MM - Chapter 130 - PLAYING FAVORITES

[Unique Quest: An Ancient Evil updated]

[You and your allies have successfully confirmed the existence of, and conquered, a demonic invasion within the Alabast Lowlands. Return to the administrative offices of the Silverlight City Nobles District for your rewards]

Raine brushed off the pesky notification, senses on full alert as the group materialized in the deep chasm. They were engulfed in the darkness of night, not even the moon's light penetrating this deep into the ground. Their climbing tools were exactly where they left them, and nothing jumped out to attack. The only movement came from the invasion gateway rapidly deteriorating, falling into itself like a collapsing planet.

Raine wasn't taking any chances. Bloodlust blasted from his skin, coating the constricted, rocky area in fear-inducing mental energy. A hefty, two-handed mace appeared in his grip. The soul flames coating his hands swarmed across the weapon, bathing the platform and its occupants in a ghostly, golden glow. The flames didn't release any heat, nor did they damage him or the weapon, leaving Raine wondering what their purpose was.

However, that was a mystery for another day. He examined every nuance in the environment. There was nothing to see; no stealthed players or Vaaterrans materialized to ambush them, and there was no revelation as to who had been screwing with him recently. Almost regretfully, Raine released his new flames and activated a Return Stone. As instructed, the rest of the group had already used theirs. They only awaited the completion of the ten-second countdown.

Talerra, being unconscious when they were kicked from the invasion, was taken to a resting area similar to where you went after dying. Upon waking up, she would be given a short minute to recover before being sent to the ledge they were on now. Making it back to Silverlight would be up to her.

One by one, the group was wrapped in sparkling tubes of stardust that brightly illuminated the chasm before they winked out of existence. Raine saw it then, broken shards of glass on the ground near where the invasion heart used to be. Understanding dawned as he was teleported away.

After we entered, they used an item packed with demonic energy to empower the heart. They must have done it within seconds since the area was expanded before we appeared. They were close, watching us enter. They have decent stealth if the mercs didn't see them. Or, it was one of them. No. The mercs wouldn't have let us escape if they were involved. 

Whoever it was used an item instead of directly injecting their energy… Was it not a demon, then? A demon worshipper? If this weren't the second time, I would think it was a spy from the Dantinian Empire. They're certainly trying to make it look that way since both times happened on the border.

Feels like I'm missing something obvious. How annoying.

Raine appeared in a side street of the Silverlight Commoners District. Several players and Vaaterrans were nearby, each hustling about their own business. None of his group were in the same part of the district, which wasn't a surprise since they likely bound at the closest tavern to the south gate while he was at the west.

He spoke with the raid leader privilege, his voice carried to their ears despite the vast distances separating them, “Everyone take a day off. Then, get to the arena and familiarize yourselves with the summoning system and attribute sliders. I'll train with each of you individually as soon as I'm back. If you didn't get any drops from the raid, message me with links to the three pieces you want upgraded, and I'll find something for you.”

Raine could easily imagine their cheers. He gave them a few seconds to process before delivering the most exciting bit, “If anyone wants to stick around for a few minutes, you can accept your official invitation to the guild. If we're lucky, we might even get another world-first achievement.”

The raid chat exploded with demands he get his ass in gear and get it done. All too happy to oblige, he whistled for a cart and hopped aboard when one came scooting around the corner. During the ride, he sent out a few quick messages. The first was to Talerra, telling her to contact him when she woke up and not to dally once she was brought back to the chasm.

The next was to Mel and Celeste, who he invited to a private group chat, “Come pick me up after you get your invites. We'll go to the gym together. Bring something nice to wear for after. Celeste, did you receive any messages from Bron Stockton about the properties I want to buy?”

“How would I know? I blocked that bastard after he screwed over my father last year. And what do you mean, 'something nice?'”

“Well, unblock him and review the files he sent. We'll go over them on the drive. Nice as in, business meeting, nice. Also, I've got a surprise for you when you get to my place.”

Mel's hands were shaking as she vigorously keyed in a response, “W-what?! A-are you sure you want me there for that?”

Raine toggled on video for the group chat just so they could see his eye roll, “If you keep talking nonsense, I won't give you your surprise.”

Mel's concern vanished in a flash of anticipation, “I get one too?! Yay! Ohh. Oops. My lips be sealed!”

