Chapter Eight: The Quest Part One

“What?” We were all bewildered. This paradise was a lie? What did he mean by that?

“Have you ever noticed people staring at us when we got here?” Wilt asked.

“Uh, time to time,” Nick replied. “I thought they were curious since we’re new here.”

“But their stares earlier gave Alex and me the creeps,” Katie murmured. The Finnish girl shuddered upon remembering it. “What’s so curious about us?”

“That — I’ve been trying to figure it out until I asked around,” Wilt said. “It’s not us that they’re curious. It’s our powers. Everybody here wants to know what kind of abilities we possess.”

Many of us were exchanging comments because of that revelation. Others revealed to those who weren’t around in the forum about what happened earlier, especially the big shot guild that showed up wanting to recruit Alex. They knew something special about her that we didn’t.

“They’re just looking for talented people to recruit,” Jasper asked. “What’s wrong with that?”

“It wasn’t if it weren’t for these major guilds,” Wilt replied. “Believe me or not. They’re the ones controlling everything in this world.” From the information he gathered from the locals, he told us many things never mentioned in the orientation. Among the thousands of guilds, there were over seventy silver-class and above in the whole continent. Even though they were few in numbers, the people in this world recognized them as the top dogs. However, we never realized how much depth of their power and authority over us.

Long ago, when the G-8 founded the New Beginning City, so were the first guilds in this world. It was a Golden Age for five hundred years until the G-8 went to the other side of this world with their respective guilds to protect the finish line. Without their rule, a power struggle broke out between lesser guilds of that time, leading to two Great Wars. After the Second Great War, the strongest ones had carved their territories all over the continent. Each of them had taken over a district or large turfs in this city except here in the Eastern District.

Some had grown to dominate a specific venture: the Blue Bucephalus owned most of the agriculture here; the Union monopolized much of the trade routes; the Golden Griff, the largest banking guild in this world, controlled the global currency; others like the Dragonheart, Jormungand, Paladin’s Valor, Valkyrie, and Wolf Reign guarded this city with a massive number of elites in their ranks. If one of them fell, the rest would potentially wage war with each other to take whatever territories and assets of that fallen guild.

“Sounds like a delicate balance of power,” Travis said.

“Exactly,” Wilt explained. “Not only do they keep each other in check but also the minor guilds and newcomers like us as well. They want to make sure no one would rise to power. But that didn’t stop them from recruiting those with special abilities like Alex here. And if you’re not part of them, you’ll be subject to bullying or what they called rookie crushing. Just like what the Wolf Reign did to Green Bits.”

A lot of us were grumbling.

“So there are people here trying to control each other,” Sally sighed. “Just like in my country.” Taking back what she said earlier, there was a hint of sadness in her voice. Travis placed his hand on her shoulder, sympathizing with her.

“This is wrong,” Alex exclaimed.

We all agreed with her. Whether this was right or wrong, everyone debated which side to stay safe. Half of them said that joining the big shots would guarantee them protection despite what Wilt said. The other half said that joining the lesser ones would keep them out of trouble.

“We can’t rely on these minor guilds either,” Wilt stated. “Remember that fight between Wolf Reigns and Green Bits, and everybody just stood there and not getting involved. How can we rely on these people if they let the big shots trample anyone lesser than them? Just think, think how long this peace is going to last. If things go south, no matter which side you’re on or you don’t choose a side, all of us here will get dragged to their stupid war in the future.”

An eerie silence filled the alley. We were shaking from every word he said, sending chills down our spines.

“Wow, that’s deep,” Brock swallowed hard.

“So,” Jasper began. “I suppose you have a plan for this?”

“Of course.” Katie pointed her thumb at Wilt. “Mr. Introspective here didn’t gather us in some back alley just to tell you these things without one.”

All ears were opened to hear his plan. Wilt took a deep breath.

“If we are going to avoid any problems from the big shots and their future wars, it’s best that we work together as a team. That is why I’m proposing we form ourselves a guild.” His plan was quite bold since everyone here only knew each other for a few days. I couldn’t think of a better option for us. There were many advantages if we formed a guild. One example was that people felt safe to conduct businesses towards a formal organization. Another was that they could get a shared account with any bank in this world.

Forming a guild was simple. All we had to do was to have a name and a flag, but the latter was the hard part because members tended to argue about its design. Furthermore, they were expensive. The flag was the most valuable possession of every guild. Those who carried under it were supposed to show respect and honor as it represented the guild itself. They couldn’t claim a territory or establish a guildhall without one. However, once the flag was gone, the guild could no longer fly under it, and everything connected to the flag was gone as well.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Brock said.

“But we don’t have the money to make a flag,” Travis protested.

“Rad did mention the cost is the same as a brand-new car here,” Nick commented.

“See, like I said,” Travis repeated. “We don’t have that kind of money.”

“Neither of us got any jobs,” Jasper interjected. “We just got here.”

Several of us nodded in agreement.

“Which is why we’re going to form a party first,” Wilt revealed.

Of course, parties were temporary guilds. Anyone, even members from different guilds, could create it. They usually disbanded when they had a flag of their own or finished a dangerous quest.

“Look, I understand that we barely know each other,” Wilt said, “but we don’t know very much about the people here either. If we formed a party today and a guild, later on, we have the best chance to survive this world and this Game together as a team, so what do you say?”

Li and Katie agreed to his proposal. The rest thought it over until Jasper lifted his head. “Sorry, Nick and I got invited to the Argus Guild.”

“They offered us really good benefits,” Nick added.

Someone from the back said, “I’d rather join the big leagues.”

“Me too,” another exclaimed.

I wasn’t surprised that most of them declined. They all had good reasons. Some had already joined a guild that they couldn’t just leave. Some said it was much safer to be part of the big shots. Others believed Wilt’s party wouldn’t last.

One by one, they bade their farewell. Wilt, Katie, and Li did everything they could to convince them to stay. I, too, would soon follow. My reason was that I’d prefer to live on my own. I didn’t want to burden them with my — personal problems.

Just as I was about to leave, Alex grabbed my shoulder. Without uttering a single word, her eyes told me not to go.

Shaking my head in reluctance, I knew this was hard for her and the others, but I had to be firm about my choice. She then let go, assuming that she accepted my refusal to be part of their party.

As I took one step forward, she said, “Aren’t we friends, Sam?”

“Friends?” I whispered. That word struck me right in the gut, remembering my awful life and everyone I knew back on Earth. I forgot I was in a new world. This was my new beginning, so making friends here was a start.

I stood my ground, showing Alex that I would be staying. That big smile of hers had me clenched my shaky legs. Part of me still wanted to leave.

Once they left, Wilt let out a sigh of defeat before beaming at those who stayed. “So, I guess this is all of us now.”

Those who remained were Wilt, Katie, Alex, Li, and myself. The five of us were exchanging smiles. All this time, we’d been together ever since we arrived in this world. My legs no longer shook by the thought, now that they were my — first real friends.

“From this moment, we are officially a party,” Wilt declared.

“Great, this is going to be the best party ever,” Brock cheered from behind.

“Ugh,” most of us groaned in unison.

The moment of bliss we had turned sour; we didn’t notice the jock stayed with us. He seemed ignorant from our growing dislike and glaring daggers at him as he went on cheering and howling like some party animal.