News of the Crimson Arc Guild visiting the Horn Lizard King had spread throughout Horn Lizard Town, reaching ears far beyond what anyone had anticipated.

The Crimson Arc Guild had become the center of attention, and both Beastmen and humans talked about them with pride, respect, and adoration.

Many openly praised their courage, while others admired their determination and some even regarded them as heroes.

News of what the Slave Trade Guild did had been exposed by them, and everyone had been singing their praises ever since.

Many still found it difficult to believe, especially since the Slave Trade Guild had remained untouchable for years.

Inside a tavern, loud discussions filled the air as the smell of roasted meat mixed with the strong scent of rum. It was lively.

Laughter echoed from every corner while wooden mugs repeatedly slammed against tables, creating a chaotic rhythm. Noise filled the space.

Under the influence of rum, people did not care about their image, and formalities had long disappeared as everyone spoke whatever came to mind.

Shouting and screaming blended together as the lively atmosphere continued to grow louder with each passing moment. It intensified.

"What are you saying? Praising the Crimson Arc Guild? Nonsense. Do you think the Slave Trade Guild will take this lying down?" a burly man shouted, completely drunk as his face turned bright red and his speech became noticeably slurred. He was wasted.

His long beard was drenched in rum and drops of alcohol slowly dripped onto the wooden floor as he staggered before falling back onto his seat. He nearly fell.

His body almost tipped over completely, but fortunately he managed to catch himself before crashing onto the floor. He recovered.

"Hahahaha!" echoed through the tavern as many couldn’t help but burst into laughter at his pathetic figure. They laughed loudly.

Several people pointed at him while laughing, and even the nearby Beastmen shook their heads in amusement at the scene. It was amusing.

"So what?" a valiant woman shouted back as she slammed her mug onto the wooden table, the loud bang instantly drawing everyone’s attention. She stood firm.

Her sharp eyes glared directly at the drunken man as she challenged him without hesitation. She was fearless.

"With their evil deeds out in the open, what could they do?" she demanded, her voice carrying confidence and anger without the slightest hint of fear. She meant it.

"Do they think they can take down everyone in the Bleeding Desert?" she spat before taking her mug and drinking the remaining rum in one motion. She finished it.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand without showing the slightest hesitation, her movements bold and unrestrained. She did not care.

Belch!

She belched loudly, and others burst into another round of heavy laughter as the tavern immediately became even noisier. It grew louder.

The tavern owner grinned as he looked at his usual customers from behind the counter, having watched these people argue countless times before. He was used to it.

To him, this was simply another ordinary day filled with noise, laughter, and endless chatter. Nothing new.

"But have you all heard?" he said in a low voice that was enough to catch everyone’s attention, his mysterious tone immediately changing the atmosphere.

"Owner, spit it out quickly or we won’t patronize you again!" a half-drunk young man shouted as he raised his head from the table, his words immediately drawing another wave of laughter. He complained.

"Hahahaha!" rang out again as several customers pounded their mugs against the tables in agreement while others loudly urged the tavern owner to continue. They demanded more.

Even those who had been discussing other matters turned their attention toward him, knowing that the tavern owner possessed one of the widest information networks in Horn Lizard Town. He was trusted.

The tavern owner laughed but did not intend to keep them waiting as he slowly leaned forward across the wooden counter, his grin widening.

"News is now spreading of the Grim Reaper fighting a war with the Scorpion Clan army," the tavern owner announced, his voice steady yet heavy with meaning as it carried across the crowded room

Many people widened their eyes in shock as they processed what they had just heard, and several mugs froze halfway to their mouths while others stared blankly as if unsure whether the statement was real.

"That is impossible!" the first drunkard shouted as he staggered to his feet, his voice loud enough to cut through the silence while his expression twisted with disbelief.

"Who would dare confront the Scorpion Clan? This must be a useless rumor," he continued, waving his mug wildly as if trying to dismiss the idea through sheer force.

The tavern owner shook his head slowly, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the rising agitation around him as he prepared to explain further.

He remained composed. "If you haven’t heard about the Grim Reaper, let me tell you about him."

His steady tone drew everyone’s attention as he crossed his arms and surveyed the room, clearly aware of the anticipation building among the listeners who leaned in slightly.

He spoke about the emergence of Black Water and the mysterious human who had altered the fate of Mantis Town, recounting events that many had only heard in fragments or rumors.

"So, he’s Black Water," a figure said in a low voice filled with shock.

"Indeed, he is," the tavern owner replied with a firm nod.

"But that does not mean anything," another figure argued, shaking his head as he spoke with conviction, unwilling to accept the claim despite the explanation that had just been given.

"Believe it or not, people have said all five Scorpion Clan towns are empty," the tavern owner said.

"Not a single soul could be found inside them," he added, and his words sent another wave of silence through the tavern as the implications began to settle in the minds of those present.

"Is that true?" someone finally asked, breaking the silence with a voice that carried clear disbelief.

Within an hour, news of the war spread throughout every corner of Horn Lizard Town.

At the back of a building, a quieter group sat around wooden tables, their expressions thoughtful as they discussed the same rumor.

"Boss, what do you think?" a young man asked a blue-haired woman with respect.

She did not answer immediately, instead lowering her gaze as her fingers tapped lightly against the wooden table while her thoughts seemed to settle into place.

Her eyes shifted toward her staff, and a slow, confident smile appeared on her face.

Someone capable of producing Bronze Grade equipment with such ease could not be judged by ordinary standards.

"I think the rumor is likely true, but we must follow it closely because this might be our chance for a breakthrough," she said, her eyes brightening as she spoke with quiet confidence.