Awakening The Only SSS-Rank Class! Now Even Dragons Obey Me Chapter 747: The Price of A Hostage

The guild was still shaking off the shock of Daniel’s return and the enemy’s advance reports when the entire scenario abruptly shifted into another level.

Elira’s voice rang out in the war room, though this time her tone carried a different edge. It held no calmness, no analytical detachment...

"The signals are drawing nearer... high speed... straight course to the center."

A thick silence blanketed the room.

The holographic map hovering at the room’s center lit up with radiant dots, but now these lights stood out larger than any previous signals.

That signified just one possibility.

Mighty Awakened from the foe’s ranks were closing in on the guild’s heart.

And Jason’s presence made their objective obvious.

"Several High Rank signals... minimum three A+... four Half Step S Rank..." Elira pressed on, her stare locked on the readings.

"And... two S ranks." She hesitated.

Breath caught in everyone’s throats for an instant.

Deploying such elite Awakened screamed that the conflict was escalating to peak tiers.

So far, clashes involved mere foot soldiers. Both guild domains suffered brutal hits, yet those couldn’t crown a true champion.

While both sides’ top figures endured, no decisive triumph awaited.

Now... the fight crept toward the overlords.

"Bastards... this ain’t playing around anymore," Daruis grumbled.

"This isn’t some routine raid..." Serah whispered softly.

"It’s a snatch squad... not your average push," Elira concluded, eyes still down.

All grasped the implication.

One sole target.

Jason.

Jason occupied a lofty spot in the Goblin Guild. The leader’s sibling, bearer of vital intel.

They’d foreseen the Goblin Guild wouldn’t ditch him.

Yet no one anticipated such swift action.

Were they truly so terrified of him turning into leverage?

Varnus remained wordless, gaze pinned to the map.

Unlike the rest, shock evaded his features.

Pure concentration defined him.

"Their aim isn’t guild annihilation."

Seconds ticked by, then he breathed out steadily.

"For destruction... they’d bring more. This screams quick, pinpoint hit."

Every gaze swung his way.

His hand rose, tagging key spots on the display.

"They hit... grab... and bolt." His stare hardened.

"But success means..."

His eyes flicked momentarily to Jason, slumped in the corner.

"We’re done for."

His breakdown rang true.

Enemy pulling off Jason’s rescue would shatter Everlight Moon’s prestige.

A devastating strike lingering long past any war win.

Quiet moments dragged.

Then voices erupted in debate.

"We clash upfront. No entry allowed," Daruis declared, advancing.

"Another breach leaves us empty," Aron agreed.

Their front line bore deep scars, but solid setup kept it intact.

Foe juggling rescue and ruin here would doom them.

Block them at all costs.

"Or... we open the gates," Serah murmured, silencing the group once more.

Heads turned her direction.

No soul foresaw that idea—perilous, wildly chancy.

"A trap?" Daruis arched a brow.

"Act frail. Lure them thinking it’s clear... then—" Serah went on.

"No." Daniel interrupted sharply.

Silence deepened as all pivoted to him by the wall.

"Let ’em waltz in. No tricks."

The room drowned in even denser quiet.

"That’s no trap. Pure self-destruction," Daruis scowled.

Daniel pressed ahead undeterred.

"They see us battered. Arrays cracked. Numbers halved."

"So they charge coreward."

He advanced.

"Right into our kill zone."

His plan laid bare, straightforward.

No frills. No hype.

"We invite them inside."

"Seal their escape."

"Wipe them out on site."

Words hung heavy, unspoken.

Victory here would cripple Goblin Guild beyond repair.

Yet... a snag loomed.

This inbound force brimmed with power. Beyond any rival guild’s rescue muster, save Goblin’s own.

Slaying them? Herculean.

Felling S-rank Awakened? Near impossible, doubly so with two.

How to pull it off?

But with this man’s decree... defiance vanished.

Not after witnessing his raw might firsthand.

"This time... we won’t let them leave," Daniel uttered with a subtle grin.

Varnus stared at him for several moments.

Then... he nodded.

"Do it."

The choice was finalized.

All sprang into action instantly.

Aron rearranged the inner defensive formations, sealing paths that required closure while keeping vital points accessible.

Serah linked communications across the units. Each squad locked in position. Every action perfectly synced.

Daruis deployed strike teams in shadowy spots and secret passages, primed for assault.

Elira monitored the enemies' advances every single instant.

Though no true trap was needed, comprehensive setups remained crucial for guaranteed triumph.

"Ten seconds until contact with the outer layer..."

During these frantic preparations, Daniel approached Jason at a deliberate pace.

Jason lay sprawled on the floor, limbs shackled by energy restraints, eyes flashing between terror and fury.

Daniel halted right before him.

Leisurely, he lifted The Heaven’s Honor, resting its sharp edge on Jason’s throat.

"One wrong move..." His tone stayed serene, yet chilling.

"You lose your head."

Jason stayed mute, simply gulping hard.

Seizing Jason, Daniel departed the private dimension and strode into the guild’s core chamber, positioning himself prominently.

He refused to conceal himself.

He stood firm without retreating.

He rendered himself... exposed.

"If they want to come..."

His eyes turned toward the entryways.

"They’ll come straight to me."

Then, explosion rocked everything.

A torrent of mana pulverized the guild’s outer barrier. The roar mimicked the firmament tearing asunder.

Mana’s oppressive weight spiked abruptly, dense and asphyxiating.

Even the fabric of space twisted under strain, hardly able to bear the onslaught.

Numerous silhouettes surged through the haze and brilliance.

Their aura... choked the air; these weren’t mere grunts, advancing with unshakeable poise.

Pure assurance marked each stride, until one pressed ahead.

His stare briefly touched Jason, then... fixed on Daniel.

No strikes flew, no one budged—everyone sensed a lone blunder could unleash total chaos.

"What do you want... to return him?"

The forefront figure declared it bluntly, no greetings, no delays.

Daniel held his gaze unwavering.

Right then, Varnus’s voice resounded in his thoughts.

"Buy time."

Setups weren’t fully ready. Eliminating two S-rank threats demanded unleashing their ultimate treasures and armaments from the vault.

"In exchange for this trash..." Daniel nudged the blade firmer against Jason’s neck as he spoke:

"What are you willing to pay?"