Chapter 182 First Meeting with the Royal Guild Members
The door slowly closed, cutting off Philip Diaz's view as the woman's shadow vanished.
Philip leaned against the wall, cigarette in mouth, watching Archer Torres leave the room. "Damn, why's the woman Stuart found for you so much better than mine?" he grumbled.
In his right hand, a spinning leaf-shaped knife created a white blur—a rare white-grade item.
Archer rolled his eyes. "You never know when to hold back. No wonder you get into trouble."
"And you're sure yours isn't good?" Archer adjusted his clothes. "You think Stuart and Delia would invest so much and mess up on something small?"
Philip's young face showed defiance. "That's because they need us."
He straightened up, the knife still spinning fast. Glancing at the closed door, he said, "Archer, let me have this one."
He was about to push the door open when Archer stopped him.
"Seriously? You're blocking your own brother?" Philip said, surprised and a bit angry.
"I won't interfere in the future, but not now, at least not for the next few days," Archer said, expressionless.
Philip's eyes flashed sharply as he stared at Archer, then suddenly smiled. "Alright, alright, I respect you."
Under Archer's gaze, Philip swaggered away.
A nearby door opened, and a young couple walked out. They glanced at where Philip had disappeared, and the man whispered, "Archer, Philip's getting out of hand. He relies on his Blade of Shadows profession and doesn't respect us."
"Yeah," the woman added sarcastically, "The guild's resources are tilted towards him, and he thinks it's all his doing? The guild is so unfair. Why nurture someone like him? I heard even the two-star potion is going to him. What's up with that?"
Archer shook his head. "His family contributed a lot to the guild during peacetime. And the president has a connection with his father. But... forget it. Let's go out and see if there's anything going on. Our task this time is to help Stuart. In three days, whether those people Stuart offended show up or not, we'll take the stuff and leave."
"Archer, we..." The man looked around before whispering, "Stuart and Delia are just two pros. The four of us could easily take them out and grab the stuff. Why are we still hanging around?"
Archer raised a finger. "One, Stuart's cunning. Even if we could beat him without a scratch, he wouldn't tell us where the stuff is. He knows if he talks, he's dead for sure. If he stays quiet, he has a slim chance."
He continued, "Two, the higher-ups want Wooland Base to get protection and development from the guild, making it a constant resource provider. Stuart's their favored leader. Messing with him would piss off the higher-ups and mess with our resource allocation."
Archer seemed to outrank Philip and the young couple. He looked at them and said, "Don't worry about Philip. If something happens, the higher-ups will handle it. We just need to do our job well. The guild may seem strong now, but every step is like walking on thin ice. We got lucky with the profession roulette and got a lot of Professional certificates, but others can get stuff we envy too. If we don't develop, we'll get surpassed. Now's the time to sprint towards two-star evolution! Whoever leads this sprint will rule the continent!"
He lowered his voice, "This is the higher-ups' consensus. So, for those who don't align with them, the big shots won't hesitate to take them out! You guys are close to me, so I'm telling you this, hoping you understand."
The young couple exchanged a glance, showing gratitude. "We understand, thanks, Archer."
Archer nodded. "Let's go, let's take a look around."
A few hundred miles from Wooland Town, Dr. Barry, who had appeared in the cell where William rescued Cecil, was lying on a hillside with four others, watching through binoculars.
A man asked, "Barry, are we going to be delayed here long? The higher-ups want us in Wooland Town ASAP, we..."
Barry cut him off. "I know what I'm doing."
He turned to the man beside him, coldly saying, "It's not your place to tell me what to do."
The man turned red, gritting his teeth but staying silent.
Barry reassured, "Don't worry, if we gain something this time, I'll give each of you a special potion."
Hearing Barry's offer, everyone's eyes lit up, even the guy who'd just been scolded.
Barry was the guild's only Pharmacist, one of the top professions in roulette, and he had several formulas. His potions were top-notch, almost as valuable as half a bottle of immunity potion.
Barry continued, "You know the guild found the second-level roulette recently and has been collecting second-level Magic Crystals. Whoever collects the most will get priority for the two-star Evolution Elixir once the guild gets it. Aren't you tempted by two-star evolution? I found these after returning from Redwood County. The second-level Magic Crystals are right in front of us. Are you going to give up? What's the harm in being late to support Archer and the others? They're four professionals; who around here can match them? Our presence would just be extra. Let's secure these Magic Crystals first."
The others nodded. Who wouldn't want a shot at becoming a two-star Evolving person? The guild had only one two-star Evolving person, and anyone who'd seen that power was in awe. No one would miss such an opportunity.
Barry pointed out below. "There's a group of second-level mutated goats, at least a dozen. If we get their Magic Crystals, we can spin the second-level roulette at least once. Don't you want to try your luck?"
"Of course, but Barry, we can't kill them with our strength," said the guy on the edge, sighing.
Barry extracted a steaming yellow liquid-filled test tube from his silver case, smiling. "Don't worry, I came prepared. It just needs a little time."
"Can you feel it? When you strike, here, here, and then here, you need to exert force in sequence, and the angle should move with the target."
It was overcast and slightly chilly, but for Evolving people, this temperature was nothing. Michelle, in a tight black tank top, was teaching the team knife techniques.
She'd been trained by a master and knew her stuff. Now that they were a team learning these skills could greatly boost their combat effectiveness. So, except for Cecil, who was recovering, Natalie, who was preparing food, and William, who was on the roof keeping watch, everyone else was in the yard getting Michelle's guidance, including David and his assistants.
"Michelle, I saw you teaching William this morning, and it didn't seem this hard. Why can't I learn it?" Jack asked, puzzled.
Michelle glared at him. "Because you're dumb!"
Jack shrank back but didn't dare to argue.
"And because that guy on the roof, thinking he's so cool, is a genius. He mastered it after one lesson. Who are you comparing yourself to? A genius?" Michelle said, her face stern.
William, sitting on the roof, glimpsed at Michelle. He was at a loss on how to handle this outspoken woman.
William had ten years of apocalypse experience and was a Swordsman in his previous life, so he had his own understanding of knife techniques. Although many things from his past life couldn't be used due to his evolution level, his vision and experience remained. Michelle's guidance was like opening a door for him, and with his solid foundation, he quickly walked through it and comprehended it. In just a few days, he had fully mastered what Michelle knew.
William, having integrated Michelle's teachings with his own experience, now had superior knife skills, outmatching Michelle.
Of course, he also taught Michelle many things she didn't understand, but those were all experiences and techniques that required time to master.
After practicing all morning, they hurriedly ate lunch and then began to prepare for action.
They all knew it was time to move.
This time, their enemies were not mutated creatures but their own kind.
The night in the apocalypse was always unusually dark.
At the gates of Wooland Town, two bonfires on each side illuminated a large area.
Over a dozen guards stood or sat within the defenses, periodically glancing at the crowd outside.
More and more people had heard the news and come to Redwood County, seeking shelter. But entry wasn't free; those who couldn't pay the fee had to stay outside.
In recent days, at least seven or eight thousand people had gathered outside Wooland Town. Although it was late at night, many couldn't sleep due to hunger and the early autumn chill, wandering around like ghosts.
The guards were getting sleepy and were discussing who should sleep first. Just then, they heard a somewhat disorganized but powerful sound of footsteps.
