The room was filled with people from multiple guilds in LA. However, only the guilds that consisted of B Ranks and above were invited. 

The Hunters sat at a large conference table, with seats only given to the guild leaders and A Ranks. 

Jasmine and Anna had seats at the table of course, and there were others that Jasmine recognized, including the one she was glaring at.. Heracles. 

"This is a Gate that just opened over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

It had opened 5 days ago, and none of the guilds that went in has returned.

They are requesting help as the time limit is getting short. 

The Hunter Association there doesn't know what kind of monsters are in there, but if they could wipe out their guilds, they don't want the Gate to be breached by those monsters" the official in charge of the Hunter Association in LA said.

He had met Jasmine briefly the other day. His name was Norman Hatfield, the Director of the Hunter Association in Los Angeles 

"So how much are they offering?" Heracles said, his feet on the table

During the whole meeting, Heracles had been leering at Jasmine. 

"They are offering 200 million dollars" Norman answered

"Not good enough, 2 B or the Olympus Guild won't move. If we don't move, the A rankers in LA won't move" Heracles said

The Olympus group had 5 A Ranks, out of the 20 in the country. They had a large number of B Ranks in their guild too, making them the most powerful guild in LA. 

"That's preposterous! People's lives are at risk" Norman said

"People's lives are always at risk. But we are risking our lives for them. Surely our lives are not worth less than theirs?" Heracles said

"Don't worry, I'll handle it" Jasmine said, staring straight at Heracles. 

"You can't....you.." Heracles said

"Yes me. The only S Rank in the country me. I'm not doing this for the money. I'm doing this to save lives. I think I'm already well paid by the Hunter Association. I don't need to black mail others. I..... HATE.... BlACKMAIL" she growled. 

"You bitch! You'll pay!" Heracles stood up, smashing his chair. 

"You mean with this?" Jasmine said, throwing the picture of her in full insect form on the table. 

Many who saw it gasped. 

"Yes. That's me. I was captured and turned into a monster in the tower. That is why I remained in the tower for 3 cycles. My husband had to go through heaven and hell three times to return me to normal and get me out of the tower. 

So go ahead and send it to all the newspapers. I don't care. I am not using my face or body to make money anymore, so I don't really care that I was once this hideous monster.

So don't expect to see me after this meeting. I will not be blackmailed" she said, staring at Heracles, who's face darkened

"Ms Lockhart...." he started

"I prefer Mrs Marshall" she interrupted

"Mrs Marshall then.... I assure you that when I made my request for more money from the city, it is for everyone's benefit. Unlike you, most of us are not indestructible, and our lives are not guaranteed. We have mouths to feed, families that rely on us. So it is with the noblest intention that I am requesting for more money. 

As for that....picture. I have no idea where it came from, as I have never... I repeat... never seen it before. I assure you, I will order a thorough investigation to find out the culprit" he said through gritted teeth. 

The room was completely silent. No one dared say anything. 

"We the Fellowship of the Third will join the Princesses" Magnus Banning suddenly said, breaking the silence. 

Heracles stared at him, but he ignored his gaze. 

He nodded and Jasmine with a smile, and she nodded back in thanks at his support. 

The Fellowship of the Third were the survivors that went to the end in the third round with Lex and Jasmine. 

Their newly formed guild consisted of 3 A rankers, Magnus himself, Marisa Trench and Rudelfo Aquinas, who tested and joined 2 days after them, making them the 19th, 20th and 21st A Ranks in the country.

Not only that, the rest of their members were B ranks, including Magnus' lover Isla, Marisa's assistants Ronald and Annalise, bash brothers Lucas and Lucius,  the Animagus Mona and warrior woman Phoebe.

Aragorn, who revealed his name as Teddy Bumbly, joined a week later than everyone else because after coming out of the Tower, he celebrated and went on a one week bender, spending the whole week on alcohol and prostitutes. 

The Fellowship was the second most talked off guild behind the Princesses and gained influence very quickly

While the Princesses were popular due to the fact that they were both very beautiful as well as powerful, they acted by themselves and did not really "lead" any of the Gate hunts with other guilds, rather acting on their own as they battled. 

The Fellowship on the other hand were full of leaders. While in the Tower, each of Magnus, Marisa, Rudelfo, Phoebe and even Aragorn led their own teams before finally joining up for survival. 

As such, they naturally helped out, organize, teach and led other guilds in the Gates and were gaining respect and admiration very quickly. 

With them joining, all the other guilds in the room volunteered to join. 

Heracles stood up and opened his mouth. 

"As everyone else has agreed, we the Olympus guild will also join. Although I did what I did earlier for the benefit of....everyone, since... everyone decided to join anyway, it seems my concerns were unnecessary.  

As such, we will spearhead the mission into the Gate, and lead us all to victory as usual" he said arrogantly and left. 

Rudelfo got up angrily, but Magnus held him back and shook his head.

The meeting adjourned but some people were still lingering around

They had 2 hours to prepare before departing to San Francisco

"Quite a character...that one" Marisa said after the meeting

"I wonder what would happen if he met Lex" Isla said among themselves

"No need to meet Lex. My senses were screaming danger while I was standing near Jasmine" Mona the animagus said

"Thank you for your support Magnus. That Heracles...I can't stand him" Jasmine said

"You know we'll always have your back. Just be careful. He's... quite the schemer" Magnus said

"Yes... I will be careful of that one" Jasmine said

As the Princesses and Fellowship had come prepared, they were sent first by the specially arranged transports.