Chapter 33 : Potential


    As Noah and Wilhelm sat in the dimly lit tavern, the weight of their decision hung in the air. Noah''s ambition to establish their own guild was outspoken, but Wilhelm, the seemingly cautious High Sorcerer, still had a different perspective.


    "I understand the allure of creating our guild, but in this vast and complex world, we need to tread carefully. Rushing into it might lead to unforeseen accidents. I propose a different approach…" Wilhelm spoke, choosing his words carefully,


    Noah raised an eyebrow, curiosity looking in his eyes. He would naturally appreciate good insight and he knew that his friend wouldn''t suggest something without a good reason.


    "Before we establish our guild, we should consider joining an existing one. There are several advantages to this. Firstly, it provides us with immediate protection. We''ll be part of a larger organization, and this can deter potential threats." Wilhelm continued.


    Noah nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in Wilhelm''s words. The New World was a treacherous place, and safety in numbers was a common strat.


    "Furthermore, joining an established guild allows us to understand the inner workings of such organizations. We can learn from experienced leaders and observe the dynamics that make guilds successful…"


    Noah was silent as he seemingly contemplated words. It made sense. Building a guild from scratch was a monumental task. Learning from those who had already navigated the complex guild politics and management could be very valuable.


    "Networking and connections, Brother… Demerit. By becoming members of an existing guild, we gain access to a network of players, some of whom may become our allies, collaborators, business partners, and others. It''s a way to expand our reach and influence." Wilhelm''s voice grew more animated as he enumerated the benefits.


    "And naturally, information. Let''s not forget about that. Being part of a guild means we''ll have better access to valuable information, rumors, and news circulating within the New World. Information is power."


    Noah nodded his head, "Rumors huh… But yeah, that’s true... We can use that information to our advantage, whether it''s in quests, trade, or strategic decisions. It''s a pretty rich soft resource."


    Noah took a moment to absorb all the points Wilhelm had raised. He looked as if he had been so focused on the idea of creating something new that he hadn''t considered the benefits of temporarily aligning with an established guild.


    "Honestly, you make compelling arguments. But there''s something we need to ensure by then. How do we choose the right guild? Not all of them share our values, and some might have conflicting goals."


    Wilhelm smiled, his demeanor changed from caution to thoughtful consideration. "That''s a valid concern. We should seek a guild whose values align with ours naturally or, at the very least, respect our principles. We can also communicate our expectations clearly from the start. Transparency is key after all."


    Noah nodded, appreciating the pragmatic approach. "And what about our long-term plan? Joining a guild is one thing, but eventually, we want to create our own. How do we transition in your opinion?"


    Wilhelm''s eyes gleamed, "Once we''ve gained experience, established connections, and honed our experiences within an existing guild, we can consider branching out. We''ll have the credibility and knowledge needed to create our guild successfully by then."


    Noah sighed with a mix of satisfaction and anticipation. "You''ve given me much to think about. I think that’s a good idea to start too. We''ll just proceed cautiously for now, as you suggest."


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "This way, we can then maximize our chances of success in this ever-evolving world." Wilhelm smiled.


    In the end, Noah understood what made Wilhelm apprehensive and cautious. First of all, Wilhelm was a pretty experienced player, achieving level 100+ while also gaining a great class. Back then, Noah had advised him to start the game and improve. He followed his advice and now, he could honestly become rich if he wanted to just by joining other guilds and thrived there.


    But he held back. It was because of the man in front of him. He was not only his boss, but also someone he was indebted too. Noah had told him back then that he too would join the game, but he couldn''t meet up with Wilhelm at that time. Wilhelm acknowledged it, and wanted to follow the boss just like how he followed him in real life. So he decided to wait for Noah until he was able to finally meet each other.


    “Alright… What can you tell me about the guilds in this area? Do you have any idea?"


    Wilhelm adjusted his visage as his robe rippled in from the movement while he considered the question. His fingers tapped against the table as he navigated through his virtual interface, summoning information that he had.


    "Well," Wilhelm began, "there are several prominent guilds in this region of the game world, each with its own strengths and areas of influence. It all depends on what we''re looking for..."


    "Tell me about the guilds that excel in combat through their records," Noah requested. "I''m kinda curious about those kinds of guilds at the moment."


    Wilhelm ''s fingers flew across the keyboard, and a holographic interface materialized before him. It displayed a list of guilds, each with its emblem and a brief description of their specialties.


    "Here are a few," Wilhelm began, "First there is The Iron Fist, known for their approach to high pressure combat. They have a stronghold in the Arena of Champions and are skilled in team-based strategies."


    Noah listened attentively, his expression looked thoughtful. The Iron Fist sounded like a formidable group, one that could potentially provide the protection and connections they needed.


    "Any others?" Noah inquired as his eyes narrowed in thought.


    Wilhelm scrolled down the list. "There''s also the Pale Shroud," he continued. "They''ve made a name for themselves through ruthless tactics and a penchant for guerrilla warfare. They''ve been a thorn in the side of many guilds here."


    Noah smirked at the mention of the Pale Shroud. Their reputation for cunning and unorthodox strategies intrigued him. Such a guild could be a valuable asset if used correctly.


    "What about the Valiant Wave?" Noah asked, and his mouth formed a little curve.


    Wilhelm took a moment before answering. "Valiant Wave is another formidable guild, known for their battle maniac tendencies. They thrive on constant warfare and have a strong presence in the Town of Willowfen."


    "And, there''s something you might know about this Valiant Wave. They are currently embroiled in a fierce war with a rival guild called Wreaking Havoc."


    Noah''s eyebrows shot up in exaggerated surprise. "A war, you say? Tell me more."


    Wilhelm nodded, his avatar displaying a holographic interface with details of the ongoing conflict. "It appears that the two guilds have been locked in a bitter struggle for supremacy. It''s a battle for control, territory, and dominance within the area."


    "Who initiated the conflict?" Noah asked.


    Wilhelm scrolled through the interface, searching for the details. "...It seems that the conflict was sparked by a territorial dispute. Both guilds claim ownership of key locations within the game, and tensions reached a boiling point."


    Territory meant resources, power, and influence, all of which were highly sought-after in the competitive world of New World. The stakes were undeniably high.


    "...What about casualties?" Noah inquired.


    "There have been casualties on both sides. Players from Valiant Wave and Wreaking Havoc have fallen in battle. They seem determined to settle their differences through force."


    Wilhelm said, but then he suddenly remembered something.


    "...There was something else in that matter too. There was a pretty unique event where suddenly a spearman appeared in a battle between those two guilds.


    Noah raised his eyebrow as he inquired further, "About time, I mean, oh? What''s with this spearman?"


    Wilhelm answered solemnly, "That spearman disrupted one of their battles single handedly recently. Even I was surprised hearing that. If I’m not mistaken, his name is Straight. In my opinion. that spearman had the potential to become a high caliber player in the future…"