War Online

Three days ago;

Scarlet Guild Residence, Deloris town;

"Guys, with yesterday, one month had been finished since I recruited you. Now, it's the time for me to decide whether to relinquish your contracts and special treatment," said Aster, looking at fifty original Scarlet members, who were scattered among the Scarlet and Silvershapers.

As the guild residence continued to be silent, Aster glanced at two people and spoke, "Mountain Rock, Fiery Snake; both of you have already formed a one-year contract. So, there's no reason for you to stand with them. You may take the seats…"

Aster pointed towards the empty seats in the guildhall.

After the both of them left, sighing in relief, Aster placed his attention on the naïve looking muscular teenager, who was standing on the front with a worried look, "Rock Fist, for the past month, your performance and impressive growth were commendable.

Since you proved that you are a valuable asset to the guild, I'm giving you an offer to join our professional team. The contract will be one-year and your salary will be tripled."

"Tri…Tripled?" RockFist took a step with a shock on his face, "that means 150,000 credits per month. Seriously?"

Aster nodded with a smile, "yes, of course. It also comes with additional bonuses like accommodation, a vehicle, credit card, etc..."

As his face glowed for a second, Aster's tone turned serious, all of a sudden, "But, joining the team also have some demerits like you have to shift to our HQ and work from the office. Your freedom might also become restricted as all employees are required to stay at the company's dorm."

"That's…" Getting to the reality, the glow on his face disappeared and turned into hesitation, instead.

Taking a glance at the troubled look, Aster folds his hands to the chest and continued, "of course, like any other job, we have specific working hours. You won't be pressured to play all the time and your opinion will have a higher value."

"What… What if I… I don't sign the contract?" RockFist asked, thinking about the scenario of leaving his family and go to a new place.

Upon hearing his question, Aster shrugged his shoulder, no longer paid any interest in continuing this conversation long.

"Well, then, you will be given two options. One is to join the Elite ranks in the guild and the other is to leave the guild. You no longer have any contract. So, you are free to do what you wish."

Rock Fist fell into a dilemma, thinking of his mom and younger brother on one hand, while thinking of a 15,000 dollar salary that can only be earned by top graduates, on the other hand.

Meanwhile, Aster continued to the next person. This time, he didn't bother to go into the lengthy discussion as they no matter to Wil, in his opinion.

"Xspell, six-month contract, same salary with 50,000 credits. Take the offer or choose between the two options."

Unlike Rock Fist, this former gangster, who was used to take money from someone and go to jail on behalf of them, quickly replied, "I choose the contract, Boss."

As soon as Aster heard of someone choosing what he offered without batting an eye, a smile appeared on him and he nodded while pointing towards the seats beside Mountain Rock and Fiery Snake, "good. Go and take the seat. We'll contact you in person, later."

"Next, Zeyrox."

"Yes, Boss." Another street thug, who used to take protection money from vendors, stepped forward with a salute.

"Six-months contract, 60000 credits."

"Um… Boss, can I get a one-year…" As Aster sharply glared at him asking as if 'you dare question my decision,' he quickly shut up his mouth and saluted again before accepting the offer and joined the rest.

After calling 12 names with offering all of them, a contract, Aster proceeded to call 'Skyzon,' a talented high school graduate who was studying for a college exam.

Since he was known to be powerful among the Elites in the guild and led many parties to clear the dungeons, he confidently stepped forward with an expectation of a high salary while already planning his new future in Leafway city.

But, what he didn't expect is a look of frown on Aster's face as soon as the latter saw him.

"Skyzon, I'm afraid I can't offer you a contract."

"Eh?" A shocked look appeared on his face along with the rest of them who were standing behind him, not expecting their Vice leader to make such a decision.

"You can either join our Elite ranks or free to leave the guild," spoke Aster with a frown before looking towards the next person, "next, Xenon Laser."

"Wait…" Skyzon let out a cry of panic, "Boss, why wasn't I offered a contract when even Xspell got his? I believe I'm stronger and skilled than almost all of these guys here…"

Upon hearing him, everyone frowned but no one dared to speak out as it is the truth. It is a fact that, in the guild, aside from Wil, Aster, Evie, Hyori, and RockFist, there's hardly anyone who can match his skills.

"Che Dong Hyun…" Aster's voice turned cold as he called him out his real name, bringing a shiver in the back of everyone's legs, "do you think you are stronger than Young Master?"

As Skyzon kept silent, Aster continued, "do you think Young Master need help from you lot? If we need nothing but strength, then, all of you are nothing more than worthless to Young Master. What we need is an attitude more than strength.

What is strength and skills amounted for… Just need a few legendary grade equipment and learn high-grade skill books. It doesn't matter how skilled you are. You will lose even to a newbie."

As his words getting louder each second, in the meantime, Rock Fist recovered his senses and listened to him patiently, making a decision.

"But, I have always followed orders and never did a wrong thing. So, why..." Skyzon questioned him, not willing to back down, feeling unfair.

"Che Dong Hyun, just because Young master tells you are free to do as your wish, doesn't mean you can do dungeons with enemies in exchange for money. Not once but multiple times even after our stance with 'Resistance' was clear."

"This…" Skyzon took a step back in panic, "I can explain… It was…"

But, before he was about to explain what happened, Aster interrupted by reading his notes, "If that wasn't enough, you also took leave for a day every three to four days without my permission. What do you think I'm paying you for?"

Taking a heavy breath, Aster then, looked at Skyzon, "remember this very well, kid. When you go out into society later, whatever job you will do, being irresponsible will cut off all the advantages of being skilled. Take this as a lesson and get going…"

"Next, Xenon Laser…"

Aster went on with the next name, not paying attention to the feelings of the young man, who was feeling frustrated with being insulted and lectured for such a simple reason…

A few hours later;

At a restaurant in the town of Deloris, Aster is busy having talks with Rigel, vice guild leader of Starlight, about the alliance as Wil was busy overseas, searching for his Book of Destiny.

All of a sudden, he received a notification from the system.

*Ding. Squad Captain, Skyzon left the guild.

"Well, I guess, the kid made a decision…" thought Aster for a second and forgot about the matter quickly, continuing his discussion.

"So, you are saying, a player town is something that can be built anywhere in the kingdom, even in the wild zone?" asked Aster with an interest.

Meanwhile, Skyzon was leveling up in a wild zone, filled with frustration.

"Damn that ba****d… Does he think their guild is that great? Without Time Traveler, it's not even a third-tier guild��� Hardly, there are 1500 people left, and that Shadow Blade thinks he's some big shot…"

Slashing a beast from behind, he growled, "What if Scarlet is a Multi-billionaire company… They are nothing more than noobs… Attitude? Hmpf, as if I need to listen to that crap from a street thug... Hmm?"

In the middle of fighting another beast, Skyzon spotted a soldier, fighting half a dozen wolfs while grabbing a purple crystal in another hand.

"Vanish"

Using vanish skill, Skyzon disappeared from the beast's view and carefully hid in the bushes until only one wolf left while the soldier is only left with 5% HP.

A while later;

"Thank you, adventurer, for helping me out but I don't think I can go on with these wounds. Please, take this letter and this, to her highness, Rikilda Llyne."

*Ding. You received a request.