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墨書 Inktalez
"Why are you back, Xiong Tai? Where are the others?" The people resting in the tent were having an urgent meeting out of boredom when suddenly someone walked in. No one felt any sense of discord; on the contrary, the person who entered was very familiar to them, so they could tell who it was just by the sound of footsteps.
Ross returned to the tent as if nothing had happened, coming back alone.
However, this still drew attention. His mission was to guard Xiong Tai, so what did it mean that he returned alone? Just as others were about to ask, Freyr immediately raised a hand, signaling, "I know everyone has their own thoughts. Right now, I want to hear yours. What exactly happened? If you can't convince us, you'll have to face the consequences for defying my orders. You'll be punished, and of course, I will also hold myself accountable for my lack of oversight."
Ross glanced at the rigid Commander in front of him, feeling a bit annoyed internally but maintaining a cold demeanor on the surface. The judgment would merely determine how much he would be punished; as a manager, Freyr would impose double penalties to set an example. It sounded quite professional.
However, Ross had no other intentions behind this. He merely hoped for the team to function like a team. Various ideas stem from human thought, and he wished that even when mistakes were made, everyone would adhere to the discipline he had established. This was a principle he had brought from his previous unit.
Now that this approach seemed to yield good results, everyone under his guidance began to transform into individuals with the spirit of a passionate military group. Slowly they integrated into a single entity known as Phantom—six people united without any concealment or ulterior motives—until they drove out the Zerg. They were comrades who would stand together in life and death.
Few other teams operated like they did, enforcing discipline so strictly that there was no room for recognition or individual thought.
Professionals typically dislike constraints; forming a team of six was meant for missions. If there weren't enough members, they could apply to the association, which would assess and assign professionals to their team.
However, this arrangement could render team cohesion virtually nonexistent. If the sole purpose was merely to complete tasks, such a team lacked any real unity. In favorable circumstances, they could rely on each other as true comrades and enjoy camaraderie over food and drink.
But in adverse situations, how could so-called brothers and friends display their shared resolve? They wouldn't fight back-to-back like in good times; instead, they might become divided. In high-level teams formed under rigorous task systems, only those who survived numerous challenges emerged successfully.
Among these teams, most comrades had developed bonds so deep that they were inseparable. As the saying goes, "No wind rises without waves," even if one fell midway.
To join a high-level team and become new comrades likely required multiple influences; only through significant missions could one gain recognition from these individuals.
Otherwise, they would face indifference or even exclusion. One side might immediately apply to leave the team while the other wouldn't take any action against them—this is what is known as going against each other.
Typically, members of these high-level teams have already forged deep connections with one another. In major missions—whether in favorable or adverse conditions—they would fight back-to-back together; either they would die together or emerge from adversity together. As their strength continually improved and their equipment evolved, their hearts remained forever linked.
In contrast, those newly formed teams often experience fluctuations in their member dynamics. The reasons for their lack of cohesion stem from various specific conditions, primarily personality traits and differing ideas. Some individuals are natural leaders with exceptional talents, while others possess a strong sense of suspicion.
Once all these individuals are integrated into a team, the ones who ultimately endure until the end may be entirely different people.
Thus, the longevity of a team largely depends on the leader's ability to manage it—having high emotional intelligence, strong decision-making skills, and a fair and just demeanor.
At the very least, every team member should feel that they are a unique presence within the group while also engaging in genuine communication and connection.
Under various circumstances, when they come together, regardless of the size of the task at hand, they can maintain their bond until all those who survive through their experiences transform into a team as resilient as steel.
While external challenges may rage on, the internal atmosphere of the team remains calm and steady like lukewarm water.
"He went out for a bit and told me to come back first. He assured me not to worry; he wouldn't do anything reckless. So I didn't follow him. However, he seemed to be in quite a good mood. I don't think his purpose for going out was to vent his frustrations. Compared to that, we can rest easy; his appetite today is quite large." Ross appeared to have grasped the nuances of Xiong Tai's demeanor, analyzing his current thoughts. Indeed, if Xiong Tai were angrier, he would channel all his energy into eating because he would never harm others or himself—he couldn't bear to look down on himself.
