While going downstairs to have breakfast with his family, Alexander came across his father, who had deep circles under his eyes!
"Hello, Dad!" said Alexander.
His father answered, "Hey, Alexander! You'll never guess who passed lvl 3 last night—even despite the nuclear strikes!"
"Congratulations, Dad!"
His father added, "Honestly, it wasn't that hard. With the radiation mutations, monsters give a lot more EXP. And you know your dad. He's the best at what he does! But tell me, Son, what's your level? I hope you're not too far behind, but don't worry, I'll happily help you catch up!"
Alexander answered with a superior air, "As of yesterday, I'm lvl 12!"
His father, shocked, didn't answer at first, but approached Alexander and grabbed his shoulder. "What? How the hell did you manage that?! Tell me!"
Alexander, very amused, answered, "Just a little willpower, Dad. Don't worry, ten more sleepless nights and I'm sure you'll catch right up to me!"
He finally went down to have breakfast with his mother. She looked really beautiful, having bought new clothes and quality makeup!
Alexander had entrusted his mother with the 50,000 credits remaining from his previous GC selling, so the whole family was very comfortable financially. As an example, their breakfast was a real feast!
Instead of the lowest-cost food they usually ate, the table was arrayed with fresh-squeezed orange juice, chocolate bread, croissants, and the famous baguettes from the local bakery.
The family's morale was really high. Everyone had stopped working overtime and had the freedom to do things they loved instead.
Yet, Alexander knew that was just an illusion. He couldn't just rely on selling credits forever, even if the GC/credit ratio would eventually go back up. He could give his family some money for a little while, but at the moment, could not give them a steady income that would last them for years.
It was, of course, a very ambitious project! The competition was very tough, since the biggest guilds were poaching every talented player they could find, offering them huge financial benefits.
He himself had received offers of six-figure salaries, which in his original life he would've accepted with his eyes closed. But he was determined to not let anyone take advantage of him now! If Alexander was going to be in a guild, it would be his own, and he would make it #1 in the entire game!
Of course, Alexander could provide his own guild with incredible advantages. Not only would he be able to give them knowledge of all the quests, dungeons, and raids in the game, but he also knew about many hidden planets full of resources!
Under Apophis's command, his guild could become divinity.
The first step was to ensure this guild would have reliable staff, people Alexander could count on to do what he needed. He contacted all the players he'd formed connections with so far and who he knew would be useful: Chocolate, Hulk, Lotus, and White. He didn't bother sending an invitation to Ceasar, knowing that he was fervently committed to Renovatio Imperii.
He told them all to meet him in Omeya in three hours, informing them that he had a huge project he wanted to share with them.
Alexander also sent messages to other Federation-aligned Eternals who had fought underneath him recently and asked them to PM him. Understandably, most of them were dedicated solo players and preferred to remain that way.
Alexander gave his parents a couple last hugs, then went back upstairs and reconnected.
System: Welcome to the Galaxy of Horus!
Apophis entered his system menu and clicked the option to create a new guild.
System: Please enter your new guild's name.
"Eclipse."
System: Creating a guild costs 15,000 GC. Do you want to continue?
Apophis accepted.
System: Congratulations, you are now the founder of the "Eclipse" guild.
Now a guild leader, it was time for Apophis to recruit his first four members!
