My Players Are So Fierce – Handsome dog Frank
Chapter 1317 - 445. "Shadow of the Swamp" Officially Released and Hall of Fame Opened - [Additional Update 12/25]

Chapter 1317: 445. "Shadow of the Swamp" Officially Released and Hall of Fame Opened - [Additional Update 12/25]

(Additional update [2/5] for "Blue Eyes" brother)

After seeing off Brother Meow, Stick Brother felt a tinge of sorrow alone in the tent.

Ah, our relationship has ultimately waned, huh.

He let out such a silly sigh, and then immediately realized something was off.

His clever mind quickly entertained a rather "thrilling" possibility. Given Brother Meow’s shrewd way of thinking, there’s no way he wouldn’t realize that the cooperation between the Big Bird Team and the Hammer and Sickle Brigade was the optimal solution. But now he had given up on partnering with Stick Brother...

There was very likely a mix of "personal grudges" involved.

Could it be that his request to Brother Fa, asking for Brother Meow to join him in a "seven-day imprisonment," had been exposed?

No way, right?

Brother Fa wouldn’t normally disclose such matters. After all, judging by his demeanor on the forums, he doesn’t seem like someone who delights in others’ misfortune. Plus, as a moderator, he should at least have the professional ethics not to reveal such things...

Ay, if only I had known what would become today, why did I ever...

Carrying this faint sorrow, Stick Brother poured himself a glass of fruit wine and took out a small bottle to drip a few drops of blood into it.

This was the "prescription" Lady Triss had given him—to alleviate the terrifying attribute reduction after each time Meliya fed on his blood.

Though Vampire Players only resembled vampires without the true instinct to feed, the transformation did bestow them the ability to draw strength from fresh blood. However, people from the civilized world wouldn’t be barbaric enough to actually taste blood.

During Meliya’s first embrace, Stick Brother tried a mouthful of blood and nearly retched.

Hah, even as a vampire, they still had the stomach of an otherworlder; the native vampires’ "menu" was still too bizarre for them.

"I feel the unease in your heart..."

Meliya’s voice rang in the tent, causing Stick Brother, who was sipping the oddly flavored blood wine, to sigh.

He had grown accustomed to Meliya’s sudden appearances. As his "blood" was continuously drawn, Meliya’s strength was gradually recovering. This former Wolf Poison girl had recently begun her wings’ "second growth phase."

It made her somewhat uncomfortable, always wearing oversized clothes to conceal the blood dripping from her back.

Unfortunately, her poisoned-blinded eyes still showed no improvement, unless she consumed the Origin Blood. But the mere name suggested how expensive it was.

Stick Brother didn’t even dare to ask Sir Morphy the price, for fear of shocking his fragile heart. Every time he thought he had some wealth, a variety of new items would appear to prove that he was still a penniless mercenary.

"You seem troubled by something. Can you tell me? Perhaps I can offer some consolation?"

Meliya held a staff like a white cane.

She moved gracefully towards Stick Brother. Her keen vampire senses prevented her from tripping over anything, but her deliberately slow movements added a sense of "fragility."

Facing Meliya’s question, Stick Brother hadn’t intended to answer, but since he had nothing better to do, he decided after some hesitation to lay out the current situation.

After patiently listening, Meliya was silent for a few seconds, as if searching for the right words, before she spoke:

"Actually, in my opinion, Brother Meow’s choice is the correct one. Even if we disregard the friendship between you two and just calculate from the most rational perspective, for him to seek empowerment by aligning with another force in this endeavor is a decision he must make.

Your team is dominant among the warriors. If he continues to follow you, it’s equivalent to giving up his own ambitions and being content as your vassal.

For the ordinary, this is a fine life plan. However, anyone with a bit of ambition wouldn’t want their fate tied to another strong entity.

Even if it’s not now, the same situation is destined to arise later.

And from my limited understanding of you, you should have anticipated this. You’re not someone who feels secure; you’re always preparing for potential misfortunes."

"I know," Stick Brother said in a low voice, putting down the wine glass.

"But it’s still somewhat disconcerting to see former partners become competitors. Because I know his capabilities, I realize just how fierce the competition in this expansion will be. The competition between us emerged as soon as we were incorporated into the same guild system, and now it’s just being brought into the open.

In a new world filled with infinite possibilities, no one wants to accept the notion that they’re mediocre...

I am like that, Meow is like that, the Silver Moon Group is like that, and student groups are like that.

The potential we once concealed is now being unearthed, but just like the members of a united wolf pack, we must establish a pecking order."

"But this is good," Meliya said softly.

"Healthy competition will keep you all striving, which in the long run makes you stronger. Stagnant water only breeds irredeemable decay."

"Hmm," Stick Brother nodded in agreement.

As a former soldier, he concurred with Meliya. He had also realized that his team would likely have to fight this battle alone.

But Stick Brother didn’t fear this competition!

Just as Brother Meow had said, his Crimson Hammer Sickle Group was superior in both quantity and quality due to "recruitment," especially after they gained the Winged Cavalry class system. The rise of the Crimson Hammer Sickle Group was all but certain.