The Author's POV

"This works better."

"Are you sure?"

"If you want to deal the most amount of damage, yes. This is the best way."

"Okay…"

Things seemed to be rather tense inside of a fairly sized office space, as two figures sat on opposite ends of each other.

"What about with this one? Would a guild war be more suitable, or should we cripple them financially?"

"Guild war? That sounds rather fun."

"…It might backfire."

"I don't think it will. You can just ask Kevin to help you out. I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem doing so. He's a pushover. Furthermore, you yourself told me that you had to have them gone."

"True…"

In this unusual atmosphere, the words that were being spoken between the two individuals would've sent waves around the human domain.

It was then that.

Knock. Knock.

The door suddenly knocked, and a deep voice echoed from the other side of the door.

"Young miss, may I come in?"

"Yes."

Amanda replied.

Following this, the door opened up and a young man in his thirties walked into the room.

He was Maxwell, Amanda's assistant.

The moment Amanda's eyes laid on him, she curiously asked.

"What brings you here?"

"…Nothing in particular young miss."

He curiously looked around the room before his eyes paused on the figure sitting next to Amanda.

Despite the slight twitch in his mouth as he paused to look at the figure, he quickly continued speaking.

"The elders wanted to know whether you have come up with a solution for our current predicament."

"About that…"

Amanda turned her head to glance at a girl who was sitting next to her. Other than Melissa, who else could it have been?

Only she would say such words. Well, there was Ren, but he wasn't exactly here.

Lifting her glasses up with her finger, Melissa didn't reply and scanned the map of Ashton city with her eyes.

Then, taking her gaze away from the map, she responded.

"Your best bet would be to financially cripple, Dongtan Guild, Ikarian Guild, and Snowstar Guild. In terms of finance, they are the weakest of the lot, and will go down without putting up much of a fight."

"I thought so too."

A nod followed Amanda's response as she pointed at two more guilds.

"Regarding these two guilds, Wraithless and GoldenCrow would be the best to announce a guild war against. They have the financial power, but are not as strong in terms of members."

"I agree, that's your best bet."

Melissa replied with a serious look. There was a glint of excitement in her eyes as she gazed at the map.

"...My only gripe with this is that they might hire external help to fight in the guild wars, that in itself will be a disadvantage."

"I agree."

Amanda's eyes narrowed. Her brows relaxed not long after.

"But I think this can work for our advantage."

"It might..."

In agreement, Melissa plucked lightly at her lips.

"Especially since they will be individuals that have never worked with each other before."

"Yes."

One of the most important factors for ensuring victory in a guild war was coordination and seamless collaboration between all participants.

wasn't a 1v1 scenario. It was a large-scale battle that involved thousands and thousands

be giving up control. In particular, this was more pronounced

were, the more arrogant they

problem

were, in other words,

"Hehehe…"

giggle escaped

'This is fun...'

how many diamond-graded guilds might potentially fall from

would come

broad grin spread across her

turning her head, Amanda glanced her way. Her face

She then asked.

"Why are you laughing?"

"…Nothing much."

off. But the smile

gaze, Melissa

I'm just laughing because this

"Fun?"

"Yeah."

her face once more, she pressed one of the guilds on

a lot more entertaining than I originally thought. Kind of relives

everything that had happened with the magic cards recently, Melissa was

call, she probably would've spent the day in the lab

boring. It got so boring that Melissa increased her potions consumption

had

have a change of

"...I see."

look on

her head

"What's wrong?"

was staring at her

'What's wrong with her.'

spoke. Her

of Ren when you

"Wha..t."

her mouth agape, Melissa's

say what

the map in front of her, Melissa had a sudden urge to destroy

remind her of

Hell no.

was her

eventually narrowed tightly as her

people you had to compare me

"Sorry."

apologized. That said, she didn't seem to be sorry at all. Rather, she had a look filled

Melissa's fist clenched.

for ruining my

Melissa took out

Gulp.

there was an audible gulp

just took it out of

the potion tightly, Melissa grit her teeth as she forced

herself to control her potions

she forced a

if you ever plan on doing something as fun like this again, do call me. I will come in a

around, Melissa glanced in Maxwell's way before heading

"Seriously?"

way, she whispered in a barely audible voice. She was

who copied someone, it would have been him copying me. In the first place, I'm the one with

the whispers, Amanda still heard every one of

'At least she knows...'

Amanda's eyes lingered toward the area Melissa previously stood. She then shook her head and glanced in

everything, you can report this to the elders. Report to

"Understood."

Maxwell bowed down politely.

Maxwell was about to leave, he thought of something and called

"Young Miss..."

"Yes?"

of his nose, a faint smile spread

couldn't help but overhear the conversation between the two of you,

head cocked a little as

"What is it?"

you had the same look on

"Hm?"

Amanda's face stiffened.

already left before she

Clank—

the sound of the door closing, silence

how to reply

I really look like

had mixed feelings