chapter 117 true faces

Lysara's Walk of Disdain

The air inside the guild hall was heavy, thick with the judgment of those who once called her Vice Guild Leader. Lysara had made her choice. She wasn't going to be sold off like a pawn in a political marriage, not to Twinkle Stars, not to anyone.

As she stepped toward the massive oak doors, the silence in the hall broke. It started as whispers, hushed voices buzzing between members who once fought beside her.

> "Did she really refuse?"

"Yeah. Walked out just like that."

"She's finished. No guild will take her now."

Each word was like a blade, not because it hurt, but because of how quickly they turned on her. The same people who had once stood at her side, cheered for her victories, and followed her orders without question—now acted as if she had never mattered.

She reached the hallway, her boots clicking against the polished stone floor, and suddenly, the murmurs turned into open sneers.

A group of younger guild members, those she had personally trained, now stood with crossed arms and amused smirks.

> "So much for the mighty Lysara."

"Pfft, guess she wasn't so smart after all."

"Thinking she's too good for a Tier 1 city guild? What a joke."

Lysara kept walking, her expression blank, unreadable. She knew these people. Knew their strengths, their weaknesses, their ambitions. And right now, she saw them for what they truly were—cowards who had never dared to stand against the guild elders.

Her former commanders stood by the staircase, watching silently. Some had pity in their eyes, others had indifference. Not a single one stepped forward to defend her.

Then, a voice cut through the noise. Loud. Mocking.

> "She could've had everything." A man chuckled, making sure everyone heard.

"Instead, she chose nothing."

A wave of laughter followed. It wasn't just mockery, it was dismissal—as if she were no longer worth their time.

Lysara's steps did not falter, but her hands tightened into fists.

As she neared the guild gates, the jeers became bolder.

> "Where will she even go?"

"No guild will take her now."

"What a waste."

The massive iron gates loomed before her. The guards—ones she had fought alongside, ones who once stood at attention when she passed—now barely even looked at her.

They swung open the gates without a word, without a single shred of the respect they used to show.

Lysara stepped through, and the moment her foot crossed the threshold, the gates slammed shut behind her.

BANG!

A final, loud declaration. She was out.

The night air was cold, but the weight on her chest was gone.

She exhaled slowly.

A faint smirk curled at the edge of her lips.

> "Fools."

They thought she was lost.

They thought she was nothing without them.

They would soon learn just how wrong they were.

Inside the Diamond Breeders Guild Hall – The Elders' Reactions to Lysara's Departure

As Lysara stepped out of the guild hall, the heavy doors slammed shut behind her, sealing her fate in the eyes of those who remained inside. A faint silence followed before the murmur of voices began to rise within the grand chamber of the elders.

The long, ornate table in the center of the room, polished to a gleaming finish, reflected the cold expressions of the men and women seated around it. The guild leader, an imposing figure dressed in regal combat robes, sat at the head of the table, his fingers tapping against the wood in a slow, rhythmic motion.

The Indifferent Elders – "She's Nothing Without Us"

Several elders exchanged smirks and amused glances, looking completely unbothered by Lysara's departure. To them, she was just another piece on the board—one that had removed itself.

> "Hmph. She brought this on herself," one elder scoffed, folding his arms. His sharp amber eyes gleamed with mockery.

"She thought she was above the guild, above our rules. Let her learn her lesson outside."

Another grinned, a look of cruel satisfaction crossing his face.

> "She thinks she can just walk away and survive? She'll be crawling back, mark my words."

A third elder, a woman with long silver hair, yawned.

> "She was useful, yes. But not irreplaceable." She adjusted the rings on her fingers, her expression one of complete boredom.

"We'll find another Vice Guild Leader. Someone more... obedient."

They spoke as if Lysara was nothing more than a discarded tool, something that had outlived its purpose.

The Concerned Elders – "This Might Be a Mistake"

On the other side of the table, however, a few elders looked uneasy. Unlike their indifferent peers, they understood the weight of what had just happened.

A gray-haired elder with a scar across his cheek leaned forward, his brows furrowed in concern.

> "Are we sure this was the right move?" His voice was low but firm, cutting through the arrogance of the others.

"Lysara wasn't just a random officer. She was one of our strongest fighters. We didn't just lose a Vice Guild Leader—we lost a war asset."

A woman with piercing blue eyes sighed, rubbing her temples.

> "It's not just that," she muttered, voice sharp with frustration. "Her leaving… it sets a bad precedent."

"If someone like her can just walk away, what's stopping others from doing the same?"

A younger elder, who had long supported Lysara, clenched his fists. His expression was tense, his eyes filled with worry and anger.

> "And what if she joins another guild? What if she turns against us?" His voice was quiet but filled with anxiety.

The room fell silent.

For the first time, even those who didn't care hesitated.

Lysara wasn't the type to fade into obscurity. If she decided to take revenge, if she found a new guild, new allies, a new power to support her—

What then?

The Guild Leader's Final Words – "If She Comes Back, We'll Crush Her"

The guild leader finally spoke, his voice calm, yet heavy with finality.

> "If she was strong enough to be a real threat, she wouldn't have needed our resources in the first place."

His eyes flickered with cold certainty as he leaned back in his chair.

> "If she comes back as an enemy…" He paused, his lips curving into a cruel smirk. "We'll deal with her then."

And just like that, the decision was sealed.

The elders who didn't care moved on, already discussing their next strategies.

The elders who were worried sat in silence, a growing unease creeping into their thoughts.

Lysara was gone.

But was this truly the end of her story?

Or the beginning of something far more dangerous?

Comment guys your thoughts