Eren had killed three rankers in total by the time the stun effect on Oliver's forces was over.
Eren's wrath creature managed to injure two rankers in the next two seconds before the rankers were able to respond to the attacks launched at them.
The two rankers that were injured by the wrath creature were also affected by the wrath mana. It was just that neither they nor their fellow rankers were aware of what was happening to them. This is why they suddenly started hating the situation they were in.
Between the butcher and the fake butcher, Oliver immediately understood who was more dangerous. He intercepted Eren after he managed to get out of the stun effect. By doing so, he prevented the butcher from killing any more rankers from his side.
Ivor had also killed three rankers so far. Unlike Eren who was very handsy with his approach, Osan Junior preferred to use his spells and his daggers. Plus, by the time Oliver kept Eren busy, Ivor was able to catch up with Eren.
Oliver was very shocked that Layla had another partner in crime joining her team. He had no time to observe the man closely. However, the way Eren killed the members of his team told Oliver that he was a bigger threat than Layla's previous partner.
Oliver kept all his random thoughts at bay and decided to prioritize his team's safety. He kept his eyes on Eren while shouting.
"FORM A FUCKING CIRCLE!"
Oliver ordered his rankers to assume a defensive position. The remaining rankers didn't need to be told twice. They immediately assumed their intended position, keeping Oliver and Biru in the middle of the circle.
Death was part of life in the rankers' world. So nobody let their fellow rankers' deaths get to them. Some of them did not let it affect their morale or actions. However, many rankers failed at this basic task after observing the dead bodies of the deceased.
Ivor and Eren were almost alike in the way they killed their enemies. Their opponents' dead bodies would usually be unrecognizable after they were done. One would only see the mark of a veteran killer on the bodies of the two rankers' victims.
Eren felt his wrath domain getting stronger as he felt the growing hate in the hearts of the rankers with each passing moment. He, the wrath creatures under his control, and Ivor were standing at a set distance from each other, forming a circle of their own to surround Oliver's team.
Both sides observed silence for a while. Oliver's 30-member party had been reduced to 24 just a few seconds into the confrontation. Eren's side had managed to cause so much violence in such a short time that it felt unreal to most rankers.
"Master Biru…"
"I can't help you, lad. I can't use my mana for some reason."
Oliver tried to seek help from Biru but was silenced soon afterward. He cursed the old man for being so useless in his head before looking at the two wrath creatures. These two wrath creatures were part of his team just a few moments ago. And Eren's domain Ability had changed them into something entirely different. Someone who would not hesitate to kill the rankers who broke bread with them.
Only now did Ivor understand why Eren didn't want to show his Sin of Wrath to him. The effects of this Ability would have been too prominent for a day or two even if a Potion of Innocence had been used at the scene. Oliver would have never gotten anywhere near this part of the forest if he had sensed the residual wrath mana.
Osan Jr. also understood that the Ability Eren had unlocked was stronger than his for the simple reason that it affected multiple people. It turned him into an efficient killer whether he was up against a single ranker or a group.
"What… What kinds of powers are these? Are you a cultist?"
A ranker on Oliver's side asked Eren the question with her voice coated in disbelief and weariness. She was named Gigi, and she was in the late stages of her Adept rank.
She looked to be in her early 40s and had an olive complexion. She was wearing body-hugging chainmail armor, which highlighted her curves beautifully.
Gigi was going to get attacked by Eren when Oliver intercepted him. At first, she thought that she was ready for Eren when she saw him approaching her. But after seeing him fight for a bit longer, she was glad that Oliver had come between them. A second or two with Eren would have injured Gigi, if not killed her.
Oliver had a similar question in his head when he saw the wrath creatures beside him staring at his group with their rage-filled eyes. The Ability the butcher displayed so far made it abundantly clear to Oliver and his forces that its source was not the land of Anfang.
Oliver decided to carefully observe his enemies before taking any action. Ivor had assumed an altered appearance using the artifact given to him by Eliza. Eren on the other hand changed his appearance using his bloodline Ability.
Oliver refused to stare at the wrath creatures for more than a second. He was about to open his mouth to speak to Eren and Ivor when he felt he finally remembered where he had seen the two men fight.
The man had his mouth open in shock. But he shook his head in denial and mumbled a few words of disagreement to himself.
Oliver was present in the audience when Eren's team fought Jason's team. He had seen both of them use their spells and felt their presence up close. He couldn't make a connection when he fought with Ivor in their previous confrontation. But doubts had been planted in his mind since then.
That's why he was carrying the monocle artifact with him. This would let him see the actual appearances of the rankers that had modified their looks with the help of external factors. He intended to use it on Ivor at first.
Oliver immediately took out a monocle from his storage and looked at Ivor and Eren. The man's face was painted in shades of utter shock as his conjecture was confirmed.
"Osan Woods' Butcher and Eren Idril!
What… What the fuck are you two doing here?"
