Kieran opened his eyes with a quiet exhale, still in the sa seated position he had been in when he left this world. He was on the top floor of the Godhand Bazaar, and seconds later, Altair opened his eyes sitting across from him.
They exchanged a few wordless glances, analyzing themselves for anything out of place. Only after confirming their current condition was manageable did the two et each other's gazes once more.
Kieran led the conversation by way of the preamble.
"So... how are you feeling?"
Altair remained quiet for a few seconds, examining his condition with more painstaking effort than Kieran cared to put forth. This wasn't the first, and it certainly wouldn't be the last ti Kieran wasn't in peak performance state.
The logic behind sotis not being in that condition was simple. There would be tis when the situation called for every ounce of potential he could eke out from a disadvantageous standing.
"It isn't the worst, but it's always not the best. I wouldn't complain. At least there's no issue in terms of my stats."
Kieran nodded.
He expected that a change in their bodily condition on Earth could only dictate how well they could pilot their characters in this world. It was more like a weakened internet connection or faulty controller while gaming, which could cause unforeseen issues.
After ensuring their condition was fit to move around, the two didn't idle within the topmost floor anymore. They had returned for a reason, and checking on the state of everything was the primary objective.
"What's our next move here?" Altair asked.
Kieran's posture changed subtly as he leaned back, contemplating their course of action.
He intended to deal with Sanguis Requiem, addressing its stagnation, which had likely co from the fact many of the leading mbers had accompanied him on the conference trip and upon return... Bastion was t with misfortune that affected how often he logged into Zenith Online.
However, Bastion was one person, and everything Sanguis Requiem was experiencing couldn't stem from one person. That understanding made determining their next move decidedly easy. "We need to find out exactly what Ezra ant by our guild is in a weird state of flux."
"And what would you have do?"
Kieran thought about it, then snapped his fingers.
"Find a large hall, preferably a theater or a similar construct. Anything capable of holding a massive audience."
Altair furrowed his brows, his gaze sharpening into a glare.
"Having do the grunt work? What a pity. But I'll get it done nonetheless."
"Don't you be like that, bud. Besides, you owe . We didn't forget the whole ordeal about my face, did we?"
Altair grunted affirmatively before sighing and retreating a step. His figure was bathed in liquid darkness so cold its chill perated the room even after the wielder of darkness had disappeared into its unknown depths.
Kieran rolled his eyes at the dramatic exit but paid it no mind after it had been made.bender
Instead, he focused on scrolling through the guild nu. As the
Guild Leader, he had access to a variety of nifty perks, such as the ability to imdiately expel or accept soone into the guild, expressly manage the guild's funds, identify how many mbers were on, choose between sending ssages by mber rank, to everyone, or simply individual ssaging.
It was an influential role, but that was to be expected as the one singlehandedly responsible for its creation. There was a lot of power but also responsibility wrapped up inside the position.
After a mont, Kieran decided to mass ssage everyone, instructing them that they were to be within Aeredale City within a suitable ti fra. Though he didn't place an exact ti to account for anyone with responsibilities outside of Zenith Online, he did attach an ultimatum.
If they didn't have proof of a pressing matter or if they weren't limited by immutable constraints, absence from the mass summons was going to result in imdiate expulsion.
A threat, no doubt. But it had to be made if the guild had fallen into a state of crippling inaction.
If their current mbers had lost their drive, though it could be a consequence of poor policing and absent commanders, it showed how frail their characters were. And spots in a guild were finite.
Kieran had an inkling that the guild's current status resulted from an increase in official guilds floating around Zenith Online. Many mbers were likely already jumping ship in search of a more outstanding na. Such was the brevity of valor and glory. If Kieran didn't continue to strive for greater peaks, the guild would have a short life.
Competition was stiff, and though Kieran's accolades were exceptional, they weren't staggering to the point no one could catch up to him. At least... that's how many viewed it.
A rising star often reached a ceiling and found no further growth.
It was that instilled thought that kept people searching for prominent coattails to cling to. However, Kieran wasn't looking for parasites, nor was he looking to accept fodder who would only boost their numbers but boasted no genuine rit.
That was empty strength.
Kieran understood there was truth in the "strength in numbers" adage, but logic could be discarded once fantasy entered the grand perspective. Xenith abided by the law of the jungle - the survival of the fittest. Those weaker than the predator would be hunted and beco helpless prey.
And the day Sanguis Requiem was seen as prey perhaps wasn't too far off.
Not long after sending that mass ssage, Kieran's interface began to be flooded by ssage requests. He knew it was guild mbers because it was set to ignore most incoming ssages from unknown parties. That didn't include anyone with a semblance of a relationship with him.
Kieran started to sift through the ssage, but after realizing they all sounded inherently similar, he stopped.
'Always complaints. Never an attempt to provide a solution!
Kieran sighed. His opinion of the mbers he had so say in picking was... well, sowhat of a letdown. They were motivated during the recruitnt, but those embers of inspiration seed to have already petered out.
Kieran wasn't averse to second chances, but he also wasn't a charitable person who championed nonsense. There was only so much as a leader he could tolerate, which is why gathering everyone would be their chance to rekindle whatever drive they had lost. Should they fail to rise to the occasion... then the consequences were theirs to bear. After all, Kieran firmly believed that drive wasn't imparted but rather awakened. You either were driven, or you weren't.
He sauntered down the steps, walking through the industrial third floor filled with the clamor and shuffling of production. Every division sounded hard at work, unlike their counterparts, but that was understandable considering working their Profession was how they increased their level to prepare for a Tier Evolution.
Kieran closed his eyes and inhaled.
The noises, scents, and sensations assaulted him all at once.
There were pungent aromas from the mixing of brews, a burnt, almost poignant sll coming from purified tals, and subtle mystical fluctuations in the air from people fortunate enough to learn enchanting from Agatha.
'So much to address, but it'll all happen in due ti!
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