The lecture hall hummed with the low murmur of students packing up their bags, scraping chairs against the tiled floor, and exchanging bits of conversation about assignments, weekend plans, or just the usual classroom gripes. Mark let out a small sigh as he closed his notebook, stuffing it into his backpack with a practiced motion. To his side, Alex stretched, groaning as he pushed his chair back."That was brutal," Alex muttered, rubbing his temples. "Professor Grant has a talent for making an hour feel like three."Mark smirked. "At least it's over."The two stepped out into the hallway, the scent of coffee and ink mingling in the air as students streamed past them, heading toward their next classes or gathering in clusters to chat. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting a dull glow on the off-white walls. The atmosphere was the usual post-lecture blend of exhaustion and relief.Mark was already considering what to do next—maybe grabbing a quick bite at the canteen—when a voice cut through the hallway noise like a whipcrack."Hey, you two!" The voice was sharp, commanding, and laced with an unmistakable air of superiority.Sophie.She sauntered toward them, her confident smirk dripping with something between amusement and challenge. Her blonde hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and she wore a fitted black jacket over a sleek ensemble that screamed calculated dominance. Every step she took was precise, as if she was already playing a game only she knew the rules to."Come to the canteen with me," she said, not so much as a request but a decree.Mark's expression didn't waver, but inside, his pulse ticked up a notch. He knew Sophie all too well—far better than she realized. In his past life, she had been a master manipulator, weaving her web of deception so skillfully that by the time he realized he was trapped, it had been far too late. This was a woman who played for keeps, and now here she was again, acting as if the past had never happened, as if he was just another piece on her chessboard.Alex, blissfully unaware of the silent battle of wills, simply shrugged. "Uh, sure, I guess? We were thinking of heading there anyway."Sophie's smirk widened, a glint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. "Good. Because I have an offer for you."Mark said nothing, falling into step beside them as they made their way through the busy hallway. The canteen wasn't far, just past a few classrooms and a stairwell leading down to the main entrance of the building. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of fried food, coffee, and something vaguely artificial—probably whatever energy drinks students were chugging to survive the semester.Sophie led them to a table near the corner, away from the main crowd, and dropped her bag onto the chair beside her. With an air of someone unveiling an inevitable fate, she pulled out a neatly printed document and slid it across the table toward them."I'm starting a guild in Mortal Online," she announced, her voice carrying the confidence of a general recruiting for war. "It's called Dark Solution. It's going to be the top guild in the game, and I want you two in it."Alex raised an eyebrow. "Wait, Mortal Online? The new VRMMO launching next month?"Sophie nodded, leaning forward as if sharing a delicious secret. "Exactly. The competition is going to be insane, but that's why I'm forming the guild early. We need to secure top talent before the game even launches. And that's where you two come in."Mark studied her carefully, keeping his expression unreadable. "And you want us to sign this contract?"Sophie rested her chin on her hand, her smile like a blade poised at the throat. "Think of it as a formal agreement. It guarantees your membership in Dark Solution and lays out the rules. We're going to be highly organized, with structured roles, ranks, and responsibilities. If we want to dominate, we need discipline."Alex hesitated, reaching for the document but not picking it up yet. "This seems... intense for a game."Sophie scoffed, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed condescension. "This isn't just a game. It's going to be a battleground, and if you're not part of something big, you're just another nameless player getting crushed by the ones who planned ahead. You don't want to be a bottom feeder, do you?"Mark almost laughed at that. It was such a typical move from her—positioning herself at the top, making others feel like they had no choice but to follow her lead. In his past life, he had fallen for it. He had trusted her. And she had burned him for it.But not this time.Instead of answering right away, he tapped his fingers lightly against the table, watching Sophie's expression for any tells. She was confident—too confident. She thought she already had them in the palm of her hand."So what's in it for us?" Mark finally asked, tilting his head slightly. "Aside from not being 'bottom feeders.'"Sophie grinned, her teeth flashing like a predator about to pounce. "Power, influence, access to the best resources and strategies before anyone else. When Dark Solution takes over the game, you'll be at the top instead of scrambling to catch up."Mark held back a smirk. You think you're holding all the cards, don't you?He exchanged a glance with Alex. This time, things would play out very differently.
