Chapter 77: The Center of Attention
"My man doesn't need your rescue!" Vicky dragged her weakened body over and forcefully pushed aside the young girl from the Angel Guild.
Her gaze, filled with a mix of resentment and weariness, fell upon Anna.
According to the plan, the Angel Guild was supposed to send an elite team to participate in the operation to annihilate The Brotherhood of Night Blades. But what happened?
By the time the battle here had ended, Anna arrived leisurely with her team, rendering their presence meaningless... Irving had almost perished alongside Duncan and the two elders just moments ago!
"Vicky, it's not what you think. We had our own difficulties." Anna quickly stepped forward, seeing Vicky's expression, and sighed. "I know you're not going to listen to anything I say right now, but Irving's injuries are really severe. The healer we just brought in, she was recruited with great effort from across the country…"
The young girl who had been pushed away earlier pouted in dissatisfaction towards Vicky.
As a healer, a role extremely rare in the game, her status in the Angel Guild was very high.
In the Other World Game, as well as in other types of online games, roles akin to "healers" are often the backbone of any team. Though they lack combat abilities, they are the essential support for all members.
"What's so special about it?" The young girl rolled her eyes arrogantly. "Your man? He's so badly injured he's almost dead. I'm the only one who can attempt to save him, and yet you're unwilling to let me?"
"Angla!" Anna quickly grabbed the young girl beside her and shook her head, signaling her to stop talking.
Anna then walked over to Vicky and urgently said, "Vicky, now is not the time to discuss who's right or wrong. The most important thing is to heal Irving's wounds."
"As of now, only Angla has the ability to treat him."
Anna said confidently. Only a group with the official backing like the Angel Guild could recruit a healer, while other groups could barely recruit any players with magical abilities, let alone a healer.
At that moment, a group of people walked up the steps to the hall.
They were the leaders and elite members of the twelve groups.
Although the castle's hunt for the remaining members of The Brotherhood of Night Blades wasn't over, the morale had plummeted after seeing Duncan and the two elders being pushed off the high platform, leaving the enemies completely demoralized and powerless.
"That's him!" The twelve group leaders instantly recognized Irving and hurried over with their elite members. Their hearts were filled with gratitude towards Irving.
They were filled with gratitude towards Irving. Had it not been for this young man, they may still have been enslaved by The Brotherhood of Night Blades, living like dogs.
But when they saw Irving's severe injuries, their expressions turned grim. They whispered among themselves, but none of them had any idea what to do.
"Vicky, please don't be so stubborn. Let her treat Irving." Anna pleaded once more.
Yet, her words were met with an icy response.
"Not necessary!" Vicky retorted.
The members of the various Groups present recognized Anna and her team, their gazes filled with a complex mix of emotions. When they looked at Angla, the healer mage, their hearts couldn't help but skip a beat.
Although these Groups harbored some grievances against the official authorities, everyone knew that at this moment, the only ones who could save Irving were the Angel Guild.
Just as they were about to step forward and plead their case.
The next moment, something completely unexpected happened.
Vicky's staff moved ever so slightly, and a series of green glows, like fireflies, floated out. They hovered momentarily before swiftly entering Irving's body.
"She… she's also a healer!" one of the group leaders exclaimed in astonishment.
This profession was already incredibly rare in the game, and now there were two of them. The group members were stunned, and even Anna was taken aback.
Angla, in particular, had the pride on her face slowly fade away.
She could clearly sense that the life force in the green glows released by this woman was far stronger.
Irving felt the excruciating pain from his countless wounds rapidly diminish, replaced by an itching sensation—the sign of healing.
A deathly silence fell over the scene. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Irving, watching as his ghastly wounds visibly began to heal.
Little Black, sensing his master's improving condition, wagged his tail excitedly and circled around them.
Ten minutes later.
Irving finally managed to stand up from the steps. His equipment was in tatters, shredded and broken in the battle, but most of his wounds had healed.
"Irving…" Vicky's voice was weak. Having exhausted herself casting the[Healing Art], she swayed and collapsed before she could finish her sentence.
At that moment, a pair of strong arms caught her around the waist.
"You've worked hard." Irving said softly, looking at the unconscious Vicky in his arms, a gentle light flickering in his deep eyes.
Just then, James returned with his men. Seeing Irving's recovered state, his expression first showed surprise, then excitement.
"Have you found them?" Irving asked.
James nodded and called out to the back, "Bring them over here for Irving to see!"
A few players from the Green Ivy Group dragged three charred corpses into the midst of the crowd, as if hauling garbage bags. The bodies belonged to Duncan, the leader of the Brotherhood of Night Blades, and the two elders.
The two elders, used as meat shields, had their bodies blown apart, resembling nothing more than ragdolls with multiple limbs severed.
Irving's gaze fell upon the masked corpse. He frowned, then approached and removed the mask.
A pale face was revealed to everyone.
The players who had been enslaved by the Brotherhood of Night Blades had never seen Duncan's true face. When they finally saw the face beneath the mask, their hearts surged with turbulent emotions.
Duncan's pale face revealed a touch of delicate beauty, particularly the arched eyebrows and the pallid lips, features distinctly feminine.
"He... he's actually a woman?" a sharp-eyed player exclaimed in shock.
No one had ever imagined that the ruthless and cold-blooded leader of the Brotherhood of Night Blades was a woman. To be precise, she was a female warrior.
The crowd erupted in a cacophony of discussions.
Irving's deep, profound eyes flickered with a complex emotion as he looked at Duncan's corpse. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Alright, from now on, the Brotherhood of Night Blades no longer exists. You are all free."
The Brotherhood of Night Blades had been completely annihilated in this battle, and the various groups were finally free from their control.
After a brief period of discussion, the crowd settled down. As they glanced around, they were met with scenes of desolation—corpses scattered everywhere and ruins left in the wake of battle, leaving the castle in a state of desolation.
"You there, young man, how should we address you?" The president of the Dream Group stepped forward with a hint of respect in his voice.
The leaders of the other groups, along with their elite members, also gathered around, their faces unable to hide their excitement.
"Indeed, young man, if it weren't for you, we would still be enslaved by these bastards. You saved us." the president of the Thunder Group added, stepping forward. "We really don't know how to thank you!"
The memory of the battle that had just taken place in front of the hall, especially the scene of Irving recklessly charging at Duncan and the two elders with his[FireBall], was still fresh in their minds. They were all deeply impressed by the bravery of the young man before them.
Most importantly, this young man had single-handedly destroyed the Brotherhood of Night Blades, a group that had terrified all the other groups. His formidable strength left everyone present in awe.
Within the Green Ivy Group, the players who had chosen to stay and fight to the death felt more confident than ever in their decision as they looked at Irving.
In that moment, Irving was surrounded by players like a star being admired by its followers. There was a mix of shock, admiration, and even a hint of reverence in their eyes.
They all had a strong feeling that this young man would undoubtedly become a dominant figure in the near future, and now was the best time to forge a connection with him.
Every player looked at him expectantly, eager to know the identity of this man.
"I'm just an ordinary player in the Other World." Irving said with a calm smile. "This castle is now my personal property. If there's nothing else, you may all leave now."
As his words fell, a wave of disappointment washed over the crowd, as though they had been doused with cold water.
"Young man..." the president of the Dream Group began, as if wanting to say more, but he was cut off before he could continue.
"Please leave." Irving said coldly.