chapter 38 hostile takeover

A Hostile Takeover Begins

Hours later, Sophie stood atop a ruined watchtower overlooking the Iron Fang stronghold. Smoke curled from the remnants of their defensive barricades—evidence of their desperation. K had torn through them like a storm, and in his wake, they were nothing more than a guild in name only.

She turned to Vance, who stood beside her, surveying the scene with amusement. "Iron Fang thinks we saved them," she mused, a smirk playing at her lips. "They don't realize we're about to finish what K started."

Below, Iron Fang's remaining leadership—barely a dozen players—had gathered outside their hall, nervously awaiting their 'allies.' Dark Solution's forces were already inside, moving through their storage rooms and taking inventory of everything. It was all happening under the guise of 'protection,' but Sophie knew the truth. This was not an alliance. This was an absorption.

She descended the tower steps at a leisurely pace, her boots clicking against the worn stone. As she approached Iron Fang's leader, a man named Garrick, she could see the exhaustion in his eyes.

"We've done as you asked," Garrick said, his voice tight with tension. "The credits have been transferred, and the first batch of alchemy materials is ready for transport."

Sophie tilted her head, pretending to consider his words. "Good. But I'm afraid there's been a slight miscalculation."

Garrick frowned. "What do you mean?"

Vance stepped forward, casually unsheathing his dagger. "The deal was our terms, exactly as stated. No delays, no alterations. Yet, we've reviewed your inventory, and there are several key materials missing."

Garrick's expression darkened. "We didn't withhold anything! Our stores were raided when K attacked. We barely—"

Sophie raised a hand, silencing him. "I understand," she said, voice smooth as silk. "Which is why I'm offering a solution."

She took a step closer, her presence suffocating. "Iron Fang is finished as a guild. You know it. I know it. The only reason you're still standing is because I allowed it."

Garrick clenched his jaw, his fists tightening.

Sophie leaned in, whispering the final blow. "Join us. Or be forgotten."

Silence stretched between them, the weight of the choice pressing down on him. Behind Sophie, her forces had already begun taking control—stationing themselves at key points, securing the vaults, watching Iron Fang's remaining members like vultures circling a carcass.

Garrick swallowed hard. "And if we refuse?"

Sophie smiled. "Then you become just another casualty."

He looked around, taking in the unspoken truth—his people were outnumbered, exhausted, and defenseless. Any illusions of bargaining power had been shattered the moment they let Dark Solution inside their gates.

After a long pause, he lowered his head. "We'll join."

Sophie's smile widened. "Smart choice."

She turned to her men. "Iron Fang no longer exists." Her voice rang with finality. "Welcome our new recruits to Dark Solution."

The Fall of Iron Fang

The remnants of Iron Fang stood in the ruined courtyard of their once-proud stronghold, their battered banners hanging limply from shattered walls. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burnt wood and blood, a grim reminder of the massacre that had occurred mere hours ago. K had carved through them like a force of nature, leaving only the weak and desperate behind. Now, those survivors had no choice but to look to Dark Solution for salvation.

Or so they thought.

Sophie stood at the top of the crumbling steps leading to Iron Fang's main hall, gazing down at their broken leader, Garrick, with something between amusement and disdain. His once-imposing figure was hunched, his armor scorched and dented, and his eyes darted between the Dark Solution members spread throughout the courtyard. He wasn't a fool—he could see what was happening. Dark Solution hadn't come as allies. They had come as conquerors.

Behind Sophie, Vance stood with his arms crossed, a wicked smirk on his face. He had always enjoyed this part—watching proud warriors realize just how powerless they truly were.

Garrick took a deep breath, straightening slightly. "We've done as you asked," he said, voice carefully measured. "The credits have been transferred, and the first batch of alchemy materials is ready for transport."

Sophie didn't respond immediately. Instead, she let the moment stretch, let the tension coil tighter. The sound of armored boots echoed across the courtyard as Dark Solution members moved freely through Iron Fang's halls, no longer treating it as foreign territory, but as their own. Some had already begun carrying out crates of supplies, stacking them neatly by the gate. A silent declaration that Iron Fang's possessions were no longer theirs.

Finally, Sophie spoke, her voice soft, almost sympathetic—but her eyes gleamed with cruelty. "Good. But I'm afraid there's been a miscalculation."

Garrick frowned. "What do you mean?"

Vance stepped forward, rolling a dagger between his fingers. His tone was almost lazy. "The deal was our terms, exactly as stated. No delays, no alterations. Yet, when we checked your vaults, we found several key materials missing."