Sophie leaned back in her chair, fingers tapping lightly against the table as she observed Mark and Alex's reactions. She had played this scenario in her head countless times. She knew how to sell an idea—how to dangle a golden opportunity just out of reach, making it irresistible."The terms of the contract are simple," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "All members of Dark Solution must adhere to a hierarchy. There will be designated roles: strategists, warriors, scouts, economic managers, and guild enforcers. Everyone will have a purpose."Alex glanced at the document hesitantly. "What if someone wants to play casually?"Sophie's expression hardened slightly, but she masked it with a smile. "Casual players get swallowed up. Dark Solution is for those who want to be at the top. If you're in, you commit."Mark traced a finger over the edge of the paper, scanning the clauses. He noticed the careful phrasing—players would have limited freedom in choosing their playstyles. The guild master, Sophie, had ultimate authority over decisions. A clause regarding asset control caught his eye."This says all high-tier loot must be distributed through the leadership," he pointed out. "Does that mean we don't get to keep what we earn?"Sophie waved a hand dismissively. "It's to prevent hoarding. The best items go to those who contribute the most. It's about fairness."Mark suppressed a smirk. Fairness? More like control.Alex seemed torn, but the allure of a structured, dominant guild was tempting. "It does sound organized… but what if someone wants to leave?"Sophie's gaze flickered for the briefest moment before she answered. "Why would you want to leave the best guild in the game?"Mark didn't miss the underlying threat in her words. There was no clause about leaving—meaning Sophie controlled that, too.She leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table, her expression shifting into something more persuasive. "Look, I know how this sounds. But this isn't some random gaming group. Dark Solution is going to be a powerhouse. We're talking sponsorships, exclusive deals, and top-tier recognition in the VRMMO community. This isn't just a guild—it's a brand."Alex's eyes widened slightly. "Sponsorships?"Sophie nodded. "Of course. We'll have a presence on streaming platforms, tournaments, and in-game commerce. If we dominate the leaderboards early, companies will want to invest in us. That means money, real money. And let's be honest, isn't that better than just grinding for fun?"Mark remained silent, processing her words. This was classic Sophie—luring people in with promises of success, painting a vision of power and wealth so compelling that it was hard to resist. But what she didn't mention was the cost."And what if we don't perform well enough?" Mark asked, tilting his head slightly. "What happens to members who don't meet expectations?"Sophie's smile didn't waver, but there was an edge to it now. "Then they get reassigned to roles that suit them better. Everyone has strengths. We make sure they're used properly."Mark could almost hear the subtext. If you're not useful, you're disposable.Alex seemed impressed. "This could be big. I mean, imagine being part of something like this from the ground up."Sophie nodded, her gaze locking onto Mark. "Exactly. And that's why I need smart, capable players like you two. This isn't just an invite—it's a golden ticket."She pushed two pens toward them, her expression triumphant."Sign, and we take the first step toward something legendary."Mark stared at the contract. He could feel the weight of his past pressing against his chest. He knew what happened when people put blind faith in Sophie.She's setting the stage. But this time, I'm not playing by her rules.Instead of reaching for the pen, he leaned back, giving her a small, knowing smile. "Let's say we do sign. What's stopping you from screwing us over later?"Sophie's smirk faltered for the briefest second before she recovered. "Why would I do that to my own team?"Mark just kept smiling. Why indeed, Sophie?
