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At the Adventurer’s Guild. “Young Master Zhang, my subordinates have reported spotting someone who closely resembles [Princess] en route to the grand prison.”

S.K.Y. sipped on the Guild’s exclusive fruit wine, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol. A hint of intoxication affected him, more mentally than physically.

“Excellent, excellent!” Taurus banged on the table, drawing immediate attention, unconcerned as his face mirrored S.K.Y.’s flushed appearance.

“Ha, the foolishness of Black-hearted Princess knows no bounds!” The notion of infiltrating an impregnable prison for an NPC’s sake was sheer folly!

“Indeed, were I in her shoes, I’d not waste a moment’s concern on her,” S.K.Y. remarked disdainfully, reaching for his absent gold-rimmed glasses.

Self-preservation reigns supreme! Although this wasn’t the original intention, it became a widely accepted misinterpretation, evolving into a perceived truth.

“Let’s scope out the prison entrance later. Should she truly have ventured inside, a celebratory feast is in order—drinks on me until we can no more!”

Taurus downed his drink, beaming. “To drinking ourselves under the table!” S.K.Y. reciprocated, draining his cup in one go, locking eyes with Taurus. “Once she’s in, there’s no way out.”

“Correct. The game’s rules dictate that you’ll log back in exactly where you logged off. Escape to reality all you want; your next login will place you right back in the thick of it.”

Taurus topped off his own cup before doing the same for S.K.Y. “Here’s hoping she’s confined for a few days. It’ll give us ample time to up our game. By then, hehe,” S.K.Y. uttered with a wicked grin.

Taurus joined in with a maniacal laugh. Word of her breach into the grand prison spread, prompting radiant smiles among both players and NPCs alike, as though New Year’s celebrations were upon them. At last, the notorious scourge would meet her match!

The air in the Guild was heavy with the aroma of spirits. The ambiance was vibrant as everyone savored their drinks. “Come now, down this one~” Taurus, in high spirits, kept refilling S.K.Y.’s cup.

“To you, Young Master Zhang!” S.K.Y., equally elated, toasted. It was a peak of happiness for him. The reports of Princess’ prison intrusion weren’t yet verified, but the likelihood made it nearly certain. Given the high odds, they couldn’t be mistaken.

Indeed, even if she hadn’t made the attempt, they’d broadcast this tale far and wide, both in-game and out, tarnishing her name! To sully her reputation was their goal, and they’d stop at nothing to achieve it. “To the last drop!” Glasses clinked once more as they emptied their contents.

Unbeknownst to them, the Guild, which moments ago was alive with New Year’s cheer, had fallen eerily silent, akin to a graveyard.

“Let’s have another!” echoed Taurus, visibly inebriated, his cheeks flushed a deep crimson akin to a monkey’s rear.

“Once more, once more!” S.K.Y. enthusiastically refilled his glass to the top and clinked it with Taurus’.

The clinking of glasses resonated. Immersed in their alcoholic revelry, they remained oblivious to the sounds of approaching footsteps. Moreover, they remained unaware of two figures steadily advancing towards them.

Around them, the rest of the Guild’s patrons wore expressions of fear, their faces drained of color, engulfed in a tense silence. An instinctual desire to flee took hold among the onlookers. Yet, fear of drawing the demon’s gaze kept them rooted in place, silently awaiting the unfolding drama.

Relief washed over them as they witnessed the demon nearing Taurus’ table, prompting a collective sigh of release. It became clear the demon had a target in mind!

“Incredible, that cursed Black-hearted Princess got her comeuppance at last!” S.K.Y. exclaimed with glee, finishing his drink and forcefully placing the glass on the table.

“Exactly, truly satisfying…” Mid-sentence, Taurus froze, his reaction statue-like as realization dawned on him.

His pupils, now tightly constricted, mirrored the image of an approaching beauty.

“Here we go, Young Master Zhang, another round!” Unaware of the imminent danger, S.K.Y. proceeded to refill their glasses as if nothing was amiss.

At this moment…

“Care to offer me a drink?” came a captivating voice, breaking the jovial atmosphere.

S.K.Y. frowned upon recognizing the voice, which carried a familiar yet unsettling tone.

The voice seemed vaguely familiar, yet brought an immediate rush of negative feelings upon deeper reflection. Choosing to halt his train of thought, he turned to look. In an instant, he was petrified, as still as a statue.

Standing before them was the Black-hearted Princess herself, the very target of their derision.

Right then, a beaming smile adorned her face, complemented by the bundle of rope she held.

“No takers? That’s alright, I didn’t come here for drinks anyway.”

After her words, she launched S.K.Y. and Taurus Zhang into the air with swift punches, their faces still frozen in shock. She then flung a rope, enveloping it around them with a wave of her aura, binding them instantly. With a firm tug, she dragged them across the ground, their bodies skidding on the surface.

“Please, Princess, spare me!” S.K.Y. howled, agony in his voice. “Princess, please no!” echoed Taurus, equally distressed.

Yaeger dismissed their cries without a second thought, dragging them away without hesitation. A petite figure in white robes, her face mostly obscured by an oversized hood, quickly trailed behind them. As Yaeger exited, the Guild’s occupants let out a collective sigh of relief, finally allowing themselves to breathe freely.

“I beg you, Princess, it was all drunken babble, meaningless words. Please, have mercy!” S.K.Y. felt a deep sense of dread.

She evidently had the power to end him with one punch, yet refrained. Opting instead to bind him with rope suggested an anomaly.

“Please, Princess, no! My judgment was clouded by drink. Forgive my error and show mercy!”

True to their close friendship, their excuses mirrored each other, as if connected by a form of telepathy.

“Spare you? Hehe, do not assume your actions are unknown to me.” Halting, Yaeger turned to face the dirt-covered duo, a smile gracing her lips.

Her smile, warm enough to thaw ice, paradoxically sent a chilling blizzard through the onlookers, making them shiver.

Specifically for S.K.Y. and Taurus, the cold fear gripped them deeply. It was a profound dread.

“What… What are you implying?” S.K.Y. stuttered, anxiety causing his heart to race.

Taurus’ anxiety was palpable. Clearly, she was well aware of their role as the instigators in this affair.

“Regardless of your denial or confession, punishment is inevitable today.”

Her smile vanished as she sharply pulled on the rope, catapulting both men into the air. Subsequently, they plummeted. Approaching the ground, shock was all they felt, harboring a desperate wish for the ability to soar like birds. Regrettably, such a wish remained unattainable.

Moments before their harsh collision with the earth, their descent abruptly slowed, causing them to crash into each other and cry out in agony. It was then they discerned that the rope was secured to a wooden post just outside the Adventurer’s Guild, suspending them mid-air, effectively entrapping them.

In fact, they dangled merely tens of centimeters above the ground.

“Evening approaches. It’s the perfect moment for a display of my affection,” she declared, as a black whip materialized in her grasp.

Witnessing this, a cold shiver ran down the spines of S.K.Y. and Taurus.

Poised to plead once more, their voices were cut short as the black whip transformed into myriad serpentine tendrils, furiously lashing their forms.

The air was pierced by their desperate howls.