Chapter 101: Chapter 100: Bow Down to the Champ! Part II (2/2)
”Well, the thing is…the San Tuan Guild contacted us.”
”Excuse me?” I asked in confusion. ”The San Tuan Guild?”
”Yes.”
”Why?”
”They want to…” Shin and Naika explained everything about the call they received.
”A Rank 8 item?” That part stuck out the most.
”Yes. They agreed to hand over a Rank 8 item if you accepted their surrender under those terms. Are you okay with that?”
”Yeah, I am! I'm more than okay with that,” I replied instantly. I just had to say that it was a fair fight. I had nothing to lose.
-If they're that willing, I might as well. It's not like I need to show everyone my skills right now. I can do that later.-
I still couldn't fully believe that I could have a Rank 8 item by just saying a few words. The Rank 8 item probably was more worth than what the San Tuan Guild had lost until now.
-This isn't a trap, is it?-
Toh and Wanhu were known to others for having an exceptional sense for business and as the charismatic rulers of Macau, but I knew who they really were. I knew how scummy they really were.
”We believe that it wouldn't hurt to accept their offer.”
”Even though they're this willing to give up a Rank 8 item for a few words?”
”Sometimes a guild's name is worth much more than that.”
I suddenly recalled who gave me the Bracelet of Eternal Fire; Shin and the Myth Guild gave it to me. To the Myth Guild, giving up the Bracelet just to defeat the Blood Prince was obvious. Toh and Wanhu were probably in a similar situation.
”I understand. I'll head over to the Myth Guild as soon as possible.” I was tired of doing this for a month now, as well. I couldn't even invest in myself the whole time, either. Whether or not Toh and Wanhu had an ulterior motive, there was a Rank 8 item on the line.
I took out a Warp Scroll and ripped it.
---
I went up to the Myth Guild's command room. I quickly greeted Shin and the other officers and contacted the San Tuan Guild using the Comm Link they sent.
”This is the San Tuan Guild. Who's calling?”
”This is Lee Jiwon.”
”Wha…! One…one moment, please!” The person on the other line sounded surprised.
Ten minutes later, someone else picked up. ”Is this Lee Jiwon?”
”Yeah, it is. It's been awhile, Toh.”
”Hmph, indeed it has, Lee Jiwon.”
”I heard from the Myth Guild. Is that what you really want?”
”That's right. We surrender to you. Your abilities are more than we can handle. However, we can't just give up. Our names have too much weight.”
”Is that why you want me to say that the battle was tough on both of us?”
”It is. We'll even hand over a Rank 8 item for your troubles. That's a proper reward for the victor, don't you think?”
”Hmm…” The offer sounded more attractive hearing it in person.
”As you know, this offer must remain a secret.”
”But the Myth Guild already knows.”
”There was no way around it. We couldn't exactly reach out to you on our own. There are too many eyes watching us. Besides, I trust the Myth Guild to be honorable on your behalf.”
”Well…”
”Anyway, that's our situation. Let's end this now. I just wish we don't continue as enemies if we can't continue as comrades.”
For some reason, I began to think the same. It seemed to be a dumb idea to reject him.
”Fine. Where do we go from here?”
”We have arranged a place in Macau where many people will watch. It should be the perfect place where we can smile and shake hands for everyone to see.”
”Is that it?”
”That's it. We want to get this battle over with as soon as possible. We want to return Macau to its former glory. I can't say that we don't want to exact revenge on you, but we do know that's impossible.”
”Fine. I accept your offer.”
We continued to talk for another half hour. We decided to meet in one week at Macau Tower, the prearranged place.
”It seems all your work this past month hasn't been for nothing.”
”Mmm…it's not what I expected, but it would seem so,” I said to Ebonene, smiling.
”But, are you thinking of going on your own again?”
”Excuse me?”
”I mean to Macau Tower next week.”
”Yes, that's what I'm thinking.”
”I would advise you go with the Myth Guild this time.”
”It'll be…” I then remembered that I was dealing with some real scummy people. I hadn't been wary of Toh during the entire thirty minutes we spent talking. The Rank 8 item distracted me too much.
-Ha…to think I believed him when I should have remained suspicious of him…-
”I would be forever thankful if you would.”
”Very well. Then I would say…three hundred members should go.” Ebonene said to Shin.
”Make it so.”
---
With Shin's permission, three hundred elite members were prepared to leave for Macau with Lee Jiwon in one week. However, one of them would end up having to stay behind as the member was 0.1% away from leveling up. Two hundred ninety-nine would leave with Lee Jiwon instead.