A few days after the dungeon run Liam entered the game again, thoroughly invigorated. He appeared in the guild hall warmly greeted by the joyful members.
Ever since Final Fend's team triggered an announcement the guild's spirit had reached a peak. Everyone realized that it wasn't only Hotpot who could contribute to the guild's prosperity.
Cyclone, Balm, and Sun's Knight deliberately encouraged this sentiment by displaying the names of outstanding players in the guild hall and preparing special rewards.
To give everyone a chance the honour wasn't simply reserved for the player with the highest contribution points. Achievements such as highest PvP rank, most items contributed, most levels gained in a month, etc. were rewarded as well.
Just looking at the excited guild members discussing in front of the wall of honour Liam could tell that this idea was highly successful.
And the development could also be displayed in raw numbers. Since the implementation of this wall of honour the guild earned 10% more guild points daily.
Now Dream Avenue had gathered 1760 points since its establishment, steadily climbing towards the ten thousand necessary to reach rank 2.
Reaching rank 2 offered benefits like increasing the limit of properties which could be registered under the guild's name, increasing the member limit, and the limit of territories the guild could own.
However, Dream Avenue wasn't in a hurry to advance as they weren't even ready to conquer the first territory.
While claiming a territory wasn't too difficult, developing it took an immense amount of resources. After constructing their smithy, alchemy workshop, and shop, Dream Avenue decided to first fill up their stock before starting the territory war.
Thus, their next big goal was the level 30 dungeon. Liam didn't feel much pressure but Cyclone, noticing that others caught up to their levels, requested the expert to begin their preparations.
Liam was forced to give in to his new boss, promising to take action today.
Now he was waiting in the guild hall for his friends to gather. It took a few minutes until everyone returned from their own adventures, sitting down in the guild hall, conversing animatedly.
"Silver Blade was about to be hit by the curse, but Balm used her [Reflect]. That disgusting black skull was sent back to the caster! Now it was the dark nephilim who suffered under the curse.
Haha, you should have seen his face!"
Cyclone laughed brightly telling the friends about the quest she and a few others solved.
"Who would've thought that a small, cursed crystal carries such an extensive story.", sighed Bloody Edge thinking back to the item they discovered in the first dungeon.
"Sure, sure. The story is nice but guess what we got as a reward?"
"Legendary equipment?"
Cyclone blinked, her smile stiffening, glaring at Bloody Edge. How could he set the expectations so high? Now her revelation won't be as shocking.
"It's a pet egg, ok? Where would I get legendary equipment?"
Meanwhile Silent Acacia conversed with Liam, talking about the impressive skills he faced in PvP, asking for tips.
The two men realized that they had similar ideas. Only because a skill had high damage it wasn't necessarily suitable for PvP. If the damage didn't land it was useless.
Just as the they were discussing heatedly, Cyclone's words reached Silent Acacia's ears, drawing his attention. According to his passive he could own a second pet from level 30 on. Although it wasn't possible to summon both at the same time, heaving multiple options was also a boon.
Cyclone smiled brightly when everyone focused on her, revealing the pet egg and handing it to Silent Acacia, who studied it closely:
"Winged tiger? A flying pet? Sounds quite powerful!"
Silent Acacia turned the black egg in his hands. The more he looked the more satisfied he felt, grinning involuntarily.
"Hehe, take good care of it!", chuckled Cyclone.
"I definitely will!"
Liam glanced at Silent Acacia, pondering over something. The hunter noticed his gaze out of the corner of his eyes, turning towards Liam, feeling quite strange under his gaze.
"Mirage? What is it?"
"Well, to be honest. You are not really unfolding the full potential of your pets."
"Really? Why do you say that?", asked Silent Acacia, taken aback.
"You mostly use Zorn as a source of auxiliary damage when she could do so much more. But you are mainly relying on your own skill, which serves you well but causes you to miss the potential of your class."
Silent Acacia fell silent, pondering deeply. If someone else said the same words he would probably dismiss them but coming from Liam he had to take them seriously.
