Varek sighed, the sound thin as dying embers. “Everything traces back to the great figures of level five. They coveted a priceless relic guarded by the Flaxseed clan. When the clan refused to surrender it, those lords rallied us lesser powers of level four and launched a war of extermination.”

“What relic could compel such butchery?” Jared pressed. Varek shook his head. “I never learned what the treasure was. We only obeyed orders. The true masterminds were the giants of level five.”

Jared kept his tone level as asked, “Which factions from level five were involved?”

Varek paused, shoulders rigid, then answered, “First and foremost, the Malevolent Path Hall. The extermination of your clan was masterminded by its master, Elyon Owens.”

Jared remembered level three, where had crushed Dioz Underwood of that hall, shattering the body and letting only a soul escape. So the Malevolent Path Hall still thrived in level five, and it had slaughtered the Flaxseed clan.

“Were any other factions involved?” Jared asked. Varek nodded. “Venom Valley, Holy Light Sect, and several other great houses from level five joined the siege.”

Jared’s face grew ever darker, had not expected so many banners to stain themselves with the same blood. He realized that avenging the Flaxseed clan would be a journey measured not in battles but in years.