Star Gazer stared at the person before him. An ordinary face with black hair parted in the middle. Clad in white armor.
Bleary Mirage had a faint smile on his lips, his eyes exuding extreme confidence.
Star Gazer's eyes turned frosty. He originally planned to sound out this competitor of his, but apparently that b*stard really came to gloat.
"Don't you think you're too ostentatious? Strutting around before us. Do you hold us for fools?"
"Don't overestimate your importance.", said Bleary Mirage.
"Brave!", scoffed Star Gazer. "Don't get carried away by a single success! It won't last forever!"
"Maybe. But it will always be enough to have you guys looking up in admiration."
"B*stard!"
"Who do you think you are?"
Liam was unperturbed as the group yelled at him fiercely watching them all shut up with a wave of Star Gazer's hand.
"You seem quite confident. Why don't we make a bet?!"
"A bet? Are you brave enough?"
"Childish!"
"State the conditions then."
"Easy. The next dungeon is available from level 20 to 25. Whoever get the first clear wins. Loser has to leave the game."
Immediately Star Gazer's lackeys showed some worry on their faces. They didn't like this idea, but were hesitant to speak up and undermine their boss.
However, their eyes lit up upon hearing Liam's next sentence:
"I have another suggestion. If I lose the bet, I will leave the game. If you lose, you pay me five million credits."
Star Gazer was taken aback, falling silent. He mulled over it, expecting some catch but not able to find one.
Meanwhile, the others were delighted, urgently whispering him to accept.
"Fine. If this is what you want."
"Great. C, you heard him."
Instantly notifications flashed before both parties. C confirmed the conditions. However, Liam sneakily changed the way the money would be processed, inserting Silver Blade as middleman. Or woman.
Star Gazer didn't care as he was eager to accept. The deal was too profitable for him. If the best case, he could get rid of a competitor and in the worst case it only cost him some money.
While the rich heir still couldn't contemplate why Liam would propose such a condition, the latter smiled happily. He received an easy five million and the best part was that it might not be a one-time deal.
Should I try to make the outcome close, so he feels like he still has a chance next time?
Liam formed some mean plans while leaving under the mocking eyes of Star Gazer's group.
After a quick teleportation he was back in Duabalis City. As soon as he left the building housing the teleporters he was met with a familiar agitated voice.
"Mirage! What took you so long?"
Liam looked his party approaching him with Cyclone in the lead.
"Well, morning guys."
The others greeted Liam calmly, but it wasn't only Cyclone who felt a certain pressure.
"Ok ok. No time to waste! We need to level up! I'm sure Star Gazer is already working hard to catch up."
While speaking Cyclone glanced at Silver Blade. The two friends had discussed a lot yesterday. They also figured out that Star Gazer wasn't taken out of the race. He would definitely try everything to overtake them. This was his only chance to regain the family's' respect.
"Don't worry. I don't think Star Gazer is leveling already."
"Hm, how would you know?"
"Because I just met him."
"What?"
Cyclone wasn't the only one exclaiming in surprise. The whole party was speaking up.
"What happened?", asked Silver Blade with concern and curiosity.
"We made a bet. Whoever clears the next dungeon first wins."
"You… what are the conditions?"
"If I lose, I have to leave the game."
Suddenly the scene felt silent. Everyone looked at Liam with shock. Reluctance could be seen in some eyes.
Only Cyclone looked strangely unperturbed. Silver Blade glanced at her friend, asking with a frown:
"Weren't you the most eager to stay at the top? If we lose Mirage, it will be a thousand times more difficult."
"Why would we lose Mirage? I'm sure that if the expert says he will get first clear, no one can snatch it away."
Cyclone's confidence left the others stumped. Somehow, they felt she made sense, but they found it difficult to accept the logic.
Although Liam was clearly in a league of his own, they only just passed the tutorial. Many of the top players were only beginning their rise. Who could tell how many hidden talents would be discovered soon?
