Geographically speaking, the structure of the Ruvia Clan was extremely loose. The clan was divided into countless subdivisions and their forces were spread thin. Only within a single section of Aquazyl could the Ruvia Clan be considered truly strong.
This was the same location where the village elder's message was directed.
Within a relatively large city containing many thousands of Ruvia Clan members, there was one building that stood out more than the rest. Nothing about this building gave away its uniqueness. Whether it was the architectural design or materials, they weren't much different from any of the surrounding buildings.
However, whenever a Ruvia Clan member passed in front of this building, they'd take a moment to bow in reverence.
This was the home of their Clan Head. He was a stoic man and often his gait would terrify people even if that wasn't his intent, but in his heart, he was a man who put his clan above all else.
The Clan Head was benevolent. His existence was what allowed the Ruvia Clan to flourish to its current apparent prosperity. Even when it came to matters of succession, he promoted democracy. He didn't want to see the Ruvia Clan fall into a pit of internal conflict.
The Clan Head was a large man, standing around 7 feet tall. He had short, spiky black hair and an angular face, the deep scar running from his forehead to his collarbone being his most eye-catching feature.
At the moment, he held a transmission talisman in his hand, his brows creased in thought.
'Elder Abul? What could this be about?' He wondered.
The second he injected his mana into the talisman and heard the message's contents, however, the sternness of his face became increasingly firm.
'This…this could work.'
He didn't waste his time doubting the fractured plan. With the framework he'd been provided and his own tactical knowledge, he was able to piece together the makings of a truly viable plan.
'That spatial expert will become the key to this plan's success or failure. Before I make any decisions, I must first test his worth.'
Just like that, Damien's entry into the Ruvia Clan's main headquarters was secured. As long as he could properly display his prowess to the Clan Head, his journey would be infinitely smooth.
However, the same couldn't be said for Zara.
Compared to Damien, she received entry into the Oga Clan's headquarters much faster, but the atmosphere was much different.
Unlike the benevolence and tactical prowess of the Ruvia Clan, the Oga Clan specialized in brutality. As Zara had witnessed for herself, the Oga Clan was a realm of berserkers where results would be obtained by any means possible.
For the sake of destroying the Tephit Clan, their disposition was actually welcomed. Their recklessness would greatly aid the allied force in pressing forward.
But to convince them to even take part in said plan was a hurdle of immense proportions.
Zara stood in a large palace facing a woman sitting on a throne of bones. Her eyes were cold and ruthless, her body prone in preparation for any danger.
"Still not willing to submit? Presumptuous!" The woman roared.
Five men and women appeared from the shadows and launched themselves at Zara, their eyes dyed red with bloodlust.
Before they could even reach her, they were frozen into blocks of ice and skewered by shadows.
"Your people are not strong enough to force me. Give up before I decide to get serious." Zara stated.
The woman in front of her wasn't even the Oga Clan Head. She was merely a Great Elder.
While her status was also high, she didn't have any authority to move the entire clan.
Only, when Zara first entered the clan, the Great Elder took a liking to her. Wanting her as both a beast companion and a sex slave, the Great Elder began to pressure Zara through strength and numbers.
Unfortunately, she overestimated herself. Now that they'd reached this point, a few tens of her subordinates had been mercilessly slaughtered and Zara looked just as pristine as she did when she first entered.
Her claims about the Great Elder being too weak to force her…were extremely true.
"I haven't attacked you because I have business with your Clan Head. Aside from that, any extra strength will be welcome in the future. Before I'm forced to strike a blow against the Oga Clan, stop your nonsense."
Zara spoke coldly and calmly as if she was unbothered, but she was boiling with fury on the inside. She wanted to rip this woman to shreds. She wanted to show the Great Elder the true meaning of brutality, the brutality of the First Dungeon. Her bestial instincts and bloodline were screaming at her to raise hell.
But she suppressed these instincts to the best of her ability. She wouldn't allow her bloodline to control her into making more mistakes. She would tame it and force it to submit.
The Great Elder could only count herself lucky for Zara's consideration. She, unfortunately, didn't seem to realize the great grace she'd been bestowed.
"You lowly mutt. A great being like me has declared you worthy of being my slave, yet you reject? Then die!"
The Great Elder outstretched her arm, causing her bone throne to rattle. The countless humanoid bones raised into the air and sharpened into blades, moving thereafter to fill Zara with holes!
However…
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
A chilly atmosphere filled the throne room. The bone weapons, mid-flight, were halted in their tracks.
Another woman walked through the entrance. The sight of her instantly caused the Great Elder to cower.
"C-Clan Head…" she whispered respectfully, bowing her head.
"Clan Head? You have the audacity to call me that? You took my guest and tried to turn her into a slave, is that the behavior a Great Elder should show?"
"B-but…!" The Great Elder protested. The Clan Head had never objected to her behavior before. Many so-called "guests" had become dogs for the Great Elder to abuse as she pleased.
But Zara was different. The weight Zara held surpassed the Great Elder by leagues, should her claims be true.
The Great Elder immediately felt a grand sura envelop her. Her bone throne shattered into countless fragments that pierced into her skin, and the aura suppression's weight forced her to her knees, her head planted on the floor.
"You must be Zara." The Oga Clan Head said, ignoring the groveling Great Elder. "My name is Ria, and I am the one you came here to meet."
Zara nodded noncommittally. "Well met."
"Mm, I guess your attitude is reasonable considering how you've been treated until now. But don't you think you're looking down on me too much?" The Clan Head said.
"No, you're the one looking down on me. Don't try to be subtle with your bullshit and tell me outright. You want to fight, no?"
Zara bared her fangs. Ever since entering the Oga Clan, her battlelust had been at an all-time high. Something about the primal atmosphere made her want to rip everyone who even slightly disrespected her to shreds.
And it wasn't like she was the only one feeling this way. The Clan Head, ever since hearing about Zara's proposal, had been itching for a fight.
A girl weaker than she was actually dared to dream so big? She dared to think up a plan that even she, the Oga Clan Head, wasn't able to realize?
Audacious!
Before anything else, she wanted to put Zara in her place. Because a dog that didn't follow orders…
Wasn't a dog she needed.
