[It is detected that you have chosen the F-grade item, the corpse of the "Forbidden Lich" as your reward]
More announcements then followed.
[It is detected that the "Forbidden Lich" is forbidden to enter the Tower. A 90% restriction on its power is placed.]
[It is detected that you have contributed to the remarkable feat done in the Tutorial. A separate reward will be given]
[You have received a "Rank Upgrade Orb" ×1]
[You have received 20,000 Karma Points]
[You will now be transported to the Resurrection Hall]
Alab rested his head on the lid of the coffin as he felt serenity overwhelming his body as it dispersed into golden lights. His days in the Tutorial had come to an end as he received the [Forbidden Lich] as his reward.
A soft smile lingering on his face, Alab succumbed to peace as he closed his eyes concurrently with relief from tantalizing pain. Shortly after, his entirety dispersed along the Tutorial floor.
"I can't wait to see you guys", he mumbled as that one hour of separation felt like years of lonesome and tediousness. He couldn't wait to get strong and conquer the Tower with the group.
—-
Two days ago.
It was the dawn of the 5th day since the Tutorial commenced. The sun was yet to spread its radiance but on the 1st floor of the Tower, the swarming of players clad in marvelous and dazzling armors outpoured the vast circular platform.
Their gazes were locked at the Resurrection Hall that could spew a potential awakened. Skimming through their handouts prepared, a representative from each guild walked forward as a new player emerged from the Hall.
His neat clothes embraced by weaved vines that expressed leisure made him appear a cautious guy who resisted dangers in the Tutorial. His thin black hair was combed to the right side, as he pressed on his eyeglass right above the bridge of his nose.
His jawline screamed beauty as he scanned the strangers surrounding him. He identified acquainted faces from the Tutorial who were lurking behind various groups of players. Their faces reflect delight.
On the secluded side, his interest was piqued by a young boy who was tucking in the edge of a man's armor. His clothes were tattered as he suffered from the Tutorial. On his hand was a single [Rusty Sword] as his eyes begged the man.
"Please, take me.", kneeling on the ground, he begged as he brush the edge of the man's armor. With nerves bulging from his forehead, the man raised his foot conjured by his strength as he kicked the boy, sending his fragile body hurling for meters.
Along with the physical discomfort, the boy had to endure the mockery thrown by the bystanders as they gawked at him. He forced his injured body to stand as if he hadn't learned his lesson, he walked toward the man, begging.
"Please! Please, I need to buy some medicine. Just please, take me with you. I will do anything!", the young boy pleaded before he received another kick from the man.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I have no intention to recruit an E-grade in my guild!", he uttered as he shifted his direction to the Hall, only then did he see Kevin glancing at them. His eyes express empathy but like the others in the area, Kevin didn't stop the man, after all, the Tower is a lawless world where the strong rule the weak.
It was the Survival of the fittest.
If individual prowess wouldn't bring you somewhere, by joining a guild could someone secure a stable foothold in this Tower.
It was for the same reason that Hiraya urged to create a guild with them.
Seeing Kevin emerging from the Hall, a sea of players walked out from the congested road carrying handouts in their hands. On the chest of their armors was an emblem of a varying images like bulls, flowers, and some logos of unique origin.
Kevin speculated that they were the representative of their respective guilds.
He hadn't taken another step yet when the representatives bombarded him with their greetings, battling to see who was the most eloquent.
A man in leather armor extended his hand as he handed a document to Kevin. Stroking his long bear with his left hand that smelled of cigarette, he spoke. "Good day, I am Mr. Hart, a representative of Iron Guild. We are a medium-sized guild with bountiful resources!"
A beautiful girl then stepped forward as she pointed her finger to her rossy lips. "Pleasant day, Mr. Handsome, we are the Lotus Guild and we welcome nothing but beautiful players. I hope you will join us and have some fun?"
Feeling the piercing gazes of his superiors from behind, a young boy flinched as he stuttered. "W– we are Brazen Guild, a medium-sized guild. Hope you will join us".
Several more persuasion came afterward with energetic tones trying to outdo the other, Kevin felt his head turning dizzy as he absorbed every crumb of information he got.
The Tower was cruel thus Kevin values information alongside strength. He made sure to remember each guild and build a prospect of potential relations.
He didn't reject their offers so casually as he let them toss valuable information about their guild. Of course, he was sharp enough to know the reason for their warm addresses. If not for the SSS-grade item on his hand that failed to obscure its leaking potent aura, he would be treated no differently from the boy earlier.
Opening his ears for further persuasions, Kevin stalled for time for Hirata, Althea, and Alab to arrive. He couldn't wait to meet them and establish their guild.
Mumbles spread in the crowd like wildfire as they frantically conversed. Loud voices overshadow the others, causing the nosy people to amplify their voices. Noise then wrapped the area as the representatives in front of Kevin turned toward the source of the commotion.
Kevin faced the crowd as players hurried to the side, forming a long path for the incoming prominent players. Looking at the formed path, Kevin marveled at the sight of 10 players clad in armor that was visibly more powerful than anyone in the crowd.
Shortly after, the representatives moved sideways as they opened a path for the players.
"It is our honor to welcome the Son of the deceased Guildmaster. We greet the new Guildmaster of Sword Saint Guild", the man leading the group acclaimed as he bowed his head.
In the dark of what just happened, the congested street ensued silence at that sudden turn out of events.
Similarly, Kevin couldn't find the right word to reply as his brain was overflowing with questions.