FB: Chapter 127 – Breaking News!

“Thank you, all for coming to this panel that ENN is hosting on the role of super guilds in Exponential,” Fred said while smiling at the virtual camera icon. ENN now had a building in the Capital that they did their reporting from in game.

“Today we are joined by the officers for public relations of the top three super guilds in Exponential. It was going to be four, but Apex pulled out after the most recent disaster and massive loss. Let’s start with Integra from Super Guild Forged Fang, how do you view the most recent actions and victory of the Mercenery Guild?” Fred asked the well put togeather woman. These corporate people were all around level 30 or just a bit higher to avoid travel restrictions and to say they had a basic understanding of Exponential. But their value was in their ability to talk, not fight.

“Thank you, Fred. The Mercenery Guild has long been a destabilizing force along with its leader, the notorious and infamous Miss Blight. The Forged Fang has nothing to fear from her or her remaining members, since we just concluded a contract for over seventy percent of the Mercenery Guild’s Champions on a long-term basis, including her second in command Hammer Crusher,” she said while preening.

“Impressive. You are looking to force them out of the market then?” Fred asked.

“We saw a business opportunity and took it. We had to pay a premium, but it was worth it to acquire such skilled players that were instrumental in their victory over Apex,” Integra replied.

“And what about their Guild Leader Foxy Blight? Aren’t you worried about what she might do in your attempts to undermine her?” Fred asked.

“Miss Blight is a skilled player, but she is just one player. She is old news. Her team members like Hammer Crusher and the Hellfire Twins are why she has continued to succeed after abandoning her original guild. She is just someone who got lucky, both literally and figuratively, to climb off the backs of others,” Integra said with a grin that was asking to be slapped off her bitch face.

“Director Han of the Super Guild HeroTen, your take on the matter?” Fred asked.

“My fellow player over in Forged Fang might think lightly of Foxy Blight and are willing to poke her, forgetting their history. But I have found it is better not to underestimate her resourcefulness. She is quite capable, even without a team. HeroTen looks forward to Foxy Blight’s response to this brazen poaching and undermining of her Mercenery Guild,” Director Han replied.

“Baron Hayfield of the Super Guild Great Bear, you have had dealings with Foxy Blight in the past. What do you think?” Fred asked, trying to stir up the pot as much as possible before I came out.

“The Super Guild Great Bear will never bow to any player or guild. Unlike Apex we are not foolish. We have learned from past mistakes and others to fortify our resources and towns. If anyone, even Foxy, or the other weak super guilds wish to challenge us, we stand ready to crush them. Even with their additional Champions,” Baron Hayfield provocatively declared while staring at the two other super guild members.

“Well, I have a surprise guest.” I could see the faces of all three representatives pinch up like they had bitten something sour at that comment. Everyone knew that a surprise guest on ENN meant drama. I had no doubt that ratings and social media were spiking at this line. They didn’t use it often, but when they did they liked to milk it for all it was worth. “The one, the only, the greatest player in Exponential. The god player. Foxy Blight,” Fred said and that was my cue.

I strutted out into the studio area like I owned the place. The table Fred was sitting at was triangular shaped. He sat on one side. The three representatives had been arranged to sit on another. I took my seat on the third side with a slight flourish of my cape.

“Thank you for having me on Fred. I have some explosive news, that relates directly to the super guilds. A secret shadow war, that I am looking to bring to the public attention,” I replied calmly. The representatives didn’t say anything even if they looked annoyed. They had probably considered this might happen but were annoyed with being part of it. That was why they didn’t storm off, yet.

“Oh, a secret war. That sounds like some big news. What is it?” Fred asked. I smiled towards him and then camera for a couple of seconds to build up the suspense.

“The super guilds have formed a secret alliance to target me. The proof, the top four super guilds have each collected one key component to complete the poison rainbow. A requirement for me to get a Divine skill. Apex had one, which I liberated during the chaos of my amazing assault on their super fortress. Here is the document outlining what the Great Bear, HeroTen, and Forged Fang super guilds each have,” I said and pushed over copies to all four people. The broadcast would be showing the document, since I had handed a copy over earlier.

“The entire world against me. Foxy Blight. But I guess they view me as enough of a threat after I crushed Super Guild Apex like a bug. While some idiots might claim it was due to my Champion level team, they would be sorely mistaken,” I said.

“Mistaken, how so?” Fred asked.

“Simple. I am going to use these items from the top three super guilds to create my own Divine skill using the poison rainbow, before they can get a player with a Divine skill of their own,” I said.

“What do you have to say to these accusations and challenge Integra?” Fred asked.

“Ha! Laughable. From a washed up player. Miss Blight, you think you can take on our entire super guild and get the Green Leaf we have, then I welcome you to try. No matter what you do, you will fail. You left long ago, since you aren’t a team player. That is why your Champions left your Mercenery Guild. Admit it, you are nothing but trash,” Integra declared.

