Second World

”Really?” Almost everyone asked.

”Yes. If you destroy another Bandit Outpost after having a Guild Headquarter, you will simply get the standard reward,” Peniel replied.

”How do you know that, little fairy?” Bluedaze asked.

”Trust me. What she says about this world, you can believe it to be true,” Jack said.

”Then what about if someone who already has a Guild Headquarters conquers another guildʼs headquarters?” Silverwing asked.

Peniel was silent.

ʼItʼs okay, I trust him,ʼ Jack sent his thought to her..

Only after receiving Jackʼs assurance that Peniel said, ”If a guild who already has a Guild Headquarters destroyed a Guild Core, the headquarters will not be destroyed. The defending guild will still retain the guild. However, the winning offensive guild will gain a guild hostage token from the defeated guild and plunder 20% of its current resources. As long as the winning guild was holding this token, they will get 15% of any gold coin, mana, or resources the defeated guild receives at any time.”

”So, itʼs like a permanent tax or tribute?” Jeanny asked.

”Yes. To cancel this tribute, the guild hostage token has to be destroyed. If you ever get this token, it will appear inside this Guild Hall beside your Guild Core.”

”What if this guild is defeated again?” Silverwing asked.

”In what scenario?” Peniel asked back, but resume to answer, ”If it is by a guild who not yet have a Guild Headquarters, I guess everyone knows already, the winning guild will take over the headquarters. If it is again by a different guild that already has a guild headquarters, they will get the same reward. One guild can lose a maximum of four Guild Hostage Tokens, resulting in a total tribute of 60%. Afterward, if the guild was defeated again, it will no longer produce Guild Hostage Token, but the plunder amount will increase to 50% of its current resources. If it is by the same guild who have defeated it before, they wonʼt get a second Guild Hostage Token, they will instead plunder 50% resources as well.”

”If the headquarters is taken over by another guild, then what about the Guild Hostage Token that it has given out before? The previous winning guild will lose the token?” John asked.

”No, the token will still be there. You just stop receiving any tribute since the losing guild no longer has a Guild Headquarters,” Peniel answered. ”But if in the future they conquered another headquarters, the tribute will resume. The only way to cancel the tribute is to destroy the Guild Hostage Token or disband the guild entirely and create a new guild.”

”But that will mean sacrificing all the guild reputation points they have painstakingly accumulated to level up their guild,” Silverwing commented.

”So, it is still a loss either way,” Bluedaze added.

”Yes, so it is absolutely important to never lose when you defend your Guild Headquarters,” Peniel said.

”Well, itʼs not a problem for us White Scarf, since we not yet have one,” Silverwing laughed. Jack could feel a mocking tone in his voice.

”Open your map,” Jack said to him.

”Oh? Why?” Silverwing asked, but he still opened his map. Jack sent a coordinate to him. ”Whatʼs this?” He asked again.

”Itʼs the coordinate of a small-sized Bandit Outpost,” Jack informed. It was the one he saw when he was on his way to Busculla Plateau. ”Unless the outpost had evolved, the last I saw it, the outlaws inside have an average level of 30. If you can get sufficient members to that place, you should be able to raid it and get yourself your own Guild Headquarters.”

Silverwing was silent hearing Jackʼs words, but everyone could see the astonishment in his eyes.

”This… Iʼm truly grateful for the info,” Silverwing finally said.

Jack waved him off. ”Iʼm the one that should be grateful. You have come to our aid during our time of need. We are in your debt. This is just small info. But you better organize a force to that place as fast as possible. For all we know, that outpost can be the one Wicked Witches people are targeting.”

Bluedaze shook her head, ”No, although we donʼt know the precise location of their target. We know the general direction they are heading to, and itʼs not in the direction of these coordinates.”

”Well, you people should still hurry. There might be some other guilds stumbling into it, now that more and more players dare to journey around the wilderness. But I need to say something, I ainʼt giving this info to White Scarfs, Iʼm giving this info to you,” Jack said to Silverwing. ”Iʼve heard how the White Scarfsʼ main leader has forbid you to aid us. Yet, you still come with your personal force. Iʼm exceptionally grateful for that. I wonʼt lend a hand if White Scarfs is in need, but if it is you who asked, I will not hesitate to come to your aid. I just want you to know that.”

