That was when it finally dawned on everyone.
Clyde had a unique personality. He kept people at a distance, no matter who they were. If he disliked something, he simply refused to do it.
He would tell someone directly to their face what he found unsatisfactory. In short, Clyde was extremely straightforward.
Just thinking about it eased everyone's worries.
They were certain that if S Class Hunter Ezekiel and Hunter Jason attempted to poach him, they would have to deal with his unnerving personality first.
Luther smiled and shook his head. "Besides, you may not know this, but Clyde holds a grudge against The Watcher's Guild."
Everyone froze in shock.
"That Great Master Clyde?"
"Sir Baldy, you mean our Clyde?"
Luther nodded.
"I thought he was not capable of human emotions," Emma said, making everyone burst into laughter.
The tense atmosphere dissolved immediately. Luther was right. They were all exhausted. As much as they wanted to rest for a few days, the increasing number of dungeons would not allow it.
They needed help.
Assistance from The Watcher's Guild would be a huge relief. Even if they attempted to recruit Clyde, everyone knew convincing him would be nearly impossible.
Clyde had been with the Purple Guild for years, and not once had the Guild Master won an argument against him.
"The call earlier required me to accept The Watcher's Guild proposal," Luther explained. "For years, we have lacked members. We fall short of the Hunter Association's minimum requirement of thirty members per guild. Because Mandel City desperately needed hunters, the Association turned a blind eye."
"However, now that our guild has gained recognition, they can no longer ignore it. Unless we suddenly gain ten new members or cooperate with The Watcher's Guild as their subguild, we cannot continue operating."
The members nodded in understanding.
They were aware of the minimum headcount rule. They once had over thirty members, but the exhausting nature of the job drove several to quit.
That left the Purple Guild with only twenty members.
Luther had been negotiating constantly just to keep them operational. The Hunter Association allowed it on the condition that they assist with dungeon clearing and aftermath management whenever requested.
That arrangement only added to their workload.
Later that day, Luther contacted Jason and informed him that he agreed to the proposal. However, he emphasized repeatedly that The Watcher's Guild must respect Clyde's decision.
They were not to force, threaten, or harm Clyde in any way. No harm was to come to him, the guild members, or anyone else in their attempt to recruit him.
Jason agreed in a noncommittal tone.
The next morning, Jason returned. Luther signed the agreement.
S Class Hunter Ezekiel did not accompany him.
Jason glanced around. "Is Hunter Clyde still not here?"
"He has one week of paid leave," Luther replied. "He will return next week."
"Understood." Jason added the condition regarding Clyde into the contract. After reviewing everything carefully, he stood and bid farewell.
Once inside his car, he made a call.
"Zeke, Hunter Clyde is not here."
"Did they sign the contract?"
Jason looked at the signed document in his hand and nodded. "They did."
"Good. Ask Dad to provide the Purple Guild members' information."
Jason did not need further explanation. He had worked with Ezekiel for years and understood his temperament.
Ezekiel did not coax or persuade. He used his abilities to make people comply, whether they agreed willingly or not.
Jason sent an email to the Chairman's assistant at the Hunter Association, confirming that the Purple Guild had signed the subguild agreement.
He also requested the guild members' data to update their internal records. The information would help assess each hunter's skills and determine appropriate training programs.
The assistant sent the data without hesitation.
Jason forwarded Clyde's personal hunter profile directly to Ezekiel.
At that same moment, Kael was awakened by Lix, who had transformed from a silver coin into a glowing golden orb.
Kael had been sleeping soundly when he felt something warm land on his head.
"What's wrong?" he muttered.
Lix seemed agitated. It spun frantically around the room, bumping into doors and windows.
It finally hovered over Kael's smartwatch, urging him to open it.
Kael activated the holographic screen.
The first messages he saw were from Ruby and Emma, telling him not to visit the guild base for a few days.
The Watcher's Guild had come.
The next message was from Michael, who described everything that had happened over the past two days.
S Class Hunter Ezekiel and Vice Master Jason of The Watcher's Guild had personally visited the Purple Guild and offered a deal. Part of that deal included borrowing Clyde and attempting to recruit him.
Michael explained that the Guild Master had agreed to the cooperation due to the overwhelming rise in dungeon appearances. However, Luther had ensured the contract included strict terms forbidding any threats or harm toward Clyde, the guild members, or anyone else.
Clyde lowered the screen and stared at Lix.
He caught the glowing orb in his palm and tightened his grip slightly.
Danger...
Someone is coming....
Looking for me....
Another gifted hunter....
Clyde released Lix and instructed it to transform back into a silver coin.
There was nothing in his house that connected him to his previous identity. No evidence. No trace.
Without hesitation, he changed into new clothes and left the house.
He got into his car and drove several kilometers away from home.
He connected his smartwatch to the car's system, and it fully displayed on the glass the CCTV feed he installed on his house.
At first, there was no movement. The lights were turned off and the surrounding was quiet.
Kael continued to monitor.
When three hours passed, that's when Kael noticed some movement.
Someone materialized in front of the gate of his house. It was a man wearing black tight shirt, black military pants paired with black combat boots.
His brown hair was eye catching.
That brown hair shook Kael right in his core.