Ren's strategy was clear: to break their spirits, to make them doubt their cause. He wanted to extinguish any remnants of hope that lingered within their hearts. Then maybe they would back away.

That would be the ideal outcome. A gift for old-time sake.

Too bad for Eric, but he had to die so Ren could make a point. Serine managed to get away with the help of her beast companion while Isolde took Xian to a safe distance. Eric was near Ren, so he received the brunt of the damage.

But to Ren's amusement, Eric didn't die he survived with little HP left.

Haa . . . it must be one of his skills. Ren thought.

What a lucky guy . . . but it was not like he didn't anticipate such an outcome. At this point in the game, players had access to rare items, higher-level skills, and spells, and killing them would take some effort.

"Heh. You can't kill me. Not yet," Eric rasped before he quickly pulled out his potions to recover his HP.

"Is that so?"

Just as Eric was about to swallow the liquid, a strange round item rolled on his feet. Time seemed to slow as his eyes widened in realization, his hand frozen mid-motion, the vial of potion mere inches from his lips.

In that fleeting moment, his face contorted with a mix of shock and horror, however, it was already too late. The explosion caught him straight in the face, and he perished while cursing at the top of his lungs.

A deafening explosion erupted, engulfing Eric in a blaze of fiery destruction. It was a [Dud], and the force of the blast tore through the air, sending shards of debris scattering in every direction.

As the smoke cleared, a somber silence settled over the battlefield. Eric's lifeless form lay sprawled upon the ground, his final curses dissipating into the ether as he burst into particles.

"You can take this opportunity to reassess your decision," Ren said to Xian and the others.

The beasts were quick to barge their fangs and claws at Ren, but after one flick of his scepter, a gust of tornado shredded them to pieces.

"N-no . . . no way . . ." Serine gasped. Her face was aghast. "With just one blow. Rather . . . does his spell know no cool down? How could he release spells after spells?"

The onlookers, frozen in disbelief, were left to process the sudden turn of events. The realization dawned upon them that Ren . . . was beyond something that they could defeat.

"We should really back out now," Isolde said dully.

Xian's face contorted with anger. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white as he fought against the urge to give in to Isolde's reasoning. His voice grew resolute, each word dripping with stubborn defiance.

"NO! I refuse to back down now. I won't let the members of Guns and Knives see me as a failure."

Xian's nostrils flared as he fought to suppress his frustration. He couldn't bear the thought of retreating, of accepting defeat. "No, Isolde! I won't be known as a coward. I won't let this stain follow me. I'd rather die fighting, knowing I gave it my all, than live with the shame of retreat. Like a true Gambino."

Xian's resolve remained unyielding, his voice growing louder with each word. "I will fight until my last breath. I will prove that Guns and Knives are not to be trifled with. Our enemies will know my strength, and our members will know that I had fought till the end.

"Ugh . . . Fine then. But don't blame me," said Isolde and aimed her bazooka.

"It's about time that you help out. I'd grown tired of your insubordination. Once we get back in the real world, I will report youaaargh!"

Xian didn't finish his words when he was blasted away. He was caught off guard by Isolde's missile, and he was quickly reduced to nothing but particles.

"Isolde, you traitor!" Xian's last words echoed in Isolde's ears, but she didn't care.

"You should thank me." Isolde placed her bazooka over her shoulder. "I did our group a favor."

At the side, Ren was dumbstruck. He didn't expect that Isolde would kill her cousin and the leader of Guns and Knives.

The battle raged on the other side. The throne room was large enough like a whole dungeon lair of the boss. It could accommodate at least twenty creatures with room to maneuver.

"W-what's the meaning of this, Isolde?" Serine asked, sweat trickling at the side of her cheek. She was greatly aware that she was the only one left of their group now that Isolde had betrayed them.

"Exactly what it looks like," answered Isolde without care as she flexed her gun. "I'm saving our lives."

"Save . . .?" Serine couldn't believe her ears. "What are you talking about?!"

"I should have stopped this in the first place. Then the others might still be alive today."

Serine couldn't offer any words of retort.

"Ren is too much for us. Or do you want to die too?"

Serine clamped her mouth shut, and she sighed. "I think you're right. But what's the use . . . I'm all alone."

She then broke the chains on her pet's necks. "However, I will take his head with me to the afterlife!"

Serine's voice trembled with a mix of rage and determination as she defiantly declared her intentions. With a swift motion, she broke the chains that bound her loyal pets and snapped them, setting them free from their restraints. In return for going berserk, they wouldn't be easier to control.

The White Dire Wolf and the Snow Bear roared. Their once calm and docile expressions transformed into fierce, terrifying creatures. Their eyes glowed a menacing shade of red. With each passing moment, their bodies grew in size, muscles rippling beneath their fur, their stat increasing.

A low rumble emanated from deep within their throats, building into a mighty roar that shook the ground. The floor trembled beneath their weight, and the air crackled with electric energy.

Isolde sighed. "A pity, and here I thought you would see reason."

Replacing her weapon with the rattling gun, Isolde fired at the beasts.