”I understand,” Silverwing said. ”And I thank you for your friendship. Once I managed to take down this outpost and get a Guild Headquarters for White Scarfs, I will make sure the other upper echelons know that this is all due to our alliance with Everlasting Heavenly Legends.”

Jack nodded.

”I guess I will take my leave now. I need to make lots of preparation to move out to this outpost as soon as possible,” Silverwing said. ”But Iʼm afraid next week if the coalition attack again, we might not make it back in time to help you in defending.”

”Donʼt worry about it,” Jack said. ”We have one week to prepare. We will be okay. We are not that weak. You just make sure you take down that outpost. Unfortunately, I canʼt help you on that as well.”

Silverwing chuckled, ”you giving us this info is already a big help.”

”Before you leave, do you happen to know the exact location of Death Associates and Corporate Unitedʼs Guild Headquarters?”

”I do. Why?”

”I want to repay them in kind for what they did today. Can you transfer their coordinates to me?”

Silverwing sent Jack the coordinates. ”Are you thinking of striking them back? It is unwise considering your guildʼs current state.”

Jack didnʼt say anything more after receiving the coordinates. Silverwing didnʼt push the subject either. He said, ”I bid you all farewell then.”

”Wait! We need to work out how we recompensate you for the loss you suffered during this battle today,” Jeanny said.

It was Silverwing that waved her off this time. ”This info from Storm, I mean, Jack, is compensation enough. I have to go now. You people take care of yourselves.”

After another round of courtesy, the two finally left. They were especially in spirit when they left. Considering they had felt that they were left behind by the other guilds due to not yet having a Guild Headquarters, now that they have a good chance of getting one themselves, their excitement was understandable.

After they left, John said, ”Okay, letʼs us discuss our next defensive plan.”

Jack said, ”You two make your arrangement. I have something I need to do.”

”I know I canʼt beat you, but at this moment, I donʼt care. If you say you are going to leave us behind again to deal with this guild matters by ourselves, I will fight you,” John said. His staff was even in his hand now in a menacing pose.

”Iʼll assist you,” even Jeanny had taken out her spear.

Jack was taken aback by the twoʼs reaction, he hurriedly said. ”You two misunderstand me! I might have chosen my words wrongly. What I meant about what I plan to be doing is that Iʼm going to deal with the coalition. If Iʼm successful, they might not have the time or the force to deal with us for some time.”

”Is that why you asked for the location of Death Associates and Corporate Unitedʼs Guild Headquarters?” John asked.

”Yes.”

”What are you going to do? I know you are strong, but there is a limit to what one person can do,” John said.

Jack grinned. ”Iʼm going to return the favor they showed us today.”

John could see there was a certain confidence in Jackʼs grin. After some thought, he said, ”fine. Go do what you think is best.”

”When are you leaving?” Jeanny asked.

”I want to get the elite class for my Mage first tomorrow. Afterward, I will depart. For tonight, I will do what I can for the guild. Did you two collect all the Common grade equipment and ores as I told you to?”

”Yes. But it is seriously a waste,” John said. ”Other guilds sold all these common grade things for coins before donating them to the guild. It is much more useful this way. We instead give out contribution points for these useless common-grade equipment and ores. What are you going to do with them anyway?”

”Donʼt worry, you wonʼt regret it. They are all in the warehouse, right? I will go take them right now,” Jack said. ”Oh, right. Have you already collected all the info regarding our core membersʼ current list of equipment?”

”Here,” Jeanny said. ”What for?”

Jack took the list and look at it. ”As I guess, many are still using uncommon equipment. All right. Give me one night. I will surprise the two of you tomorrow morning.”

Jeanny and John didnʼt ask further. They just looked at him walking away. He suddenly stopped and said, ”ah, before that. I have to sleep a couple of hours first. I just remember I havenʼt slept since yesterday.”

😉