The crowd went wild when Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs went to the top ten, leaving Black Lion in the top twenty.
All thought that Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs lost the moment that Scar unleashed his ace. But who knew that a single unknown man could turn the tables to the point that he singlehandedly defeated Black Lion.
Everyone couldn’t wrap their heads from the fight. Black Lion lost against a nameless guild! And this would surely be the highlight of the war!
What’s more, everyone was curious about Ren’s skills and class. It seemed he could copy spells based on how he cast [Butterfly of Deceit] like a Blue Mage and [Death’s Cavalry] like a Dark Mage.
The others were curious to his class and spells while the investors and powerful guilds immediately told their staff to investigate the man and make sure to recruit him into their guilds.
The next battle raged on, waiting for no one. The fight for the top five continued in the arena despite the audience excitement from the previous fights. The battle with Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs against Black Lion were all the masses could focus on and talk about even after it ended. It felt like nothing could match that fight compared to the ensuing battles ahead.
It was definitely the highlight of the Guild Wars, and it was definitely going to be the talk of the town. Black Lion defeated in the hands of an unknown guild would surely be the favorite topic for the next few weeks.
Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs chatted happily in the elevated seat reserved for the dead contenders. Belonging to the top ten was already enough for them. Tor even had a tear in his eyes, and the smile on his face never disappeared. They weren’t even paying attention to Roxy’s next fight.
While the group was talking and laughing together, Sumeri went beside Ren and nudged him.
“I’m not going to judge you or anything since I won’t be getting any cent from the guild. I will be getting my pay from you . . . And I am satisfied at getting my revenge at Scar and knowing that his days will be filled with ridicule and shame . . . but . . . Why did you throw the fight?” Sumeri asked Ren in a voice that only they could hear.
“What are you talking about?” Ren asked with an innocent voice, eyes never strayed on the fight though his mind was occupied with the next phase of his plans.
Sumeri chuckled and crossed her hands. “You didn’t consume any potions, and your casting time was slower than before. You could have easily finished them if you wanted. But you let Scar cast [Death’s Cavalry] and wiped as all before you acted.”
Sumeri looked over at Ren, capturing his elusive eyes. “And it seemed to me that you already know Scar’s items beforehand. Can your skill gather the players’ storage information too?”
Ren was silent before his lips twitched into a smirk. “What of it?”
Sumeri was surprised that Ren wasn’t denying it. “. . . I see. So it is then.” She chortled. “You’re really something else. It made me want to change my class.”
“Will you?”
“No,” Sumeri immediately said and added, “I want to be the greatest Dark Mage in all of Arcadia.”
“To contest Scar?” Ren finally retuned Sumeri’s gaze. “You’re still obsessing over your ex? It’s not good if you want to move on.”
Sumeri only laughed. “I’m obsessed with getting revenge. Imagine having the title of greatest Dark Mage stolen from him. Watching his face would be hilarious.”
“Will he even bother about that, though?”
“Oh, he will. You don’t know Scar like I do. That guy is a sore loser. He would do everything in his power to be in the limelight and be the best Dark Mage and player in COVENANT.”
Ren only sighed while shaking his head. He knew Sumeri was still lusting over Scar. She was frustrated and hurt but still loved the man. And she probably wanted revenge so that Scar would notice her again. Wanted him to realize what he had let go.
In fact, Ren strongly believed that if Scar asked Sumeri to get back together again, the latter would probably agree.
Ren couldn’t fault her though. He understood her. He was like that, too, in the past. And now, he only wanted revenge by snubbing and slapping his life to those who had wronged him before.
He realized along the way that trivial matters like those didn’t require him to dirty his hands and stoop to their level. Especially now that he had the money, he felt like he had so many things to do than waste his time on those people who wronged him in the past. He would let his accomplishments do the talking.
But Sleeping Dragon had to die. Ren promised, eyes narrowing.
The audience cheers stole Ren and Sumeri’s attention back to the stadium. Golden Phoenix defeated Roxy. It was no brainer that she lost against three players.
Ren expected the outcome. Everyone in Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs expected that outcome. Even Rox didn’t assume his sister to win in the next round.
Even so, the smile on Roxy’s face was wide like everyone else in Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs. Though they didn’t take home the bacon, a nameless guild like them belonged to the top ten was already a miracle enough.
And after they died, there were numerous notifications popping on their screen about players who wanted to join their guilds.
Roxy and Tor were already satisfied and happy with the outcome.
“I kind of see why you did that,” Sumeri muttered after Roxy appeared in their group, and everyone was busy clamouring around her.
“Did what?”
“Throw the game. Imagine if we win the top against those powerful guilds backed by rich corporations — a nameless guild against numerous powerful and rich ones. Our group would surely face criticism rather than victorious cheers. It’s more trouble than what it’s worth.
“But by defeating just Black Lion and reaching the top ten, everyone could accept it. Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs gain numerous fame by defeating Black Lion while these powerful guilds backed by larger corporation fight for the number one spot. A guild like White Unicorn or Golden Phoenix stealing the grand prize wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.”
Ren inwardly chuckled. Sumeri indeed knew the way of things in a game. All she said was correct, but he maintained a tight lip.
Sometimes, it was better to be satisfied in the middle than lust for the top and face the numerous criticism and trouble of that spot.
Ren indeed thought things thru. Sumeri thought and she whispered to herself, “You’re incredible.”
Ren really reminded her of Scar. The only difference was . . . Ren planned way ahead and thought of everyone involved in his every step. While Scar only thought of the present and focused on himself.
“Too bad about the grand prize, huh?” Sumeri half shrugged. “But I guess it’s no longer our concern since even if we got the number one spot, the rewards will just belong to Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs. We don’t get any. Such is the life of free labor.”
Too bad? Ren chuckled but didn’t comment. His eyes then flickered to the battle in the arena. The championship round was between White Unicorn and Ferocious Ravens. Both guilds were fighting for the title of number one, but only one would succeed.
Golden Phoenix lost against White Unicorns but managed to kill Eric in the process. In contrast, Ferocious Ravens still had Beatrix and her loyal tank to defend her. They managed to push through to the top, and the battle was in the bag with their numbers.
Ren didn’t know if fate was on his side that Ferocious Ravens took home the championship. But this was perfect.
Ren cocked his head to the side while an evil grin stretched his lips when Beatrix raised the trophy over her head, high for everyone to see.
Enjoy it while it last.
The battle ended, and the audience were satisfied with the turn of events. Everyone saw the fight, and they had no qualms about the outcome. Ferocious Ravens was also one of the crowd’s favorites, and they were back by numerous investors to boot.
While the war ended and the climax slowly died, every guild was thinking of where to celebrate or pass their frustration from not getting the grand prize.
Roaring Tigers and Fighting Lambs were also going to party with Ren and the others. Ren and Leonel agreed as well as Sumeri and Nikolai.
Tor and Roxy also wanted to give monetary rewards to Ren and the others for helping them reach the top ten.
It was Ren’s policy to always accept the other’s goodwill, which made Leonel and Sumeri extremely happy.
Ren was starting to influence them. They were even thinking of renaming their mercenary group to [Money Mongrels] if not that it was too obvious and the others might not employ them.
“Let’s get back to the guild first and distribute the loots evenly. Then let’s plan where to waste the whole night,” Rox said excitedly.
Everyone agreed, and all felt excited.
“You guys go on ahead. I’ll catch on later,” chimed Ren.
“Later? Where are you going?” Leonel asked.
Ren only smiled that sent hives to everyone who saw.
“. . . Just going to take care of some things.”
—-
A/N (Doesn’t consume coins)
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