"PoH..."
Seeing the cloaked figure ahead, about the same height as Heathcliff, Akimi pressed his lips tightly together.
Although PoH's identity had never really been exposed to ordinary players, it was no secret to the clearing group—he was the current leader of all PK players, and also the one who had killed the most people.
From what was currently known, at least three or four players had died by PoH's hand.
If one counted the cases that couldn't be fully confirmed, the number might be seven or eight.
The reason PoH had remained unknown to ordinary players was because he almost never killed directly.
Instead, he used MPK (monster player-killing, luring monsters onto players) and APK (accident player-killing, creating "accidental" deaths).
If it hadn't been for Akimi and the others "coincidentally" stumbling into it, the clearing group wouldn't have even known about PoH's "impressive" record—and even that "coincidence" was likely something PoH had staged on purpose.
He had first intentionally kill-stolen to provoke a small party, then lured them into a trap room.
After the trap room closed, he sought out Akimi and Asuna, who had been leveling nearby, and led them to the trap room's entrance.
"Haha, long time no see, you two… Now before you is a trap room. Inside are four unlucky fellows… or maybe three? Well, never mind, they don't matter—because right now there's probably only one left alive. Would you like to try your luck saving someone on the verge of death from inside the trap room? I think that would make for a fine show…"
Those were PoH's exact words at the time.
But before he finished speaking, the trap room had already opened—empty inside.
"Oh my, what a pity—looks like they couldn't hold out until you got here… not that you could've entered anyway, haha…"
Then, dodging Akimi and Asuna's attacks, he added:
"Since I've already treated you two to such a fine performance, I suppose it's about time I take my leave."
And just like that, PoH vanished into thin air without leaving a trace.
"Quite the lively scene… But it looks like dear Guildmaster Xilocart has already carried out the plan I set in motion almost to completion."
PoH's playful words snapped everyone's thoughts back to the present, and all of their hearts jolted.
"Wh-what… what do you mean?! Are you trying to slander our guildmaster?!"
The burly vice guildmaster of DDA shouted angrily, his face twisted with rage.
He then turned to his own guildmaster, hoping he would offer some kind of explanation—but Xilocart only lowered his head in silence.
PoH merely cast him a mocking glance, then chuckled lightly:
"The time is just about right…"
As soon as he spoke, everyone who had previously been knocked into by DDA members—except for Akimi—suddenly had a ring of yellow effect light flare up around them.
"This is—high-level paralysis poison?!"
Klein's katana clattered to the ground with a sharp clang.
Although his eyes were hidden, judging from the curl of his lips, PoH still wore that same false smile.
He lightly flicked the edge of his short sword and said,
"Indeed, the effect isn't bad, is it? Collecting the materials to make it cost me quite a bit of time."
Then he stepped closer to Akimi.
Standing half a head taller, his height carried a strong sense of pressure.
PoH stroked his chin and said,
"Oh my, oh my, so paralysis poison doesn't work on you? You really are as troublesome as ever."
"You're no different yourself, are you?" Akimi gripped the hilt of his Nichirin Blade, fixing his gaze on the face hidden beneath that pitch-black cloak.
Sweeping his eyes over the surrounding players and noting the wariness and fear on their faces, PoH continued,
"Relax. I don't have any plans to kill anyone today… but this boss, I won't be polite about."
Akimi glanced toward the spot where that DDA member had just died—No plans to kill?
That's bullshit.
But PoH's words turned the players' fear into fury.
"Are you kidding me?! How could we ever hand the boss over to a murderer like you?!"
A "brave" DDA player declared indignantly.
Seeing the man in gray-blue armor, Akimi's lips twitched—Does he really not understand the situation?
PoH, of course, wouldn't humor him.
In an instant he dashed to the player's side and, with two swift slashes, cut off both his arms.
"I already said this boss is mine." PoH's smile slowly faded.
"I don't think you'll want to hear me say it a third time."
He then took out a Teleport Crystal and said to Akimi,
"As for you lot… you've got two choices: agree, or don't. But if you refuse, your companions may not remain so safe."
At those words, Akimi froze for a moment, then quickly realized who he meant—the members of the Moonlit Black Cats.
Indeed, he couldn't gamble with his friends' lives.
Asuna and the others also fell into silence.
The situation was now clear: Akimi's group couldn't make a move; Xilocart was allied with PoH; and Heathcliff almost certainly wouldn't clash with him.
And with Cescale's HP nearly depleted, finishing it off would be no trouble at all for someone of PoH's skill.
"What a… scheme one simply cannot refuse."
Akimi sighed softly.
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