According to Quinlan, Aleksi was someone who follows his gut instinct. The Class B Hunter was more than happy to tell Izik how Aleksi saw him use his teleportation back when he was talking to the merchant and decided on a whim that he would be the last member of his new guild.
"If we have to poach him then be it!" Quinlan did his best imitation of Aleksi's voice.
It didn't really work as Quinlan had a naturally deeper voice than Aleksi yet nothing too deep that it matched a certain Prince from the dukedom of Soleil. Izik mentally rolled his eyes at his brain who kept randomly remembering Xanthe Soleil.
"But my gut feeling is right!" Aleksi defended himself. "Error is a Class A Hunter!" He proudly crossed his arms over his chest. Izik nearly flinched at the mention of his pseudo-name and his fake designation.
"Well, Error hasn't said yes to your offer," Quinlan placed his cheek on top of his palm, elbow propped against the table.
Aleksi turned to him, eyes sparkling, "I'm sure you're going to join us, right, Error?"
Suddenly, he felt nervous as he was reminded that Aleksi Alunni was a Class A Hunter. Though Izik was able to level his skills and his attributes, he was still unsure if he would qualify as a Class A hunter. But like what Sinclair always says, "You just got to fake it 'till you make it".
Izik was quick to divert the topic, looking at Aleksi, "The name of the guild..." Aleksi looked at him with this pleased look. It was almost like he was a kid excitedly waiting to say something. "It came from a novel?" Izik hoped that it really didn't come from that bestselling novel yet the way Aleksi's face lit up was the only confirmation he needed.
"Yes!" Aleksi happily exclaimed. He then patted Izik's back, praising him for knowing the said novel. "I knew you are a good choice you even know Seasons of the Storm!"
Knowing the novel Seasons of the Storm was not really a feat. The novel was a bestseller and everyone probably heard of or read it. It's a novel about a Class D Hunter named Elys who aimed to create the best guild in the whole world. He was joined by a whole cast of characters that were either bland or too eccentric but all of them were just equally unrealistic.
Sinclair was a big fan of the series and would go on talking about it until Izik's ears drop. He even lends Izik the first book. Based on what he heard from his friend, Izik thought it would be a boring book but he found himself unable to sleep until he finished everything. Yes, the characters were outrageous, and their adventures were most likely exaggerated and dramatized but damn the author sure could fucking write. And he writes so damn well.
However, even if you pay Izik he probably won't admit that he had read the whole series down to its latest volume which was released two months ago.
"Everyone knows it," Izik sighed. "It's popular."
Aleksi let out a hum, "Well, it is indeed a popular novel, and rightfully so. The author did well in writing it!" Does Izik think that Seasons of the Storm should be popular? Maybe. But does he agree that the writer did well? Absolutely. Aleksi grinned at him, "So what do you say? We're going to be the best guild in the world."
Izik nearly died from trying so hard not to cringe. It wasn't really as bad and he does admire how optimistic Aleksi was, plus, he was a high-level Hunter which should account for something. It's just that he remembered how optimistic Elys was in Seasons of the Storm that his optimism was either bordering foolish or taken advantage of.
It was true that Izik planned to join a high-ranking guild this was not only to enjoy the perks but to be able to access more dungeons and to observe high-level Hunters however he was also aware that joining such a guild would not be easy. For sure he would have to go through trials in order to be deemed worthy. Each guild has its own different trials. And if he got accepted, he was unsure if they will let him join the raid.
"If you join us today, we are going on a raid tonight," Quinlan suddenly spoke. Izik looked at him, surprised while the latter only offered those perfected friendly smiles. Quinlan kept his smile on, Atticus slithering on his shoulder. He definitely knew that Izik was lured by what he said.
This guy should not be underestimated, Izik mentally noted.
"Okay," Izik responded calmly. Joining a new guild won't be too bad. He will be a founding member and if the guild by any chance took off and became one of the best guilds, Izik would definitely enjoy more perks although all of this will come to him as Error and not as Izik Arden. The only problem would be when the school year starts but he'll leave that problem to future Izik. "I'm in."
"Woohoo!" Aleksi rejoiced. He called for the waitress and paid their bill. Like a kid, he excitedly led them to the Guild Castle where Izik had to show his assessment and register under Seasons of the Storm. The name was still too cheesy for him but he ignored it.
As soon as he was done with the registration, he went out of the office and saw Aleksi and Quinlan talking. Aleksi had his arms flailing around, animatedly telling Quinlan about something.
"I'm done," Izik spoke, stopping close to them. A window suddenly popped up. Izik struggled to keep his face blank. He had the system for some time now however it seemed like he was not yet used to it.
.
.
[ ✨ ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! ]
[ ✧ Joined a Guild!
