Chapter 918: Out of Line
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Meanwhile, somewhere far away from the kingdom of Tempest...
At the moment, a monumental event was taking place in RML. However, this event was not related to the ongoing war. It was a special meeting that seldom occurred.
This gathering consisted of the most influential guilds and organizations in RML. But, due to the lack of trust that existed between those participating, it was not something that happened face to face.
Instead, it was taking place via a unique communication magic item known as the Spiritual Gathering Mirror.
The Spiritual Gathering Mirror was a B-ranked magic item that could only be acquired by completing a certain quest in RML. It allowed its user to communicate with others at vast distances as long as the other party also owned a Spiritual Gathering Mirror.
But, it was not like the default communication systems that existed in RML.
The Spiritual Gathering Mirror put the user into an astral-like state and transported their spiritual body to a separate plane.
This plane was directly linked to all the Spiritual Gathering Mirrors in RML, making it the perfect place to meet "face to face" without actually having to meet up in-game.
Inside the Mirror World, as players called it, one could not attack or be attacked. Therefore, it eliminated the threat of setting up any potential ambushes.
As for the owner of this Mirror World and the creator of the Spiritual Gathering Mirrors, it was unknown. However, the chance of them being a legendary realm powerhouse was practically guaranteed.
The Mirror World itself was seemingly endless. The ground was made of glass with a myriad of clouds flowing through it. There were also numerous floating clouds that hovered above the ground.
Sitting or standing on these clouds within the Mirror World were currently twelve individuals in an almost ethereal-like form. But, their main features made them easily identifiable.
"This Mirror World is still too bizarre. I can never get used to it." Masterworks stated.
Masterworks was one of several Administrators of the Seven Dreams Consortium.
Although the Administrators were all equal in terms of authority, Masterworks had the most influence in the consortium and often acted as their representative.
"I just want to know why you called us here, guild leader of Broken Exile, Dragon." Meng Jiang said as her gaze landed on the man standing on one of the floating clouds several meters across from her.
She then continued, "You mentioned that it was an important matter, but that's quite subjective. After all, what's important to you is not necessarily important to me and my Sacred Beasts."
"Hmph, this woman—that annoying attitude of hers still hasn't changed." Simplicity, the guild leader of Mist Palace, commented.
"You are certainly one to talk. As I remember it, it is your attitude that can be rather unpleasant and overbearing." Mariposa, Sleeping Gardenia's guild leader, chimed in.
"You-! Don't think you can speak any way you like since we're in this Mirror World!" Simplicity said coldly.
"Oh? Do you think that I am afraid of you? It appears your memory of our most recent encounter has already been repressed. Of course, I can't blame you. After such a humiliating defeat, I, too, would want to erase the thought from my mind." Mariposa stated with a smirk.
Simplicity almost coughed up blood in anger as she listened to Mariposa's words.
The relationship between Sleeping Gardenia and Mist Palace had always been highly competitive—even before the release of RML. The two guilds could never see eye to eye, and one always tried to one-up the other.
After so many years of intense conflicts, instead of describing their relationship as that of rivals, it was more akin to that of a blood feud.
Meng Jiang lightly giggled at Mariposa's reminder to Simplicity.
"I'll kill you, you bi-!"
"That's enough." One of the players said as they cut Simplicity's words short.
"Hmph..!" Simplicity glared at Mariposa; however, she was able to calm herself and reign her anger in.
"Returning to the topic at hand, although guild leader Meng Jiang put it quite bluntly, I happen to share her sentiment. Why are we here, Dragon?" The guild leader of Cross Haven, Ewan, inquired with a sharp gaze.
Just like Sleeping Gardenia and Mist Palace, Cross Haven and Broken Exile also shared an intense rivalry.
Both guilds were seen by players as the strongest in RML, and the two were often compared to one another on a daily basis. However, since the two guilds had never officially clashed with each other in RML, the title of who was the strongest still remained a mystery.
The player known as Dragon met Ewan's gaze with his own. Then, the next moment, he swept his gaze out across all those present.
