The guild branch leader stood from his desk slowly. His fingers tapped against the desk in a consistent manner.
At the corner of the room, the cloaked mercenary stood still. No words were spoken. Both men were used to this as it seems that it has happened many times before.
Both looked towards the closed door. Watching. Waiting.
A moment later, the doors creaked open. Two figures stepped in.
Feng Ye and Anne.
The guild branch leader's fingers stopped tapping on his desk. His gaze landed on Feng Ye first. Then, he shifted his gaze to Anne.
Upon seeing Anne's appearance, a moment of recognition flickered across his face.
A smirk formed slowly on his face.
"The objective came directly." He chuckled. His voice was filled with amusement. "And here I was worried that you had already left."
Anne's expression didn't change. Her fingers twitched as she readied herself to cast a spell at any moment.
Feng Ye took a casual step forward. He scanned the office. His vision landed on the guild branch leader. This man was well-built, muscular, and broad-shouldered. He probably had his fair share of exploits in his past. He wore a luxurious tunic. Feng Ye could observe scars on his knuckles. This was usually a sign of someone who had fought and survived numerous battles.
Feng Ye also noticed the cloaked figure at the corner of the room. It was familiar, however, from the current situation, he might also be an enemy.
The office was very large. Spacious and well-furnished. However, it wasn't suitable for large spells. Anne would find it hard to fight here and would need to most likely avoid the area of effect type of spells to not cause friendly fire.
"Nice office," Feng Ye remarked.
The guild branch leader maintained his amused expression before probing.
"Who are you?" His gaze sharpened as he swept Feng Ye from head to toe. "You don't seem to be one of hers. Perhaps from another guild…"
The guild branch leader stepped forward.
"Let's play."
Anne took a step back immediately behind Feng Ye. This was a fight Feng Ye had to handle. The office was too small for her magic to be effective. In close combat, mages had a huge disadvantage. In this case, if she participated, she might just be a burden and cause friendly fire in the process.
There was also the threat of the cloaked mercenary watching from the corner.
Anne stepped back toward the door, pressing her palm against it. If anyone tried to enter, she would be the first to stop them. At her fingertips, a spell slowly formed at the ready.
She cast an anti-sound barrier which was like a thin wall that formed an envelope around the walls and on the door. This would prevent any noise made within from escaping. Those on the outside wouldn't hear anything that occurred in this room.
To both Anne and Feng Ye's relief, the observer, the cloaked man in the corner, made no move.
He only watched. Silent and waiting.
The guild branch leader's steps barely made a sound. However, he was very agile.
The guild branch leader's hand reached for his desk drawer. The sound of metal scraping against wood could be heard.
A set of brass knuckles laid inside. He grinned and took out the pair of brass knuckles.
Feng Ye's eyes narrowed. At first glance, these looked like ordinary brass knuckles. However, Feng Ye's senses tingled. It was a warning of danger.
Something was off.
The brass knuckles didn't seem to be from this world. The metal was too sleek. Etched symbols pulsed faintly as though they had life.
Anne's eyes widened. She felt it too.
The guild branch leader slipped them onto his fingers. He licked the metal and flexed his hands.
Then, he turned towards Feng Ye and smiled. "You aren't the only one with secrets."
Feng Ye unsheathed two daggers. One in each hand.
Then, the guild branch leader moved. He was faster than he looked. He took large strides and arrived at Feng Ye.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The sound of metal colliding echoed in the office as Feng Ye and the guild branch leader exchanged blows.
Daggers weren't that great of a matchup against fists. Feng Ye had to take caution to avoid large heavy blows.
The guild branch leader swung a large heavy punch. Feng Ye avoided it just in time.
BANG!
That punch made contact with a nearby wall. It had nearly caved in the stone wall. The impact resulted in small cracks spreading across its surface.
Feng Ye landed a few steps back. His instincts screamed to be careful.
This man was no ordinary combatant. He truly had the qualifications to lead this branch.
Anne not far away, but still at the entrance had erected a magic barrier that enveloped her entire figure. Her barrier rippled as it absorbed the shockwave.
She exhaled.
"He's strong."
Feng Ye gripped his dagger tightly. Some beads of sweat slowly formed on his forehead. "Stronger than expected."
The guild branch leader laughed. His expression then darkened. His previous expression of amusement shifted quickly into one that had locked its prey.
"Heh, you move well. However, this is just the warm-up."
The guild branch leader flexed his fingers. The strange brass knuckles emitted a humming noise. It pulsed more noticeably.
"Anne." Feng Ye said a name.
Anne heard this and nodded while she extended her hand towards Feng Ye. Her palm opened wide and Feng Ye could feel a warmth that radiated throughout his body.
He could feel his movements getting more agile. His strength also seemed to increase. A yellow glow wrapped around him for a brief moment before slowly disappearing leaving only a faint trace.
It was a buff. One that seemed to increase his agility, strength, and stamina.
Feng Ye remained still. His daggers lifted ready. He had to be careful.
"You aren't the only one with a buff." The guild branch leader snorts.
Buff. This word probably didn't belong in this world. Feng Ye noticed that Anne and the observer's expressions indicated that they were unfamiliar with the word in this context.
Without enough time to think further, the guild branch leader made his move.
A quick burst of movement.
The man swung his fist.
BANG.
Feng Ye barely dodged in time. A fist blasted past him.
It struck the ground.
CRACK!
A small crater was formed on the ground. The luxurious carpet was now in tatters. Another shockwave rippled throughout the room.
The room shook.
Anne braced herself at the entrance. Her barrier rippled once again.
Feng Ye's mind raced. This was strange. His strength was even more powerful than before. Something was amplifying him.
Without more time, more exchanges occurred.
Feng Ye and the guild branch leader continuously exchanged blows. Feng Ye slashed his daggers and struck fast and sharp.
A few clanged against the brass knuckles. Sparks flew as a result.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Up close, Feng Ye could see the etched symbols on the knuckles glowing. It seemed to continuously pulse.
Something was off about those knuckles. They seemed to enhance his enemy's movements.
The exchanges became more frequent. The tempo of the fight rapidly picked up the pace.
The guild branch leader wasn't slowing down. He was getting faster.
It was getting tougher for Feng Ye to deal with.
He gritted his teeth. This was abnormal. His opponent seemed to continuously get stronger mid-fight.
Anne narrowed her eyes as she observed.
The energy in those brass knuckles… it was escalating.
Feng Ye felt it as well.
CLANG!
Feng Ye's daggers collided with the guild branch leader's fists.
They locked their gaze at each other.
Feng Ye then took a risk.
As soon as the exchange ended, Feng Ye instead of stepping back, surged forward.
SLASH!
A gash formed along the guild branch leader's forearm. A stunning slash.
However, no blood came out.
Feng Ye's eyes widened.
An incoming fist rapidly approached and closed the gap between them.
BANG!
Feng Ye was blown backward.