Jack went inside the hall and found John was sitting behind a table by the side of the hall. He was reading some papers that spread out on the table. Jack came to him.
"Hey, are you still saying bad things about me? Some of our members are terrified of me," Jack said to him.
"Isn't that a good thing?" John replied without looking at Jack, he was still reading the papers on the table.
"Good thing my ass, how am I supposed to make friends if guild members are avoiding me?"
"Then don't. A leader should act aloof. Away from the reach of the common members. That will make them respect you more."
"They will?"
"Sure, don't you trust me?"
"Is that a trick question?"
"Mm…" the guy mumbled. Jack could see that he was distracted. Jack then asked, "What's the matter? Why do you call me back?"
John finally looked up at Jack. Jack saw some tiredness in the guy's eyes. He wondered what could probably bother this person who usually wore the devil-may-care attitude.
"We have two problems," John said. "Saint Edge and Wicked Witches."
"Oh? Are they attacking? Just point me in their direction. I will whoop them no problem," Jack said.
"This is not something that can be settled by whooping asses. You got an update from Bowler about some big guilds to have managed in crossing countries, right?"
Jack nodded.
"Wicked Witches and Saint Edge had both reconnected with their true leaders. Wicked Witches' leader came into this world at Aurebor Dynasty, the elven country. Some of their members had crossed over to this country and established teleportation links. The same goes for Saint Edge, they came from…"
"The Sangrod Empire. Specifically Vacharest, the capital of that country. Their guild headquarters was there," Jack cut in John's words.
"So you know."
"William of Wellington told me."
"Yes, it is so. The true leaders of both guilds had just teleported to Thereath yesterday," John informed.
"So what? Their true leaders are also just players. What's so troublesome about them? If they want to make trouble, I will gladly meet them in combat."
"Can you please stop trying to solve everything with violence?" John said with exasperation. "What is troublesome is not the leaders. Yes, they are rather capable players. They also bring several lieutenants who are both famous players and long-time key members of their guild, but that's not the problem. The issue is with the intentions they bring."
"What intentions?"
"They requested their heirs to come with them and rule their guilds together with them."
Jack was baffled hearing it. "What does that got to with us?"
"Jeanny was the daughter to the main leader of Wicked Witches," John said.
Jack took in a deep breath. Jeanny did tell him about her family having a share in the workshop behind Wicked Witches, but she never mentioned anything about her mother being the main leader.
"Jeanny was currently on her way to meet her mother for a talk. She did say she was going to reject the request but I'm not sure. She didn't look so well when she left, and I don't peg her for a disobedient child. The talk might not go as smooth as she hopes it will be."
"Where are they meeting?"
"In a VIP room of Ellie's Restaurant."
'Good, it should be easy for me to find out which room they are in then,' Jack thought.
"What about the Saint Edge, you said Saint Edge has the same intention? Does that mean their heir is one of our members as well?"
"Yes."
"Who?" Jack asked.
"Me," John answered.
Jack blinked a few times before blurting, "You? You never said anything about it!"
"I never said anything about this to anyone," John replied. "It was not important anyway. I just can't stand the old man's way of doing things, so I came out to do my own things."
"Hey… This is bad. If the two of you go with your parents, doesn't that mean I am alone to take care of this guild? I can't do that!" Jack said with panic.
"Don't worry, I won't leave. Didn't I say already that I don't see eye to eye with my old man? Jeanny, on the other hand, I'm not so sure. You better hurry and go accompany her to the meeting. She might need support more than she let on."
"Why don't you go then?"
"I can't. I'm scheduled to meet with Saint Edge's true leader soon."
"Your father? Why did you and Jeanny arrange to meet them at the same time?" Jack asked.
"We didn't arrange it. They sent out invitations at the same time. I find it strange as well, perhaps those two guilds have talked to each other before."
"Where are you meeting your dad?"
"Here. They invite me to the city as well, but I decline. I say meet me here at my place if they want."
"Hehe. That's so like you. What are you reading?"
"Report on Saint Edge and Wicked Witches' power. Saint Edge is the more dangerous of the two, they seem to be the overlord amongst the players in Sangrod's capital. Their headquarters are also level 3 already."
"You think we will come into confrontation with them?"
"Different forces always come to confrontations at times. It will be wise to prepare for them."
"All right. I will head over to Thereath to accompany Jeanny," Jack said.
"You do that," John said as his attention returned to the papers on the table.
Jack gave him one last glance before leaving. The guy didn't look that good. Would he truly be okay?
When Jack stepped outside the Guild Hall, a voice called him. "Hey, Jack boy!"
Jack looked over and found an Orc in light armor and a human in a robe carrying a long staff.
"Uncle Balo! Brother Jason!" Jack called out. The two were Domon's past students who had joined. During their time at Domon's school of martial arts, Jack often roamed around the place despite not practicing much, so he was familiar with them. Familiar enough to recognize the person even when said person wore an Orc's face.
"How many times have I told you not to call me uncle?" The orc who was called Balo said.
"Dude, you are more than twice my age. What am I going to call you if not uncle?" Jack replied. Balo was amongst the first generation of Domon's students. He was also Domon's assistant when the school was at its height.
"You should just call me very big brother Balo!"
The man called Jason, who was beside Balo, laughed. He said to Jack, "I heard you are a big shot here."
"Nothing much, I'm just one of the leaders," Jack replied. At the same time, he used inspect on them. Balo was a level 43 Battle Monk, while Jason was a level 36 Healer.
"Crap! Why are you only level 36?" Jack blurted out after seeing Jason's level.
"Hahaha, that's a funny story. Did you also see that his class is a healer?" Balo uttered, then he turned to Jason. "Tell him why you chose the magician class."
Jason gave Balo an exasperated expression. He then said to Jack, "I have no idea about this class-choosing when all this shit started. When the black chest first appeared, I picked the staff because it is a weapon most similar to a cane, a weapon I most accustomed to."
"Yeah, he was a magician who least often cast a spell during a fight," Balo said with a ridiculing tone.
"So, why are you still an advanced class? Have you not taken the elite class' trial?" Jack asked.
Balo laughed again, which made Jason give him a stare. "This guy can't pass the trial because it doesn't involve physical tasks," Balo said.
Peniel joined in at this time, "go ahead and take the Inquisitor class trial then. That class focus on making a healer a melee class. Their weapon of choice is mace. It should be right your alley to use a long mace."
Balo and Jason turned to Peniel who was sitting on Jack's shoulder. "You must be the fabled Peniel! Great to finally meet you," the two said.
"She is on my shoulder the whole time, you two still dare to say finally?" Jack chided.
"Inquisitor class? All right, I will head there and take the trial immediately!" Jason announced.
"Then let's go together. I'm heading to Thereath myself," Jack said.
The two asked him what's he doing in Thereath. Jack told them about the meeting between Jeanny and Wicked Witches people. Balo expressed his desire to accompany Jack, but Jack reminded him of his race, the guy couldn't enter Thereath. Jason offered himself instead. He would take the test after the meeting.
Jack agreed. Before they left, they saw a commotion as several Squire units were escorting a group of players. Jack looked over and saw John come out of the Guild Hall and meet this group. The lead was a pale yet charismatic middle-aged man. After spending time in Sangrod, Jack could recognize a vampire when he saw one. Jack used Inspect on the lead.
Saint Jonathan (Paladin, level: 45)
HP: 4,000
Guild: Saint Edge
😉