Desolate World

After discussing his plan with his family for a while, Ace and Sofia went out of town hall. Because Geo and Cloud planned to go to Avril's house with Eva, they would stay to wait for Eva's shift to end.

When Ace and Sofia entered the guild house, they became the center of attention of the new members of the guild. As guild master and guild manager, it was to be expected for them to get such a reaction. Ace and Sofia said hello to all of them, which was welcomed warmly by them. 

Some of the guardians that were there were still level 1 or 2. Yeah, they were casual guardians. They came to the world for fun or to take a rest from their busy days. How did Ace know? 

He knew from their appearances. They didn't wear beginner's clothes as they should, but they wore cool and beautiful clothes that could be worn by a level 1 individual. The guild shop also sold these 'cosmetic' wears, as Sofia thought that the guardians would be bored if they only wore combat clothes, especially in the town. So she ordered the guild's tailors to make some fashionable clothes.

Then Ace found that not all of them were casual guardians, many production guardians also wore them, as they didn't need any protection in the town, they chose to wear those cool clothes. Ace then saw Troy, the still second-ranked member in the guild rank, standing in line in front of one of three counters, where members who wanted to take or submit the missions should report.

He wore beach shirts, shorts, and flip-flops. He looked like a slacker, but anyone who looked at his level would be surprised, as he had level 5. 

Ace could see many such guardians that were standing in line like Troy. As their levels and jobs showed him that they were not part of those idle guardians. Ace could only guess about their reason for wearing cosmetic clothes because as production guardians, they didn't need any protection or additional attributes from combat equipment, as they were always inside the town wall. So they chose to wear comfortable clothing in their everyday lives.

Although Ace frowned upon seeing the casual guardians, he couldn't hate them. Because they would become the regular customers in the guild shop and restaurants. In short, they were one of the money sources of the guild.

As many people tried their luck to get credit by selling their diracs, some others bought the diracs with their credit. And those casual guardians who spent their credit to enjoy this world were always welcome. They were just like tourists. And no one would hate tourists as long as they were willing to spend their money.

Ace then found the one that he wanted to meet. He was surprised that the 'he' he expected to meet was actually 'she'. 

[Aiden]

Race: Elf (gambler of fate)

Level: 8

Ace was surprised after seeing her level. He then looked at the town guardian ranking and his prediction was proven to be true. She was just below Cloud, whose level was 32. Ace then looked further and found that the top 50 guardians were from Nightglow guild. It made him proud. 

Ace then observed Aiden again. She wore beginner equipment. But Ace could see that her earrings were definitely special, as they looked like dice. Another thing that looked unusual was her gauntlet. The black gauntlet with some gems embedded on its surface. she wore it on his left hand.

Finding Ace looking at Aiden, Sofia explained, "She was summoned around 150 km in the East. Luckily, Red and Blue found her while patrolling, if not, maybe she would need a month or longer to reach here. As she was only by herself. 

Because of that, after she heard the invitation for joining the guild, she said 'yes' right away. After that, she went offline. It seems she has just been online."

Ace nodded, he said, "No wonder, she got to level 8 this fast. She must get 5,000 experience from the 'go to the nearest settlement quest'."

***

"So, let's grow together with this guild in this town where many races can live together. Let's shout it together, Nighthlow… Whoa!" Sampson shouted.

""Nightglow … Whoa!"" The guild members then shouted. They then clapped their hands.

Ace felt that his decision to ask Sampson to open the meeting was right. With his 'likeable' personality, the atmosphere of the meeting became merry.

After that, Ace gave some speech. In summary, he welcomed the new members to the guild, and told them the rules of the guild. There were three things that he emphasized. 

First, to not attack and kill fellow members of the guild. If there were disputes between the members of the guild, they should be reported to the guild, so the guild could mediate the members that had disputes.

Second, to not use the name of the guild and Ace for personal benefit. However, the members should help each other, if there were members that were bullied by other guilds or individuals. For a note, their actions should be permitted by the executives of the guild.

Third, to defend and protect Laketown and its townsmen from external or internal threats. Ace then said openly that the guild had been sponsored by the town, so they could get more missions and got more rewards for completing the missions. So, they should repay the town and the townsmen their loyalty.

After hearing Ace's speech most members nodded at the rules. But, some individuals seemed to frown when hearing it. Ace of course saw those. He then asked if there were questions.

However, no one asked. So, he concluded that everyone was agreed. As for a few members that seemed not to feel comfortable at certain points, he had anticipated it. As he knew that he couldn't satisfy everyone. As everyone grew up in various environments that might have different moral standards.

After Ace had told them their obligations that must be adhered to, Sofia as managers then explained many benefits that the members could get after joining the guild. 

After that, the personnel of the guild carried out many snacks and drinks for the newbies. The guardians then cheered. It was a welcome party for them. 

Seeing the party had begun, Ace wanted to join as well, but then a staff of Night Guard came and whispered something to him. 

He then asked the elf if he was sure that the information was accurate. He said that Mose himself ordered him to tell Ace about it. Ace thought for a moment and nodded. He told the staff to leave first. 

Looking at the leaving staff, Sampson and Sofia came to him to ask what had happened. Ace could only answer, "Our first battle has come."

***

After entrusting everything to Sofia, Ace called Geo, and Cloud to come. As Mose had already informed all of the elites, he had to just wait in the headquarters.

After understanding the situation from Mose, Ace decided to just bring some people. He decided to bring Geo, Sampson, Cloud, Uriel, Eric, Erica, Peter, Jordan, Hunt, Varel, Abdu, Zaen, and 4 healers from his guild personnel.

Hunt was a level 45 elite angel light mage. He was the direct subordinate of Aria. However, after the night guards were established, all elites except elders had become members of night guards. So, even if he had been the subordinate of Aria, he must obey Mars's and the elders' arrangement.

Varel was a level 41 gnome earth mage. As for Abdu and Zaen were level 37 and 43 gnome golem masters. Golem master was a job that could make a contract with golems from the elemental realm. As they were gnomes, they could only contract earth element golems.

If Geo hadn't resurrected 10 elite skeletons perhaps he would have issued full mobilization of all elites. But, because they had 10 elite skeletons, Ace thought it had already been enough to bring some of the elites, otherwise, it would be overkill.

It began with the report from Jordan, that a reinforcement had been sent from the undead territory in the West to reinforce the undead army that was having a war with the parasites in the East.

The reinforcement had stopped in the Iron Gate Fortress for a while and was planned to depart in the evening. It was an army of 1,000 zombies that was led by a ghoul lord. Jordan also said that there were 4 ghoul elites in the zombie army.

Ace's intention was obvious. He would make the ordinary skeleton and golem army facing the zombie army, then the rest of the elites would deal with the lord and the 5 elites.

Of course, they couldn't face them near the Iron Gate Fortress. After discussing with Sampson and Noah, they decided the battlefield location. It would be 200 km from the Iron Gate Fortress, or around 300 km from Laketown.

***