Chapter 22: The Dawn of Guilds
The announcement came without warning, disrupting the serene atmosphere of the virtual world. As Liam was finalizing preparations for his journey to Duskholm, a global system notification blared across every player's interface.
[System Notification: Guild Creation Now Unlocked!]
• Players may now create and manage their own guilds.
• Guilds can form alliances, declare wars, and control territories.
• A minimum of 10 members is required to establish a guild.
• Guild Halls can be purchased and upgraded in major cities.
• Guild Rankings will be tracked globally, based on contributions, achievements, and influence.
The virtual sky of Ironshade shimmered as banners representing newly forming guilds began appearing above players' heads. The world of Eternal Dominion was changing rapidly, and Liam knew this development was monumental.
But that wasn't all. Moments later, a second notification hit the player base like a thunderclap.
[System Notification: Real-World Currency Exchange is Now Open!]
• Game currency can now be exchanged for real-world money and vice versa.
• Conversion Rate: 1 Bronze = $1 USD
• Taxes and fees apply to all transactions.
• Exchange is limited by daily caps based on player level.
The implications were staggering. For the first time, players could directly profit from their in-game efforts. Governments, corporations, and syndicates worldwide took immediate notice, and it wasn't long before the impact was felt across the game.
Chaos in the Markets
Liam made his way to the Marketplace, now overrun with frantic activity. Prices for even basic items skyrocketed as players scrambled to gather resources and gear for their newly formed guilds. High-level players began auctioning rare items for exorbitant sums, and low-level players rushed to grind currency to take advantage of the exchange system.
The once-bustling, organized market had devolved into chaos. Shouts of traders and players echoed across the plaza.
"Potions for sale! Only 5 Bronze each!"
"Recruiting for the Shadowfang Guild—no level requirement!"
"Selling epic-ranked weapons! Bids start at 2 Gold!"
Liam activated Primordial Insight, his EX-ranked skill that granted him advanced market analysis. His interface lit up with a flurry of information: demand spikes, price trends, and potential profit margins.
"This is madness," Liam muttered as he scanned the listings. The price for even basic healing potions had tripled since the announcement. Equipment and crafting materials were now almost out of reach for lower-level players.
[Market Analysis Complete!]
• Healing Potion: Average Price: 7 Bronze (Previously 3 Bronze)
• Stamina Potion: Average Price: 9 Bronze (Previously 4 Bronze)
• Rare Crafting Materials: Average Price: 2 Silver
Liam sighed. "I need to move quickly before the inflation gets worse."
The Power Players Enter the Game
Outside the game, governments, tycoons, and criminal syndicates were scrambling to gain a foothold in this newly opened economy. News outlets around the world reported on the phenomenon, with analysts predicting that Eternal Dominion would become a cornerstone of the global financial system.
In-game, their influence began to manifest immediately. Elite players suddenly formed guilds bearing the names of real-world corporations or syndicates, backed by vast amounts of real-world money. These guilds didn't start small—they were purchasing Guild Halls in major cities and recruiting players en masse, offering them lucrative salaries in exchange for loyalty.
A global Guild Ranking Leaderboard appeared in the system interface:
[Global Guild Rankings – Top 5]
1. TitanCorp Vanguard
• Backed by the multinational corporation TitanCorp.
• Members: 2,500
• Headquarters: Avalon City
2. Obsidian Syndicate
• A front for an underground network of investors.
• Members: 1,800
• Headquarters: Duskholm
3. Silver Crown Alliance
• Sponsored by royal families from the Middle East.
• Members: 1,500
• Headquarters: Eryndor
4. Ethereal Veil
• A private guild founded by tech magnate Victor Lang.
• Members: 1,200
• Headquarters: Ironshade
5. Crimson Legion
• Backed by Eastern European oligarchs.
• Members: 1,000
• Headquarters: Valtaris
Liam observed the leaderboard with a sinking feeling. He was a solo player with no backing or allies. Competing with guilds funded by billions of dollars felt impossible.
"These guilds will dominate everything," Liam thought. "But that doesn't mean I can't carve out my own path."
A Hidden Opportunity
As he walked through the city, Liam noticed smaller groups of players banding together to create independent guilds. Unlike the corporate-backed giants, these guilds were more modest, but their enthusiasm was palpable.
"Hey, are you looking for a guild?" one player asked, noticing Liam's unmarked status. "We're forming the Ironshade Rangers. No level requirement. Everyone's welcome!"
Liam shook his head politely. "Thanks, but I'm not ready to join a guild."
He knew better than to rush into an alliance. For now, his priority was strengthening himself and uncovering the relic's secrets. Still, the idea of creating his own guild lingered in the back of his mind.
[System Notification: Guild Creation Requirements]
• Minimum Members: 10
• Guild Creation Fee: 1 Gold
• Guild Hall: Purchase Required (Prices start at 10 Gold)
The costs were steep, but Liam's hidden class and EX-ranked skills gave him an advantage. With his x1000 drop rate multiplier, he could farm gold faster than most players.
A Meeting with a Merchant
As Liam contemplated his next move, he was approached by an NPC merchant named Zylar, a shrewd-looking man with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
"You look like someone with ambition," Zylar said, his voice low and conspiratorial.
Liam raised an eyebrow. "And you look like someone who's about to sell me something."
Zylar chuckled. "Smart lad. I deal in opportunities, not just goods. Word around the market is you've been making waves. If you're looking to start a guild—or make some real money—I can help."
"What kind of help?" Liam asked, crossing his arms.
"Information," Zylar replied. "I know where you can find rare treasures, lucrative quests, and… connections. All for the right price, of course."
[Side Quest Unlocked: Merchant's Secrets]
• Objective: Pay Zylar 5 Silver for valuable information.
• Reward: Access to rare opportunities.
Liam hesitated. Five silver was a significant investment, but the potential rewards were tempting. After a moment's thought, he handed over the coins.
Zylar's grin widened as he pocketed the money. "Smart choice. Here's a tip to get you started: there's a hidden dungeon north of Ironshade—forgotten by most players. Its name is The Crypt of Kings, and it holds treasures that could fund your ambitions."
Before Liam could ask for more details, Zylar vanished into the crowd, leaving him with more questions than answers.
A New Goal
Liam opened his map, marking the location Zylar had mentioned. If the Crypt of Kings held the wealth and resources he needed, it could be the key to building something meaningful in this cutthroat new world.
As he prepared to leave Ironshade, a thought struck him: the world was changing fast, and those who adapted quickly would thrive. The guild system, the currency exchange, the growing influence of real-world powers—it was all part of a larger game.
But Liam wasn't just another player. He was the Primordial Sovereign, and he intended to shape this world on his own terms.