Now suspicious, thanks to Mel, Celeste took long seconds to form a response, “What kind of surprise are we talking about, exactly?”

“The good kind. See you soon.” Raine left the group chat and flashed his identification to the guards blocking the entrance to the Nobles District. They waved him through despite the early morning hour.

The administrative offices were nearby. Thankfully, ZionLine catered to people coming and going at all times of the day and night. He walked by the golems guarding the entrance. After his recent experiences, he held a refreshed appreciation for the domineering statues.

[Greater Sentry (Hierarch) Level 135 - (HP ????/????)]

Feeling like a kid, Raine did his best not to jog through the building to the guild registration office. Inside, he was greeted by an eager employee who bowed low, “Noble, sir. If it pleases you, this one will serve you today.”

“The mission assigned by the crown has been completed. I'm here to complete my guild registration.”

[Unique quest completed: An Ancient Evil]

[Rewards: Guild creation for all Travelers within the Celendine Dynasty has been unlocked. Celendine Dynasty Guild Reputation: +15]

[Queen Analice has noticed your meritorious deeds in protecting her kingdom from an existential threat: Queen's Favor: +1]

What?! 

The guild reputation alone was worth millions of gold. However, it was the final reward that had Raine truly floored. While short in length, the list of benefits it would bring was anything but. Queen's Favor allowed one to meet the royal family directly and request a favor. While it wasn't possible to ask for anything, it could be used to mobilize an army, exchange for a powerful artifact or piece of equipment, and even skip annual tax payments, which could easily reach hundreds of thousands of gold. 

Those were the most shortsighted uses. The true benefit of Queen's Favor could be used indefinitely, or until it was lost or traded in. The young Vaaterran speaking with Raine perfectly demonstrated its usefulness when he threw himself to the floor, “P-please have mercy, Favored Noble! I did not know!”

The other Vaaterrans in the room followed his example, collapsing to their knees and pressing their foreheads into the floor. Suddenly, Raine was the only one standing in the room. “Rise, I've places to be.”

The servant's voice held a mix of awe and intensity that wasn't there before, “Yes, of course! Thank you kindly for your magnanimity! If you permit it, I shall escort you to the Head Clerk to finalize your guild’s documentation.”

Raine nodded, and the boy scrambled to his feet. He was guided to a side door and down a short hallway. Through another door, he entered a plush office where a mousy older gentleman sat behind a desk piled with papers. Raine had interacted with the Head Clerk a few times in the past, none of them a pleasant experience. He was ruthless when it came to guild tax laws. Failing to meet his exacting standards for prompt payment had led to more than one guild fading into history.

Exactly as expected toward one with Queen's Favor, the Head Clerk displayed his utmost sincerity. Bolting to his feet, he bowed cleanly in half, a hand over his heart, “Favored Noble, it honors this humble servant to assist you. I've already seen to the last of your documents. I also took the liberty of personally filing a deferral for your first annual tax payment, should you need it.”

Ain't that something. This is going to get addictive if I'm not careful.

“We'll discuss that when the time comes. For now, what remains to be completed for my guild?”

“All I need is your chosen name, favored one.”

Raine had been considering this very question for days. A guild name was more than a regular name; it represented the honor, backbone, and renown of each of its members. The best guild names gave a snapshot of its mission and drive behind its leaders, which could easily garner love, admiration, hate, or fear from the masses. The most influential names hung on the tip of the tongue when spoken and perked the ears of those who heard it. They became legends, and each of its members was a god in the eyes of the common man.

Taking the proferred tablet from the head clerk, Raine inserted a whisp of Elemental Power into the device and envisioned the first of two symbols for the name he'd chosen: a star. Light beamed from the tablet, creating a blazing star that hung suspended in the center of the room.

Seeing ZionLine's AI bring the image in his mind to life caused Riane's voice to catch with emotion, “Astra - as in the stars. We will be a guiding light to those lost. While any seeking to be our equal will only find themselves gazing up at us from below.”

He imagined the second part of the symbol: a sinister gate surrounding the star. Raine's chest was tight, and pressure stung his eyes, “Infernum - as in the underworld. To those foolish enough to tread the heavens and confront us, we'll send them on a one-way trip to the depths of hell.”

The clerk took the tablet, holding it like a priceless artifact, “Astra Infernum. A fine name indeed, favored one. May the queen's blessings extend to your most fortunate members!”

