"Tokura-san found it very difficult when I asked him to give up the sword and live as a commoner. He pondered over my request for several days before finally telling me that he would stay with me and not travel anymore. However, he couldn't give up the sword and fighting, so he applied to become a samurai under the Sanada clan...

"He disappeared for months, undergoing numerous tests to meet the Sanada clan's requirements. During that time, I met... Master Garasu. He treated me with care and attention that Tokura-san never could, speaking sweetly and making me feel special. Eventually, I... I fell in love with him."

Marika's voice trembled with her last sentence, tears welling up and streaming down her cheeks.

"Garasu? The leader of the Crow Group?"

Valentine and Aden asked almost simultaneously. They glanced at each other in surprise before turning their attention back to Marika and Chang Long.

"Yeah. Do you know him?"

Chang Long asked, surprised. Upon reflection, it made sense that both, as ninjas, would know of Garasu and the Crow Group through their Profession Change NPC.

"Of course! There's a quest to eliminate the Crow Group issued by the Sanada clan, but no player group could complete it yet, Chang."

Valentine answered excitedly.

The sparkle in her eyes indicated that she found the idea of a quest against the Crow Group intriguing, especially with the powerful members of the Pendragon Guild and her friend Chang Long, who had sacred beasts. It would not be hard for them to accept the quest and beat the Crow Group.

Valentine's words stirred excitement among Chang Long's group, knowing they might get to indulge in a massive brawl once again. Even though killing AIs or other players did not yield experience points, the prospect of facing a large group was thrilling, even if they were just AIs. They could get a taste before the game's war system was officially announced.

"Do we need to get the quest from the Sanada clan first?"

Wet Trash Can asked eagerly.

"Yes, otherwise even if we wipe them out, the Crow Group will just respawn!"

Valentine nodded.

"Let's focus on that later. Marika, please continue."

Chang Long turned back to Marika, who seemed startled by the group's enthusiasm and lack of fear toward Garasu and the Crow Group.

"Well... Master Garasu persuaded me to do something for him on the day Tokura-san was to be appointed at the Sanada clan's castle. At that time, I didn't know Master Garasu's cruel true nature or that he was the ruthless leader of the Crow Group, someone even the Sanada clan couldn't touch!"

Marika spoke with a bitter expression. She had not just been unfaithful, but also deceived into betraying Tokura-san.

"U-huh... What did he ask you to do?"

Chang Long pressed on.

"Master Garasu told me he had a friend also applying to be a samurai under the Sanada clan, but this friend couldn't beat Tokura-san due to his old age. He had dreamed of becoming a Sanada samurai for a long time, and if he missed this chance, he wouldn't have the strength to compete with younger men again..."

Everyone fell silent, staring at Marika, anticipating the revelation of a significant secret.

"M... Master Garasu gave me a small vial of medicine. He said it would make Tokura-san sleep, causing him to miss the final test for the position. Initially, I hesitated because it felt like cheating, but Master Garasu reasoned that Tokura-san was still young and would have another chance. His friend, however, would not. S... so I relented."

Marika spoke with great difficulty, her cheeks soaked with tears, her face contorted from trying to suppress her sobs.

"I didn't know it was poison! Tokura-san drank the tea I had mixed with the substance without suspecting anything. He even smiled at me kindly. Throughout his dedication to the tests, he never noticed the changes in my heart. He didn't know I had betrayed him by falling in love with another man. He didn't know someone intended to harm him. He didn't even know that the tea he drank was poisoned..."

Marika could not continue. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Chang Long's group could only watch in pity, unable to find words to console her.

'Missy, that assassin is approaching,'

Davy-chan reported as he had been patrolling the area.

"Garasu's assassin is coming this way,"

Chang Long announced gravely.

"I'll handle it!"

Draco volunteered.

"I'll go too, in case you need backup,"

Aden added, standing up to follow Draco. Chang Long caught a glimpse of him releasing some kind of seal, but she could not see clearly as the cemetery mist thickened.

"Alright, Marika, there's one more question you need to answer. What is the Soul Sealing Orb?"

Chang Long asked sternly. Marika wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at Chang Long seriously.

"It's a rare and precious item for those who consume souls. I don't know how Master Garasu got it, but it can seal the spirits of humans, beasts, and even gods if they could die. It's said that consuming the Soul Sealing Orb with a trapped spirit inside grants the consumer all the power of that spirit..."

Marika explained what she knew.

"Then why do I need to touch it to Tokura Hisa's spirit when it already contains half of his soul?"

Chang Long asked, frowning.

"Because it's the same soul, it can be sealed again. This happened because I hurried to inform the nearby Sanada clan members, which made Master Garasu furious. He was never gentle with me again..."

Marika answered sadly, realizing her betrayal against two men she loved had put her in this situation.

"Because of what you did that day, today you have the chance to atone. Spirit Summoning, Hisa-chan!"

The translucent form of Tokura Hisa appeared near Chang Long. Marika was stunned, unable to believe she was seeing her former lover's face again, even though it looked displeased and unfeeling.

"If I touch this orb to Hisa-chan's remaining spirit, it will fully merge, right? ...Hisa-chan, if I do that and you are no longer bound to me, will you follow me again?"

Chang Long spoke to herself softly, then touched the Soul Sealing Orb to Hisa-chan's spirit while everyone watched with concern.

"Player Chang Long has lost the spirit Hisa-chan."

The system announced as Hisa-chan's translucent form disappeared into the Soul Sealing Orb. The spirit tablet that once bore Hisa-chan's name turned blank again.

Draco and Aden returned to the group only ten minutes after leaving, prompting everyone to question whether they had truly fought Garasu's assassin. Both appeared unscathed, without a single sign of exertion.

