Chapter 151 If You Have the Guts, Bring It On!
The second Eric picked up, he didn't waste any time. "Who is this, and what do you want? I'm kinda busy here."
"You... You dare speak to me like that?" Sutharos stammered, his cool demeanor cracking under Eric's bluntness.
He quickly pulled himself together, reminding himself this was all part of the game. Eric clearly had no clue who he was dealing with or the power of The Stygian Alliance. Once he laid it all out, Sutharos was sure Eric would be begging for mercy.
"If you've got nothing to say, I'm hanging up," Eric said.
"Watch your tone," Sutharos warned, his voice barely hiding the threat. "I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't important."
"Then go ahead," Eric said, dripping with sarcasm. "What's so important that you had to interrupt my day?"
Sutharos bristled but held back his anger. He needed Eric to play along, at least for now.
'Stay calm, stay calm,' Sutharos told himself. 'Once he knows who I am, he'll be scared out of his mind.'
"Alright," Sutharos said, trying to sound superior. "Let me introduce myself properly. I represent The Stygian Alliance. You probably haven't heard of us. We like to keep it that way. Only the top dogs even know we exist."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "To give you an idea, even a top-tier assassin like CelestialParagon spent three years just to get a foot in the door. And even then, he was just a pawn in our game."
"CelestialParagon... was part of The Stygian Alliance?" Eric finally sounded a bit surprised.
He had always thought the assassin was a lone wolf, a master who worked solo. Finding out he was part of something bigger was a shock.
Sutharos smirked. "Yep. And he was just one of many. The Stygian Alliance has resources that would blow your mind. Our influence goes way beyond this digital world, shaping the real one. Even big-shot CEOs and politicians think twice before messing with us."
He leaned back, enjoying the silence on the other end. "Even the Ice Goddess, Isabella, who you seem to know, treats our lowest members with respect. Get what I'm saying?"
"So, you're here to seek revenge for your fallen buddy?" Eric asked, sounding calm again. "Here to take me down for messing with the big bad Stygian Alliance?"
"Revenge is for fools," Sutharos scoffed, though the thought had crossed his mind. "No, we're not into petty fights. We're here to offer you a chance of a lifetime. You've caught the eye of The Stygian Alliance. You could join us."
Eric had learned to be cautious of such offers. Running ShadowForge Studios had taught him that power always came with a price, one he wasn't willing to pay anymore.
"Let me guess," Eric said, amused. "Because I beat CelestialParagon, I'm now good enough to be another pawn in your game?"
"You're blunt," Sutharos said, ignoring the jab. "But yes, your win showed skill and cunning that caught our attention. But joining The Stygian Alliance isn't easy. You have to earn it. Prove your worth, show your commitment to our cause."
"And what exactly does that involve?" Eric asked, sounding casual but curious.
"The entry fee isn't small," Sutharos said, getting serious. "Even CelestialParagon spent three years proving his loyalty. But you're in luck. I've done some digging into your... assets. You have something we want—a flame that gives its holder incredible power."
He paused, letting that sink in. "Hand over the flame and pay a monthly fee of ten gold coins, and you're in."
"So, it's like a business club," Eric said lightly. "Pay your dues, get the perks."
"Crude, but accurate," Sutharos admitted. "In The Stygian Alliance, you'll find allies, resources, and opportunities beyond your wildest dreams. We all share a common goal: to shape the world our way."
"And what's this grand vision?" Eric asked, skepticism clear in his voice.
Sutharos hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "That's a conversation for another time, for those in our inner circle."
He cleared his throat, getting back on track. "So, what's it gonna be, Eric? Ready to join the elite, or stick with mediocrity and wonder what could've been?"
"I appreciate the offer," Eric said firmly. "But I'm gonna pass."
After his time with ShadowForge Studios, he had no interest in joining someone else's group. He didn't need to either. With his knowledge from being reborn, he knew things others didn't and understood future trends. If The Stygian Alliance wanted to work with him as equals, he might consider it. But joining them would just be working for someone else, and he wasn't interested in that.
He was already capable of forming a large studio, and starting a major guild was within reach. He didn't need The Stygian Alliance. The most valuable info in Divine Realms: Legends, which others saw as treasures, was just common knowledge to Eric. He had plenty of it.
He'd talked this much just to learn about The Stygian Alliance.
Sutharos froze, his facade crumbling. "I... I beg your pardon?"
"You heard me," Eric said, his voice steely. "I'm not interested in joining The Stygian Alliance. Find someone else to boss around."
"You... you dare refuse our offer?" Sutharos sputtered, disbelief and anger in his voice. "Do you know who you're dealing with? The consequences of defying The Stygian Alliance are—"
"You contacted me," Eric cut in coldly. "I didn't seek you out. You made the offer, and I refused. End of story."
"You're making a grave mistake," Sutharos hissed, barely holding back his rage. "We don't take rejection lightly. Hand over the flame, and we'll forget this ever happened. Keep this up, and you'll face the full wrath of The Stygian Alliance."
"So, the mask slips," Eric said with a humorless smile. "You never wanted to recruit me. You just wanted the flame."
He'd seen this before, both in the game and in the cutthroat business world. People in power often hid their greed behind promises of opportunity.
"Let me make one thing clear," Eric said quietly but dangerously. "If you want the flame, come and take it. But I promise, it'll be the last mistake you ever make."
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