Chapter 23

???? PoV.

In front of me was a door carved in a pattern of vines and leaves, the wood forming intricate patterns that wrap around the surface.

The wood's design was rich and dark, with a deep, red hue. The carvings are elegant and precise as if the designer had taken their time to make sure that every detail in the layout had been fully realized. Though I might be wrong and it was only a premade design. Something that you can copy just about anywhere in the guild-building creator mod.

It was set on a wall covered in silk whereas the silk provides a stark compliment to the elegance and beauty of the wood itself.

I knocked as common courtesy, even though I was certain that the receiver of the polite gesture did not deserve it.

A second or so later, an alluring voice responded.

"Come on in".

I did as I was told. When I entered the ornate door, my eyes immediately surveyed the room, a hushed air of anticipation hung heavy in the dimly lit chamber.

The floor is covered in the finest woolen rugs, and the furniture in this room is made of the most luxurious materials - rich, red wood and dark, deep-hued leather.

Behind the moderately large work desk resides a comfy-looking chair where a mature-looking beauty sits. The woman is none other than the guild leader, no, former guild leader of my guild, the "Concord of Heroes".

"What do you want to talk about that can't be discussed just over the chat?" I said irritably.

"Oh come on now, don't you want to see the face of your favorite guildmate and longtime friend?" Said the fox with a teasing smile.

"I already saw Photon earlier".

She pouted at my response. "Humph! You can at least pretend to flatter me. Ladies adore flatteries you know."

"Out with it already, I don't have all day."

"Tsk. You're really no fun. Is that an attitude required to be good at this game? Almost all the skilled players I know have that no-nonsense disposition. But fine, let's get back on track. I called you here to talk about the video....you already saw it right?"

She must be talking about the short video circulating in our guild chat about the newly assigned officer who joined our guild and made Jarde quit in all but a single day. Not that I'm complaining, that guy is extremely irritating and toxic. Even if this didn't happen, it's only a matter of time before someone else puts him in his place.

"You mean the clip about the new girl?" I asked just to be sure.

"Yep yep, what are your thoughts? Think she can beat you in a duel and uncrown you as the strongest player of our guild?" She smiled mischievously.

"No, that's impossible. Even if you discount my insurmountable advantage in gears and stats, that kind of trick won't work a second time against veterans like us." I replied confidently.

It might work again for average players but it won't work for those who are truly skilled and fully prepared for it. Although I admit that it was an innovative gameplay strategy, it will still lack the surprise factor if her opponent knows what she is about to do. A true battle always starts at the preparation phase long before the combatants meet on the field. It's a shame she used it in a public duel and on an average enemy at that. It could've been a huge trump card that can change the tide of battle against other officers in the guild war placement. 

"Hehe, of course, of course. She won't stand a chance against someone who took a single match against the legendary Paragon team in the first Andartha Cup," she said in a teasing manner.

She talks as if that's the greatest achievement I've done in the game, which is kind of annoying. Even if we did take a point from them, we still lost the series 2-1 leading to our elimination. Therefore, that feat is not really something to brag about. Worse yet, I can't even get a revenge match because their ace suddenly went MIA. I know Rana is just messing with me but it always irks me a little whenever she brings it up.

"Hmph, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

"Oh wait, on another note, any notable changes in your faction?" She inquired.

The faction she is referring to is the group of players who are not satisfied with the current proceedings of the game. Most are veterans who hate that new blood is the one who gets to be the guild leader, others are people like Jarde who just want to go up the guild ladder. They swarm to me like flies since I'm the vice leader of the guild and also a veteran like most of them. I also share their sentiment on the status quo of the guild, or at least pretend to.

"You mean the faction you pushed onto me." 

She looked melancholic at my response which made me instantly regret what I said. "You know it can't be helped. People are prideful and vindictive. You can't expect them to readily accept someone as young and fairly new to the game as Liz to instantly become their leader without any pushbacks. Moreso since some of them rely on CoA for their livelihood considering how much money you can garner from it due to its overwhelming demand for materials in the online market. It takes time to adapt to changes, and it is your role to regulate their actions so that something like yesterday won't happen again."