Liam scanned the conflicted faces, but he didn't take the hints of doubt to heart.
"However, you could have discussed with us beforehand."
A discontent voice suddenly drew everyone's attention. It was Fortune who looked at Liam with an unhappy frown.
The latter was taken aback. His brows furrowed as he mulled over the words.
"Maybe you are right. I just didn't consider this a big matter. But I could've informed you. Sorry."
"That's better."
Watching the exchange, Silent Acacia plucked up his courage. He felt now was the right time to speak about some important matters.
"Guys, maybe we should have a serious discussion. It might be time to express our goals in the game and plan for the future."
Suddenly the atmosphere turned solemn. The party members looked at each other. Everyone subtly felt that this was an important step in their lives.
"Acacia is right. Why don't I begin?", offered Silver Blade.
"You all know that I hired you in the name of Colville Constructions. Obviously, I'm from the Colville family.
It is no secret that our family head plans to retire in a few years, searching for a successor. I wish to fight for the position, mainly for my parents.
The family head places a lot of importance on the game, so here I am."
Silver Blade didn't explain more, causing Silent Acacia to speak up:
"Thank you. Since I made the suggestion, I will continue.
I have always wanted to be a pro players ever since entering a game for the first time. I have worked hard and finally got a contract for the game RR two years ago.
However, despite having the reputation of a 'prodigy', my first split was unfortunately disastrous. The team ruthlessly kicked me out.
Luckily, I have Quickstep. Her following me made it somewhat bearable."
Silent Acacia almost chocked but continued as Quickstep grabbed his hand.
"Now I wish to return to proplay, winning tournaments in Fate of Crunaboul and showing my old team that they made a mistake!"
The others wore solemn faces hearing the emotions in Silent Acacia's voice. He might be the most invested among them.
Radiant Shield and Bloody Edge didn't seem surprised, obviously already knowing about the hunter's story. They looked at each other before Bloody Edge spoke up.
"Me and Radiant Shield are in college. There isn't much to say. We would like to earn money by gaming instead of working a boring office job."
Balm puffed up her chest. She took a deep breath, her voice full of conviction:
"Me and Cyclone always had a wish to found a guild and rise to the top!"
Liam looked at the young woman in surprise. Balm usually appeared rather casual, but it was obvious that she took this wish serious.
"Exactly! Everyone will look up to us!", echoed Cyclone with a grin.
The atmosphere eased up a bit while Fortune spoke with a shrug:
"I want to be a top creator. I won't deny that I enjoy the attention and the lifestyle."
"Reasonable. I need to earn some money as well and look forward to some good fights."
Almost everyone had spoken, prompting them to turn their eyes to the usually quiet Watchful Eye.
"I will follow the young lady."
Silver Blade rolled her eyes, feeling embarrassed. Luckily the others thought it was only natural.
"And I want to be powerful."
Suddenly the party members stared at Watchful Eye. It was surprising as the taciturn man showed a hint of childish longing.
But no one ridiculed him, accepting it quietly.
"Let me summarize.", said Silent Acacia with a relieved expression.
"All of us are profiting from being at the top. Be it for money or otherwise. How can we make sure to meet everyone's goals?"
"In my opinion…", said Liam. "… is Cyclone's and Balm's wish the most difficult. A successful guild needs many parts to work together seamlessly.
I suggest you two found your guild and hire us as the core team. You can pay us a salary or give out shares.
Silver Blade could become the main sponsor, but she alone probably isn't enough.
For the guild to work well and for Fortune to get good content we as the core team need to stand out, getting first clears and solving difficult quests.
Balm is interest in alchemy, right? You should work hard and advance your profession. Alchemy can earn a lot of money which we'll need for the guild. You can also hire others and make a business out of it.
However, we are still missing one important position. A manager."
"I might know someone."
Feeling all eyes turning towards him Radiant Shield mentioned a familiar name:
"Sun's Knight."