Although he secretly harboured the hope of one day winning against Liam, until then it wouldn't hurt to follow the man's advice.
Liam felt gratified seeing Silent Acacia seriously contemplating his words. He had great hopes for the hunter, certain that Silent Acacia had a lot of unearthed potential. It wasn't without reason that the young man was hailed as a prodigy. But the management of his last team failed miserably.
Instead of carefully guiding Silent Acacia, they expected him to be perfect, putting him under immense pressure only to drop him after a few disappointing performances.
Now with a friendly atmosphere in Dream Avenue and someone like Liam to train him, Silent Acacia was bound to shine brightly.
Obviously the hunter felt similarly, not shying away from taking advice, asking Liam for suggestions.
"You should keep your eyes open for pet skills. Although they are extremely rare, maybe some can be found in the auction house. You only need to be careful since not every pet can learn every skill."
"Thanks. I will keep it in mind."
The two men nodded at each other before falling silent. Since their friends also listened in with curiosity, the conversation died down when Liam and Silent Acacia stopped.
Silver Blade took the chance to address everyone:
"Ok guys. Should we talk about the purpose of out meeting today?"
"Sure. Someone...", Liam began to talk throwing a meaningful glance at Cyclone. "... is getting anxious. She asked me to prepare for the next dungeon."
Cyclone immediately defended herself:
"How could I not be anxious? Every day there is a new announcement! World bosses, dungeons, new record times. Some of us were even pushed out of the top ten in levels! It's time we remind everyone about which is the number one guild!"
"I agree!"
"You have a point."
Discerning the two voices Liam voiced his surprise:
"I naturally understand you, Balm, but why are you so eager as well, Shield?"
Radiant Shield averted his eyes, obviously somewhat embarrassed, causing Bloody Edge to explain with a laugh:
"That guy has become used to the admiration at college. But yesterday we overheard a conversation from a few girls. One of them has relatives in the central star system, where Five Heavens, one of the top guilds, boasted that they would clear the next dungeon tomorrow.
Suddenly our Dream Avenue doesn't seem impressive anymore."
"What?"
"How can they be so fast?"
"Impossible!"
Bloody Edge's explanation shocked his friends and even Liam showed some surprise. Perhaps he had underestimated the real top guilds while focusing solely on Falva Star.
Dream Avenue could've kept up with their pace but after idling for a few days they have fallen behind. Liam felt it was strange, not sure if there was any benefit in comparing to the central star system.
Although being the first at something in the entire federation made one's name well known, Sliva's Colville Constructions was based on Falva Star. They wouldn't directly profit from the advertisement.
Yet Liam's heart stirred as his competitiveness was roused. It wasn't a bad thing to have strong challengers.
Liam grinned slightly as he took over the discussion:
"Let's put some pressure on the central star system then."
"Finally!", exclaimed Cyclone. "What are your plans, expert?"
"The next dungeon we will face is named 'The royal traitor'. Like the earlier dungeons it also has a hidden boss. Next, we will do some preparations to unlock the hidden boss later."
"Sure. Take the lead."
Liam nodded, inviting everyone into a party and sharing a certain quest.
[>Story< Quest: Reaches of the Black Hand
Step 1: Bring 'mysterious black dagger' either to Taragal in Duabalis City or to Seytor in Five River City!
Hint: Your decision will influence the quest going forward]
Initially he had another way in mind to unlock the hidden boss. It was a surprise that 'Bloody Gall Heinrigg' dropped the 'mysterious black dagger', bestowing this quest upon Liam.
Yet this wasn't the first time Liam had cleared this quest as there were other ways to get one's hands on a 'mysterious black dagger'.
Liam's friends read the message, growing curious. Cyclone couldn't refrain from asking:
"Expert, what are we choosing? What's the difference?"
"Haha, you will see."
Liam didn't feel like explaining the entire quest beforehand. He remained perfunctory until the others stopped their questions, urging Liam to finally show them the way.