The WindWolf and the IronRhino branch heads stood there stunned, the other two bandits groups met on the way and obviously wanted to take down this branch by joining powers. If it was a 2 vs 1 fight against the WindWolf branch, and both assailants were Rank 1, he would have a hard time leaving with his life.
Even after seeing the IronRhino bandits here, they already had a fighting plan, where their subordinates were united and had some previous cooperations in these kinds of things. While the enemies, even if they unite now, it would still be a makeshift alliance where both sides would still be wary of each other.
Seeing the situation could go wrong if they waited, the newly arriving groups attacked with no hesitation.
"You.."
Both the WindWolf and the IronRhino branch heads, knew the situation was grim, even after the previous bickering, like it never happened, they sent out their subordinates to fight the new enemy, while avoiding one another.
"Gary, Roy, you will regret this."
"Hehehe, even if one of you dies, it means more territory for our branch, all of us know Rank 2s are not going to get involved in this small piece of territory, even if they lose it. Let's see how good is your cooperation."
An so the deciding fight among Rank 1s exploded.
The WindWolf branch leader was a low Rank 1 Wind Practitioner so he was focusing more on supporting and utilizing any openings to strike the enemies, while the IronRhino branch head was a Metal Path practitioner, who was taking the blows and trying to make openings for the WindWolf branch leader to take advantage of.
It all sounded like a good combination, but their Paths didn't combine well, it was more like a combat advantage.
Gary on the other hand was a Wind Path Practitioner as well, and was keeping the wolf in check, and also keeping him from running away and Roy was a Fire Path Practitioner, their Paths combined well, sometimes Gary would pour some of his Wind Particles into the attack of Roy and the attack would strengthen before it hit the rhino bandit, thus injuring him.
As they were all low Rank 1, the fight was in a stalemate for a while, and the IronRhino branch leader was slowly accumulating injuries, while the WindWolf branch leader hadn't managed to strike even once.
Once they were certain of success, Roy nodded at Gary and started executing a fatal attack, while Gary didn't hold back and poured everything he could to strengthen it.
"Secret method - Fire Hand"
It was like a hand came into life, it would normally be just a normal sized hand, since that was the limits of low Rank 1, but with the Wind Particles in the mix it was already half-a-man sized.
It was extremely fast, the IronRhino branch head only managed to form a fist and strike, trying to fight back, but it was all futile, by the time the attack had passed his body, only half of it was left in that spot, the other half was missing.
"Heheh seems we will be enjoying more resources from now on doesn't it, brother Roy."
"Let's finish the little pup and then celebrate."
"Hahahah, to think today would be the day I fall."
The WindWolf branch head seemed to have given up hope, just standing there, not even trying to escape.
Roy the Fire Path Practitioner approached and was going to finish him, when the look of hopelessness changed to one of cunning ferocity. Charging over at a speed, that Gary wasn't able to react to in time, he slashed at the body of Roy, and a deep gash appeared there. He had let his guard down after that one win and didn't consider further, but still managed to avoid a fatal wound.
Almost imminently Gary appeared behind the WindWolf branch leader and looped his head off.
"It seems you won't be able to drag me down with you."
The two victorious 'brothers' now glanced at the Rank 0s fight, it was a complete mess. Blood and gore was spread everywhere, rolling heads, arms and legs. Stench of blood spread all over the place, and the fight was continuing.
"It seem we should end it now, or we will be left with almost no subordinates."
Walking shoulder to shoulder they approached the battlefield.
"It seems I'll have to rely on you brother Gary, my injury is quite heave and you have your speed advantage, it would be faster."
"Sure, I don't mind, heh, brother."
A sudden slash came from beside him and stabbed deep into his heart. Roy looked at the dagger completely stupefied.
"Why...?"
"Did you really think I consider you my brother, it was just for the mutual benefit."
"And now your worth is more dead than alive, I could have all 4 territories, this branch would get so big that even the Rank 2 would pay more attention to it, maybe even protecting it with more than just a name."
Looking at the greedy look on the face of his so called brother, the only thing Roy could do was sigh.
"I see, I was stupid to trust you in the end, huh."
"Heheheh this was a nice show, you don't have to worry 'Roy', he won't be enjoying the benefits, HAHAHAH. This is awesome, I was worried about how to fight 2 Rank 1s, even if 1 was seriously injured, but you made my task a lot easier by yourself, Gary."
"So you are the one that plotted all of this from behind the scenes, well I'm dying anyway, even if I want to rip you to pieces for bringing me to my death, there is nothing I can do."
"Well of course there is, my dying friend. You can survive till I take care of your 'brother' here and then I can offer you a deal."
Looking at those crimson eyes and the evil aura coming off his body, it felt like if he accepted his deal it would be like selling himself, body and soul to the devil.