A group of people suddenly emerged from the small path in front of Violet, all fully armed. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that these individuals bore malicious intent.
Indeed, they were hired mercenaries, tasked with obstructing the path to Black Crow Castle and preventing other mercenary groups from approaching.
They had arrived here a few days prior and had successfully deterred many suspicious mercenaries.
Violet frowned, puzzled as she watched them gleefully blocking the road, leaning on their enormous weapons, and whistling.
"Well, missy, where you heading?" A guy leaning on a large axe teased.
Kars furrowed his brow, stepping between Violet and these men, drawing his long sword.
"What... are you trying to do?" Knowing these men were deliberately causing trouble, she still stepped forward, smiling.
"Gentlemen, I wish to visit the castle to enjoy the view. Could you please clear the path for me?"
But the burly mercenary corps leader didn't buy into Violet's plea. His face was as stern as a castle wall, his voice was deep and stern.
"I'm sorry, we've taken on a commission from the Bronze Shield, so if you don't want trouble, you should go back."
The Bronze Shield was one of the leading large-scale mercenary groups in the nearby towns, possessing numerous powerful fighters and mages. Even before Violet's arrival, key members of the mercenary group had been coveting the Black Crow Castle for some time.
Their desire wasn't the rumored wealth within Black Crow Castle but the castle itself.
If they could clear out the monsters inside, then the Bronze Shield Mercenary Corps Group could justifiably establish themselves there.
Ownership of territory would naturally attract more people to join the mercenary group.
They had carefully arranged plans for this, waiting for the flood of magical beasts to start exploring.
The man called the brain of the Bronze Shield bought not just this mercenary team in front of them, but many others too. To assure their expedition's safety, they invested a significant sum of money to buy people's loyalty.
It was a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.
The presence of these mercenaries would not only ensure their expedition went uninterrupted but could also prevent any potential banditry.
Regarding why Violet didn't know about this, the answer—humorously enough—was because small mercenary groups like hers weren't even considered worthy of the information.
However, the soul of Lin Xiaozheng within Violet had made up its mind,
Nothing could deter Violet from her plan to go to the Black Crow Castle and claim the bounty from the Mercenary Guild.
"If that's the case, then I have no choice…" she said, pulling out a black card from her pocket, revealing the Sixth Tier Skeleton Monster she had been fiddling with all night.
She planned to surprise everyone.
"So you want to fight? That's a pity." Showing regret, the typically calm and composed mercenary corps leader finally revealed his true feelings.
Kars shook his head, not believing what he was seeing. This wasn't like the Violet he knew.
"Hey, what are you doing?" He grabbed Violet's hand.
He least expected her cold gaze in return. Holding the black card in her hand and smiling, Violet didn't consider these men a threat.
"What, are you going to stop me too?" She asked coldly.
Feeling an inexplicable fear, Kars involuntarily stepped back several paces, grinding his teeth, ultimately shaking his head without a word.
But in the end, he drew his sword. If Violet chose to fight, there was no reason for him to stand idle.
But even so, Violet raised her hand, stopping Kars.
It was Lin Xiaozheng's soul influencing her. He did not come to this world for sightseeing. If this powerful demigod did not understand why humans always make seemingly outrageous and irrational choices, then he would lend her a hand to figure it out.
"Step back, I don't need your help here," she said icily.
She then murmured to herself, faintly raising the corners of her mouth, looking at the mercenaries blocking the way, waving the card in her hand and said,
"In this world, the strong can do as they please, set their own rules and force others to abide by them, all under the banner of 'justice'."
"So everyone wants to become strong, and they'll do anything to achieve that."
"The Bronze Shield, huh? I've heard of them. They are indeed the most powerful mercenary group in this generation, and they certainly have enough money to win hearts."
"If you're willing to be dogs of the powerful, work for money, and call it 'justice,' then allow me to show you what my justice is."
With that, she flung the black card in her hand.
Indeed, the skeleton was a Sixth Tier, and Lin Xiaozheng's current spiritual strength could not break the seal.
But if there was no way to increase power fundamentally, then how about equipping it with external gear?
He tentatively searched in the spiritual domain for all the equipment that could enhance the strength of the skeleton in front of him. As a top-tier player familiar with shortcuts in games, Lin Xiaozheng knew that if his level was not enough, then equipment and items would suffice.
Which leads to the scene currently unfolding before everyone's eyes.
When the dust settled, the skeleton appeared before everyone. Among all people present, only Violet knew how powerful this skeleton had become.
The armor it was wearing was the Eternal Light, once considered an absolute defense hundreds of years ago.
But that was just a semi-artifact level defensive gear.
In its hand, it no longer held a rusty blade, but the Crimson Spear, an artifact capable of penetrating any magical barriers.
This spear was what Violet wielded when she was the Battlefield Valkyrie.
The powerful magic fluctuations emanating from the Sixth Tier Skeleton Monster were enough to scare off many mages.
By their color, mages could clearly understand: the equipment this skeleton monster was wearing was far beyond the ordinary.
But Violet was wearing a smug grin.
Yes, she indeed sealed her own power and could only summon this powerful undead.
But that didn't deter her from choosing to fight with artifacts!