CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Intermission: Legacy

After Koro’s death had been broadcasted to the world, countless copycat groups have sprouted up from the earth, all with the same intent of making it big. This reaction had exceeded Romlin's expectations by far as the week after the event was now unofficially known as the 'Purge of Heroes'. Rankers everywhere had entered the fight of their lives, and while many escaped, many others fell beneath the onslaught of enraged nooblets. It was an event that could not have possibly been predicted as both gaming history and history itself had shown that people were apathetic, and would not seek conflict unless pushed into it.

It was as if the game had removed that limiter from all those who played the game. The grounds were stained with blood, as no one person could have foreseen the amount of bloodshed that ensued.

Of the surviving rankers, many had fled to higher leveled areas or logged off altogether, firmly waiting out the storm. For those who fought and died, they found themselves trapped within their safe cities, unable to leave without attracting a whole host of nooblets. But there were also a few who stood strong, enduring the blistering waves and howling gales with stalwart discipline.

They were 'Legacy', a guild rising with a frightening momentum. They were led by 'The Legend', whose name was the subject of mockery for a while, that was until he had shown that he was worthy of the title.

The guild had maintained good relations with the beginner populace in the White Kingdom, taking in many apprentices to foster and mentor. In addition to that, their unity and cohesion made it by a formality to repel all the attacks set upon them in the recent days, with minimal casualties lost in the process.

The leader in question was seated in an empty tent, a small campfire had been lit in front of him, putting him at ease while he made conversation with a shining blue gemstone.

"You sure you're doing okay?" He asked in a concerned tone. Due to the recent attacks, he had been playing nonstop and did not have the opportunity to check up on his troublesome niece until now.

“Yes, Uncle Steve.” A silvery voice was emitted from his communication crystal. Although it was possible to privately message someone using one's adventure journal, the approach seemed impersonal, which led him to choose the slightly more expensive option for communication. "I'm just going with Roari and Pale to hunt for some treasure. Apparently, it's a hidden dungeon?"

His eyebrow twitched as he heard his niece repeat those same names for the umpteenth time. Just a week ago, she seemed distressed enough for him to consider sending death squads after them, and suddenly they were now all she could talk about? "That sounds great, but you haven't had any further trouble with the purge? I would welcome you and your friends here as guests until the entire ordeal settles down some more."

"There was no trouble at all! We stuck to higher level areas and mostly stayed away from civilization."

"That's good. Well, if there's anything else you need, don't hesitate to call...--" He continued but was cut off.

“Got it. I'll be off! Bye Steve!”

The transmission was terminated, causing the crystal to disintegrate into a fine blue mist. The room again was once again shrouded in silence, save for the flickering of the flames.

The Legend snorted. "That girl. I bet she doesn't even realize just how excited she sounds."

He mused. Perhaps he should prepare a gift for them. After all, Dawn sounded far less rigid than she normally did, more relaxed. His brother would surely be happy at such news.

He contemplated sending someone to look over her, but decided against it. Hopefully, those two should be trustworthy enough if Dawn was so dead set on being with them...right?

*Knock Knock*

There was a sharp tap on the wooden signboard outside, which interrupted his pondering session. Such a noise probably signaled the return of his right-hand man, Siegfried. Groaning, he raised himself off of the comfy seat. The fatigue of several days of constant playing had not wholly worn off yet, but he strode out to the tent all the same.

As he pulled his head from beneath the tent flaps, the sun's rays shone down upon him, bouncing off his long flowing locks. With muscular tattooed arms popping out from a sleeveless white vest and a golden deva railment flowing around his shoulders, he probably looked like the very picture of a south asian immortal.

To his side, a smartly dressed gentleman was patiently standing at attention.

"Siegfried. How goes the progress of the recall order."

The man bowed as a voice muffled out behind that a thick bushy moustache.

"The last stragglers have just passed White City. We can expect their return within two days. As for the Indica Squad, they ran into some complications, but are expected to meet up with them in a day."

"The Cordon Group?"

"Yes. They were ambushed but did not suffer any casualties."

"Good. When they return, send orders down the ranks. Every member above Lv Thirty is to take in at least two beginners to mentor. Those below it are to work on public relations in the nearest residential areas. I want Legacy to be a household name by the end of the week."

"Understood, but if I may interject, I feel as though we would be coddling the new players too much if we did that. Having just a few rankers would be enough to supervise their efforts. Else I fear, many of our members will voice their complaints about being unable to progress."

The Legend shook his head. Even if he were to allow such a thing, the benefits would be slim.

"Currently, the ability to venture out on your own will not matter in the following weeks. All the other rankers have become paralyzed by recent events, their movements heavily hindered by the general populace. By making our members integrate themselves in the newbie population, we can quickly establish a rapport with the community which will stabilize the situation in this region quicker. Not to mention, if I give special treatment to an express few, then that would only sow discontent among our members.

Our foundations are still shaky. Now is the time to build our reputation and stability. After that, I believe we will reap far more benefits in the long term."

The mustachioed servant bowed but said no more. So long as his leader had at least thought about the issue, then that would be enough.

While the other rankers would resist to the bloody end, Legacy would instead offer sweets and honey. After all, there would be many more guilds, clans and factions appearing in the future, and they needed every advantage they could get.

As he started walking away to check on the rest of his officers, Siegfried quickly added in.

"Oh, Before you go. Hellsinger wanted to inform you that a group of radicals have begun assaulting our newest recruits by the Ford Valley. She requests permission to begin forming the death squads to take them down."

"Hmm?" The fact that Hellsinger would be asking for his permission was interesting, to say the least. "Their numbers?"

"They were counted at two hundred, with around a quarter at the lv 20 mark or higher."

"So they've made progress" The Legend mused. He had noticed that the rate of attacks had dropped off drastically since yesterday, but to think they would give up and attack other beginners...

His face contorted in disgust. His hand stretched out in front of him as the sun's rays condensed upon his outstretched palm, forming a shining partisan made of light. "I suppose I have time. Find Hellsinger and her to meet me there, we will be enough on our own."

His steward bowed and wandered off. With fighting spirit steaming off his body, he walked down along the encampment, drawing the eyes of all of his guild members. While some cheered and others saluted, many of the veterans recognized the expression upon his face and just smiled wistfully.

He was going to remind them all. Remind them of the chasm that laid before him and everyone else. And as time goes on, the gap will only widen, leaving only his 'Legacy' to be the one which everyone remembers.