Novels2Search

Chapter 14: Crisis

"So... This one is Farce?"

Everybody was studying the small, angry figure with black clothes and a mask. His black uniform bore some sort of emblem, but it was one that no one was familiar with. Currently, the boy was roughhousing with the Exploration Guild Master, Luilan Avli.

"Say that one more time! I'll put ten million volts up your ass! Friend or no friend!"

"You're sensitive about it as always! Maybe if you act more mature, people wouldn't mistake you for a child!"

"You're in the same spot as I am!"

"At least I am respected by everyone and not just my co-workers!"

Damn! Why does he always say things irrefutable? I shifted my lower body and swung Luilan into a building. The elven boy hit the building with his legs, crouched, and pushed off into the sidewalk. Luilan landed gracefully on the stone floor and bowed to the Camilla, the white robed lady, and Rian.

"Show off."

Luilan ignored what I said and appeared behind me while putting a hand on my shoulder. Ugh... He's grown taller than me! I though elves age slowly!

"May I present to you, the Calamity God. Also known as Verden Kyler or the Eternal Youth Prick."

"That's Game Master Verden Kyler to you."

"Oh yeah!" Luilan produced The Radiant, "Thanks for this, it would go great with Silver Moon."

Meanwhile, the trio and their entourage were somewhat glancing back and forth. One was at me, the other was at the 'legendary sword' that Luilan was holding. Even though Luilan is over level 900, it's very hard to get equipment at those levels. So most go for the highest, most convenience equipment they can get their hands on. Roughly around the 500 mark. Anything above is rare or difficult.

"This is Farce?"

Rian gave me a dubious look. That look... He's looking down on me. Maybe literally.

I waved my hand and two Quasi Denizens appeared side by side. Everybody, but Luilan tensed up. I simply made a mocking shrug at Rian and the Quasi Denizens disappeared. Rian made somewhat of a crossed eye face and backed down. Camilla also had some sort of reluctant look on her face.

"Yes, this is Farce. Or should I say that Farce is simply an alter ego of someone with no sense of maturity created to simply upset the world order and laugh as everyone panics just so that he can feel superior with nothing more than, for the sake of being an asshole."

I think my snarky personality is fully integrated into him. That would make sense since Luilan is the only NPC I can relate to, and I hang out with him during my free times.

"Great, you found me. I am Farce. Yay. Now what?"

The white robe lady had trouble trying to finding words. What can she do? Someone with this much power is impossible to keep in check. It appears that Luilan and the boy named Verden are close.

"Normally, the offender would be imprisoned with various procedures implemented to prevent the offender from causing another incident again. But it appears that this is out of our league."

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Luilan cutted in, "No worries, I got this. The residents can return to their homes already. There shouldn't be any more 'events' as of today and from here on out."

"I hope so." Said everyone.

Luilan whispered into my ears, "Verden, I really need your help..."

"What is it?"

"Teleport us back to the Exploration Guild."

...

I teleported Luilan to the Exploration Guild, Guild Master's Office. The place was unchanged, the red carpet and purplish walls still hold their colors. There was multiple stacks of paper and scrolls on the large wooden table. Still the same as always.

"So, you're the Guild Master now?"

"Yeah, Terry passed away roughly 15 years ago and no one wanted the position."

"Not even Dael wanted the position?"

"He said it would be too much work, so I decided to take the position. It's been rough lately..."

"How so?"

"For starters, the position for Vice Master of Exploration Recovery is still vacant..."

Okay, so here's a background on the Exploration Guild. The guild focuses on exploration (no duh), mapping, and guiding. They become very active when new map/area contents are added, since we wanted people to do the exploration and mapping. Their progress is recorded so that other players can recieve the information as well.

When there isn't much to do, they help out on raids and such. The Exploration Guild is run by a Guild Master and two Vice Masters. Luilan used to be the Vice Master for Exploration Recovery. He oversees the rescue operations when NPCs and players get stuck or lost in an area.

It's a cool feature: players (and parties) can sign up and they'll be put on the list where they'll instantly teleport to the location of the distressed NPCs or players. Now normally players have items that can teleport them back to towns and such, but those are costly. Requesting help from players isn't that expensive. The rescuers get experience and other sort of perks.

There are several player guilds that make a profit off of the Exploration Recovery system.

The other Vice Master, which I believe Dael is still holding handles the quests. Basically internal affairs and some financial stuff. 

Now the Guild Master basically handles the whole damn system that the Vice Masters do. Just to make sure that they are working properly and such. In other words, Luilan is overworking himself just by the vacant of the second Vice Master.

"Are there not enough qualify people? Or did we not make an application process for that? No wait, this was back then when NPCs didn't have those kind of things... No offense."

"None taken. Guild Master... Well, former Guild Master Terry made an application for positions. In fact, after the Game Masters disappearance along with the players. All guilds made job applications for the future that is to come. Nice job leaving us alone."

"Hey, I don't even... Nah, nevermind. Well? You didn't answer my question. Were there not enough qualified people that applied?"

Luilan sighed. "All potiential applicants got drafted into war, and that's what I am about to get to. Follow me."

Luilan opened the large door and walked down the hallway towards a heavily secured door. I believe this is the supply room.

"This is the supply room, right? The one where you guys give items and equipments to newcomers?"

"Yes." Luilan with a deadpan expression unlocked the door.

The supply room is a very large place. It takes up roughly half of the main Exploration Guild building.

"... Where is everything?!"

I remember the development of the rooms during its beta. It's supposed to be full of stuff! All I see now is a very small fraction of the items that the Exploration Guild used to provide! What's left is roughly 100 basic spears, 60 leather armors, and other sorts such as healing potions.

"The army took it." Luilan clicked his tounge with anger, "The bastards didn't even pay for it, and most of the members in the Exploration Guild, my guild, got recruited."

"They can't do that, can they?"

"All Guilds that had combative capabilities had the same issues. At least in some countries. We're lacking supplies for our members, and we also can't contribute in helping the newcomers that are too young to be drafted into the war. Childrens are looking for work here, trying to support their families while their fathers and uncles are drafted into war. It's a huge mess!"

"What's this war about?"

I don't like the sound of this already. Give people free will and they will tear apart everything in sight, though I guess this could be our fault since we made countries hostile to each other...

"It's complicated. Without you Game Masters controlling every single politics in the world, everybody thought it would be best to grab territories, bring up ancient feuds, or go attack a kingdom because they yield better crops. What's keeping us from tearing each other apart is gone, Verden. We're all on our own, and despite the peaceful mood that settles in this town, it can all go into pieces when the battle reaches here."