The next morning, the excitement from the previous day’s celebrations had started to fade. The Ass Guild and Broken gathered for a crucial meeting to discuss the recent developments and decide their next steps for their grand plan.
Broken attended the meeting with Freya, Ivana, Booba, and thirteen other members of the Ass Guild. As usual, Maylock led the discussion and shared the intel he had collected.
“The Shadow Wolves guild will receive help from the Horde of Hell guild in their upcoming battle,” Maylock began. “The Shadow Wolves Guild has two Gluttony Champions: their guild master, Paul, and Marlene, the witch. The Horde of Hell, based in the East Continent, has three Gluttony Champions. They will soon join the Shadow Wolves to strengthen their position.”
With the Horde of Hell joining forces with the Shadow Wolves, five Gluttony Champions will be united. This means their combined power is significant and shouldn’t be underestimated. Two major guilds with five Divine Champions will pose a formidable challenge.
Maylock proceeded with a serious tone, “Soon, the Horde of Hell will embark on a journey from the East Continent to the South Continent to join forces with the Shadow Wolves.”
Jovina, with clear concern, interrupted, “It’s evident they mean business. Do you really think they’ll go through with summoning a Named Demon?”
Melliandra, unable to contain her frustration, suggested, “Why don’t we confront them head-on? What’s the point of waiting for them to complete whatever they’re scheming? We can crush them in open battle. I just can’t comprehend why we have to sit back like this.”
Goldrich calmly responded, “On the surface, launching an open battle might seem straightforward, but acting without a calculated plan could put us in grave danger. We don’t even fully understand what they’re up to.”
Maylock, nodding in agreement, elaborated, “We could declare war right away, but that wouldn’t necessarily halt their preparations. If we deplete our resources and they manage to summon the Named Demon while we’re unprepared, the consequences could be catastrophic. Moreover, we must recognize the presence of a third faction that could exploit the chaos. That’s why the best strategy is to confront them during the real event.”
Optimus, a martial artist player, interjected with a firm voice, “So, what’s the plan, Maylock? You’re taking too long to decide; I’d rather just fight them now. After all, the Horde of Hell is only led by a young kid.”
Maylock replied, “We will continue to keep a close watch on their movements. In the meantime, we must strengthen our forces.”
Optimus asked, “When do you think they’ll launch their plan?”
Maylock replied, “They’re aligning with a cult known as Darkened Flame, and I believe their ultimate objective is to seize power by gaining access to the Sword of Dissidia.”
Optimus continued, “So, they want that damned sword. Why do they desire it so much? Is it really that powerful?”
Goldrich responded with a chuckle, “If demons are after that sword, then they must be planning something major with it, khi khi khi.”
Broken, who had been listening intently, was in silence, thoughtfully absorbing every detail of their discussion. The weight of the Sword of Dissidia, a legendary weapon he was destined to obtain, hung heavily in the air. It was clear that all these looming battles and power struggles revolved around this legendary blade.
Maylock spoke up, bringing the conversation to a close. “I believe we have approximately up to one year of Yunatea Time left before this situation reaches its climax,” he stated solemnly. “We must make the most of this time and execute our plan with the utmost precision.”
Everyone seemed to digest the information and plans that Maylock had laid out, realizing the enormity of their responsibilities as a Top Guild with only a handful of members. Each individual’s role was crucial, and they all knew they had to constantly level up and strengthen themselves to stay ahead.
Elincia turned to Broken, breaking the silence. “Broken, do you have anything to say?”
Broken rose to his feet, the room falling silent as he prepared to speak. “I understand the magnitude of the work ahead of us. And I also have a duty to collaborate closely with each of you, as well as a commitment to my own growth.”
He continued, “First, I’m going to focus on upgrading my equipment, and I’ll do the same for Princess Alora. This is my first commission from her, so I intend to spend the next few weeks dedicated to this task.”
Elincia responded to his words, “What you’re doing is still in line with our plan, Broken. By helping to strengthen Princess Alora, you’re also increasing our chances of winning the war. So, good luck with your endeavor.”
Broken nodded softly. “Thanks, Elincia.”
He then addressed another pressing matter. “And now, about Slumdon Town.” He paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
The members of the Ass Guild had been buzzing about Slumdon Town, curious about Broken’s strategy to rebuild it given its vast potential. The opportunity to contribute to its reconstruction was one no one wanted to miss, especially considering their alliance with Broken.
“I may need a lot of help to rebuild the city, and I might need assistance from all of you if you’re interested in contributing,” Broken continued. “But I can’t decide the details yet. I need to assess everything before making a fair decision for everyone. For now, I’ll focus on working on my new set of armor, because I think I can do it more efficiently at the Royal Blacksmith Workshop. So, I’ll have to personally delay my visit to Slumdon Town.”
“Broken,” Goldrich raised his hand. “I know this is outside the agreement we made, but as a partner, I feel responsible for what you have. So, I’m offering to go to that town first and do a survey. Then, I’ll give you the information you need so you can hurry up and get there.”
Elincia then raised her hand inquisitively. “You need at least two months to finish your work, correct?” she asked.
Broken slowly nodded in agreement.
“Don’t worry,” Elincia reassured him. “We’ll split up the chores so you can focus all your attention on your work.”
Broken remained silent for a moment, considering Goldrich’s offer of assistance. He also wanted to be open to giving and receiving support from these people, who he had slowly begun to consider his friends.
“I suppose that’s a viable option,” he finally concluded. “I must ask for your help, Goldrich.” “Well, I’m happy to help if it makes things easier for you,” Goldrich said, winking. Elincia then stood up again after the discussion had concluded. “Everyone in The Ass Guild has an obligation to push yourselves! Keep getting stronger! Don’t be lazy! Anyone I see slacking off, I’ll kill you back to level 1! Mark my words!”
They all stood up and shouted, “Let’s show them what our ass is made of!”
Once everyone had agreed on their respective tasks, they immediately set off in different directions. The team was strategically divided: some continued to gather intelligence, keeping a close watch on their adversaries, others remained focused on strengthening themselves and sharing resources. Additionally, a few dedicated their efforts to assist Broken in fulfilling Princess Alora’s commission and planning the revival of Slumdon Town. The sense of accomplishment from the day’s discussions injected new energy into the group. They felt the invigorating presence of new allies, even though Broken and his companions weren’t official members of the Ass Guild.
Determined, Broken quickly set about preparing for the weeks ahead, knowing he needed to become stronger as swiftly as possible. The blessing he had received from the Goddess of Sloth was a rare gift, and he was resolved to make the most of it.
His goal was clear: to gain independence and reduce his reliance on others. Completing his equipment set was crucial to compensating for his defensive weaknesses, even though he already had an arsenal that significantly boosted his offensive capabilities.
Later that day, Broken returned to the palace and entered the Royal Blacksmith Workshop,
ready to delve into his project. As he stepped through the doorway, dozens of blacksmiths fixed their eyes on him, a mix of curiosity and wonder evident in their gazes. They were eager to see him in action, curious to find out whether his reputation as a talented blacksmith was deserved or merely a stroke of luck.