“Foxy, your response?” Fred turned towards me.

“How about a wager then. Certified by contract. For a million platinum between me and you, or your super guild since you speak for them. Who can get to a Divine skill first?” I pulled out the contract and slapped it down on the table with a bang. “But you won’t dare sign on behalf of your super guild. Since everyone knows your super guild just talks trash but can’t back it up. Or perhaps you went bankrupt paying overpriced fees for all those Champions you bought from my Mercenery Guild?”

“Integra, you clearly think Foxy has no chance, will you sign on the one million platinum contract on behalf of your super guild?” Fred asked. At the current exchange rate that was only around 20 billion USD. A far cry from the height of the exchange rate. I knew she couldn’t sign. This was a power move to put these people on the backfoot. It was a legitimate contract, but I knew none of them underestimated me.

“Excuse me, I am done here,” Integra said and got up to leave.

“Look, the bitch is running away. Just like her super guild. That is why you need the Foxy guarantee people. Like the Titanic, Forged Fang is taking on water and is sinking,” I declared. Integra didn’t even glare at me as she left.

“Director Han, your response?” Fred asked.

“Foxy, you are a dangerous woman. HeroTen stands ready to face you with all our might. We do not need schemes to steal your members. The great Chinese people of our guild will crush you and win,” he declared and then looked at the contract I had slammed down on the table. “But we also recognize you as the best player. We will not gamble foolishly with the hard earned resources the players of our guild have earned through their sweat and tears.” A smart answer to save face and become an embarrassment that the Forged Fang had become after Integra had walked out.

“Baron Hayfield, your response to this challenge?” Fred turned to the other guest in the interview.

“You can’t win Foxy. You are good, but not good enough to beat the top three super guilds. As a sign of our past friendship, join our super guild and we will arrange for you to get all three items you desire,” he said.

“Shameless! You think you can just invite her like that?!” Director Han shouted and pointed his finger at Baron Hayfield who smiled at him.

“Yes. Yes, I can. The plan is already exposed. It was stupid to begin with. But if Foxy joins us…well everything is open to negotiation,” he declared.

“An alliance. You trade me your item, and I help you bring down one of your enemies,” I offered but Baron Hayfield shook his head.

“Only if you join long term. Otherwise, no deal. We know of your power and popularity, but we also know that your Champion level team gave you a lot of help in your battles. Exponential is a team sport, no matter how good you are, you can’t win alone. Even with your impressive build and skills that stand above all other players on an individual basis.”

“No, I will not bend the knee or bow my head,” I replied, and Baron Hayfield shrugged.

“Then you will be crushed completely and utterly. Your little escapades, in targeting the super guilds and our members, is finally at an end. Your reign of terror will soon be in the past, Foxy Blight,” he declared.

“Is that an invitation to target the Super Guild Great Bear first?” I asked.

“Hahahaha. We stand ready. In fact I will even tell you, so you don’t have to worry about us hiding the Yellow Pus that you so desire to make your Divine skill. We have secured it in the center of our main vault, in the most prestigious position. Waiting for you to come pick it up. In fact, I will let ENN set up a live feed of the item in question,” he replied. He was countering my shameless drama with his own. I had to give him a bit of grudging respect for that.

“Oh, how bold, we graciously accept,” Fred said on behalf of ENN. “And what about you Director Han.”

“The security of our main vault shall not be revealed, since that wealth is held on behalf of the players of the greatest guild in Exponential, HeroTen. We do not take Foxy Blight’s threat as lightly as others,” Director Han said while staring intently at me.

“If you two are so sure, well, I have this contract,” I said while tapping the contract I had on the table for a million platinum.

“I am not authorized to make such a transaction,” Baron Hayfield responded.

“I will not gamble with the people’s money,” Director Han said immediately afterwards.

“Just like Forged Fang. You all lack confidence. Instead, I am going to wager on myself, since none of you have the courage. At a one-to-one ratio. Already the Mercenery Guild has set up a betting table due to your lack of faith. Anyone who doubts me can bet against me and take my money. The time frame is four in game years, will I get the items, or will you be able to stop me,” I declared. Just as I had a lot of fans, I had a haters as well. It was time to take them for all they were worth.

It was clear that the super guilds were only united in taking me down. Their individual responses were incredibly varied. Each probably thought their response would get the least attention and encourage me to target the others first. Forged Fang had walked away from the embarrassment I had leveled at them. Great Bear had taken the path of being provocative to make it seem like they would be the first target while expecting me to target another super guild. HeroTen was going the respectful route to hopefully avoid my ire.

“There you have it folks. A shadow war revealed. Can Foxy Blight overcome the top three super guilds in Exponential, or will she be defeated?” Fred asked. “Right after the commercial break, we will have a full break down, analysis, and our experts’ take on this conflict.” I got up and left. The pot had been stirred, now it was time to make good on my promises.