Force is always employed to protect the rights of the weak; clearly, he still couldn't bring himself to act out violently. Eating didn't seem to be against any rules.
So he preferred to set this matter aside and release his emotions in another way.
"Having a big appetite means what? That he's in a bad mood today? And when he's in a good mood, you just let him go off alone? Do you even know where he went?" Freyr was filled with confusion, struggling to suppress his frustration. Although he nearly shouted in anger, he maintained a relatively calm demeanor towards his comrades. After all, they were members of the same team who would always have each other's backs in battle. Speaking harshly could lead to misunderstandings or even unwarranted disdain during critical moments.
Therefore, he opted for a simple question that was easier for the other party to accept.
Though Ross usually came across as carefree and straightforward without much cunning, he was quite perceptive. His thoughts were intricate; sometimes he willingly took on some losses just to create an illusion for others.
But no one knew why he acted this way; it made him seem like a smiling tiger. Despite lacking overt actions that suggested urgency or pressure, his demeanor still conveyed an underlying tension.
"This time, he seemed to sense Freyr's growing suspicion about his reliability. Suspicion is never a good sign; once someone starts to doubt you, it becomes increasingly difficult to shake off that label in the future.
At this moment, he found himself at a loss for words. Indeed, no matter how much food he was given, anyone could pretend to be happy while secretly engaging in bizarre actions. So why did he still want to leave him?
Moreover, this was a mission assigned by Commander. He had been too hasty in trusting Xiong Tai's intentions. That guy probably had a more delicate mindset despite looking like a bear; he was cunning at heart. Still, he hoped this bear wouldn't cause him too much trouble; otherwise, the only way to relieve his frustration would be to eliminate him entirely.
"I was wrong, Commander. I shouldn't have trusted Xiong Tai's words, and I also failed to complete the task you assigned me. I am willing to accept punishment; please judge me," Ross said as he stood up and knelt before Freyr, appearing genuinely remorseful and responding in a low voice.
His attitude of admitting fault was quite sincere; this time it didn't feel like an act but rather a determined abandonment of pride as he knelt down. However, it was hard to reconcile this with the once-glorious Ross, making the situation quite tricky.
Freya silently cursed himself for making a mistake. Initially, he only wanted Ross to recognize his error slightly, but unexpectedly, the other party misunderstood and thought Freyr intended to punish him. This misunderstanding would be very difficult to resolve; if the solution were simple and brutal, they would no longer be on friendly terms, and the team would fall apart.
Furthermore, Ross was well-liked and could easily be elected as the team's Commander by others. If the team fell into his hands, he would become nothing more than a stepping stone for Ross, and the previous humiliations would come flooding back like waves.
Ross had a ruthless personality; someone like him could destroy another without hesitation, and there might even be people counting their profits afterward.
If that were the case, the current situation would depend on his adaptability. He needed to forgive Ross but not too completely—he had to maintain his dignity while ensuring that the laws established for the team were not treated carelessly.
Perhaps someone was already waiting for this moment of change within the team. Almost every group faced the tragedy of being torn apart by Infighting. The result of Infighting is self-destruction; self-destruction leads nowhere but to conflicts over equipment, power struggles among leaders, competition for Score, and endless disputes that render team-building efforts futile.
Therefore, his decision must be constructive. He pondered deeply until he heard commotion coming from outside the tent.
Someone was shouting outside, "Is Commander of Hunter Team 4 here? I need you all to come and collect someone." Just then, a familiar voice cried out in desperation from outside—someone who sounded like they were being tormented by someone else.
The voice was unmistakably familiar; those who recognized it immediately frowned. Freyr quickly realized who it belonged to—this pleading tone and mannerism could only belong to Xiong Tai.
"What trouble has he gotten into now?" Freyr rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking somewhat frustrated, but still managed to mutter a complaint. Just when he thought he had everything figured out, things took a turn for the worse. Ross, standing nearby, sighed helplessly at Freyr's gloomy expression.