"Where's the assassin?"

Oliang asked, puzzled.

"Dead."

Draco replied succinctly, patting his Firetail affectionately. Marika was once again stunned to see a real dragon up close.

"How did he die? We didn't hear any sounds of a fight."

Peach Blossom asked, frowning in confusion. There had been no sounds of battle, no cries, nothing. She wondered how they had taken down the assassin.

"Come here, Livia! This is Livia, my dryad. She made the assassin completely helpless."

Aden said proudly, calling out to a beautiful dryad in a black lace outfit who had been hiding behind a bush to introduce herself to the group.

"A dryad? You used a dryad to fight an assassin!"

Wet Trash Can asked in astonishment.

"Not exactly... We just had Aden's dryad use her charm magic on him. After that, we simply walked up and took him down."

Draco's explanation made the young men swallow hard. They all silently agreed that Aden was a formidable opponent.

"A dragon! A dryad! Who are you people? And you, you possess another part of Tokura-san's soul!"

Marika cried out, almost hysterical.

"Calm down, Marika. Having a dryad is perfect since Garasu's minions are all lecherous. I'll take Marika somewhere safe first. Siegfried, form a group and go get the quest. Meanwhile, I'll pay Garasu a visit."

Chang Long began strategizing, clutching the Soul Sealing Orb containing Hisa-chan's soul tightly.

"What about me?"

Marika shouted, feeling ignored.

"You find a place to hide until the Crow Group is wiped out, then come out."

Valentine told Marika, who still seemed paralyzed with indecision. After agreeing on the plan, everyone left the Samurai Cemetery and went their separate ways as planned.

Chang Long was on her way to the Crow Group's headquarters when the system alerted her that her offline time was approaching. She quickly called Siegfried to halt the quest until she could return, as she was about to be forcibly logged off.

"Give me an hour in the real world, and then we'll regroup!"

Chang Long instructed Siegfried over the phone, while Kitsune, understanding the situation, ran back to Chang Long immediately.

"Got it. We'll log off too so we can synchronize our online times. See you in an hour."

Siegfried agreed.

"See you then."

Chang Long said just before her figure gradually faded away.

18:00

Chang Long got up from the gaming console and headed to the bathroom to shower and take care of personal hygiene. Afterward, she went downstairs to find something to eat. Aunt Im had prepared braised fish maw in red gravy for her. Chang ate quickly and then went back to her room. She checked her phone to ensure no calls had come in while she was gaming. Seeing that it was nearly time to meet up with her friends, she logged back into the game.

Chang Long reappeared at the same spot where she had been automatically logged off. She unsealed Kitsune and inserted multiple elemental gems into the bracelet used to seal Hulu. Then, she summoned Davy-chan. Just as she was about to check the online status of her friends on her watch, the phone on her wrist rang.

"Hello, Siegfried. Is everyone ready?"

Chang Long asked professionally.

"Yes, I'm on my way to get the quest from the Sanada clan." Siegfried replied.

"Alright, see you there. Oh! and wait for Kitsune. If anything happens, he can contact me telepathically so we don't alert the Crows."

Chang Long ordered Kitsune to rush to join Siegfried's group, knowing that he was an excellent backup and a discreet real-time communication tool.

"Hisa-chan, it's time for revenge!"

Chang Long whispered to the Soul Sealing Orb, which glowed brightly as if it understood her words. She then headed towards the Crow's headquarters to confront the evil man, Garasu. Despite the risk of losing Hisa-chan, her determination remained unwavering.

At the entrance to Garasu's luxurious building, the guards were shocked to see Chang Long return unscathed. This meant the assassin Garasu had sent had failed, despite his high skill level.

"I'm here to complete the quest."

Chang Long told the gatekeeper, who still seemed stunned.

"O... Oh! Come in. Master Garasu is waiting for you!"

The gatekeeper fawned, opening the door for Chang Long.

As she walked towards Garasu's room, the Crow gang members stared in astonishment. Saemon looked particularly surprised to see Chang Long again. He hurried to announce her arrival at Garasu's door, his voice panicked. There was a long silence before Garasu allowed Chang Long to enter.

"Excellent!"

Garasu exclaimed loudly, stepping forward as if to embrace Chang Long, but she quickly dodged, jumping back.

"I don't like being touched by strangers."

Chang Long said coolly, noticing Garasu's intense gaze.

"Hehehe, no problem. Where is my Soul Sealing Orb?"

Garasu asked seriously, his eyes scanning her hands for the orb.

"And where is my gold?"

Chang Long retorted, her expression just as serious.

"Come on! You'll get your gold, but wouldn't you like to see something even more amazing first?"

Garasu smiled slyly, extending his palm towards Chang Long.

"And what's that amazing thing?"

Chang Long asked, stalling for time while waiting for Kitsune's contact.

"That... You'll see it once you hand over the Soul Sealing Orb. Now, give it to me, kid!"

Garasu's smile turned sinister, like a serpent ready to strike.

Chang Long reached into her bag, deliberately making it look difficult as if the orb was tangled among her other clutter. When she finally pulled it out, she extended her hand slowly, even more so than in slow motion, both to buy time and to irritate Garasu.

'We're ready to attack at any moment, master,'

Kitsune communicated telepathically to Chang Long, just as she let the Soul Sealing Orb slip from her grasp and fall to the ground.

"Woahhh!"

Garasu screamed in shock, lunging forward with no regard for anything else, desperate to catch the precious orb.

Crassssh!

"Oops!"

Chang Long feigned a startled gasp, raising her hands to cover her mouth as if horrified by her own clumsiness in dropping the Soul Sealing Orb.

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