Game’s Dogma

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Countless players who thought highly of themselves applied for the guild, all of which were rejected right in their faces. No matter how much those self-proclaimed masters blabbered about Empyreal Spire being overrated, the guild did not budge and continued with their usual ways.

There was nothing to doubt about Empyreal Spire’s strength when they were able to survive and thrive in a city like Empyreon, where masters and hotshots roamed everywhere.

Right now, such an up-and-coming and powerful guild was recruiting Mask, out in the public no less? The onlooking players were surprised, not to mention their envy.

While Real World was almost an alternate reality, those who could make a living by working in the game were far and few, limited only to those elites who received a monthly salary from their guilds. Like Handsome Scholar, both Age of Scholars and Empyreal Spire paid him money regularly for joining their guild. It was basically a job, just that it was in a game.

Hearing no response, Chau Yu shrugged and said, ‘Can’t we just have a talk about it?’ He then patted Tripurity’s shoulder.

Tripurity’s eyes flashed as he scanned through the crowd with his piercing gaze. Shortly after, his eyes were set in a certain direction.

Drako Yau frowned. Such keen perception…

Tripurity’s aura morphed into a sharp sword and dashed straight towards Drako Yau through the crowd. Just when he was going to dodge it, he suddenly realised not only Greenstone, but also the petite Idyllic Poet was standing behind him. The aura couldn’t directly deal damage in the game, but with people connecting to the game via brainwaves, it was possible that the aura could have an effect on their heads. Upon having that thought, Drako Yau subconsciously pulled Idyllic Poet over to hide her behind his back.

Idyllic Poet felt her heart warmed by his action, but Drako Yau didn’t even spare the slightest bit of attention to her.

Thud!

The sword-like aura closed in on Drako Yau until it was a metre away from him. As if it slammed onto a transparent wall, it quickly dispersed and vanished. Less than 10 masters present could see the invisible fight between them.

Those beside Drako Yau subconsciously let out beads of sweat and took several steps back even though they didn’t know what had just happened. Tripurity’s sword aura wasn’t targeted at them, but just brushing by them was enough to startle them.

‘I have nothing to discuss with you.’ Like usual, a speech bubble popped up above Drako Yau.

Fighting spirit surged within Tripurity. He was about to step forward when Chau Yu tapped his shoulder. After nodding silently, he took a step back.

Chau Yu walked a few steps closer to Drako Yau and exchanged glares with him. Getting stared by this man… feels horrible.

‘Mask, relax. Look, I’m just a cleric who can’t do damage.’ Chau Yu had the gentle and elegant appearance of a civilised scholar, which was very appealing to many players. ‘I just want you to become my partner, like Tripurity, like Scholar. We have many, many more elites in our guild. Yoda is a good place, but it’s too small for you. A hundred thousand a month? Or two hundred thousand? It’s all up to you.’

Chau Yu’s eyes radiated a rare emotion—fervour. ‘As you can see, I’m just an ordinary cleric. Apart from having a slightly smarter mind, there’s not much I’m good at. That’s why I need your help.’

Everyone present was at a loss for words. Being called on and recruited by someone who acknowledged their worth with such respect was the dream of many players. But they knew—they weren’t Mask.

Only a handful of people there were truly nervous, with Zephyrwolf being one of them. He had just been hired by Drako Yau not long ago; if his boss went under another person’s wing… things would get really complicated.

‘Not interested.’ Two words and a full stop floated above Drako Yau’s head. ‘I’m just an ordinary person who wants to chill and enjoy the game.’

Chau Yu was startled at his response. After a short while, he laughed at himself and said, ‘It’s the first time someone rejected my offer.

‘No worries, I’m the one being brusque here. You know my ID. If you change your mind, please feel free to contact me anytime. We Fervent Spire will always keep our doors open for you.’ Chau Yu wrapped up the whole ordeal smoothly with courteous words, and he didn’t show even a tad bit of rancour.

Drako Yau clasped his fist to his palm and said, ‘This is it then.’

Chau Yu chuckled as he took out a Return-to-City Scroll and tore it apart, his silhouette vanishing momentarily after.

Tripurity also took out the same scroll from his item bag, but before he tore it apart, he sent a provocative glare at Drako Yau. As the saying went, ‘There can be no winners in a contest of literature, but there is always a winner in a contest of martial prowess.’ True martial artists always thirsted for duels between masters.

Before Handsome Scholar disappeared, he sent a suspicious look at Idyllic Poet who was hiding behind Drako Yau. This woman… Since when did she become coy? He had been the victim of her tantrums for so many times; that girl was a bomb that exploded every time she got grumpy, and she was extremely unladylike when she did that. Just looking at her acting all fidgety behind the masked man was enough to bring sweat to his forehead.

Mask, good luck for getting involved with this woman… You’ll need it.

In Empyreon, three figures appeared one after another at the resurrection altar. Seeing the three of them return, 10 or so players who had been waiting there immediately went over.

‘How did it go?’

Chau Yu laughed and shrugged. ‘Got rejected.’

‘He rejected it? How is that possible?’

‘Ha, giving himself such airs.’

Handsome Scholar said in a calm tone, ‘He says he just wants to chill and enjoy the game.’

Everyone present looked at Handsome Scholar. While he was a new member, no one looked down upon him because of his strength.

Chau Yu said as he walked, ‘Enjoy the game? Haha, Scholar, you’re underestimating that fella.’

As he walked, the dozen or so players followed behind him in a neat formation like an army, gathering the side glances of passersby. It was just a small group of players, but everyone in the group was good enough to become a core member in any second-line guild, if not first rate guilds. That was just how powerful they were.

‘I’m not sure what he’s up to, but he’s definitely not going to just “chill and enjoy the game”.’

The group walked along the West Road while listening attentively to what Chau Yu had to say.

‘Yoda is in a messy state right now, but those are just minor conflicts, child’s play really. See, when the three of us appeared in Yoda, those people who were supposedly at odds at each other immediately came over. Even that incompetent Hexen was no exception.

‘It’s also pretty obvious that they respect Mask a lot, especially Zephyrwolf. When Tripurity tested Mask out, Zephyrwolf seemed very confident.’

A person who had vicious eyes snickered. ‘Zephyrwolf? He’s just a piece of trash who luckily came across an encounter quest.’

‘That’s how the world works. Luck is also part of one’s strength, just like how someone in the actual world can suddenly become a millionaire overnight by winning the lottery. He’s more than qualified to join us as long as he has the demon wolf. Yet look at him, following Mask’s orders obediently.’

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