Sophie's fingers stopped tapping, her nails now resting silently on the table. The room felt heavier, the air thick with unspoken tension. She studied Mark, her sharp eyes narrowing ever so slightly. She had expected resistance from him—he was always the cautious one, the one who questioned everything. But this time, there was something different in his tone, something she couldn't quite place. It wasn't just skepticism; it was defiance."Mark," she began, her voice still smooth but with a hint of steel beneath it, "you've always been the thinker. That's why I want you in Dark Solution. But overthinking can be a liability. Sometimes, you just have to take the leap."Mark's smile didn't waver. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, mirroring her posture. "And sometimes, Sophie, the leap lands you in a pit. I've seen how you operate. You're brilliant at painting a picture, but you're even better at erasing the fine print."Alex shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing between the two. He had always admired Sophie's ambition, her ability to turn dreams into reality. But Mark's words stirred something in him—a flicker of doubt. He looked down at the contract again, his eyes lingering on the clause about asset control. "Mark's got a point," he said hesitantly. "What if we're not happy with how things are run? What if we want out?"Sophie's gaze flicked to Alex, her expression softening just enough to seem reassuring. "Alex, I'm not here to trap anyone. This is about building something incredible together. If someone wants to leave, we'll handle it professionally. But why focus on the exit when we're just starting the journey?"Mark let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Because the journey you're selling doesn't have an exit, Sophie. You're not building a guild—you're building a machine. And in machines, parts that don't work get replaced."Sophie's jaw tightened, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "You're being dramatic, Mark. This is a game, not some dystopian empire. We're here to have fun, to dominate, to make a name for ourselves. If that's not what you want, then maybe Dark Solution isn't for you."Mark leaned back again, his arms crossed. "Oh, I want to dominate. But not as a cog in your machine. I've seen how you treat people when they're no longer useful. Remember what happened to Liam?"The name hung in the air like a storm cloud. Sophie's composure cracked for a fraction of a second, her eyes flashing with something—anger, guilt, maybe both. Liam had been one of her earliest recruits, a talented player who had helped her build her first guild. But when he started questioning her decisions, she had sidelined him, stripping him of his role and eventually pushing him out. Mark had watched it happen, and he hadn't forgotten."Liam made his choices," Sophie said coldly. "He didn't understand the bigger picture.""And what's the bigger picture here?" Mark shot back. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're building a kingdom where you're the only one who gets to wear the crown."Alex's eyes widened. He had never seen Mark challenge Sophie like this. It was unsettling, but also... refreshing. For the first time, he felt like someone was asking the questions he was too afraid to voice.Sophie took a deep breath, her calm demeanor returning. "Mark, you're overcomplicating this. Dark Solution is about teamwork, about each of us playing to our strengths. Yes, I'll be the guild master, but that's because someone has to lead. And I'm good at it. You know that."Mark nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "You are good at it. But leadership isn't just about being good—it's about trust. And right now, I don't trust you."The room fell silent. Sophie's fingers twitched, as if she were resisting the urge to clench them into fists. She had expected pushback, but not this level of defiance. Mark was unraveling her carefully constructed pitch, and she couldn't afford to lose control."Fine," she said finally, her voice clipped. "If you don't trust me, then walk away. But don't come crawling back when Dark Solution is at the top, and you're still grinding in the shadows."Mark stood, his chair scraping against the floor. "I'll take my chances." He turned to Alex, who was still seated, his face a mask of uncertainty. "Alex, you don't have to sign anything you're not comfortable with. Think about what you're really getting into."Alex hesitated, his eyes darting between Mark and Sophie. He wanted the success, the recognition, but Mark's words had planted a seed of doubt. "I... I need some time to think about it," he said quietly.Sophie's smile returned, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Take all the time you need, Alex. But remember, opportunities like this don't come around often."Mark gave Alex a nod before turning to leave. As he reached the door, he paused and looked back at Sophie. "One last thing," he said. "You might be good at selling dreams, but dreams have a way of turning into nightmares when you're not careful."Sophie didn't respond, her expression unreadable. As the door closed behind Mark, she leaned back in her chair, her fingers resuming their rhythmic tapping against the table. The game had changed, and she would need to adapt. But one thing was certain—she wasn't about to let Mark, or anyone else, stand in her way.Alex sat in silence, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He looked at the contract, then at Sophie, who was now staring out the window, her mind clearly elsewhere. For the first time, he wondered if the golden opportunity she was offering was worth the price.And for the first time, he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out.
Note : what will alex do for first time mark is thinking is alex good friend or not he told him not sign contract but alex hesitated so alex will leave him when he was in struggle so mark stopped giving advice to him is it cold hearted descision no it must require to build our life in competitive world.i know many don't like mark descision but he had 15 experience so he can judge alex is variable who can betray so it is a small test for him from mark if he followed Mark then he will save with without hesitation but if betrayed mark and signed contract there no need to help him