Player Name: Ewan [Guild Leader of Cross Haven]
Player Name: Mariposa [Guild Leader of Sleeping Gardenia]
Player Name: Meng Jiang [Guild Leader of Sacred Beasts]
Player Name: Simplicity [Guild Leader of Mist Palace]
Player Name: Asgard [Guild Leader of Blue Oasis]
Player Name: Wang Ping [Guild Leader of Hypers Symphony]
Player Name: Seeking Fangs [Guild Leader of Hollow Tempo]
Player Name: Reject [Guild Leader of Defiant]
Player Name: Vault [Guild Leader of Headhunter Syndicate]
Player Name: Haishe [Leader of Fatal Touch]
Player Name: Masterworks [Administrator of the Seven Dreams Consortium]
Player Name: Dragon [Guild Leader of Broken Exile]
This gathering inside the Mirror World did not just consist of a handful of guilds. It actually included the guild leader of every guild in the top ten within RML!
There were also representatives from Fatal Touch and the Seven Dreams Consortium who, even though were not recognized as guilds, still held enough influence and power that was not inferior to that of the top ten guilds.
"Recently, some people have stepped out of line, causing others to think that the top guilds are a group of pushovers. As for the reason why I've called for this gathering—it's simple. I wish to solve this problem before it becomes commonplace." Dragon said unhurriedly.
He then set his sights on Mariposa and continued, "Mariposa, I'm disappointed that you of all people would agree to entertain such nonsense to this degree."
Although Dragon did not mention anything or anyone specific, those present immediately knew what he was referring to. And, if there were any doubts before, they were cleared the moment he mentioned Mariposa's name.
Of course, Dragon was talking about the recent bounty placed on one of the top ten guilds, the Headhunter Syndicate.
In truth, everyone present knew that Dragon did not truly care about a mere Headhunter Syndicate. After all, even if they were considered a top ten guild, there was no reason for him to go out of the way for them.
Instead, Dragon's attention was only on one thing—authority. To be more precise, the authority that naturally came along with being one of the top ten guilds in RML.
Lately, the presence of Izroth and the Mystical Realm Palace had been disrupting that authority. It was to the point that some smaller guilds actually started to believe they could compete with his Broken Exile over claims to certain territories filled with resources or limited dungeons.
These kinds of challenges to their authority were rare at best; however, they were beginning to become increasingly more frequent. And none of it started until the emergence and rise of Izroth and the Mystical Realm Palace.
Before others attempted to follow in his footsteps, an example had to be made out of them. That way, in the future, everyone in RML would know that the authority of the top guilds was unquestionable and absolute. The only thing that would be awaiting those who went against this was total annihilation!
It was difficult to tell due to the ethereal-like form, but Vault's expression darkened when Dragon brought up the bounty. His blood could not help but boil every time it entered his thoughts.
Even more infuriating, the person who betrayed and backstabbed him, Haishe, was also present at this gathering!
"Amusing. You speak as though I require your permission to do as I please. The last I checked, Broken Exile does not control the top guilds nor my Sleeping Gardenia, for that matter. What I do and how I do it—I'm afraid you have no say." Mariposa replied calmly without backing down in the slightest.
"This is ridiculous!" Vault erupted in a fit of rage.
He tried his best to hold it in, but the more he was reminded of current events, the angrier he became just being near Haishe and Mariposa.
"Haishe! You have a lot of guts showing your face here, you bastard! How dare you lure me into a trap! And, you, Mariposa—why did you start this whole mess...?! What has my Headhunter Syndicate ever done to offend Sleeping Gardenia...?!" Vault bellowed at Haishe; however, when he spoke to Mariposa, he grit his teeth and controlled his tone.
Vault was well aware of Mariposa's status in the real world.
Recently, his father lost a huge contract with the Zi family, which caused them to suffer a massive loss. He had hoped to curry favor with Mariposa and find an opportunity to help his father regain those contracts. But, how could he have anticipated that she would openly set a bounty out on his Headhunter Syndicate for some nobody?
Nonetheless, despite his anger, Vault knew that she was not someone he could afford to offend right now.
As for Haishe, he remained silent as a light smile found its way onto his face. He seemed unconcerned with Vault's sudden outburst and did not even bother to entertain it with a response.