Kapitel 389: Eternal Candle’s Request
The fight between Akiol and Dot rapidly spread across the Forums. A clip made by an individual named "Star Seeker" posted his livestream of the event.
It was clearly shocking to everyone. Mainly for two reasons. First, the ever powerful Dot who conquered even the Guilds was defeated by a single person. Second, the Sword Saint reappeared after months of silence. Defeating Dot as a returning achievement spurred the bored fans.
The developers piggybacked off the hype to further promote the game. Releasing their own—and much better—footage of the fight. Soon enough Six Lights' popularity skyrocketed once more. It was incredible that people with no previously known background could become so incredible.
There was however some backlash, shouldn't the event be over already? After all Dot had died! This was drowned out quickly, but regardless the developers stated it was a matter of conflicting quests. Akiol could not actually participate for the event and claim the rewards.
Six Lights became the talk of the playerbase. And would be so for quite some time. . .
~ ~ ~
Akiol raised an eyebrow, "You don't need to tell me anything."
Candy shook her head, "You single handedly saved us from more harm. Besides, Father insisted on meeting you."
"Then I won't decline."
Candy tossed Akiol a teleport scroll, "Use this please."
Hank, who was standing behind her bowed slightly, "Thank you."
Tossing a wink towards the two Akiol used the teleport scroll. He soon found his surroundings to be a well lit room. The walls were almost completely white, as if made of marble.
"The Sword Saint! A pleasure to meet you!"
"Ah, I don't really like that nickname. Call me Akiol."
"Akiol it is then, I am glad you accepted my request to meet."
"Well you were insistent upon it according to your daughter. I felt it would be rude to decline."
"Haha! She told you about that eh? No problem. My name is Terwin, founder of a small organization we decided to call Eternal Candle."
"Menacing, I would return the introduction but I'm afraid you already know who I am."
"I would be hard pressed to not know who you are. You have my utmost thanks. I didn't believe there was people more capable than Hank."
"Don't sell that guy too short. I've never come across anybody with as frightening of a stealth ability as his."
"I'm sure he will be pleased to hear that. I figured since you not only saved my daughter, but also reduced damage to my organization, you had the right to know about it."
Akiol could sense a different intention, "Trying to form a connection between me and your organization?"
"Hmm?"
"Let's not use such methods. I find the best method to be straightforward."
Terwin chuckled, "You'd have to forgive me, it's been a while since I had to use such. . . honest methods."
"So what is the real reason you called upon me?"
"I wish to form a connection between us. More specifically between Eternal Candle and Six Lights. Individuals of your caliber are few and far between. Naturally I am aware that the price of this would be. . . astronomical."
Akiol shrugged, "You might find it to be hard to find a right price."
"I assure you our pockets are deep."
"I say that because we do not lack anything. Our funds are handled, we have a wonderful set of equipment. What else could you pay us with?"
"While we could use such superfluous things, I suggest something a little more consistent."
"Oh?"
"We're planning to have our influence spread across the whole continent. Already our members have infiltrated within high ranks among Cities and Kingdoms. We plan to establish a high ranking Guild to recruit Players as well. With this level of influence, any amount of information you lack can easily be obtained."
"So in exchange for information what would you want from us?"
"Insurance in a way. We understand that NPCs aren't always easily defeated. After all there's a reason why the Stage levels exist. However when against certain things we cannot handle, we hope you can provide your assistance."
"I'd doubt there isn't much you couldn't handle. Especially with that assassin."
"You would think that. Be more honest was it?"
"Straightforward.", Akiol corrected.
"Hm, I believe you have established a message with Hank?"
"Yes."
"One moment."
Three seconds passed and Akiol received a message. Upon investigating the source he raised an eyebrow, "You can't handle something like this?"
"While we possess several high skilled combatants, none reach Hank's level. Not even close. Something like this—as you put it—wouldn't be so much of an issue. However Hank is only one man, there's only so much he can do."
"I'm familiar there are classes and abilities in this game that can let you gain an edge over pure fighting ability. You can't say you lack that as well.", Akiol continued to pry for the reason.
"Of course not, but you do understand what I have sent you right?"
"A hundred man raid dungeon."
"A hundred people, you have seen what the normal team dungeons are capable of right?"
Akiol's mind flashed to the few dungeons he did. The waves of monsters certainly weren't small. Ordinary players would most likely need a few attempts to properly clear.
Terwin seemed to gain a bit of insight, "The hundred man raids have increased the enemies several fold. These aren't a problem with our resources, but the bosses. . ."
"You're too tired to fight them properly. By the sounds of it there's multiple as well?"
"We estimate three. We have had our best combatants save their energy, but they are crucial in our strategy to get to the bosses first."
Akiol's mind quickly raced. There was something else to this whole situation. If they lacked power then all they would need is time in order to eventually clear it.
Clear the dungeon, time, hundred man. . .
A flash of thought entered his head, "You're in a race against time."
"What do you mean?"
"A hundred raid dungeon, one hasn't been completed yet. By beating it first you will get a server wide announcement boasting your success. With that you plan to advertise your Guild. The top ten Guilds recently have been suffering several drops in popularity. This whole situation is to gain an edge and skyrocket your position."
"You have good insight Akiol, you are mostly correct. There are two things you missed. First, the race against time has begun long ago. Raven Thread had found the dungeon too. It's been a competition to clear it."
"Then the attacks and drama was to slow them?"
"Correct. Secondly, our advertising isn't as simple as an announcement."
Terwin pointed towards Akiol, "If we have the ever popular Six Lights assisting us then conversation would spark further. This time with our name added to the mix."
Suddenly Akiol had a lot more bargaining power. Considering the underlying proposal he quickly spoke, "Then in exchange for our assistance you will provide us with—let's say the connections?"
"You will have access to quite a large information network yes. If you wish to look for a specific item, we can find it. If you need to know about a specific thing, we can find it."
"What if we plan to use it fully? Really abuse the connection's power?"
"The requests of six individuals will not damper with something at our level."
"You've come prepared."
"Negotiations are my specialty."
"Then I suppose you wouldn't mind me bargaining for a little more?"
"Ask away."
"I want eight spots, not six. I have two others I want to have gain experience."
"I'm sure you yourself is worth more than ten slots, we can do eight slots in total."
"Also, dungeon drops. How are we solving that?"
"We will allow you first pick."
"So we get one item?"
"Three, each boss drops quite a bit. However we've only gotten past the first."
"So three items of our choosing, one from each boss. Plus whatever the bonus would be after the dungeon is cleared."
"Correct."
"What's the plan for the raid?"
"We will be handling most of the fights. We need you only to assist with the bosses."
"We will handle the bosses, I don't want anyone interfering."
Terwin finally showed a bit of surprise, "Confidence?"
"No, necessity. At our level having to consider the movements of five others is already mentally taxing. If we have to keep in mind more people—who we don't know—it will only hinder us."
"So, besides the access to our information network and first pick with the boss drops, you want monopoly over the boss battles?"
"Yes."
Terwin scratched his chin, "Very well, this is under what I expected to pay."
"Like I said, we don't really want much."
"Very well! Please inform one of my subordinates of your forum information, my daughter informed me you don't have access to the in-game messages."
"What for?"
"We will be sending you the information we know so far of the boss, along with the planned times. If you have any questions ask them."
"Anything else?"
"Besides my utmost thanks, nothing."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein