CHAPTER 355: THE RED TYRANT

Among the many clans that thrived within the Academy, the Red Tyrant Clan stood tall as one of the Three Great Clans. Their influence stretched across every corner of the campus, from the training halls to the administrative council. Most of their top officials were composed of upper-level students—prodigies and elites who had already made names for themselves in combat and academia alike.

The majority of their members came from prestigious families, descendants of noble bloodlines or influential houses outside the Academy. In a sense, the Red Tyrant Clan’s strength lay not only in their individual power but in the solid foundation that backed them. With wealth, talent, and political ties intertwined, few dared to provoke them openly.

Their stability was unquestionable. Academy Points—the lifeblood that determined a clan’s ranking and influence—flowed steadily into their coffers. The Red Tyrants had mastered the art of earning them.

Dungeon raids, Labyrinth expeditions, and Ruin explorations were their primary sources of income. Their elite squads ventured into the depths of danger with practiced coordination and emerged victorious, reaping treasures and experience alike. On occasion, they would also issue dueling challenges to rival clans, not for necessity, but to assert dominance. Naturally, most of these duels ended in their favor.

In short, the Red Tyrant Clan was a well-oiled war machine—efficient, wealthy, and untouchable.

By contrast, Eman’s clan, the Merciless Clan, couldn’t be any more different.

Formed on a whim by a handful of friends with no noble heritage, they lacked both prestige and resources. Their barrack was modest, their roster small, and their influence nearly nonexistent. While other clans delved into dungeons and labyrinths, the Merciless Clan’s main source of income came from rust-cleaning—the tedious, low-paying maintenance work that most students avoided.

Where the Red Tyrant Clan shone like a blazing banner of dominance, the Merciless Clan was little more than a flickering candle in the wind.

From the bystanders’ perspective, no matter how you looked at it, judging by the two clans’ standing and stability, there was no need for comparison—the outcome had already been decided long before it even began.

But even with such a huge disparity between the two clans—and despite his members’ pleas not to go alone—Eman still made his way toward the Red Tyrant Clan’s Main Headquarters.

Before heading there, however, he made a brief detour to the Clan Headquarters—a towering structure that served as the heart of all clan-related affairs within the Academy. Every registration, dispute, promotion, and transaction passed through its marble halls, overseen by the Academy’s appointed officers.

The building itself symbolized authority and order, where the rules of the Academy held absolute sway, regardless of one’s family name or power.

Eman spent about twenty minutes inside, handling some undisclosed matters, before stepping out once more. Without hesitation, he resumed his path toward his original destination—the lair of one of the most powerful clans in the Academy.

Meanwhile, many of the students were already aware of the commotion between the Merciless Clan and Red Tyrant.

When they caught sight of Eman threading the way towards the Red Tyrant main headquarters, there immediately gathered and started gossiping. After all, Eman was a hot topic lately and the rumor regarding his clan and the Red Tyrant Clan was already reached the ears of most students in the academy.

"That clan is involved in a mess once again."

"Yeah, and this time, guess what?"

"What?"

"They poked a titan’s tail. They’re up against the Red Tyrant Clan!"

"What the hell! Are they out of their minds?"

"They are crazy."

"Angering the Red Tyrant is like asking to be killed!"

This was just one of the many public opinions.

The Merciless Clan was once again a hot topic. Those who heard it were dumbfounded. Just a couple of weeks ago when the Merciless Clan resolved their issue with the Red Drake Clan and yet another issue befell at them.

"The talent of this clan to create discord with another clan was truly unparalleled," a female student said while shaking her head.

It seemed even in the female department, the matter also reached them.

Although the Merciless Clan unexpectedly won against the Red Drake clan at that time, this time was different.

"Against the Red Tyrant—there was no way for the Merciless Clan to survive this time if they couldn’t find a way to reconcile. To reconcile—that’s the only thing they can do to appease the Red Tyrant’s anger. Or else, one could only imagine a bitter end for those who went against them."

"It is today the appointed day that the members of the Merciless Clan will visit the Red Tyrant main headquarters. Thar guy must be heading there. But why he’s alone?"

"Well. I don’t know. What do you think will happen?"

"Ha? Is there a need to answer that? Of course he’ll never leave alive if they can’t meet up the Red Tyrant’s conditions."

"That’s likely to happen."

On his way, Eman noticed a few students whispering to each other in hushed voices. Though they tried their best to keep their tones low, their glances betrayed them—every few seconds, their eyes darted in his direction.

Moreover, ever since forming his contract with Ameross, Eman’s hearing had become exceptionally sharp. He could clearly catch their words, as if listening to a phone call on maximum volume.

Eman was no stranger to the Academy’s students. In fact, most of them knew him all too well. He was once labeled the infamous trash—a failure mocked by nearly everyone. To make things worse, his known connection to Hannah had earned him the envy and hostility of many, especially from the male students.

It wasn’t until his duel against the Red Drake Clan that public opinion began to shift. His victory had forced some to acknowledge his strength. Still, despite that feat, there were plenty who continued to see him as nothing more than the same worthless student from before.

Not that it mattered to him. Changing people’s perception was never easy, and Eman had long stopped caring about how others viewed him.

Eventually, he arrived before a massive gate. Its towering structure and heavy guard presence made him pause for a moment.

He couldn’t help but wonder if he was standing before a clan headquarters—or a fortress. The building itself stood proudly atop a hill, radiating both prestige and intimidation.

"Stop right there!"

A loud, thunderous voice echoed across the area.

Eman’s gaze shifted to the guards stationed at the gate. A group of them approached, their steps heavy and disciplined. Each one carried an overwhelming aura, their presence alone enough to pressure ordinary students.

Truly a high-tier clan, Eman thought, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Who are you?!" barked the man standing at the center. His arms were crossed, his tone gruff and commanding. The man was huge—nearly seven feet tall, his build as solid as a wall.

"I am the leader of the Merciless Clan," Eman replied calmly.

His tone was steady, his expression unreadable.

The guards exchanged looks, their brows arching in surprise.

By this time, a small crowd had begun to gather nearby, eager to witness what would happen next. Whispers filled the air—rumors, curiosity, and schadenfreude mingling together.

"So you’re that guy," the tall man muttered, his voice laced with disdain.

In the next instant, a suffocating murderous aura erupted from the guards, crashing toward Eman like a wave of invisible pressure.