Leon was surprised by the successful creation of the first guild. The additional Attribute Points were a welcome addition, but he questioned how other NPCs were able to utilize them.
He pondered this as he strolled through the streets with a rolled-up sheet of paper in his hand. He entered the tavern, hearing a raucous cry. He turned his head, seeing a massive crowd gathered around a table.
"Go! Go! Go!" The crowd shouted as he walked toward the table, witnessing Maria holding a massive keg above her head as she chugged it.
"Ya dirty cheatin' heifer!" Daveed grumbled, slamming his hand against the table, leaving five gold coins, and he stood as Mikaru replaced him.
"Oh, it you, cutie!" Maria's voice, filled with tipsy delight, rang out. She hiccuped, her words slightly slurred, "Think you can keep up with me?"
"You're already smashed; this will be an easy victory." He smirked. Everyone encircling the table began placing their bets as James collected their money.
This was the third round in which Maria had outdrunk her opponent, and the odds were progressively going against her favor, yet she persevered.
Leon approached James, handing him a silver coin, leaning in, and whispering into his ear as the barmaid brought another two kegs and slammed them on the desk.
"You think you got what it takes, pretty boy?" Maria smirked, placing her hand atop the keg and uncorking it as she stared into his eyes.
"You're beyond drunk, it's time to send you home." Mikaru replied, following her lead and removing the wooden stopper.
"Three… two… one…" The barmaid exclaimed, raising her hand into the air before slamming it against the table, "GO!!!"
The two grabbed their kegs, raised them to their lips, and began chugging the rich ale. The crowd surrounding the pair began cheering, and the bar quickly became unruly as overlapping voices roared loudly.
"I can't believe a dwarf got out drank by a girl…" Leon said as he leaned against the bar beside the seated Daveed.
"Dun remind me! Are ya daft, lad?" He replied, hiccuping. His face was bright red, and he shook his head.
"Do something for me, say 'Status' and tell me if anything happens." He said, placing his hand on the dwarf's shoulder and patting it.
"Status?" Daveed asked when suddenly his eyes widened in shock, stumbling backward as he shouted loudly, "What wi'chcraft is 'dis?!?"
The loud crash and shouting drew the crowd's attention momentarily, but they returned to Maria and Mikaru as they chugged the kegs.
"Daveed?!" Leon yelled, leaning down as he assisted the drunken dwarf to his feet, "Are you okay?"
"Wha' da hell is dis?!?" He exclaimed, reaching forward and waving his hand back and forth.
"A window with your information appeared?" He asked, staring at the space before the dwarf, praying his theory proved true.
"Ye!!!" Daveed shouted, facing him in his drunken stupor, "Did ya do dis to me, Lad?"
"No, not really." He replied, shaking his head, "It's a byproduct of the guild we formed. I have one too, so does James, Maria, and Mikaru."
"CHAAAAAA!!!!!" Maria exclaimed, slamming her keg against the table, standing up, and yelling loudly; Mikaru placed his keg down shortly after her in defeat.
A roar of yells erupted in disbelief. This girl stood despite downing four whole kegs of ale while James shouted over them, announcing the winner.
"Who's next?!?" She shouted, throwing her arms out as she turned around and looked at the crowd, but James stopped her and dragged her and Mikaru over to Leon.
The crowd protested and complained before returning to their own tables to discuss the young woman's undefeated performance.
James helped Daveed out of the pub, Leon helped Mikaru, and Maria walked fine, albeit unable to walk in a straight line. Thankfully, their destination was just down the street to their new headquarters.
Their destination was a rundown building, a far cry from the grandeur of a typical guild house. Yet, despite its dilapidated state, a few chairs were scattered around the room.
Leon attempted to explain the system to his vassals, but only James could understand, as Daveed and Mikaru were too drunk, and Maria couldn't focus.
"Maria, keep an eye on them…" He said, shaking his head, "James and I will be the only ones visiting my father. When we reach the inn, I'll send the carriage here to pick you all up."
"Su… Sure!" she replied, hiccuping as she gave him a thumbs-up. He sighed, shaking his head.
Leon and James exited the building and passed through the Mercantile District toward the luxurious inn. He spent the entire time explaining the system with the intention the Elf would provide the information to the rest of the group.
They quickly dressed in their finery as the stagecoach returned, with Daveed, Maria, and Mikaru returning and passing out. The duo exited the inn, entering the vehicle as they were driven to the castle.
"You understand what you need to do?" Leon asked, and James nodded.
"It might be a little difficult because most people look down on elves, but I don't foresee any problems that would prevent me from completing my task." He replied.
"Good." He replied, nodding as he looked at the imposing castle dwarfing over the carriage as they slowly approached.
"Remember, you can always utilize the telepathic guild chat to notify me of any complications and I will do what I can." He replied, his mouth not moving as James nodded in astonishment.
The sun had begun to set as the carriage came to a halt before an extensive series of marble stairs before the castle. Many knights stood scattered throughout the castle grounds on guard.
Leon stepped out of the carriage as guests standing around in groups gossiping amongst one another gasped, pointing to the top of the stairs.
"Good evening, Leon…" A man with a full beard, golden hair, and eyes said, "I'm glad you've come, my son."
[Name: George Astrahart]
[Age: 48]
[Class: Swordsman King]
[Potential: SSS]
[Trait: Golden Spirit Weapon]