[Congratulations on the formation of Astra Infernum. May you spread honor and glory to the far reaches of the realms!]

[Regional System announcement: Congratulations Alaric for creating the first official guild in the Silvergate Kingdom!]

[Achievement for creating the first official guild in the Silvergate Kingdom: Silvergate Kingdom Commerce Alliance Guild Reputation +10]

Not world first? Damn. I knew choosing nightmare was a risk.

Despite being slightly disappointed, Raine wasn't at all dissatisfied with the reward. The Commerce Alliance gave daily guild quests. Finishing one usually netted more gold than players could earn in a week. The ten reputation was equivalent to his guildies completing ten thousand quests for the Commerce Alliance; each point unlocked additional and more lucrative quests.

Not a bad reward by any stretch.

Raine's eyes returned to the floating symbol of his guild. He lifted a fist, squeezing it tightly as golden flames that matched the gated star flickered to life and danced across his knuckles. With a few clicks, he sent an invitation to his first nine members. They accepted immediately, and TwistedReligion eagerly posted the very first of many inspirational messages in the guild's main chat: “First!”

The follow-up messages were equally poignant, “Did you really just take the guild chat's virginity like that? Foul!”

“Astra Infernum? Not bad! I was kinda hoping for ItBurnsWhenIPVP, but I suppose this’ll do.”

“LMAO. You're an idiot.”

“No, you!”

[Alaric has left the chat]

Raine closed the window and disabled it, vowing to never again step into the cesspool his friends were already creating. The clerk busily completed all the requisite paperwork, adding Astra Infernum to each document before stamping it with his seal. 

When he noticed Raine was still there, he jumped back to his feet, “Is there anything else I can do for you, favored one?”

“Yes. I wish to construct a guild hall. I've already procured the materials. I’d like to see the premium plots of land that are available.”

The first hint of the Head Clerk’s greedy nature appeared as he rubbed his hands together, “By all means. There are several available. One moment.” He retrieved a stack of papers detailing the city's available rental plots, shuffling a few to the top before presenting them to Raine. “These two, in particular, have near limitless earning potential if administered properly. If it pleases you, I have a nephew who's a genius at accounting and is currently seeking employment in a prominent rising star such as your Astra Infernum.”

Music to my ears! Hiring Vaaterrans is always ludicrously expensive, especially the talented ones, if you can even get them to agree, which is often harder than coming up with the gold. Knowing the clerk, he's no doubt got some nasty plan in mind to squeeze the other guilds for every gold in their coffers.

Not letting on to his excitement, Raine thumbed through the stack, finding what he was looking for. “How about these two?”

“Two? Oh! I see," the clerk drawled with a widening smile, "That is quite devious of you, my lord. I do believe my nephew shall be in good hands.”

Raine’s malicious smile perfectly matched the crafty man’s, “In that case, I'll be in your family's care, Master Clerk.”

Peridot

- Alabast Lowlands -

Peridot hung in the air, suspended by the last hours of The Grand Shimmering One’s Mark of Flight. Soon, even her Mark of Invisibility would fade away, leaving her exposed to the dangers of the Mortal Realm. Much worse than those considerations was the Bearer of Cassidy, who successfully cleared an invasion that should have been impossible.

He didn’t do it alone, and there were fewer of them that exited than went inside. Still, a few sacrifices shouldn’t have made any difference whatsoever. The fact remained that she had failed, and in her failure, made the bearer even more powerful. The flames covering his weapon were proof of that.

What am I supposed to do now? Most Dazzling Zircon still isn't responding to my reports. Could she have… no. That's impossible. This is her test for me to prove I am worthy. My mission was never to stop the bearer but to watch and report.

But he is gone now. Out of my reach, back inside his walled spawning ground. With my marks about to fade and my best way back to the Demonic Realm shattered, my only choice is to grow stronger as well so I can continue to track him.

The prey here are stronger than me… but isn’t that how the bearer is growing so rapidly? He is not the only one with a powerful weapon.

Peridot withdrew one of the last two items from the pouch gifted to her. She held the onyx-shaded dagger tightly, its weight and style unfamiliar. 

The dazzling one would not have given this to me if she did not mean for me to use it.

A beast howled in the distance, and she inhaled sharply, knowing what must be done lest her true prey escape her grasp forever.