Isolde's piercing eyes silenced Cang Lu instantly.

"Isolde won't receive any items or rewards while she's with me," Ren explained calmly. "If you're willing to accept those terms, then you're welcome to join me." He could always use canon fodders.

Cang Lu and the others gritted their teeth. What was the point of joining him if they couldn't gain any items in the end? They had ventured into this realm for treasures and getting firstbloods in clearing dungeons.

If they had to risk their lives with nothing to show for it, then there was no reason to join him.

They couldn't help but wonder why Isolde, the skilled Gunner of Guns and Knives, still chose to stay with him despite the lack of rewards. Perhaps the experience points were worth it, especially if she was venturing alone now.

"I'm growing impatient," Prince Zeroth declared, his sword at the ready. "Let's just kill them all. Elaine is waiting for me."

"Wait," Scar interjected again, his gaze shifting between Ren and the NPCs. "What would it take for you to accept our offer?"

Ren smirked inwardly, sensing an opportunity. "What can you offer to change my mind?"

Invayne looked at Ren incredulously. "You're asking for money?"

"Why not? I remember I asked for money to bring you here," Ren replied.

"Fine then," Scar agreed, raising an eyebrow. "I'll offer a million dollars."

"A million?" Ren laughed. "Alright. Make it a million for each life, and I'll accept."

Black Lion and Sleeping Dragon exchanged glances, some silently counting the number of present members. Five from Black Lion and Four from Sleeping Dragon.

"Five million, then." Scar proposed. Seems doable. Mike could pay for himself, and Invayne could contribute to half. Five million wouldn't cripple them, and if they could join in clearing the World Quest and get a lot of items in return, then everything would work out in the end.

"Five?" Ren shook his head and gestured toward Angelica and the rest of Sleeping Dragon. "That's four more, and I don't like odd numbers. Let's make it even and settle for ten million."

". . ."

". . ."

"Don't go overboard!" Robert growled.

"Still not satisfied?" Ren asked, his tone calm. "I'm easy to talk with, so anyone who doesn't pay will be eliminated."

Ren motioned for Elena and Prince Zeroth to prepare for battle, but before they could strike, Angelica stepped forward.

"We'll pay for our own members and one more," she declared, her smile radiant. She turned to Cang Lu. "Won't you, Cang Lu?"

Cang Lu was taken aback, desperately searching Hixel and Aragon's eyes for support. But they avoided his gaze. They weren't millionaires like him. Amongst them, he had the most money.

"Cang Lu . . ." Angelica's eyes narrowed. "You will pay. RIGHT?"

"O-of course," Cang Lu stammered, his heart sinking.

Angelica laughed and clapped her hands. "Very good. Thank you so much. You're such a kind and understanding Vice Leader."

"Anything for you," Cang Lu forced a smile, but inside, he was silently crumbling.

"Scar . . ." Robert expressed his concern. "Are you sure about this?"

"It will buy us time," Scar replied in a low voice. "While we're fighting, set that up. It takes a while to power it, but Invayne can do it with the scepter."

Robert and the others' faces brightened when they understood Scar's plan, except for Joker.

Joker nonchalantly raised his hands and placed them at the back of his head. "Are you sure about this? I think it's much safer to just surrender the scepter and move on. It's just one item."

"That 'one item' is an artifact," Scar retorted, his voice filled with determination. "It's an artifact-grade equipment that could rarely be obtained. I won't hand it over that easily."

Joker looked at Scar intently, then let out a sigh. "Suit yourself. But if things get rough, I'll make my escape. I don't want my stat reducing to zero."

Robert sneered while Invayne rolled her eyes. "I don't know why they made you the guild leader."

"Clearly because I'm the one who makes sense in this guild," Joker joked, winking at Invayne. She batted her eyes in response.

"Fine then, but unfortunately, bank transfers don't work here," Scar stated to Ren. "You'll have to wait for us to log out."

"It's fine. I'll take my payment in gil," Ren replied with a grin. He wouldn't let Black Lion and Sleeping Dragon slip from his hands that easily.

". . ."

"I know you have at least that much with you," Ren state, his tone was cocksure. "In this realm, items are limited without the features from the Bank, so you must have brought a lot of gil, aiming to buy the necessities here."

No one replied because they didn't want to admit that Ren was right.

Robert whispered to Scar, suggesting they pretend to be out of gil and not pay Ren.

Scar took a deep breath. "Ren is too shrewd to fall for such a trick."

Scar might appear calm, but inside, he was seething. This Ren reminded him of the Ren he knew. The one with the Arcanist class and his anger rose more than ever. "Let's just get this done and over with."

As the settlement was finalized and the contract drafted and singed, Ren's mood improved when he saw the multiple digits adding to his gil.

Scar seemed confident in a one-on-one fight. He must have powerful items that would guarantee his victory.

Ren chuckled to himself. Too bad he had plenty of those powerful items as well. The beasts he had defeated with the princess were formidable, and many of them had dropped rare items.

It appeared that the upcoming battle would be a clash of items and spells.

Isolde expressed her concern, asking Ren if he would be alright facing Scar. Ren confidently reassured her, saying, "I'll be fine."

Elena let out a wry sigh and remarked, "You shouldn't have agreed. It would have been quicker to just kill them all."

Prince Zeroth folded his arms and nodded in approval at Ren's decision. "Sometimes, a man has to do what a man has to do. He was presented with a challenge, and it would be cowardly not to accept it."

[CONGRATULATIONS! Your relationship level with Prince Zeroth has increased to Friends!]