanis couldn't hold back: "I am only the leader of the Soma Familia! Not a god!"
"Even if I had immense authority, I wouldn't have the right to give away the entire Familia!"
"If you want the Soma Familia, then call your god and initiate a War Game!"
"Fine, you said it yourself."
Cain tapped the crystal ball in his hand, and Zanis's figure appeared in mid-air.
["Call your god and initiate a War Game!"]
"The evidence has been saved. Remember to tell Soma to participate in the meeting later."
"???"
...
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GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.