Chapter 14 : Not Bad

  After lunch, Aron went inside a certain room and entered a capsule cubicle. He proceeded to boot up his system with the icon for Second World blinked on the screen, and with a click, he logged back in.

  As the game loaded, he thought back to the chaos that had unfolded in Blue Moon City. The mysterious monster and the havoc it caused had left quite an impression, but now that Aron had the Medallion of Arkhma, he felt anticipation. The thought of wielding such a relatively powerful item filled him with intrigue as he prepared to reenter the virtual world.

  …

  Aron arrived inside Blue Moon City, the familiar walls and structures offering a brief respite from the dangers outside. The battle against the irregular monster had taken place just beyond the city's protective barriers, far enough to keep the city itself intact but close enough that whispers of the event still filled the air.

  As he walked through the city streets, he noticed more players than usual gathered in various corners, huddled in talks about the battle. Some were ‘licking their wounds’, while others were still speculating on what had gone wrong. Despite the already passing terror, the tension was still quite thick, and the news of the annihilation had spread everywhere.

  Aron made his way through the bustling streets of Blue Moon City toward the outskirts, where the base of the Skywing guild stood. Skywing had a reputation for being one of the top guilds in the region. Their towering base, a sleek structure of silver and blue, symbolized their elite status among the players of Blue Moon City.

  As he approached the entrance, Aron noticed a few guards posted outside, vigilant players wearing the guild’s emblem, a pair of wings spread against a stormy sky. They gave him a once-over, noting his non-guild affiliation but didn't stop him.

  After all, Aron’s purpose in visiting Skywing was clear. He sought out a conversation with Baldrudz, the commander of the guild. Baldrudz was known for his tactical brilliance and had long been a commanding figure in Blue Moon City.

  As Aron entered the grand hall of the Skywing base, the sheer number of active guild members buzzing about was depicted in front of him. Despite the recent catastrophe with the monster, Skywing’s operations hadn’t slowed.

  He approached a guild member near the entrance. "I’m here to see Commander Baldrudz," Aron said, keeping his tone casual.

  The guild member gave Aron a cautious look, nodding after a moment. "I’ll let him know. Wait here." Aron confirmed and stood in wait, glancing around the room.

  After a few moments, the guild member returned, "Commander Baldrudz will see you now. Follow me."

  Aron followed the guild member deeper into the base.

  As Aron made his way to meet Baldrudz, he recalled the last time he had come to Skywing's base.

  The last time Aron had visited Skywing's base, his intention had been to discuss something with Baldrudz. However, the sudden appearance of the irregular monster outside Blue Moon City had thrown everything into chaos. What was supposed to be a straightforward meeting had quickly turned into a scramble for survival, as the city's players, including Baldrudz and his Skywing guild, were drawn into the brutal battle.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "Well, what can I say," Aron muttered to himself, his mind still dwelling on the chaos that had ensued after the monster’s unexpected arrival.

  Baldrudz had been one of the first to react when the threat appeared. Aron remembered the commander rallying his forces to assess the situation, but neither of them had expected things to spiral out of control so quickly.

  Now that the dust had settled, at least for the time being, Aron finally had the chance for that discussion. Whatever had been left unsaid during their last encounter still needed to be addressed.

  Their discussion naturally revolved around the Skywing guild’s impending plan to launch an attack on the Guardian's Way guild. Skywing, under the leadership of Baldrudz, had been preparing for this confrontation for a while now.

  …

  As Aron sat across from Baldrudz in the meeting hall, the atmosphere was quite tense. Baldrudz’s expression was serious as he laid out the details of the attack plan, a strategy that would need careful coordination.

  Aron’s eyes scanned the room, taking note of Skywing’s most formidable players. Eagle Shot, the renowned ranger, stood near the back, leaning against a wall with a quiet confidence. His precision with a bow was the thing that made him known, and his contributions in battles often turned the tide. Having someone like him in the upcoming attack would be critical for targeting key enemies from a distance.

  Nearby, River Clear, a skilled mage with high mastery over water and ice magic, was deep in conversation with another caster. Her calm demeanor belied the sheer power she wielded; she could freeze entire squads of enemies in place or unleash torrents of water that swept them away. Aron had seen River Clear in action before, and her presence would be crucial for controlling the battlefield.

  There was also Perfidas, the berserker with a greatsword almost as tall as he was. His reputation as a brutal fighter was well-earned. Aron could tell just by the look in Perfidas’ eyes that he was ready for blood. The berserker had a wild edge that, when properly directed, could become a devastating force on the battlefield.

  Aron considered how each of these key players would fit into the plan against Guardian's Way. The guild was powerful, but with the right lineup, Skywing had a chance of overwhelming them, if they played their cards right.

  “Not bad,” Aron whispered softly toward himself with a small grin.

  Aron had expected that the incident with the monster would leave Skywing in a more weakened state, possibly struggling to regroup after the chaos. However, as he observed the players before him, each one looked focused and firm. He could tell that this guild was far more resilient than what one would anticipate on the surface.

  Their morale also seemed high, and their preparedness spoke volumes about their leadership and unity. The presence of key players like Eagle Shot, River Clear, and Perfidas indicated that they had not only weathered the storm but were also gearing up for what lay ahead.

  All in all, Skywing was clearly not to be underestimated.

  “If they can harness this energy and resolve normally, they will have a real chance to not only take down Guardian's Way but also to establish themselves as a more dominant force in the region…”

  It was clear to Aron that the strong members of Skywing had managed to avoid any significant penalties from the recent chaos. Their intact gear and confident demeanor indicated that they had either retreated in time or had not engaged in the battle long enough to incur losses. This spoke volumes about their strategic awareness and skills.

  The ability of players like Eagle Shot, River Clear, and Perfidas to emerge basically unscathed meant that they could bring their full strength to the upcoming conflict against Guardian's Way. Aron noted that this not only bolstered Skywing's ranks but also positioned them as formidable opponents in the coming skirmish. The guild's situation after the monster incident made it clear that they were ready to seize the opportunity to expand their influence and take down a rival.

  “Hmmm…”

  It was just that there was one thing that surprised Aron a bit the most, was that there was another player here that seemed to be not from the Skywing itself.