As Haizen and Urilo cautiously entered their home, their worst fears were realized—the presence of Carlos's men loomed in the shadows. Among them stood the imposing figure of Carlos's right-hand man, known only as the Butcher, his single eye gleaming with malice. It was said that he had lost his eye in a brutal battle with a former unit leader, a testament to his ruthless nature.Carlos had seized control of a faction within the organization through cunning and manipulation, using men like the Butcher to enforce his will. Haizen and Urilo had been members of the organization since childhood, but they had never aligned themselves with any particular faction. Their independence and growing skills posed a threat to Carlos's newfound power.Over the years, Haizen and Urilo had honed their abilities in secrecy, becoming formidable individuals capable of holding their own against any adversary. But while they had remained on the sidelines, observing as Carlos rose to prominence, they had inadvertently become targets in his quest for dominance.Now, faced with Carlos's menacing presence in their own home, Haizen and Urilo realized how drastically the tables had turned. Their past decision to remain neutral had come back to haunt them, as Carlos sought to eliminate any potential threats to his rule. But Haizen and Urilo were not about to go down without a fight. With steely resolve, they prepared to confront their adversaries head-on, determined to protect what was rightfully theirs.As the Butcher's mocking laughter echoed through the room, Haizen and Urilo maintained their composure, their faces etched with determination. They knew that the situation had escalated beyond their control, but they refused to back down in the face of adversity."We've got some interesting company tonight, don't we?" the Butcher sneered, addressing Haizen and Urilo with contempt. "The famous Shadow and the best Mage in Blood Valley," he taunted, eliciting laughter from the other members of Carlos's entourage.While the Butcher's words were meant to belittle them, Haizen and Urilo remained stoic, their minds focused on the impending confrontation. Haizen's usually calm demeanor was tinged with a cold-blooded resolve, his thoughts consumed by the plight of his brother and the threat that now loomed before them.As the Butcher continued to jest, Haizen's patience wore thin. "It depends on your actions, Butcher," he retorted, his voice laced with an edge of warning. "Don't say I didn't warn you."The Butcher's laughter only intensified at Haizen's veiled threat, but he soon regained his composure, his expression turning serious. "Alright, enough games," he declared, gesturing towards the door. "The boss is waiting for us downstairs. Let's not keep him waiting."Haizen's brow furrowed in confusion as he followed the Butcher and his men towards the ground floor. How had Carlos's men discovered the location of his underground hideout? It was a question that gnawed at his mind, but for now, he pushed aside his concerns, focusing instead on the task at hand—confronting Carlos and putting an end to the threat once and for all.Haizen and Urilo followed the Butcher to the underground hideout in Haizen's house. Until now, Haizen and Urilo had seen members of Carlos's faction in every corner of Haizen's home. Altogether, they numbered fifty, and Haizen noted that each one of them was a skilled assassin or fighter.As the Butcher, Urilo, and Haizen arrived at the underground hideout, Haizen caught sight of Carlos, who was seated at the desk, examining the book. Carlos spoke, his voice dripping with contempt, "You are finally here, Shadow. What an interesting book you have, and your unconscious brother on the couch. Why are you leaving him like that? What if someone were to come along and kill him, hmm?"Haizen's jaw clenched with anger as he retorted, "Leave my brother out of this."Carlos smirked, his gaze icy as he replied, "You know I can't do that. I am a man with principles, okay? And I am not one to do half-assed work. I strive for perfection. Like in this case, I have to root out little pests, all of them. Because if I leave one alone, you know pests are going to multiply. And that's a tiring thing to deal with because after pests multiply, it brings a lot of trouble."Haizen exchanged a knowing glance with Urilo. They both understood that they had no choice but to fight to the death with this monster. Carlos had made his intentions clear—to kill them all. Now, there was no way around it. It was kill or be killed. Carlos's formidable reputation as a Tier 3 mage and skilled fighter cast a dark shadow over Haizen and Urilo's chances of survival. With the Butcher and other members of Carlos's faction at his side, engaging in combat would indeed be akin to suicide. Haizen and Urilo knew that their priority had to be protecting Nova, even if it meant facing overwhelming odds.As Carlos continued to taunt them with his cruel words, Haizen's mind raced, searching for a way out of their dire predicament. With Nova's life hanging in the balance, they couldn't afford to make any rash decisions. They needed a plan—a way to outmaneuver Carlos and his cronies without putting themselves or Nova in further danger.Urilo's expression mirrored Haizen's determination as they exchanged a silent understanding. They had faced adversity before, but this was unlike anything they had ever encountered. However, they refused to back down in the face of Carlos's threats. Their bond as brothers-in-arms and their shared resolve to protect Nova fueled their determination to stand their ground, no matter the cost.As the tension in the underground hideout thickened, Haizen and Urilo prepared themselves for the inevitable confrontation. With Nova's life on the line and Carlos's dark intentions looming over them, they braced themselves for the fight of their lives. It was a battle they couldn't afford to lose, for the fate of their loved ones hung in the balance.