He should have listened to Commander earlier; it was no surprise that his temperament had landed him in trouble. Freyr couldn't fathom what offense had been committed or how Commander would handle the situation after going out. If it was merely a loss of face, that would be manageable, but if it involved humiliation, then things could get dire.
At this point, the other team members were already labeling him as insubordinate and self-righteous. This stigma would be hard to shake off, and he would need to work even harder to mend the strained relationships that had developed.
"Let's go take a look. That bear is going to get a taste of his own medicine when we bring him back," Freyr grumbled as he stepped out of the tent. The others were concerned about him getting into more trouble; it wouldn't do for him to appear weak and be bullied. After all, no matter how helpless he felt, he was still the Commander of Team 4, and he couldn't always present himself as someone who cowered in silence. Otherwise, people might think his team was filled with timid individuals, and that precedent could not be set.
Regardless, Freyr had his own plans. Once outside the tent, he spotted four or five burly men waiting outside. Two or three of them were hoisting someone high above their heads like they were carrying a bear. No matter how much the person squirmed, there was no escaping the grip of those four muscular men.
Moreover, Xiong Tai seemed to be under some sort of restraint; he couldn't gain an advantage against those four men who appeared slightly less formidable than him. How had he been captured? What had he done to warrant this? And why was he being delivered right to their doorstep?
Yet there was something familiar about this scene, as if it had happened before. Just then, from among the group of stout men emerged a striking woman.
At this sight, Freyr furrowed his brow slightly. This woman possessed a fox-like allure—wasn't she the Commander from the patrol team that had just switched shifts yesterday? With just a bit of makeup, she looked entirely different from her previous elegant appearance; now she resembled a cute girl.
"You are Meng Luo," Freyr recognized her despite feeling slightly unfamiliar with her current look—she seemed to be without makeup now. Once she applied her makeup again, her appearance would likely change even more.
This was their unique understanding of each other’s intentions; however, her purpose here was undoubtedly related to Xiong Tai's misdeeds.
"Can I take him? He is my brother and a member of our team. I promise I will punish him when we return and ensure this kind of situation doesn’t happen again," Freyr said without hesitation as he approached and tugged at the corner of Xiong Tai's pants while lowering his voice.
"True to your reputation as the Commander of Team 4, I expected nothing less than your loyalty to your comrades. But don’t you want to know what your team member has done? Why are you so eager to take him back?" Meng Luo replied.
"Honestly, I don’t need to know every detail. If he has been captured by you all, it can’t be for anything good. I’m not sure what exactly he did wrong; ultimately, it falls on me as his Commander for any oversight on my part. If he has offended you in any way, you can direct your grievances at me alone. All consequences stem from my failure in supervision as Commander. So tell me what you want from me; I can assist with one thing for you—but you must not force me into anything against my will or moral principles. As long as it aligns with my judgment after consideration, I will agree to help you," Freyr stated firmly.
"This is too good to be true; it's all on you. I've figured it out—your team isn't exactly filled with good people. First, your Vice Captain sneaks a peek while I'm bathing, and now you, with your sharp tongue, twist the truth around. How can I agree to let anyone go under these circumstances? The conditions I set must be fulfilled by you, and you could easily dismiss this mission as unsuitable with just one sentence. What would that mean for me? No way! I refuse to let this matter go; once it gets out, your team will undoubtedly become known as the most problematic group. Your reputation will suffer, and public opinion will tarnish your name. If I wanted to make that happen, what could you do about it?" Meng Luo spoke with a hint of cunning, clearly driven by a strong purpose. She must have something on them.
Xiong Tai, who was present at the time, knew there were no witnesses around; whatever was said would naturally be accepted as truth.
"Sneaking a peek while bathing? Come on!" Ross frowned upon hearing this and instinctively averted his gaze. However, he was quickly caught by Freyr's fierce glare. That look was fleeting; clearly, directing the anger at him would not be wise. It was not the behavior of a true man.
