"Absolutely," August voiced with a look of determination. "I'll head there right away."
"Well, it's not like we have a better plan. Let's do it," Gareth was on board.
Drask grinned, clapping August on the shoulder. "Guess you're about to get a taste of guild life, even if it's just for a bit."
Aria pulled up her system interface, typing a ssage to one of their superiors in ga
"I'll get everything sorted on my end. Once you get to the base, just let them know you're Aleman. Bring whatever identification you use for Enders Light in real life."
August nodded. "Got it."
The group exchanged a few more words, finalizing the plan. With everything settled, Aria gave the command. "Alright, let's log out. et you all in the real world."
One by one, they activated the logout sequence and their avatars shimred out of existence until only August remained. He glanced around the dungeon floor with a thoughtful gaze.
"Well," he muttered to himself, "ti to see what a guild base looks like."
With a final swipe of his interface, he logged out, the world of Enders Light dissolving into a haze.
...
...
Upon stepping out of the pod, August stretched, feeling the stiffness in his muscles. A sharp, throbbing headache hit him as he took his first step forward, causing him to stumble slightly.
"Damn it," he muttered while clutching his head. "Gotta take a shower first. But this headache…"
He sank onto the edge of his bed, deciding to rest for a few minutes.
He leaned back, closing his eyes as the ache slowly subsided. After about ten to fifteen minutes, he felt sowhat better and headed to the bathroom.
The shower was refreshing. The warm water cascaded down his body, washing away the fatigue from hours spent in the ga.
Once he was done, he brushed his teeth and quickly prepared a al. He scarfed it down, the hunger from extended gaming finally catching up to him.
After changing into his usual scarf and casual outfit, August stepped out of his apartnt, pulling his scarf up to obscure his face.
"Let's get this over with," he muttered before heading toward the Phoenix Celestial Guild skyscraper.
---
anwhile, back at the Phoenix Celestial guild's towering headquarters, the outside was bustling as usual.
Crowds of players had gathered in hopes of joining the illustrious guild, but many were simply loitering, watching the live announcents and recruitnt broadcasts displayed on massive screens.
Inside, the guild was a hive of activity.
Players moved through hallways, discussing strategies and reviewing dungeon runs. In a high-level eting room, Ariana, known for her striking blue hair and sharp, confident deanor, stood before a senior guild mber.
Her real-world appearance mirrored her avatar, Aria.
Ariana's blue hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her piercing green eyes were frad by thin, wire-rimd glasses.
She wore a professional outfit—black slacks paired with a fitted white blouse. Her posture was relaxed but assertive as she addressed the man sitting across from her.
"Senior Gregson, I need your approval to let a temporary mber into one of our pods," Ariana voiced with a respectful but strong tone.
The man in question, Gregson, was a senior strategist in Phoenix Celestial. His sharp jawline, streaks of silver in his dark hair, and tailored suit gave him an air of authority. He leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed.
"You know the rules, Ariana. Non-mbers aren't allowed access to guild facilities. Why should we make an exception?"
Before Ariana could respond, George, the towering warrior of their party, stepped in.
In real life, Gareth was a broad-shouldered man with short, dark hair and a scar running across his left eyebrow. His gray hoodie and jeans gave him a casual appearance, but his presence was imposing.
"With all due respect, Senior Gregson, we wouldn't be at this point in the dungeon without Aleman," George said. "He's been invaluable. His skills have turned the tide for us more than once."
Tommy, the sharp-tongued ranger, chid in next.
In real life, he was lean, with sandy blond hair and hazel eyes that glead with mischief.
Wearing a leather jacket and ripped jeans, he looked more like a rebel than a gar. "Yeah, and let's not forget that we're competing with other guilds here. If we clear the Ancient Swordking's Dungeon first, it's going to reflect well on Phoenix Celestial. You want that world notification, right?"
Gregson raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Victoria, the shy cleric, stepped forward hesitantly. In real life, she had soft features, curly auburn hair that frad her face, and warm brown eyes. Her oversized cardigan and long skirt gave her a gentle, approachable look.
"I-I know it's unusual," she stamred, "but Aleman… I an… he's really trustworthy and capable. And he's working just as hard as we are. It wouldn't be fair to leave him behind now."
Daniel, the beserker of the group, stood off to the side with his arms crossed. In real life, he was a muscular man with a buzz cut and tattoos covering his arms. He wore a sleeveless hoodie and joggers. His expression seed rather stoic.
"He's good," Daniel said simply. "Better than most of the recruits we've seen. And we need him."
Gregson glanced at each of them, clearly weighing their argunts. Before he could respond, another voice cut in.
"Gregson, let them have the access."
Everyone turned to see a woman standing at the entrance of the room. She was tall with jet-black hair styled into an elegant bun and a tailored blazer over a dark pencil skirt.
This was Senior Advisor Lena Paul, one of the guild's top strategists and a mber of the executive council.
"If they succeed in clearing the dungeon first, it'll be a significant achievent for Phoenix Celestial," Lena continued with a cool tone. "A temporary exception won't hurt."
Gregson sighed, finally relenting. "Fine. But only temporary access. If he causes any problems, it's on you, Ariana."
Ariana smiled while nodding in gratitude. "Thank you, Senior Gregson. He won't disappoint."
Gregson waved her off. "Make sure he knows the rules. And don't forget—results matter."
As the group left the eting room, Tommy nudged George with a smirk. "Looks like Aleman's in. Who would've thought?"
Ariana chuckled. "He's earned it. Let's hope he doesn't get overwheld by all the formalities."
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