The Strategy Meeting Begins

Ryker Lios, guild master of the Crimson Lions, sat in Valewood Village's modest meeting hall, surrounded by maps, mission notes, and reports detailing the grim events in Crisanto Forest. To any observer, he might appear calm, collected even, as he reviewed the plan to eradicate the basilisk threat. But inwardly? Inwardly, he was freaking out.

The fact that both Visha Morticia Tanith—the [Pestilent Sovereign]—and Dabria Bellatrix Abdul—the [Death's Handmaiden]—had agreed to join the hunt was enough to make any sane man question his life choices.

Just in the ten minutes since his arrival, he had conjured no less than five scenarios where the two women burned the entire forest down or, worse, turned it into a cursed wasteland that might outlast the basilisks themselves. He could practically feel a headache pulsing behind his temples as he imagined their first exchange.

These two women were renowned as some of the most lethal, beautiful, and impossibly eccentric Hunters in existence. The Hunter's Association had gone to great lengths to keep them apart for over a year now, not only because of their clashing abilities and unpredictable temperaments but also because, when combined, their particular brands of chaos could put entire ecosystems at risk.

Thankfully, it hadn't been difficult keeping the two apart. Visha Morticia Tanith—known as the Pestilent Sovereign—preferred solitude in her secluded mansion, where she delved into her unique druid-type abilities as a [Pestilent Harbinger]. Her mastery of spectral decay and poison magic kept her surrounded by her alchemical experiments and venomous familiars in a poison-laden sanctuary, deep in the shadows of her forested estate.

On the other hand, Dabria Bellatrix Abdul, the Death's Handmaiden, possessed the rare [Special Class] of [Death Harbinger], a necromancer-type archetype. Dabria spent her days and nights in her own laboratory, honing her skills in Necrotic Alchemy—a dark craft blending traditional alchemy with the eerie powers of necromancy. Her laboratory was rumored to be as much a crypt as it was a workspace, filled with her creations and experiments in the dark arts.

With each of these powerful women generally keeping to their own domains, they had little occasion to cross paths. But the lure of Crisanto Forest's basilisk threat—and the unique components it promised—had drawn them both out, a rare occurrence that left Ryker inwardly panicked. He could only imagine the consequences of having both the Pestilent Sovereign and the Death's Handmaiden unleashed together in a single mission.

Yet here they were, both answering his call in the name of basilisk ingredients and the allure of a rank S monster.

"Sir," Lena's calm voice broke through his thoughts, snapping him back to the present. She'd come along as his assistant, though he was starting to think she might have drawn the short straw. She handed him a list, her eyes flicking nervously toward the door. "The Death's Handmaiden is en route… and the Pestilent Sovereign should be here soon."

He suppressed a shiver. The last thing he wanted was to be standing between these two. Each woman brought with her an arsenal of unpredictable power and an agenda that had little to do with the Crimson Lions' or even the Hunter's Association's goals. They were forces of nature, weapons incarnate, and he'd just agreed to let them loose in a forest thick with twisted mana and corrosive basilisk venom.

But he had no choice. The basilisk threat in Crisanto Forest had already claimed lives, and it was only growing stronger. If these two could work together—if being the key word—then there might just be a chance to end it without further losses.

He took a deep breath, folding the list in his hands. The door creaked open, and he instinctively straightened, bracing himself for the chaos to come.

… only to relax in relief as he saw one of his most dependable guild members step inside. It was Kade Marrow, the Crimson Lions' second-in-command and an accomplished warrior with a calm, unbreakable focus. His tall frame cast a shadow across the room as he stepped in, his dark eyes assessing the room before giving Ryker a steady nod.

"Guild Master," Kade said, his voice low and grounding. "I got your message. Thought it'd be wise to assemble the others before our… guests arrive."

Ryker chuckled, tension easing slightly. "Good thinking, Kade. I don't think we can be too prepared for what's coming."

Kade stepped aside, allowing the next member through. In walked Leah Norrin, a red-haired Hunter with sharp, green eyes that missed nothing. Leah was a Wind Whisperer, gifted with the ability to manipulate air currents and move with incredible speed and stealth. She gave a quick salute to Ryker and then leaned against the wall, arms crossed and a smirk playing at her lips.

"So, we're actually getting the infamous Pestilent Sovereign and Death's Handmaiden?" Leah asked, her tone amused but with a hint of nervousness beneath her confident exterior. "And here I thought the rumors were just exaggerations."

Ryker sighed. "Unfortunately, the rumors undersell it."

Leah raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Kade. "Good thing we've got our dream team here, then."

"Glad you think so," a voice chimed in from the door. Talia Rhett entered with a mischievous grin, twirling a dagger between her fingers. A Shadowblade with a knack for striking from the shadows, Talia was known for her speed and precision in battle, though she was often playful and unnervingly fearless. "I wouldn't miss the chance to watch two legendary crazies in action."

