11 Chapter 11: Lengths and Bounds (2/2)

”Yes, we do know how things are.” Replied Keira in irritation as she pushed open the Guild Hall doors and ushered the rest of the group in. ”Now, be quiet and behave Kevin. Don't talk out of turn on matters that aren't your place to discuss.”

Luca was thankful for an end to the conservation and followed behind Dominic as the Gemini twins entered first, followed by Kevin in the rear as they entered the rough-looking wooden palisade. The wood of the building appeared grey, warping slightly due to the sun, and from inside now that he was closer, he could hear loud, boisterous laughing and aggressive yelling. I guess this is it then, can't back out now.” He thought to himself as he entered the building.

From the entrance, Luca saw that the main floor doubled as the recreational center of both the Legends and Chaos guilds. Long tables divided the room as seated patrons, drank deeply from frothing mugs of beer imported from the surface, or in an apparent parody of well-known brands. Trails of smoke wafted up from glowing embers around the billiards tables in the back.

Yet, for all the evidence of a lively social gathering, Luca was only met with silence. Every person in the room had stopped doing what they were doing. Whatever partying, camaraderie, and revelry had been going on instantly stopped. Replaced by openly hostile looks directed his way as the entire room filled with guild members from each of the guilds edged their hands towards weapons, ready to attack him at a moment's notice. Luca's blackened wings stirring all of them into action before being waved off by the guild leaders.

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.

”As you can see.” Commented Dominic dryly as he passed through the doorway onto the guild floor, ”Our guilds take security seriously and the presence of strangers.”

Luca tried to pass through the same doorway but found his wings didn't quite fit. Eventually having to duck under the doorway to keep up with the group. Awkwardly trying to maneuver his wings, that even when folded up against his back had proved to be somewhat of a problem. His struggle elicited a round of ill-meaning laughs from everyone. His embarrassment breaking the tension aimed at him, even as undercurrents of hostility could be felt, and suspicion of him clearly remained.

”Easy there, Luca.” Said Dominic with a laugh as he turned to help Luca get through the doorway before looking towards the joint membership of the guilds with the look of authority, signaling the lot of them to quiet down. ”Everyone, this here is Luca. He's going to be joining our little family. If you get the chance to make sure to go ahead and introduce yourselves sooner rather than later. We want him to feel at home in our guild family. He's a prospect, and we are very interested in him.”

Towards the back of the room by the stairs leading up to the guild offices, a big man with a bushy trimmed bear wearing riot gear sat his beer down and shouted through his hands. ”Hey, newbie. Chaos blows. Go big with Legends. I'll take you out and power level you to ten if you join us in Legends. You can even be in my squad. I'm John the Younger.”

A series of ”Ooooohs.” and ”Boos” were shouted across the room. Dominic and the other guild heads rolled their eyes as all manner of formality broke down. To Luca, the whole affair seemed surreal but had normalcy to it that he craved. They've already convinced me. Admitted Luca to himself. I want this.

A thin-looking woman in a plain-looking black jumpsuit that was tight on her body, hiding her features beneath protective armor, raised her head up from the table and spoke. ”If you think you can keep up with Chaos, you can join my team. I'll do more than power level you to ten; I'll teach you how to use weapons, not just one of them, but most of them.”

With a big grin on his face, John challenged the offer. ”That's not a bad deal, kid, but I'll sweeten the deal if you join my team. I don't care about which guild you belong to. I'll teach you a class. I'll teach you all the ways I know to be a tank and how to keep your teammates alive. Usually, I charge big money for that. Its how I pay my drinking tab, and I'm offering it to you for free.”

As Luca considered the choices, Dominic held up his hands to silence the group. ”He'll have plenty of time to make up his mind. But for now, our leaders need to have a private chat with him, so make sure you brush up on your pitches in the meantime. I'm 100% positive. He's gonna be one of our heavy hitters. We've landed a Marlin.”

I think I already know what my answer is going to be team-wise, thought Luca. ”Can either of you teach me how to use a spear to fight?” Asked Luca as he humored a fantasy of himself in dragon armor, the long spear in hand facing off against a horde of monsters, preparing to split the very earth in combat. Luca looked at each of the two team leaders longingly. The entire room erupted in laughter.

”Typical rookie power fantasy. We're Americans, well most of us, and none of us know how to use a spear. This ain't a video game kid. Besides, all those types died in the first wave.” Laughed John in good humor.

”Are you done?” Interrupted the Gemini twins in unison as they walked through the room, pushing passed Dominic and Luca. Both of them heading towards the stairway n the back that led up to the guild officers quarters. The room quieted before them as guild members whispered amongst themselves, something seemed off.

Shaking his head, Dominic replied, ”Yeah. We're done. Let's go.” As he grabbed on to Luca's hand and dragged him along up the stairs before disappearing behind the door as Kevin followed behind. In their wake, the members of the two guilds who had seen the abrupt change began to theorize and gossip about the newest prospect. l