Chương 63: The Three Great Guilds (II)

Snow remembered the time when she started the food stall, the long lines, and the hot meals that she served. At that time, she did it because Mr. Jay had asked her too, but now this was a necessity that could help up their chance of blowing through the dungeon.

Whatever edges that she could do to assist, she was going to do it.

"Now, is this enough to start the vow?" Snow asked. She needed to know who was in or out. There was no in-between as she needed a full effort of the others working with her.

"Yes." Rodney was the first to speak up. From there, the other two alliance leaders followed. His presence was a great help to push the other guild to assist.

Snow turned towards Rodney as she was glad that he was the first to speak up to state his mind. As the number one guild, his presence would affect many other guilds that were present.

"Do you, Rodney Sillia, agree with working with me, Snow Kana for the duration until this dungeon breaks with the witness of the God of Light and Darkness as your witness? In exchange, you will be awarded one ring of power and a 10% discount to all future exchanges with the Field Operation of the Dragon Express. For if one breaks their word, an equivalent force of retribution will be paid in three times by the will of the Gods; until then, it shall not be broken."

A hum of magic started to form around Snow. She could feel it licking against her body, coursing through her veins. Both the God of Light and Darkness was hoovering from above, watching them. Excitement coarse through her mostly because their powers meant that they approved of this trade and where it would lead. Especially the God of Darkness at the agreement of the retribution that it would bring.

The others took a few steps back; a gasp escaped their lips.

Rodney stood up straight as he realized that the Gods were watching. "Yes. Rodney Sylvester agrees."

A sparkle of dark and light holy magic drummed around them, lifting the air with an excited clamor. Swirls of magic started to appear in front of them as it changed into transparent chains. With a crackle, the chains shot out to each other's wrist, wrapping it around it like a collar.

Snow felt a tight squeeze, telling her that the binding was set. She felt the electrifying current as it shook her very soul, and she knew that this was a serious binding, and she was going to go through three more.

The chains disappeared, leaving behind a fantastic look on Rodney and the others, for this was their first time seeing a contract taking place.

"Well, who's next?" Snow knew she couldn't let them breathe or doubt for a human nature was to change if they didn't see any value in it.

One-by-one, the guild leaders stepped up to take the vow. Even Mike, who at first told her that it wasn't needed at first, decided against it and went into a pledge, connecting all four alliances to her.

Already, she was feeling tired from the contracts between four people. It was as if she was shaking around while running a long marathon. She wanted to sit down, but so far, there were no chairs to rest. Her face was a bit pale, and her hands were clammy, even still she stood standing.

Handing each one their ring, the guild leaders started to talk.

"The rest of my alliance will be coming in tomorrow." Mike replied, looking at his ring with great pleasure, "I left them behind to recruit and bring with them more supplies, but with the amount of people, I'll have a good twenty strong. The best of the best." He spoke with pride.

"Only twenty?" Gilbert asked, a bit surprised by the low number. "I guess it's because it's just starting, but your team Gold Phoenix did accomplish some admirable feat. Two out of the six bosses were killed by your team, and you guys even joined the first guardian boss fight with the Dullahan, opening the gates to the dungeon."

"It wasn't much." Mike rebutted with a response, "your alliance is known for your quality materials and weapons building. Without you guys, I wouldn't have the armor I have today." He smiled back, complementing one another as if they were sizing each other up.

Snow gaped at the two, realizing where he had gotten that flamboyant armor now. It was because of the Red Velvet guild. She wondered what was wrong with these players' tastes because every single one of them did have some weird fashion statement. Not a single one of them was normal as the Hunters even started to pick up on the fashion and wear similar armor alongside them.

They weren't the best of the best, yet, but they had quite a bit of famous blacksmith and artisans that could create many beautiful artifacts and weapons.

"My alliance will assist in armor and weapon production," said Gilbert, he spoke with anticipation of the amount of profit that would come. "We will at least have seven hundred of my alliance here in the next few days."

