"Yes, yes! Place them there!"
"Hey, can't you draw a straight line?!"
"You, don't laze around! We have work to do!"
Liam felt somewhat dizzy finding himself in a chaotic place all of a sudden. A familiar voice sounded right next to him. Turning his head Liam found that Fonor had finally arrived and begun the construction of the guild hall right away.
Dozens of workers ran around. Luckily, they didn't need to be hired by the guild but were provided by the game during the construction period. C could've just displayed a timer before placing the finished building but Liam preferred seeing the busy construction sight.
Even though the workers took their materials from a storage zone to the side, which magically filled up the stock as soon as something was taken away, Liam still felt that this gave the world a more realistic touch.
"Hey, you! Don't stand in the way!"
Liam looked towards the voice, finding an angry Fonor staring at him. He excused himself with a chuckle and walked to the side. Watching the busy scene made him look forward to the future of their guild.
He talked a bit with the other spectators, getting to know his guild members when a message suddenly appeared before his eyes.
It was C informing him that his [Cross Slash] as well as [Brutal Strike] have levelled up. Liam was pleasantly surprised considering this C's compensation.
In a good mood he had a hearty talk with his guild members and even invited them for a levelling session.
They naturally agreed and soon left the city. Liam brought them to a spot densely packed with monsters. Liam spent two days there, soaring past level 24 and approaching level 25.
When he logged in on the third day Liam met with his friends at their guild headquarters. The guild hall was still being constructed. One could already see the outline of a small building with many playful ornaments, showing the architect's unrealized ambitions.
A mix of different woods and stone patterns emitted a reliable feeling.
The guild hall's construction proceeded swiftly, especially during the night, when the construction made illogical jumps. Naturally the construction couldn't be too realistic or every guild would be without a roof over its head for multiple months. No player would want that.
A timeframe of three days was just right, allowing every member to build up anticipation while experiencing the construction.
Just like right now when many guild members gathered in the headquarters, some sitting on crates and boxes, watching the core members standing in the centre.
Cyclone and Balm fidgeted nervously. They were used to knowing what to expect but this time even Liam couldn't help them much. Guild wars were held in random formats and even Liam didn't know which one C would choose for them.
Looking at their guild leaders' appearance he tried to ease their nerves:
"Don't be nervous. Have some confidence in our guild!"
"But there is a difference between fighting monsters and clashing with real people...", answered Balm anxiously.
Even Sun's Knight added his opinion:
"Don't worry, guild leader. After the fight against the world boss, we handed out generous contribution points. All our members should've been able to get at least one item. Now we are an entire level stronger than a few days ago!"
"Was the world boss's loot this abundant?", asked Radiant Shield in surprise.
"Of course. Furthermore, I invested some of the money provided by our generous sponsors into gold, so we could buy some items from the auction house. Our treasury is brimming with powerful weapons."
"Good job."
Liam praised the manager as he browsed through the treasury. Sun's Knight was quite thoughtful preparing the guild well for the war.
"I'm glad I can help in other ways since I'm not of much use on the battlefield."
"Don't talk like that!", said Cyclone. "We wouldn't be able to run this guild without you!"
Sun's Knight smiled upon hearing Cyclone's genuine words. Who would've thought that after quitting the group in the beginning he would return in this way?
Sun's Knight's good mood distracted the friends from their nervousness as they talked casually until a certain message suddenly brought a tense atmosphere.
[Server announcement:]
[The first guild war is about to begin. Guilds, prepare to fight for glory on the battlefield!]
[Here are the rules which will apply to all upcoming guild wars:]
[Guild wars will be held in random formats!]
[Two or more guilds can face off alone or in teams.]
[Depending on the format different objectives will give you points.]
[These points can be spent in a shop at the end of each war.]
[Points can't be saved.]
[Every fifth war, guilds with a similar win/lose record will face each other in a fierce battle for generous rewards.]
The announcement finally subsided sending a tremor through the world. Guilds everywhere prepared for the upcoming war. The excitement almost solidified in the air.
Star Gazer stood on a field at the edge of a magnificent city. His eyes wandered over the magnificent palaces and spiralling towers, the white stone reflecting the sun, casting its splendour upon the world.
This was Hephegrio, the main city of high elves, an ancient wonder lasting throughout the times. The air was brimming with magic guaranteeing the city's eternal life.
Hundreds of people stood behind Star Gazer, armed to the teeth and ready to prove that their guild would dethrone Dream Avenue.
Elsewhere in a gigantic, chaotic city, where orcs were roasting their prey on open bonfires next to hastily erected battle rings, Force of Nature had secured their own plot of land.
Earthquake wore an unhappy expression remembering how they had to buy information from Liam. He hoped for a chance to wash off this humiliation.
Guilds gathered everywhere in the world and hell was naturally no exception. Wave of Bones sat on a luxurious throne-like chair, his handsome eyes overlooking the proud talents who joined his guild Graveyard of Heroes.
A smile played around his lips. He looked forward to meeting Dream Avenue. The game would be too boring without a worthy adversary after all.
Cyclone and Balm didn't have the composure revealed by other guild leaders yet. They showed their anxiousness as a message appeared, asking them to confirm their guilds participation in the upcoming war.
As soon as they accepted the guild members all received similar prompts. Everyone agreed instantly except for a few special members like Serena who only cared about professions.
The young girl stood next to Liam, looking around the guild hall, infected by the excitement. But thinking about fighting others she wasn't eager to join the guild war and would rather cheer from the sideline.
However, this didn't mean that Serena was no help. Far from it. She tapped Cyclone's shoulder, requesting a trade.
"Serena? What is it?"
"I prepared some food for the war. Here, take a look."
"Haha thanks. This will surely be helpful!"
Cyclone smiled gently at the younger girl, opening the trade window, not expecting too much. But suddenly her mouth gaped open.
"Serena, wait wait. This is so much! Don't give this all to me!"
"How can this be too much? You have so many members! You will need this."
"No, what I mean is... you should put it in the treasury. Then you will get the contribution points you deserve, and everyone can take what they need."
"Ohh, ok. Let me take a look."
Serena spent a few seconds, eventually figuring out how to put her food in the treasury. Liam deliberately held back, a proud smile forming on his face as he noticed the additions to the treasury.
He browsed through the items, amazed at Serena's products. She must have worked hard over the last few days.
The other guild members, reminded by Cyclone, also glanced at the treasury and saw the huge amount of food. They praised Serena generously, making the young girl feel that all her effort was worth it.
Seeing the joy on his sister's face, Liam felt more excitement than when he soloed some boss.
He didn't hesitate to spend some points to buy his sister's food. Especially since it would definitely prove useful. No one could ever have enough means to improve stats, recover HP, and strengthen skills.
While the guild was going through their last preparations, a countdown suddenly appeared before them. Sixty seconds passed in a flash. All guild members felt a force pulling on them, teleporting them to another world.
Liam suddenly found himself standing on the wall of a small town. Clouds blocked the sky, drowning the world in a dim mood.
The players could only observe the town's immediate surroundings as a wall of grey fog blocked the area ahead. Turning towards the back a curved, red light barrier passed close to the town, limiting the battlefield.
The guild members didn't talk, their faces turning serious as C's voice echoed through the battlefield like an edict of god.