Emily swiftly notched an arrow, her focus steady as she aimed at the incoming attackers. Mia stood close, ready to provide healing support while Leo took a protective stance, prepared to shield his teammates. While Dagger and Samuel poised themselves to strike with precision, their movements calculated and swift.

As the Griffin members closed in, Emily released her arrow, aiming for a strategic target. The projectile soared through the air, finding its mark with precision, momentarily staggering one of the assailants.

Mia chanted incantations, invoking healing energies that enveloped Leo, bolstering him for the impending confrontation. Leo braced himself, intercepting the first wave of attackers, his sturdy frame absorbing their initial assault.

Samuel guided Dagger in a synchronized dance of blades, their precision strikes targeting critical points. The Griffin operatives, though numerous, were momentarily taken aback by the calculated efficiency of Ethan’s team.

Amidst the chaos, Mike focused his magical abilities, unleashing spells that hindered the advancing forces. His powers disrupted the opponents' movements, buying crucial seconds for the team's defense.

Emily remained poised, firing arrows with unerring accuracy, strategically targeting the assailants. Her leadership guided the team, ensuring their movements remained coordinated amidst the tumultuous battle.

Leo held his ground firmly, deflecting blows with his shield while shielding Mark, their top priority in the midst of the skirmish. Dagger and Samuel moved swiftly as they incapacitated opponents without hesitation.

As the clash continued, the team’s cohesion and strategic prowess became apparent, slowly gaining an upper hand despite the overwhelming odds. Their coordinated efforts began to wear down the Griffin League operatives, creating a momentary opening.

"Retreat!" Emily's voice pierced through the chaos, signaling the team to disengage from the intense skirmish. With practiced synchronization, they swiftly pivoted, creating a protective formation around Mark as they moved back, retreating further away from the encroaching adversaries.

But they soon stopped in their tracks as another group of griffin members approached them.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"You're all trapped. Hand over Ethan's brother, now." Shin, the leader of the Griffin League's elite team, demanded. He glanced at his teammates and the reinforcements behind him, confident in their numbers and skills.

"What if we refuse?" Emily challenged him.

"Do you really think you have a choice?" Shin sneered, ready to strike.

"Your guildmaster must have warned you not to touch Mark when Ethan is around." Emily taunted.

"So what?" Shin asked, clueless about her implication.

"Because he must've known one should never provoke a beast without preparations." Emily said, her grin widening.

"What do you want to sa..?" Before Shin could continue, he heard a scream from behind.

"Aaaagh!"

He turned around and saw several of his men lying on the ground, bloodied and broken. One of them had his neck snapped by a man with blood-red eyes and a murderous aura.

"How dare you touch my brother?" Ethan roared, throwing the corpse aside.

[Blood hunt has increased your hunting speed]

[Bloodbath has increased your pain tolerance and regeneration]

Shin felt a chill run down his spine as he witnessed Ethan's savage attack on his team. His teammates were no match for Ethan's claws, which tore through flesh and bone with ease.

"This is what I wanted to say." Emily said mockingly.

Shin ignored her mockery and tried to regain his composure, realizing the danger of Ethan's presence. He exchanged a tense look with his surviving team members, silently signaling a change in strategy.

Meanwhile, Ethan's team, while startled by Ethan's sudden arrival and brutal display, maintained their defensive stance, watching the unfolding scenario with a mix of caution and concern.

Ethan, his eyes blazing with fury, radiated a menacing aura that warned of imminent doom to anyone who dared to oppose him.

As the battle raged on, Ethan faced a growing number of enemies, his movements a blur of deadly strikes and evasive maneuvers. With each attack, his rage fueled his determination, but it also blinded him to his surroundings, giving Shin's team a brief opportunity to exploit.

Amidst the chaos, Leo stood firm, shielding Mark behind his sturdy frame. But in a split second, as Ethan was locked in a fierce fight, Shin's team executed a swift and calculated move.

Two of Shin's men created a diversion, launching a coordinated assault on Leo, momentarily distracting him from his protective stance.

In that critical moment, another Griffin agent, with perfect timing, lunged forward and grabbed Mark from Leo's hold.

With a practiced speed, they quickly retreated, Mark held securely in their grip, their footsteps fading as they ran away from the center of the conflict.

Leo, realizing the sudden disappearance of Mark, roared in frustration and alarm, trying to chase the fleeing attackers. But the battle was still raging around him, blocking his immediate pursuit.

Meanwhile, Ethan, consumed by his relentless combat, fought off each enemy with a passion that bordered on primal. His focus solely fixed on overpowering his foes, unaware of Mark's abduction amidst the commotion.

Ethan's team, witnessing the sudden turn of events, swiftly adjusted their plan. While keeping their defense against the remaining Griffin members, they quickly turned to help Leo and Ethan, trying to create a path through the crowd and catch up with Shin's escaping team.

The scene became a whirlwind of clashes and desperate pursuits. Ethan, his fury still burning, sensed the shift in dynamics and redirected his assault, heading swiftly towards the direction Shin's team had taken with Mark.

But he was stopped by the Griffin members. He swiftly disposed of them but sensed his brother out of his reach, sinking his heart.

"Aaaagh!" His guttural cry echoed across the battleground, a cry not of victorious triumph but of gut-wrenching loss.

[???? Synchronization rate has increased to 37.2%]