"I'll bring all my alliance as well. That should be around a thousand." Rodney stated. "I already have a group of my alliance scouts out around the area to see if we could set up extra defense measures. By the end of the day, we should have some answers." "

Snow was amazed at the amount of people in his alliance. The alliance quickly grew in the past six months since the appearance of the Players. The potential these people had was extraordinary, and she knew it was right to ask for their help.

Audrey grunted, "I'll have seven hundred players two all coming as well. We can deliver anything quickly inside and outside the dungeon, but for sure, we are more of a hunting party and will assist in the scouting and defending of this fort." He replied as he didn't want to be left behind by the others.

"Thanks." Snow unconsciously yawned. "Sorry about that, the contracts took a bit out of me than I thought." It was true; her eyes were becoming droopy. If she didn't know any better, she would fall asleep standing up.

The others could see how tired she was as they nodded in understanding. Just when Snow was about to go to her tent to take a quick nap, she felt a sharp pain to her guts. Instantly, she remembered this pain as she crouched over, for it felt as if she was gutted by a sword.

"Snow?!" Dairen called out, rushing over towards her. "What's wrong?" Confusion riddled his face as the other thought she was wounded.

"Someone died." Snow groaned, realizing another death took place. This time the pain was a lot worse than the one back at the lower flower. A wave of vision hit her as her eyes glazed over.

She felt as if she was there, seeing through the eyes of the slain. Levian raised his ceremonial dagger, laughing at the joy of his bloodshed. Snow heard a high pitch scream. The dagger slashed down again in a rapid succession, enjoying the thrill of the kill as Levian watched the sacrifice die.

Just as the vision came, it faded away, leaving Snow with an ugly headache.

"Who?"

"A woman." Snow coughed, holding her hand on her head. "It's the murder; he's here in this dungeon."

"Who?" Dairen helped her up.

"Levian. That sick bastard was enjoying the killing." Snow felt a burning desire to slay the man who killed an innocent, but she quickly quelled her thoughts. The others could feel her dense, killing aura, and wearily looked at her.

"We'll get him," Dairen assured her. "We won't let that guy escape." He squeezed her hand.

Just when Snow was finally able to regain her balance, the ground rumbled in anger.

Snow squatted low, looking around fully awake, wondering what was going on. She waited, fear lacing her heart. Wondering if the monsters had come to raid their fortress in the thousands because never did the fort ever shake so hard, until now.

Slowly, the ground quieted.

Looking around, she tried to find the source, but so far nothing. Quickly, Snow rushed up towards the wall. The others followed behind her, trying to find the cause.

Just as she was about to arrive upon the final stairs, the ground and wall shook violently again.

Her hands flailed around to adjust to her from the tremor. The walls groaned in disgruntled voices, grinding against each other, ready to crack if a harsher movement was caused. A loud sound of thundering earthquake could be heard not too far off in the distance as voices cried out in panic.

Eventually, the ground stopped shaking, leaving everyone confused.

Snow pulled herself up, trying to figure out what was going on. She jogged over to the wall and stopped as her jaw dropped. The whole terrain had changed.

No more was the wide-open field that they were hoping for, but instead, what welcomed them was a large pit like canyon dipping deep into the abyss. There was only a large patch of land the size of three football fields distance, and then it abruptly stopped at the ledge.

A fog slunk in, littering the ground with white and grey cotton candy-like clouds.

Suddenly, a loud popping and bubbling sound could be heard. Blackwater started to pour from the other side, dumping itself into the very crevices that it had formed.

Everyone watched, dumbfounded at the scene before them as they realized that the dungeon was changing. They had never seen this happen before.

Slowly, but surely, the black water started to rise. At first, Snow worried that the black water would overfill, but instead, it stopped just enough for it to cap at the edge. That was not all; they saw shadows fumbling through the fog as it slithered its way into the water. Whatever it was, it was coming for them.