Garrick's fists clenched. "We didn't withhold anything! Our stores were raided when K attacked. We barely—"

Sophie raised a hand, silencing him with a mere gesture. "I understand," she said smoothly, tilting her head. "Which is why I'm offering a solution."

She descended the steps, moving with slow, deliberate grace. The survivors tensed as she approached, their instincts screaming at them to run, but they had nowhere left to go.

Sophie stopped just inches from Garrick, looking up at him with a smile that sent a chill down his spine. "Iron Fang is finished as a guild," she said, her voice gentle—almost a whisper. "You know it. I know it. The only reason you're still standing is because I allowed it."

Garrick's breath hitched, his body rigid with tension. He knew she was right.

Sophie's voice dipped lower, just for him. "Join us. Or be forgotten."

The weight of those words crushed him.

Garrick swallowed hard, his eyes darting around—searching for an alternative, an escape. But there was none. His people were outnumbered, their defenses shattered. Dark Solution hadn't just come for resources. They had come to take everything.

Behind Sophie, Dark Solution's forces had already assumed control. Archers stationed themselves along the walls, watching the survivors like vultures awaiting their next meal. Fighters blocked the exits, ensuring no one could slip away.

There was no battle. No negotiation.

Just conquest.

Garrick exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

"…We'll join."

A slow, victorious smile spread across Sophie's face.

"Smart choice."

She turned slightly, lifting her hand in a casual flick of her wrist. The tension in the courtyard snapped. Dark Solution members moved at once.

Some warriors began dismantling Iron Fang's banners, ripping them down and tossing them aside like garbage. Others started marking the territory—staking Dark Solution's claim over every inch of the fortress. Those who had been Iron Fang moments ago were now being ushered into their new reality.

They weren't allies.

They were property.

Vance let out a low chuckle. "That's one down."

Sophie cast her gaze beyond the ruined gates, her mind already shifting to the next target.

This was just the beginning.

The Fall of Crimson Vow

With Iron Fang crushed beneath her heel, Sophie wasted no time moving onto the next tier-three guild in her path—Crimson Vow. Unlike Iron Fang, they hadn't yet suffered K's wrath, but that only meant they were complacent—soft. They still believed they were safe.

That mistake would cost them everything.

The plan was already in motion. As Sophie and her forces marched toward Crimson Vow's territory, her spies were already inside their walls, spreading misinformation, whispering doubts, and ensuring paranoia festered like a disease.

By the time she arrived, Crimson Vow's leadership was already on edge.

—

The gates of Crimson Hold, their fortress, loomed ahead. A once-proud stronghold now doomed by its own arrogance. Sophie could see nervous sentries stationed along the walls, their grips tight on their weapons, their gazes flickering with uncertainty. They had heard about Iron Fang's fall. They had heard who was responsible.

They knew she was coming.

Good.

Sophie stepped forward, flanked by Vance and a dozen of Dark Solution's elite. She didn't bother knocking—instead, she stopped just before the entrance and waited.

Seconds passed.

Then the gates groaned open.

Elias, Crimson Vow's leader, emerged with a handful of his officers. He was older, more experienced than Garrick had been. His eyes were sharp, his stance unwavering. He wasn't going to bow as easily.

But that didn't matter.

Sophie always got what she wanted.

"You've been busy," Elias said coolly, his gaze flicking over her forces.

Sophie smiled. "So have you."

A flicker of confusion crossed his face. That was all she needed.

"You see," Sophie continued, tilting her head, "while you were waiting here, debating what to do about me, your people were making decisions of their own."

Elias's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Sophie snapped her fingers.

At that moment, several doors within Crimson Hold burst open—and Dark Solution's operatives stepped out, weapons drawn.

The fortress was already compromised.

The realization hit Elias like a blade to the gut.

"You—" His hand twitched toward his sword, but Sophie's voice cut through him like ice.

"Half of your guild has already surrendered. The other half is considering it." She took a slow step forward, voice dripping with amusement. "You are out of time."

Elias's officers shifted uncomfortably, realizing the truth. Their people were already defecting. Some had been bribed, others manipulated, and a few… had simply seen the writing on the wall.

This wasn't a war.

This was a hostile takeover.

Elias clenched his jaw, but the fire in his eyes was already dimming. He knew there was no way out. Not without losing everything.

"…What do you want?" he asked, voice strained.

Sophie smiled. "Oh, Elias. You already know the answer."

His shoulders sagged. Defeated.

"…We'll join."

Sophie let the silence stretch, letting him feel it. The weight of his own powerlessness. Then she laughed.

Behind her, Vance grinned.

"Two down."

Sophie turned her gaze to the horizon, toward the next guild.

Dark Solution was just getting started.