Though I loathe to admit it, I completely agree with her. Thankfully the new leader is proving herself capable, already garnering more and more support, which will exponentially increase if she makes it through the u20 tournament qualifiers. In hindsight, Rana might have planned this from the start, what a cunning fox.

"...They were all silenced by that new member's display of skill. Although, this little squabble could all have been avoided if you just didn't step down from your position in the first place."

"Our guild won't have any future if we don't adapt to the changing tides. You very well know what happened to many of the guilds that started early and refused to give way to talented newcomers. They got outranked more and more by the newer guilds that came up and eventually became obsolete. I can't even keep up with the new blood nowadays with the ever-changing meta. Even legendary pros like Tactical gave way to the newer generation of pros. That is why we need someone like Liz who has great potential.... and is extremely charismatic too if I might add." She smiled as if remembering a joke that only she knew the punchline to.

I closed my eyes for a little bit to contemplate her remarks. Even though she's manipulative and cunning, I can't deny her love and devotion to our guild and its members. That's the main reason why I still respect her and continue to tolerate her antics.

"So you're using Elizabeth as the new face of the guild? How very like you."

"Hehe, I won't say 'using' though. It's more liiike..... grooming? Training? Readying? She's bound to become a wonderful leader someday. People are like moths, they're attracted to individuals who shine brightly like her. You know she even has plenty of followers in her streams? As I recall it's more than a thousand now and steadily increasing!" She went on like a parent bragging about their child's accomplishments.

"Yeah, yeah. Then if that is all, I shall be going now." I stood up in preparation to leave.

"Oh, wait. One last thing before you go," she said in an authoritative voice befitting a guild leader.

I have a bad feeling about this.

"I hope that you continue to keep your guys in check. Cause' if something like yesterday ever happens again.... I'll be livid." She stated as she gave me a smile that sent shivers down my spine.

She went back to writing the logistics on her desk which I assume is a cue for me to leave. I took it readily to get away from her as she was at the very top of my list of people I would never want to piss off.

I cursed the fool Jarde in my head. It's not like I can predict the actions of that retard. Good thing he is out of the guild now. Gotta thank that newcomer for making that wager. Too bad I have to keep up the act so that probably won't happen anytime soon.

As I passed the door and walked into the hallway, I saw someone leaning against the walls of our guild likely waiting for me. She was Serendipity, the second strongest person in our guild in terms of pure skill and was a veteran player who started the game at the same time as us Photon and FairyDust. She was younger than us, the same age as Liz but was just as strong as her, or maybe even stronger in terms of skill. The only thing hindering her is her lack of PvP practice and drive to improve due to her laid-back nature. She has green hair and the homely face of someone trustworthy, her yellow eyes complementing her overall looks.

"Finally done with the meeting? What did you guys talk about?" She asked cheerfully.

"None of your business," I replied curtly.

"Oh come on, don't be like that, you know I love gossip!" She pouted showing her disapproval.

"More reason not to tell you anything".

"Hmph what a meanie! Oh I know, is it about the new girl?"

I stayed silent.

"I'm right, aren't I?! Did she want you to fight the girl or something? She seemed so good! Also what a badass right? What she did back then was so cool, the way she dodged Jarde's slash like it was nothing and followed with attacks so quickly that I almost missed it completely! She got so many of our guildmates to revere her in just a single day with that play, how admirable! Do you think she has a main account? She has to have one, right? With that kind of skill! Who do you think is her main account? It's probably a veteran account right with the way she moves! I also think that..."

I mentally blocked her ramblings. She went on with her loud-mouthed nature while following me, attempting to learn more about my meeting with our former leader. I was used to her since she was my PvP and dungeon-run party mate so this was not out of the norm.

We proceeded to go to our guild raid as she pestered me about inconsequential things and rumors about the guild.