The mood in the Heavenly Alliance guild is now much darker than usual. Ever since that defeat their guild rank plummeted because of the combined loss of levels and gold. On top of that they lost territory in Ypterra to other guilds.

By a round table sit around twenty people in various armors and robes in chairs inside a circular shaped room. Everyone got a serious look on their faces as the next thing to discuss on the agenda comes up.

"That Be'ial'ale monster we encountered has not been defeated." Says Deathshead with his face full of contempt as he looks at Mystia.

"I was sure that just the forced teleportation would kill that thing. But something prevented all of the damage going towards it. The only confirmation I got was that Raal'tara'goto took the brunt of it."Answers Mystia in a calm manner.

"And where is that monster now then?" Asks he Mystia impatiently. He hates it when things do not go according to plan.

"Could be somewhere deep down the dungeon in the Human capital. I was forced to set the destination in a hurry after all, and that was the first location that popped up on the menu. Even if that monster survived the teleportation, I doubt it will survive that murderous tree spirit down there." Everyone shudders in the room at the mention of that tree spirit.

Arbri the Vengeful is well known to be quite the party wiper because of the quests asking for the fruits of her tree are very well rewarded. Most parties do not even get the chance to cross the oasis lake before sinking down into the mud before dying. And even if you manage to take down her materialized spirit form, it will only take an hour before she comes back again.

"Y- Yeah, right." Stutters Deathshead. He got really bad memories with Arbri when he was a newbie. He then coughs and continues: "If that mad spirit attacks heroes on sight I doubt it will like demons at all."

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"Take it easy in knowing that Be'ial'ale won't be disturbing us again. It did not look like that monster had any combat skills of note anyway. Pitifully weak for being a monster in an endgame dungeon." Says Mystia and everyone chuckles at the notion of Be'ial'ale being awfully out of place.

Everyone felt relieved that this monster was not any threat on its own. But they misjudged one thing; Instead of Arbri killing Be'ial'ale, they became friendly with each other. Another unknown variable which may very well ruin their future plans.

"Alright, next thing we need to discuss: There has been reports of unusual activity in Raal'tara'goto county. We do not know if it has anything to do with our failed attack, but the NPCs are acting weird. Instead of doing their usual daily routine it looks as if they are reinforcing their homes and smithing armor and weapons." Says Deathshead while putting his hands together. Then he looks at Lance which is maintaining his sword.

"That must be the realistic AI the developers kept touting about in their advertisements." Says Lance as he then puts up his sword in the air while inspecting it carefully. Then he puts its down on its side, and applies paste which he then uses a rag to rub it in with. He then looks Deathshead directly in the eyes. "Going by my common sense, it looks as if they are preparing for war." Everyone then bursts out laughing in the room.

"Oh, that is a good one Lance!" Manages Deathshead to say while wheezing. "NPCs doing things outside their scripted interactions? You are funny." If looks could kill, then Lance would had murdered Deathshead several times now.

Lance then just threw the rag at Deathsheads face and left the room not wanting any more of this nonsense. He has personally experienced NPCs doing things outside their scripted interactions before.

In real life does Lance own a corporation, so he has seen a lot of things that is outside the established norm. Thieving workers, corporate vultures, boot lickers, brown nosers, alcoholics, workers using their bodies to get up the corporate ladder, he has seen it all. And even then does life surprise him with the unexpected.

It looks like he has to confirm the reports himself of both Be'ial'ale being still alive and of the Raal'tara'goto kingdom gearing up for war.