Kade shot her a look. "Keep it respectful, Talia. They're here to help."

"Oh, I'm nothing but respectful," she replied, feigning innocence but quickly sobering as she caught sight of Ryker's no-nonsense expression.

Next came Gregor "Ox" Hensley, a towering brute of a man with arms like tree trunks. As a Berserker, Gregor's fighting style was raw and powerful, relying on brute strength and the fury of battle. He gave Ryker a solid nod, his hand resting on the heavy ax strapped to his back.

"Guild Master," he rumbled, his voice deep and steady, "I don't see what two strange ladies can do against a forest of basilisks that we can't handle ourselves." His tone was both confident and skeptical, reflecting his practical approach to missions.

Ryker placed a hand on Gregor's shoulder. "Trust me, Ox, you'll see soon enough. This isn't a normal mission, and these aren't normal women. We're lucky they even agreed to join us."

Gregor grunted, though he seemed unconvinced, glancing at Leah as if hoping for a confirmation. She shrugged with a smile that was both excited and wary.

Finally, Elias Drayton, the Crimson Lions' strategist and mage, entered the room with a serious look. Elias's abilities as a Mana Weaver allowed him to sense and manipulate mana currents, a skill that had proven invaluable in complex battles. He adjusted his glasses, his expression thoughtful as he took in the tension already brewing among his teammates.

"Given their reputations," Elias said, folding his arms, "I think it's best we stay adaptable. The Pestilent Sovereign and Death's Handmaiden aren't going to follow the usual protocol."

"Exactly." Ryker nodded, appreciating the insight. "We'll be walking a fine line. These two are more powerful than any Hunter in this room—and that includes me."

As the group settled into a somber silence, the gravity of the upcoming mission seemed to settle over them. Each of them was accomplished, experienced, and ready to face anything, but today would bring a challenge unlike any they'd ever encountered.

A faint shift in the air sent an unsettling prickle down each Hunter's spine, as if a ghost had slipped into the room undetected. The air grew cold, a shiver of unnatural energy flickering through it like static. Then came the scent—a strangely sweet, almost decayed aroma, an overripe mixture that clung to the senses, sending a warning of something both beautiful and deadly.

Ryker's head snapped up, his instincts on high alert.

They all felt it: the unmistakable presence of the [Pestilent Sovereign].

"Everyone, stay sharp," Ryker instructed, his voice barely above a murmur.

The door opened, and Visha Morticia Tanith entered, her presence as silent and deadly as a wraith. She moved with an unsettling grace, her long, silver hair cascading over her shoulders, her pale green eyes assessing each face in the room with an apathetic chill. She wore a high-collared black coat lined with dark green embroidery, her form almost blending with the shadows as she stepped inside. Her skin held an unnatural pallor, yet it shimmered faintly with an eerie, sickly green, as though she were caught between the living and the dead. 

She offered a faint smile, one that didn't reach her eyes, as she met Ryker's gaze. "Ryker," she said, her voice smooth, but with a razor's edge. "I trust you haven't wasted my time."

Ryker, suppressing a sigh of relief that only one of the infamous women had arrived so far, gave a respectful nod. "Visha. I appreciate you coming," he replied, maintaining a steady composure. "Your expertise is critical for what we're about to face."

She looked over the assembled Crimson Lions with mild interest, her gaze lingering briefly on each member as though she were cataloging them. Leah, shifting uncomfortably under her stare, forced herself to hold eye contact, while Gregor "Ox" frowned, unsure what to make of her. Talia smirked, though her fingers gripped her dagger a bit tighter, and Elias's gaze remained sharp, analyzing her every move.

Kade, however, stepped forward, his expression calm. "Visha, thank you for assisting us. We're honored to have someone of your reputation and skill," he said diplomatically, with a respectful nod.

Visha tilted her head slightly, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "I hope your gratitude translates into results," she said coolly. She turned her attention to the maps on the table, her fingers brushing over the marked locations in the Crisanto Forest, the basilisk sightings noted with small ink symbols.

"So," she began, her voice soft but commanding, "basilisks. I've heard the fog is dense with corrupted mana and corrosive venom—just the sort of environment I enjoy."

Ryker cleared his throat, trying to keep the conversation on track. "That's why we asked for your help. We need someone who can not only withstand but manipulate those elements. I trust the environment won't be an issue?"

She gave him a faint smile, her gaze darkening. "Not at all. In fact, I think I might enjoy this more than expected."

The tension in the room settled into an uneasy silence, the Crimson Lions watching her with a mixture of awe and caution as she inspected the information, already mentally dissecting the basilisk threat.

Just as they were beginning to relax, the door creaked open once more. Another chill ran through the room, but this time it was darker, colder, as if death itself had entered. The air grew still, a faint whisper seeming to settle in the space, and the light dimmed as though drawn into shadows.