"Sneaking a peek? Damn it! I'm upright and honest; I'm not that kind of person! You're just trying to twist the truth! I'm not afraid of you! Commander, don't fall for their tricks; I refuse to believe they can do anything to me!" Xiong Tai shouted after regaining his composure.
His voice was quite loud, but using such words to cover up his mistakes seemed rather futile, didn't it?
It certainly felt futile. Even he couldn't tell if anyone would believe him. Being caught was akin to prisoners in jail claiming they were wronged—it's the same principle. If something didn't happen, how could one claim they were wronged?
"Can't you keep quiet? Is this how you want to be remembered?" Freyr snapped back irritably, his face darkening as he turned back to his original position. The two teams stood in opposition.
Neither side was willing to compromise; it all depended on which side could withstand the silence longer. Essentially, whichever side spoke first would provide an opportunity for both to step down gracefully.
Freyr felt that reputation didn't matter much. Even if the entire association turned against him, as long as he wasn't specifically targeted or exploited—provided they didn't unjustly deduct their hard-earned scores—he wouldn't care about being laughed at. As long as he wasn't singled out, things could be managed.
As long as they could handle their own affairs well, others' opinions wouldn't matter if there were no targeted attacks against them.
A long time passed—how long exactly was uncertain—but it felt like several hours had gone by. If neither side was willing to compromise, they would remain standing indefinitely; their team's rule had always been the face of the Hunter Association.
In contrast, the newcomers entering the Hunter Association industry tended to have thinner skins. Generally speaking, being pointed at or whispered about behind their backs made them uncomfortable.
Thus, if this standoff continued for too long, the advantage would soon become apparent; simply occupying an advantageous position did not guarantee victory in the end.
"Alright, we don't want this dragged out any longer either, but you must reach a written agreement with us," Meng Luo couldn't help but speak up again.
Although the men behind him were quite forceful, it was impossible for them to hold up a three-hundred-pound deadweight indefinitely. It was clear that they needed to recognize their stance first; trying to outmaneuver the other side with such tactics would not work.
It was evident that the opposing team had thoroughly understood this approach and had grown tired of it. Continuing to use the same old tricks would be pointless. One could imagine that the Four Hunter Team did not maintain the straightforward image they projected.
"Alright, since you’ve brought it up, we need to sit down and discuss this properly. After all, if our teams can cooperate, it benefits everyone. If you want to negotiate, let’s establish some terms and rules so that both sides can come to an agreement without any disputes later on. What do you think?" Freyr inhaled deeply, still appearing calm and competent.
"Fine, we’ll go with that. Let’s discuss it now and sign the Agreement. Our team proposes an opportunity for collaboration on a mission, with an 80-20 split in favor of our team. How does that sound?" Meng Luo replied lightly.
At this point, some might have almost laughed out loud; it was clear that this was an unequal partnership. A 50-50 split would have at least warranted further discussion.
However, one must understand that at such critical moments, if the other party was willing to negotiate terms, it meant they had something to gain from the conversation; otherwise, they might not even bother with you. This was simply human nature.
Although they didn’t care much about relationships or face-saving—some even willing to abandon their dignity—having these connections was certainly better than having none at all.
These were resources that couldn’t be easily discarded. Perhaps one could live well by letting go of them, but holding onto them might lead to an even better life.
"So this is your condition? An opportunity for collaboration? If there are no additional terms, then since we’re going to cooperate, how about returning my teammate? That shouldn’t be too much trouble," Freyr nodded.
Meng Luo gestured with his hand. "Alright, return them." The four men beside him immediately nodded and gently placed Xiong Tai back on the ground. Xiong Tai quickly broke free and ran over.
"Please sign here. If anyone violates this agreement, they will suffer the pain of being Pierced by Ten Thousand Arrows," Meng Luo said as he produced a piece of parchment for the Agreement, seemingly wrapped in a purple energy field. It was unclear if there was anything unusual about it, but the skull depicted on it had glowing purple flames in its eye sockets, indicating a curse. Anyone who broke the agreement would indeed experience the torment of being Pierced by Ten Thousand Arrows—each layer of pain compounding until they were pierced through the heart after forty-nine agonies.
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