Start as a Spiritual Planter: I Have a Game Panel

"Perfect," Ram said, crossing his arms as he planned their next move. "Did you notice any Tier 4 professionals among them?"

"Not at the riverside hideout. They seem to rely on numbers and defenses rather than high-ranking individuals," Nyra replied, a hint of caution in her voice. "However, that doesn't mean there wasn't one. We suspect they were masking their spiritual auras."

Ram nodded thoughtfully. "Then the riverside hideout it is. Heavily guarded or not, they're careless." A faint smile crossed his lips. "That's their first mistake. Korrin and the others can handle them. Let's use their overconfidence against them."

Later that night, Ram followed Nyra, and the other Half-Drow Hunters arrived at the riverside hideout.

The hunters moved ahead, their shadow cloaks blending them seamlessly into the darkness.

The hideout came into view—a large, rundown warehouse sitting near a small riverbank.

Scattered guards were lounging around bonfires, drinking, chatting, and laughing. Some were already nodding off, their weapons left unattended by their sides.

Ram halted the group with a silent gesture and closed his eyes, concentrating on the Life Energy around him.

Although experienced professionals can easily learn how to hide their spiritual power auras, masking Life energy is still hard, unless they have special skills or awakened such talents.

As he suspected, inside the warehouse were several strong life forces, particularly one, that was on par with Kain or even slightly stronger.

Still, he felt no fear. He summoned Korrin and the rest of the Half-Drows from the Space.

In a flash, seventeen more figures appeared beside him—Fire Mages that already consumed the Molten Core Peppers, gaining temporary enhancements.

Together with the Hunters, the group now numbered 24 Tier 3 Rare-quality Half-Drows.

He thought of summoning other wood spirits as well, but according to Korrin, even after he was revived through Sylvan Spirit Rebirth and gained Wood spirit Body, his innate skill could only affect the Half-Drows.

Speaking in a low voice, Ram issued his final instructions. "Nyra, you and the hunters take out the perimeter guards first."

"Korrin, prepare your mages. Once the guards were down, and hit the warehouse with strong firepower, I could feel some strong life signs from inside the warehouse.

"Also, this is just the first assault, strike fast, strike hard, do as much as damage you can, and don't let them recover."

Ram then looked at Korrin and continued, "However, don't be stubborn, just return back once you delt enough damage, return back. We can attack them again at multiple intervals."

He planned on using the advantage of his space to the maximum, once they escape back to the space, it is almost impossible for the enemy to trace them.

The group nodded in unison; their expressions determined.

Korrin, with the Molten Core Pepper enhancing his fire affinity and attack power, led the charge.

Nyra and the hunters moved like shadows, silently slipping behind each guard.

Even with more than seventy gang members scattered around, the sudden attack left them in chaos.

Nyra and the hunters moved swiftly and efficiently, their shadow-based skills giving them an edge in the darkness. Most guards barely had time to react before they were taken down.

One by one, the gang members slumped to the ground without a sound, their throats slit or necks broken.

Within minutes, the perimeter was almost clear. The gang members still standing began shouting warnings, scrambling to grab weapons and rally their comrades.

A few of the more seasoned ones tried to mount a defense, swinging their weapons wildly into the shadows or using enhanced firearms to fight back.

But the Half-Drow Hunters were not so easy to be defeated. One hunter emerged from the darkness, his shadow-covered blade slicing through an axe-wielding thug's defense as though it were paper.

Another unleashed a skill resembling Shadow Bind, immobilizing three gang members at once. Their struggles were futile as Nyra dashed through the darkness, finishing them with swift, brutal efficiency.

The gang members who managed to fight back found themselves overwhelmed.

The Half-Drow Hunters' attributes, enhanced by their 'Rare' quality and Nyra's leadership, made them a deadly force. Discover exclusive content at empire

One thug swung his long blade at a hunter, only to find it parried effortlessly.

Before he could blink, the hunter retaliated with a spinning kick infused with shadow energy, sending him crashing into a pile of crates.

A group of gang members tried to regroup around a bonfire, their weapons raised defensively. Nyra noticed this and raised her hand, signaling the hunters to attack.

