At Crimson Abyss guild residence…
The main task force of the guild was busy discussing the strategy for once again clearing another spatial rift.
There were a lot more guild members now as more people had signed the special guild contract. Along with the core members, the total number was coming to almost 200.
Though this was on the lower end for the players required to clear the rift, each of the core members was equal to about ten regular players.
More importantly, they had already cleared the rift once before, so they were confident.
"So it is decided. We will clear the rift after the PVP tournament is done." Mia announced.
"Until then, everyone who is not involved in the tournament will be clearing the Level 40 dungeons. The goal is to increase everyone's level as fast as possible."
"Split into five groups and start clearing the dungeons. Rotate between the dungeons so that you are not repeatedly fighting the same mobs. Focus on improving your battle skills."
Mia's words were crisp, concise, and clear. Her ice-cold facade, which was chillier than usual, made everyone shudder and nod in submission.
And the person she was actually pissed off with also gulped nervously. Rey inched closer to Liam as if that would make him feel safer.
Liam only just arrived at the guild residence as he had some things to take care of. After the meeting, most people dispersed, leaving behind only Mia, Alex, Derek, Mei Mei, Shen Yue, and Rey.
Liam then took out a whistle from his inventory slot and placed it on the huge conference table. "Rey, this is for you."
"Huh? What is this, bro?" He quickly picked up the whistle.
<Hunter's whistle (Epic Grade Unique Item): Makes a beast submissive to the hunter's will; Works on all the beasts with levels lower than the hunter; 10% chance to work on beasts with higher levels than the hunter; 5% chance to work on rare beasts; 1% chance to work on beasts belonging to epic grade and above>
"Oh my god, this is brilliant." Rey was completely speechless. "Bro, did you look at the description of this thing? This is amazing. With this, I can tame almost any beast. I just have to find it. What an incredible item."
He licked his lips and looked at the whistle with visible longing in his eyes, but Alex smacked his head and took the whistle off of his hands.
Taking a look at the thing, she frowned at Rey and then asked Liam, "Are you sure you want to give this thing to this idiot? After that last screw-up, I should just break his capsule and make him sit out this whole thing."
"Sis!" Rey started to protest but quickly shut his mouth.
"Don't make me beat you up again. How dare you endanger yourself and others by doing something so stupid? Where was your brain? Back at home? Did you forget to pack it? Do you know how much we had to go through to get you back, and now you do this?"
"I had a plan. Bro…" He once again looked at Liam, but today was his bad day as Liam was already preoccupied. He did not get involved in the family fight.
Seeing his serious face, Mia couldn't help but suspect that something else was going on. "What happened? Are they going to chase us and attack now? Do we have to do something?"
"No. Not that." Liam shook his head, but then he quickly added, "yes, I mean, we need to be careful. They lost four things to us, and all four items are not simple. They also already lost the emerald crown. They will definitely come after us with everything they have."
"So we do need to be very careful. Only move in groups and use stealth when leaving cities and so on." He tapped his fingers on the table and absent-mindedly droned on. Clearly, something else was on his mind.
"Liam, did something happen?" Alex asked again.
"Hmmm." He paused for a moment and decided to brief them about it. "I got a small clue about something. I am not sure if it is possible or not, but I think I have to follow this lead and see it through."
"Oh?"
"You guys might have to manage things around the guild without me for some time. I won't be reachable or at least close enough to get to you guys if you need me. I think I have to cross the Kingdom boundary and go to the far eastern territories."
Liam explained to them the brief encounter he had with the blacksmith grandmaster and how he said there might be a way for the mana core to be linked to the soul.
"Wait, that means our abilities can transfer to the real world just like how we are dying here?" Alex gripped the table in excitement.
"Yes, but..." Liam nodded. "We don't have much time left."
"That's fine. That's fine. It's still worth trying, right."
"Yes."
"Brother, but you will be all alone there… what if something happens?" Mei Mei worriedly bit her lips. She was silently listening until now, but for her, all of these didn't matter. The only thing she heard was that her brother was once again going to take a big risk all by himself.
"Please, can I come with you? Sis Yue also? Big brother Derek also?"
Liam smiled and shook his head. "I will be fine on my own. You guys should stick together and stay safe. Also…"
He looked at everyone sternly and added. "If what I am thinking is right… the government will be creating more and more issues now. There are going to be guild battles sanctioned."
"This is very important. You need to stay here and fight. Otherwise, we will lose the footing we have acquired."
"Mia, don't forget the divine temple quests." Liam gave instructions about everything that he could think of and then prepared to leave. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here, Mei Mei. I think this pendant will go well with your crown."
Liam tossed out the epic-grade pendant, which was the second item he had looted from the four.
<Briarwood Relic: Binds when equipped; +10 Intelligence>
<Active Skill: Reset the effect of another item ignoring the cool down>
<Passive Skill: 5% increase in nature damage and nature healing>
If the hunter's whistle was amazing, this was also another amazing item. Mei Mei immediately understood what Liam meant.
That was right. This item by itself wasn't all that brilliant but combined with another item of high caliber like her emerald crown, this instantly became a top-tier item.
"Thanks, brother. I promise I won't disappoint you." She muttered under her breath. Liam pulled the little girl closer and hugged her tightly. "Don't be an idiot. Just stay safe and listen to Mia, Alex, and Yue."
"Ok." Mei Mei teared up, and she did not know why. For her brother to actually leave her here and go somewhere on his own… even she understood that this had to be a dangerous trip.
But once again, she was not strong enough for her to be actually able to help him and not be a burden. Otherwise, wouldn't he have taken her with him?
Shen Yue also had a similar expression on her face. "Please take care of yourself." She wanted to say more, but she stopped herself.
Liam looked at the long faces and chuckled, "Why are you two behaving like this? This is not some sort of farewell. We still have the tournament to win, and when I come back, if I don't find you all at Level 60 or higher, there is going to be some punishment."
"I will still be reachable by message. So you can message me anytime." Liam smiled and patted the little girl, giving a glance to Shen Yue.
He then turned to look at Derek and signaled him to walk with him. The two of them left the main guild hall, walking over to the pet stables.
"Derek, I will be counting on you to protect my sister."
"I understand, Sir. I will protect her even if I die."
"Heh. That's good, but it will be better if both of you are safe. But thanks. I owe you one for this." Liam patted him, and Derek silently nodded.
"Did you make arrangements? When are you moving?"
"In 2 days, sir."
"Good. Just tell Alex. She will take care of the accommodation. You have a sister, right? You should get her to play as well. It's a bit too late, but it's better than never playing the game. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." Derek nodded. The both of them reached the stables when unexpectedly, Liam received a huge shock.
Next to the stables, on a small clearing, one person alone was relentlessly practicing his swordplay. This was none other than the instructor whom Liam had recruited as his follower and named Asura.
And right at this moment, Liam couldn't help but feel that this name was very apt for this person. Though he had used it on a whim because it sounded cool, right now, this person might as well be the demon he was named after!
