Chapter 190 Preventive Measures
Eric's strategy for speed-leveling to level 10 had already made him a legend.
Now, his audacious one billion credit price tag had launched him into a whole new stratosphere of fame, or perhaps infamy. It had also thrust the Silvervale City guide into the spotlight, captivating the attention of every guild and player in the game.
None of this was part of Eric's plan.
He discreetly glanced at the semi-transparent display, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he reviewed the sales figures on the official forum.
Simplified Silvervale City Guide: 25,364 copies sold.
Luxury Silvervale City Guide: 367 copies sold.
These numbers, achieved in a single day, were unheard of, even for the most popular titles.
The basic guide, at 300 credits, was pricier than your average digital book, yet it had sold over 25,000 copies. And then there was the deluxe version, a whopping 20,000 credits, with 367 sales. It was a testament to the sheer scale of opportunity within Divine Realms: Legends.
In one day, Eric had raked in over ten million credits, more than most people saw in a lifetime.
Of course, this success was fueled by his notoriety, however infamous. It was this notoriety that had driven those staggering sales figures. While the initial frenzy would subside, he expected a steady stream of income for the foreseeable future, a figure most could only dream of.
Initially, Eric had hoped to clear a few million, considering the number of guilds in Silvercrest Dominion. But forum chatter revealed that players and guilds from other cities were also snapping up the guide, contributing to the phenomenal sales.
He could guess their reasoning.
The cities weren't drastically different—just variations in quests, leveling zones, size, and NPC populations. The core mechanics, the fundamentals of guild development, remained consistent. The Silvervale City guide offered a glimpse into these mechanics, allowing players to adapt quickly. It was valuable intel, worth the investment.
Now, flush with over ten million credits, Eric felt a surge of confidence. He might even outshine ShadowForge Studios at the upcoming school social, becoming the main attraction. But he couldn't let this early success go to his head. He had a lot of ground to cover to reach that level, his foundation still shaky compared to the studio giant.
"Sturdy stone prices are going to keep climbing. Once the first wave hits Silvervale City, they'll peak. That's when I cash out," Eric thought, closing the forum. His mind was already racing, strategizing how to solidify his studio's foundation. Credits were one thing, but he needed gold, and not just to sit on. He needed to leverage it, turn it into more wealth, a fundamental principle of success in any virtual world.
But his current capital wasn't enough. He needed more gold, and fast.
His current feud with a gaggle of insignificant guilds, while not an immediate threat to him as a solo player, could be devastating once he established his own guild.
As the saying went, "It's easy to be brave when you have nothing to lose." Forming a guild was like putting a giant bullseye on his back. It gave his enemies a tangible target, a rallying point for their aggression. This was why countless small guilds had been crushed by larger entities in his past life, while static groups and solo players often thrived.
But in Divine Realms: Legends, individual power had its limits. Even large teams could only achieve so much. To build a true virtual empire, he needed the collective might of a guild. There was no other way.
To alleviate the pressure, he needed to turn the tables, make those insignificant guilds sweat, keep them too busy to bother him. It would buy him time, time to prepare for the inevitable confrontation.
He reached out to Thornheart.
"Kai Blackthorn, I owe you big time. Your guide has given our elite team a serious edge. Once we hit Silvervale City, Assassin's Alliance is going to dominate," Thornheart said, practically vibrating with excitement. "You've become quite the celebrity since we last spoke. I'm envious! If I had your reputation, the guild council might make me an elder already."
"I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat," Eric said with a wry chuckle.
"Tall trees catch the most wind," he thought. He knew this came with the territory, but he hadn't anticipated the sheer intensity of it.
"So, Kai Blackthorn, what can I do for you?" Thornheart asked. Eric wasn't one to call unless he needed something.
"Actually, I have something, and it's good news for you," Eric said, a playful lilt in his voice.
"Good news?" Thornheart perked up. Eric's past assistance had earned him significant praise from the guild leader, elevating his standing within Assassin's Alliance. The Silvervale City guide incident had further cemented his position, putting him on the elders' radar as a potential candidate. Such a meteoric rise was practically unheard of within the guild, a testament to the value placed upon him by the leadership.
"Need any sturdy stones?" Eric asked.
"Don't even get me started. I've got people pulling their hair out over those things. We've got farmers working around the clock, and it's still not enough. You need some, Kai Blackthorn?" Thornheart sighed, then added, "If you do, I could probably scrounge up three, maybe four stacks. Anything more, and you're asking for the impossible."
He wasn't exaggerating. Those three or four stacks were their emergency reserve, earmarked for their best blacksmiths to craft Whetstones of Precision.
"Thornheart, you misunderstand. I'm not buying. I'm selling," Eric said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Selling?" Thornheart was floored. Sturdy stones were like gold dust, incredibly difficult for the average player to obtain, let alone amass enough to sell. Most people hoarded them, recognizing their importance in crafting Whetstones of Precision, essential for rapid leveling. "How many are we talking? Two, three stacks? I'll take them all, above market rate. Nine silver a stack, how's that sound?"
He figured a solo player like Eric might have gotten lucky and stumbled upon a decent stash, but two or three stacks was pushing it. After all, his entire guild, with hundreds of members, had only managed to gather three or four.
"Try fifty stacks. And I only accept gold," Eric said casually, holding up five fingers.
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