"Ah, so this is what it's all about. And settle? Did Ren even express any desire to settle in the first place?"

Scar's expression darkened as he recounted their guild's recent struggles. Unable to enter the Netherworld, their ranking had plummeted from number one to number five. Guns and Knives had seized the top spot, with Rising Phoenix close behind. If this trend continued, their guild would continue to slide in the rankings, overtaken by others who had been clearing dungeons and defeating bosses in the Netherworld.

He was roasted by the corporation because of this blunder, and immediately ordered to fix it. However, the only way he could was to settle with Ren.

Scar was willing to pay him and even get him off the blacklist if that was what it would take.

Their guild, among others who were after World Conqueror, couldn't enter the Netherworld because the blasted inhabitants refused them at every turn.

They wouldn't provide quests and missions, and thus in turn, they couldn't go inside dungeons or even defeat bosses. They couldn't even buy anything there.

They were restricted wherever they went!

"So tell me," Sumeri grinned, crossing her arms, "the reason why you've opted to see Ren is because Ren refused to see you, right? Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but if you want to settle with him, go and beg him for yourself."

At the mention of begging, Scar's face turned sour.

"Don't push your luck, Sumeri. And tell Ren that we're willing to forget about the past and start a new partnership with him. We're even willing to pay him damages and get him and his guild off the blacklist if he would do one single thing."

"And that is?" Sumeri asked without care.

"That's to rescind his order of blacklisting Black Lion in the Netherworld."

Sumeri's face remained unperturbed. She already knew that this was what Scar wanted to tell her about.

He was so predictable.

Too bad for him though . . . "You should be talking to Ren about this. Not me. I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

Scar took a deep breath, as if his patience was wearing thin. "Get him to listen, Sumeri. He's been ignoring us."

Sumeri laughed. "Then maybe that's your answer. Ren doesn't want to talk to you and doesn't want to settle."

She then got up and picked up the bags. "Sorry, your fifteen minutes are up. Thanks for this though. I will sell it to Invayne for double the price. That girl loves to own my second hands."

She then walked away but skidded to a pause when Scar called her name.

"Sumeri." Scar's face lost all pretense and veins started to bulge in his face. "Don't get over your head. Black Lion is a strong guild. My guild is backed up by big corporations. It wouldn't fall. With my power and influence, I could crush Ren and World Conqueror as long as this feud exists."

Instead of feeling scared, Sumeri relished at the sight. Oh, how she had longed for the day to see Scar rattled on his toes, seething with helplessness and frustration.

This was the moment she had yearned for, and the satisfaction she derived from it was akin to a cozy rainy night in, watching movies with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

Sumeri couldn't help but smirk, savoring the victory that had eluded her for so long. With a sense of triumph coursing through her veins, she left one final message for Scar, her tone dripping with scorn.

"You're the one who doesn't get it, Scar. COVENANT is the number one corporate entity right now, and Ren is its CEO. If I were you, I would lose the attitude and humble yourself if you want your guild and yourself to stay relevant."

With a flourish, she waved her hand and twirled her finger in a dismissive gesture, taunting Scar with her words. "Good luck."

With that, Sumeri strode out of the restaurant and out of Scar's life for good, leaving him to stew in his own bitterness and defeat.

Back in Ren's apartment, the atmosphere was lively as everyone gathered to report their progress in the game. The spacious living room was adorned with modern furnishings, with comfortable sofas arranged in a semicircle facing a large, flat-screen television mounted on the wall. Soft ambient lighting cast a warm glow, creating a cozy ambiance that invited conversation and relaxation.

The air was filled with the sound of chatter and laughter as the members of World Conqueror mingled with one another.

Some were lounging on the sofas, engrossed in animated discussions about their latest achievements in the mission they were in, while others were huddled together in smaller groups, exchanging tips and strategies for tackling challenging quests.

Despite the lively atmosphere, Ren remained lost in thought, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he grappled with the decision weighing heavily on his mind. His eyes flickered with emotion, betraying the inner turmoil he was experiencing.

As Ren sat on the edge of the sofa, his thoughts drifting to his friends, the lively atmosphere of the apartment filled his senses. Evie, with her serene demeanor and peaceful aura, exuded a sense of contentment that Ren found comforting. Despite his inner turmoil, he couldn't bear the thought of shattering her happiness with the grim reality of their situation.

Across the room, Leonel and Ragnar's banter filled the air, their voices rising and falling in heated debate. Leonel was intent on proving his strategies, while Ragnar offered jabs at Leonel's expense. Knowing that Ragnar's calm demeanor would likely remain unchanged, while Leonel's passionate nature might lead to a more dramatic reaction if Ren told them the truth.

Meanwhile, Roz remained immersed in his own world, his attention focused intently on his tablet as he meticulously reviewed his stats. Ren observed him with a mixture of curiosity and concern, wondering what thoughts might be swirling beneath his stoic exterior. Despite Roz's outward calmness, Ren knew that appearances could be deceiving, and he couldn't help but wonder how the news would affect him.