Congratulations on successfully joining your first guild!
Here are your rewards:
— ACTIVE SKILL: Guild Tracker
— WEAPON: Rakon, rapier sword ]
[ EXIT × ]
.
.
Izik was quick to dismiss the window, keeping his gaze on the two of his guild members.
Aleksi showed him a bronze metal plate, hanging by a black string that has a huge B debossed on it, below it was the seal of the Imperial Palace next to the insignia of the city of Ozryn. The red-hair grinned maniacally, "The raid is on tonight!"
Izik considered that Quinlan must have just said the raid to make him agree but he didn't know that it will really happen.
"Before that, I rented out a place for us!" Aleksi draped his arm over Izik's shoulder. Izik who was used to Sinclair doing the same thing, let him be. "Let's relax before going to our first dungeon as SOS." Thank heavens, he shortened their guild name.
The three of them exited the Guild Castle, walking to the place that Aleksi mentioned. According to their Guild Master, it was just somewhere near. Since Seasons of the Storm was a newly built guild, they wouldn't really have any access to the perks offered to officially recognized guilds.
"Are all members going in?" Izik asked.
"Nope," Aleksi made a popping sound with the 'p'.
"Just six, including the three of us," Quinlan added.
"You'll get along with the others, Error!" Aleksi happily said. "Young people should bond together."
Izik stopped himself from rolling his eyes. Aleksi wasn't really that old. He's only 25 and if SOS became a fully recognized guild, he could be one of the youngest Guild Masters.
"I don't think Error is that excited," Quinlan chuckled lowly. Izik didn't say anything because he wasn't really wrong, however, he was curious about the members.
"What's with the other four?" Izik decided to change the topic.
"They don't exist," Aleksi replied like he didn't just admit to faking four members in order to register his guild.
"I don't think that's something you should say within 50 meters radius of the Guild Castle," Quinlan replied with a snort.
"What do you mean they don't exist!?" Izik barely contained his voice. He was looking at Quinlan and Aleksi with wide eyes and a clearly distraught expression.
Aleksi shrugged, "I just asked some people to register their names under our guild."
"We met them during a small festival held here last week!" Quinlan added as if it made it any better. "They're really nice people and they all seemed capable too."
"So why don't they just join SOS for real?" Izik was still flabbergasted. He narrowed his eyes at Aleksi who doesn't seem bothered. The guy told him he was the final member but he didn't expect that the guild has four ghost members. If Endless found out that they have ghost members, Izik was sure they'll be banned from the Guild Order.
"They're not interested!" Aleksi grinned. "Plus they only visited Ozryn for the festival last week and they all left the city already."
"Are you aware that what you did is a crime?" Izik asked, shocked.
"Well, it is if we get caught!" Aleksi patted his back. "Don't worry, Error, we won't get caught!" Izik didn't even respond anymore. He just let out a sigh, mulling over his decisions. Did he make the wrong decision to join such a guild? Was it too late to retract his registration? His brain was hurting from all the thinking but Aleksi and Quinlan seemed unbothered.
Whatever, he thought letting go of the whole thing.
They arrived at the house that Aleksi rented. Looking at the place, it wasn't by any means cheap with it having a spacious yard, a sturdy gate, and two stories. According to Aleksi, he and Quinlan had been staying there for over two weeks and they're planning to stay there for the next two months or so or at least until they were able to clear all the requirements for SOS.
Entering the place, Izik was speechless. The house has three rooms on the first floor and another four on the second floor. The place was well-designed and it came with great furnitures and fixtures. Everything that you need can be found here and the place was also spacious.
One thing was for sure, Aleksi have money.
Usually, Hunters join guilds or create their own in order for them to have access to the Guild Facilities which offered free high quality lodging and food together with huge rewards.
Maybe he's a son of a noble, Izik thought as the Guild Master toured him all over the place.
"My and Quinlan's rooms are on the first floor. You can choose wherever you wanted to stay!" Aleksi told him.
"What about the other members?"
"Kyo is on the second floor, also Kameron but Smythe doesn't stay with us since she got her own place here in Ozyrn," Aleksi replied. "Although, both Kyo and Kameron went out today and will be meeting us later for the raid."
Izik nodded, "I'll take the last room here then."
"Cool!" Aleksi walked to the room near the stairs, opened the door, he showed it to Izik. "You can rest first! We'll call you when we have to leave for the raid."
"Thank you," Izik replied, eyeing the room that he was given. It was spacious with a huge bed. It also has a wooden wardrobe and a simple chair and a small table. What Izik appreciated was the huge window which let him see the huge yard that the house.
"Sure thing! Rest well~!" Aleksi closed the door behind him as Izik placed down his luggage and settled on the edge of the bed. Now, he has to prepare for the raid.