With a collective burst of speed, the Half-Drows closed in, their agility far outmatching the disorganized gang.

One hunter leaped over the bonfire, landing behind the group and slashing through their defenses with shadow-covered claws. Another unleashed a wave of Dark Pulse, disorienting the gang and allowing the rest of the hunters to finish them off.

Although it felt long but all happened in a matter of minutes, as the chaos outside soon attracted the attention of the stronger gang members who were inside the warehouse.

The large doors creaked open, revealing over twenty figures stepping out into the chaotic night. They carried long blades and advanced firearms, their auras radiating confidence and aggression.

Each wore sleek, glowing light armor that emitted a faint blue light. The smooth surfaces of the armor pulsed with spiritual power, hinting at its advanced defensive capabilities.

Among them was the presence Ram had sensed earlier—a towering man with a scarred face and a commanding presence. His eyes swept across the scene, narrowing as they took in the carnage.

"What the hell is going on out here?" he growled, his deep voice cutting through the din as he looked at the Half Drows that were dressed in Black cloaks blending into the night.

However, the Half-Drow hunters didn't respond to the man's shout. Instead, they continued their methodical assault, targeting the weaker gang members.

The scarred man's expression darkened as he watched his subordinates fall one after another. His grip tightened on the heavy sword he carried, its edges glowing faintly with spiritual energy.

"Presumptuous!" he bellowed, stepping forward, his voice laced with fury. Looking at the shadow hunters, he continued, "Who sent you? You're not with any gang we know of! Why are you attacking our Blood Hawk gang members?"

Ram, standing at a distance, observed the scene carefully. His hunters continued to ignore the man's demands, their focus solely on thinning the enemy's numbers. It was a deliberate tactic to unnerve their opponents further.

The scarred man took another step forward, his aura flaring. The spiritual energy from his body rippled outward, a clear warning of his power. His subordinates, emboldened by his presence, began to regroup.

"You dare ignore me?" the man growled. "Fine. I'll make you regret it!"

He raised his heavy sword high, preparing to charge, but before he could take another step, a fiery explosion lit up the night.

KABOOM!

Ram stepped forward from the shadows, calm and composed. Korrin stood beside him, the Fire Mages strategically positioned in a semicircle. The fiery spiritual power surrounding them shimmered brighter as the effects of the Molten Core Peppers reached their peak.

Korrin raised his hand, his fierce grin illuminated by the flickering flames. "Firestorm," he commanded.

In perfect unison, the Fire Mages unleashed a devastating barrage of flames. Streams of fire roared forward, colliding with the advancing gang members. Explosions rocked the area as barrels and crates inside the hideout ignited, creating a fiery inferno.

Panic spread among the unarmored gang members, many of whom dove for cover or fled into the darkness.

But those wearing the glowing armor held their ground. They charged fearlessly toward the Half-Drows, their confidence unwavering.

The armor absorbed much of the fire's impact, though scorch marks began to appear on the glowing surface.

The scarred man stepped out as the firestorm began to fade, his towering figure emerging through the smoke and flames.

Despite the chaos, he looked unharmed. A powerful spiritual pressure surrounded him like an invisible shield, deflecting the fire's intensity.

His eyes flickered over the fallen gang members and the remaining Half-Drows, finally settling on Ram. For a moment, he stood still, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... it's you!" the man bellowed, his voice echoing through the night. "We've been searching everywhere for you, and here you are, walking right into the tiger's den!"

Ram's expression remained calm as the man laughed, the chaotic sounds of the battle still echoing around them. "I'm not here to play games," Ram said coolly, his voice carrying over the noise. "I've come to settle something."

The scarred man's grin widened as he stepped closer, ignoring the remnants of the fiery barrage as he looked through the men in cloaks behind Ram.

"Bunch of fools," Facing Ram and others, the scarred man didn't feel much pressure, except for one or two that put some pressure on him, but he didn't care about it as he continued to speak.

"Settle something? You must be delusional. Do you think you can just walk in and attack us like this without consequences? You've chosen the wrong place to be bold." He motioned to the remaining gang members, who were regrouping behind him.

"Since you came here don't expect to leave, these are the Blood Hawk gang's territories. No one can leave once they enter here."