Chapter 171 Guardians of the Abyss
Drunken Heart Bar, located in the slums of Willowbrook Town.
The sun was blazing in Divine Realms: Legends, casting a warm glow over the virtual world. Most players were out grinding for XP in the Wilderness, leaving the bar unusually quiet.
Despite the lull, a shady group had taken over a corner booth. Over a dozen guys, decked out in high-level gear that screamed danger, were huddled together. Their eyes, sharp and cold like vipers, scanned the room, sending chills down the spines of anyone who dared to stick around. The few patrons quickly finished their drinks and bailed, spooked by the group's menacing vibe. Soon, the only ones left besides the NPCs were these guys.
Among them, sitting on the edge, was a burly dude with a thick brow – Leo Ironblade, the ex-leader of the Willowbrook Town Martial Alliance. His gear was missing the guild emblem, a clear sign he'd recently bailed.
"Leo Ironblade, you've really outdone yourself this time," a voice purred from the head of the table. "Thanks to you, ZephyrStrider got things rolling. Don't worry, your efforts won't go unnoticed. Keep proving your worth, and a spot in the outer ranks of The Stygian Alliance, just like CelestialParagon, is yours." The speaker, Sutharos, looked at Leo with a mix of approval and amusement.
"Thanks for the guidance, Sutharos. I won't let you down," Leo replied, his voice thick with gratitude and ambition.
Ever since CelestialParagon had introduced him to Sutharos, Leo had realized something big. He was just a frog in a well, clueless about the vastness of Divine Realms: Legends. The stakes were way higher, the powers at play way bigger than he'd ever imagined. If he hadn't stumbled upon The Stygian Alliance, a shadowy group with its fingers in countless pies, he'd have stayed blissfully ignorant.
The secrets he'd learned since joining had chilled him to the bone. Divine Realms: Legends wasn't a game to mess with. Even established guilds could be crushed on a whim. Only those with deep roots and powerful backers, those in the second-rate tier or higher, had a shot at survival, let alone dominance. Becoming an outer member of The Stygian Alliance was a ticket to a life of luxury and power, both in-game and in real life. It was a dream he clung to with unwavering determination.
"Now," Sutharos continued, his voice taking on a steely edge, "let's talk about Kai Blackthorn. ZephyrStrider's smear campaign is working like a charm. Soon, his reputation will be in shambles. The next step is to cut his ties with Isabella and then, finally, deliver the killing blow. He'll vanish from Divine Realms: Legends for good."
Sutharos's eyes narrowed, his gaze turning icy as he remembered Eric's defiance. He longed to crush him personally but was bound by Mr. Potter's orders. Still, he could savor the anticipation of watching Eric's downfall, a slow and agonizing demise.
CelestialParagon, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up. "Breaking them up will be a piece of cake. But dealing with Kai Blackthorn himself... that's a whole different ball game. We all saw the video. Hundreds of players couldn't touch him. His attack power is insane. I could barely hold my own against him last time. Now? I doubt I'd even have time to run."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "We'd need at least a dozen top-tier players to take him down. And even then, it wouldn't be a sure thing."
"I know what he's capable of," Sutharos replied calmly. "He's got Epic Level items, which explains his crazy strength. But let's not overestimate him. He took out a bunch of incompetent fools from the Martial Alliance, that's all. The Guardians of the Abyss might not have his brute force, but their skill is way superior. Besides," he added, a confident smirk playing on his lips, "Mr. Potter has sent a squad of Guardians to help us. With their help, even with his precious Epic Level item, Kai Blackthorn doesn't stand a chance. You worry too much."
"He's just a lucky nobody," Aeron Skywhisker, a Level 9 Assassin decked out in the menacing Crimson Dusk Outfit, a Level 8 Dark Iron set, chimed in, casually flipping his dagger. "If Mr. Potter hadn't insisted, I could handle this myself. No need to waste a whole squad on him."
"Easy there, Aeron," Darius Shadowthorn, the leader of the Guardians of the Abyss squad, cut in. "Kai Blackthorn is not to be underestimated. Mr. Potter wouldn't have involved us otherwise." He turned to Sutharos, his voice calm but authoritative. "We'll be ready when the time comes. But for now, we have our orders. We need to hit Level 10 by tomorrow, or we're out of the Guardians. Our time is valuable, Sutharos."
Darius Shadowthorn was a force to be reckoned with. Tall and powerfully built, his face etched with the harsh realities of countless battles, he exuded an aura of lethal efficiency that even made CelestialParagon uneasy.
"Of course, of course. I wouldn't dream of wasting your time, Darius," Sutharos replied, his tone respectful, almost deferential.
The Guardians of the Abyss held a unique spot within The Stygian Alliance. They answered only to the president and the elders, their loyalty absolute, their skills unmatched. While Mr. Potter wasn't one of those top dogs, his influence within the organization was undeniable, giving him access to resources others could only dream of.
Meanwhile, Eric had arrived at the Willowbrook Town Hall.
"Greetings, sir. How may I assist you?" a female NPC staff member greeted him, her voice pleasant and professional.
"I'm here to access the magic teleportation array," Eric replied.
In Divine Realms: Legends, players had to hit Level 10 to unlock the privilege of using the Town Hall's teleportation gate. These arrays were rare and expensive to maintain, reserved for those who had proven their worth.
"Certainly, sir. Please follow me."
Eric completed the necessary procedures, receiving a special ID card that granted him unrestricted access to the teleportation gate. However, each use came at a steep price. Teleporting from a town to a city cost one silver coin, while traveling between cities could set a player back a small fortune, depending on the distance. The closest city cost upwards of twenty silver coins, while reaching the capital, Eldoria City, required a hefty fee of one gold coin.
These steep costs made inter-city travel a luxury few players could afford, especially in the early stages of the game. Most players chose to level up within their respective city areas, venturing out only for specific quests. While running was always an option, the sheer distances involved made it a time-consuming endeavor.
The teleportation hall in Willowbrook Town was deserted save for a handful of Level 100 elite guards patrolling the perimeter.
Eric hadn't planned on traveling to Silvervale City so soon, but ZephyrStrider's schemes had forced his hand. To protect his future guild, he needed to act swiftly and decisively.
"Adventurer, using the teleportation gate will cost one silver coin," the mage guarding the shimmering portal announced.
Eric paid the fee without hesitation and stepped into the swirling vortex of energy.
The world dissolved around him, replaced by a blinding flash of light. When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in a bustling plaza, the sounds and smells of a thriving city washing over him.
At the same moment, a system announcement echoed across Eldoria, sending shockwaves through the player base.
Eldoria Regional Announcement: [Congratulations to player Kai Blackthorn for being the first player to reach Silvervale City, earning 20 reputation points and the title of Honorary Citizen of Silvervale City!]
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