Chapter 10: The Conquerors' Guild
The Wildlands were alive. The cries of beasts, the whisper of the wind, and the tension in the air gave the land its own pulse—a living, breathing thing.
Wolfgang marched through the forest, his expression cold as he traced a beaten dirt path leading toward the source of the smoke he'd seen curling above the trees. Whatever lay ahead was civilization, or something close to it.
His earlier battle with the basilisk and mercenaries still echoed in his mind. He had grown stronger, faster—but it wasn't enough. Not yet.
[System Notice: New Objective]
Quest: Investigate the Conquerors' Guild.
Objective: Reach the guild outpost and gather information about the Wildlands' power structure.
Reward: Access to Wildlands Guild Network.
Wolfgang's lips curved faintly. The system knows where to point me now.
The Outpost
The treeline thinned, and Wolfgang emerged into a clearing. Before him loomed a massive wooden outpost surrounded by spiked barricades and reinforced watchtowers. Guards clad in mismatched armor patrolled the perimeter, their weapons gleaming under the sun.
Above the main gate, a banner flapped violently in the wind—a crimson insignia of two swords crossing a shattered crown.
The Guilds of Conquerors.
Wolfgang's eyes narrowed as he approached. Two guards at the gate stepped forward, blocking his path with their spears.
"Halt. State your purpose," one barked, his voice rough.
Wolfgang tilted his head slightly, unbothered by the hostility. "Information."
The guards exchanged a glance before one of them sneered. "The Wildlands are no place for wanderers. You're either with a guild or you're prey."
Wolfgang's gaze sharpened. "Open the gate."
Something in his tone—a calm menace—made the guards hesitate. Before they could respond, a voice called from above.
"Let him in."
Wolfgang looked up to see a figure standing atop the gatehouse. A man clad in black leather armor, tall and wiry, with a scar that ran from his temple to his jaw. His gaze met Wolfgang's with unsettling intensity.
The guards moved aside, opening the gate with a creak.
The Guild Hall
Inside, the outpost was alive with activity. Mercenaries sharpened blades, repaired armor, or lounged around roaring campfires. Barrels of weapons lined the walkways, and traders hawked exotic beast parts—fangs, scales, and glowing crystals—like trophies.
At the heart of the outpost stood the Guild Hall, a colossal structure built of dark timber and reinforced stone. Its walls were plastered with bounty notices and beast classifications, rewards scrawled in bold ink.
Wolfgang entered, his footsteps echoing across the wooden floors. The hall's occupants—hardened hunters and mercenaries—fell silent, their gazes turning toward the newcomer. Whispers followed him like shadows.
"Who's that?"
"He doesn't look like a guild member."
"Look at his dagger. That's no ordinary weapon."
Wolfgang ignored them, his eyes locked on a figure seated at the far end of the hall. The man from the gatehouse. He lounged on a throne-like chair, legs crossed, a goblet of wine in his hand.
"You've got guts, walking in here alone," the man said, his voice dripping with amusement. "I'm Roderic, leader of this outpost. And you are…?"
Wolfgang stopped a few paces away. "Wolfgang Mozart."
The name drew a ripple through the room—part confusion, part curiosity.
Roderic's scarred lips curved into a smirk. "A newcomer, then. The Wildlands swallow weaklings whole, Mozart. What makes you think you'll survive?"
Wolfgang met Roderic's gaze unflinchingly. "Because I'm stronger than the weak and smarter than the strong."
The hall fell silent. Then Roderic laughed—a low, rumbling sound. "Cocky. I like that."
He leaned forward, his smirk turning calculating. "Here's the deal, Mozart. The Wildlands are ruled by guilds like mine—the Conquerors. We take contracts, hunt beasts, and control territory. If you're here, you've got two choices: Join us, or prove you're worth our time."
Wolfgang's eyes narrowed. "Prove myself?"
Roderic's grin widened as he gestured toward a massive bounty board on the wall. Most of the notices listed beasts—crimson direwolves, basilisks—but one stood out, marked with a gold seal.
[Bounty: Nightmaw Alpha]
• Level: 16
• Location: Twilight Ravine
• Reward: Guild Entry + 300 Gold
"Kill the Nightmaw Alpha, and you'll earn your place among the Conquerors," Roderic said, his voice laced with challenge. "Fail, and you're no different from the corpses we bury in the woods."
Wolfgang's grip tightened around Shadowfang, his cold smile returning.
"Then I'll see you when it's dead."
The Twilight Ravine
The path to Twilight Ravine was long and treacherous. The sun had dipped low by the time Wolfgang reached its edge, the ravine a jagged scar in the earth, shrouded in mist. The faint howls of wolves echoed through the gorge, each cry a challenge.
The system chimed softly.
[Quest Accepted: Prove Your Worth]
• Objective: Kill the Nightmaw Alpha.
• Reward: Guild Entry + 300 Gold.
• Penalty: None.
Wolfgang descended into the ravine, his movements silent as shadows. The air was colder here, heavy with the scent of blood and decay. He crouched low, his keen eyes catching the faint traces of claw marks on the stone.
It's hunting me, too.
A growl rumbled from the darkness. Wolfgang turned slowly as the Alpha emerged from the mist.
The Nightmaw Alpha was a monstrous wolf, its black fur matted with blood and its eyes glowing an eerie yellow. It was larger than the Crimson Direwolf, with fangs like daggers and claws that scraped the stone as it advanced.
[Nightmaw Alpha]
Level: 16
Danger: High
Wolfgang's heart quickened, but his smile remained cold.
"Let's end this."
The Alpha lunged, its speed unreal. Wolfgang activated Shadow Step, disappearing as the beast crashed into the ground where he'd been. He reappeared at its flank, slashing with Shadowfang. The blade bit deep, black ichor spraying across the stone.
The Alpha roared, spinning with a swipe of its claws. Wolfgang dodged, but the edge of its strike caught him, sending him skidding back.
[Health: 130/160]
Wolfgang steadied himself, his mind sharp. Its movements are faster, but predictable.
He activated Shadow Infusion, his dagger crackling with energy as he closed the distance again. The Alpha lunged, and Wolfgang baited it—dodging to the side and driving Shadowfang into its exposed throat.
The beast howled, blood spraying as Wolfgang twisted the blade.
[Critical Hit!]
[Nightmaw Alpha Health: -40%]
The Alpha stumbled, its roar turning into a growl of rage. It gathered itself for a final charge, its eyes glowing brighter as its muscles coiled.
Wolfgang activated Shadow Flare, unleashing an explosion of dark energy that staggered the Alpha mid-lunge. Before it could recover, Wolfgang appeared above it, Shadowfang raised high.
"Executioner's Strike!"
He plunged the blade into the Alpha's skull, the impact shaking the ground. The beast let out one final, strangled growl before collapsing.
[Nightmaw Alpha Defeated.]
[Quest Complete: Prove Your Worth.]
[Level Up: 18]
Reward: Guild Entry + 300 Gold Acquired.
Wolfgang pulled Shadowfang free, blood dripping as he stood over the corpse. His smile was razor-sharp.
"Now you'll know I'm worth it."
End of Chapter 10