Beast Evolution Forge

Chapter 114 Guild Masters 3

The city trembled.

Every clash between them destroyed another building. People ran screaming as their shops and homes crumbled. The guards had given up trying to maintain order and focused on evacuation instead.

"Is this what you wanted?" The Guild Leader shouted, dodging another of Vell's attacks. "To destroy everything?"

Vell's laughter echoed through the ruins. "Destroy? No, no. This isn't destruction." He appeared behind the Guild Leader, that terrible smile still on his face. "This is renovation."

His punch sent the Guild Leader through a temple wall. Before the old man could recover, Vell was there again, grabbing him by the throat.

"You see, I've been watching. Learning." His grip tightened. "This whole system you've built? It's rotten. The guilds, all of it, I'm going to tear it all down and build something better."

The Guild Leader's face turned purple, but he managed to gather enough energy to blast Vell away. He fell to his knees, gasping for air.

"You're... insane," he coughed. "The system maintains order. Without it-"

"Without it, people might actually be free?" He cut in. The dark symbols around him pulsed faster. "Scary thought for someone like you, isn't it?"

The Guild Leader's eyes narrowed. He stood up straight, his white robes now stained with blood and dirt. "Enough games." His voice became deeper, more resonant. "You want to rule over this section? Fine. But that will only happen if you win."

White light exploded from his body. The ground beneath him turned to glass from the heat. His eyes began glowing like small suns.

"Full Release: Divine Authority."@@@@

The pressure of his power made the air heavy. Windows shattered for blocks around. The remaining guild masters, watching from a safe distance, fell to their knees from the force.

"Interesting, your power is making me angry for some reason" Vell said, his smile gone.

The Guild Leader didn't reply. He moved, faster than ever before, his fist aimed at Vell's heart.

But Vell caught it.

"What?" The Guild Leader's eyes widened in shock.

"This annoying feeling, so this is divine power huh..." He squeezed, and bones cracked. "I expected more."

The Guild Leader pulled back, clutching his broken hand. "How? This power... it should be-"

"Should be what? Overwhelming? Unstoppable?" He shook his head. "You still don't understand."

The dark symbols around him suddenly stopped moving. For a moment, everything went quiet.

Then they began spinning, faster and faster, merging into a vortex of dark energy.

"Very well." The figure made a dismissive gesture toward the fallen Guild Leader. "This section is yours. Do with it what you will. Consider this your... gift... and warning."

Vell's expression didn't change, but the symbols around him slowed their spinning. "Just like that?"

"Just like that." They smiled, but it didn't reach their eyes. "Though I suspect you'd have taken it regardless of our blessing. This way is simply... neater."

"And what's the catch?"

"No catch. Consider it professional courtesy." They pulled their hood back up. "Though I do look forward to seeing what changes you implement. It's been so long since anyone properly shook things up."

As they turned to leave, the figure paused. "Oh, and Vell? Do try to leave some of the city standing. Rebuilding from scratch is such a bother."

Their group vanished as suddenly as they had appeared, leaving him standing alone among the ruins. He looked down at the unconscious Guild Leader, then at the trembling guild masters in the distance.

"Well then," he said, his smile returning as the dark symbols faded away. "Let's talk about those new rules."

[System: First Limiter Re-engaging]

[Power Levels Normalizing]

[Host Body Stabilizing]

The guild masters trembled as he approached them, his footsteps echoing in the now-silent streets. Though his power had diminished with the re-engagement of his limiters, the memory of his true strength left them paralyzed with fear.

"First rule," he announced, his voice carrying across the ruins. "No more corruption. No more extortion. No more 'disappearances' of those who speak against you." His predator eyes glowed faintly. "Break this rule, and I'll show you exactly what I did to your leader."

One of the masters, braver or perhaps more foolish than the others, spoke up. "But... but how will we maintain order without-"

"Without fear?" He cut him off. "You'll learn. Consider it a growth opportunity." His smile turned sharp. "Second rule: The arena system stays, but it changes. No more rigged matches. No more forcing fighters to lose. True competition only."

He looked around at the destruction his battle had caused. "Third rule: You will help rebuild what was destroyed today. Not with the people's money, but with your own hoarded wealth." He paused, letting that sink in. "Consider it your first step toward redemption."

The masters exchanged glances, then slowly nodded. What choice did they have?

"Good." He turned to walk away, then stopped. "Oh, and one more thing." He glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes holding a dangerous glint. "If I hear even a whisper of resistance to these changes... well, let's just say I won't be as gentle as I was today."

As he walked through the ruined streets, the system screen popped up:

[Warning: Detected multiple surveillance attempts]

[Source: Unknown sections]

[Recommendation: Maintain current power restrictions]

He smiled. 'Hah, let the losers watch. Let them see what real change looks like.'

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