NunuNote: We’ve reached Chapter 300!!
Even today, I still get negative reviews from people saying I’m going to drop this novel haha, but I’m happy to have you all here with me following Lohan’s story and being part of building this world. Thank you for being here, and congratulations on 300 Chapters!!
-xXx-
Lohan kept his gaze fixed on a vague spot on the lab table, allowing his Parallel Processing Core to work at full capacity to analyze the variables of Devon’s situation.
He didn’t want to give false hope, but the opportunity to recruit potentially trustworthy Players from the Lower Zone was too attractive to ignore.
Alice and Dylan were nice and polite, but despite the good relationship they had, in the end they were still Lisa’s people, and they also obeyed Lohan because it was Lisa’s order. If at any point Lisa wanted Lohan gone, he knew that both Alice and Dylan would take her side 100% of the time.
"To be honest, Devon... there might be a way to free your group from that troublesome Guild." Lohan began to speak, his voice low and deliberately vague. "Not this week, since our schedules are packed, but maybe next week. However, that would depend entirely on how willing you’d be to give up that total independence to become part of a larger organization."
Devon blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in Lohan’s tone. He felt that the weight of Lohan’s words was now greater, exuding a slight authority and pressure that hadn’t been there before, a pressure that made him straighten his posture instinctively.
"How many people are in your group currently, Baker? I’m referring specifically to those who have already crossed the barrier into the Open World," Lohan asked, wanting to map out the logistics required for a possible absorption.
Devon let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair. "In the real world, there are seven of us, as I showed you in the hangar... but in the Open World of Elysium, there are only four of us so far, Hayes. Skye, me, and two others managed to hit the level cap and leave Novata Village; the rest of the crew is still grinding through the early instances. Since they have common bases, when it’s their turn to use the single helmet we have, the amount they can progress isn’t as much as ours."
Lohan processed the information. Four players in the Open World, with Skye possessing an Epic Race and Devon himself a Rare Base... In terms of raw potential, the Silver Lotus group was a gold mine that the big corporations hadn’t yet tapped.
Internally, Lohan could already see how they would fit into Astralis Requiem. However, he was the Vice President and Isabella was the President; he wouldn’t take any definitive action without consulting her, especially considering the weight of the Vance surname in funding their organization.Not to mention that he wasn’t even sure yet if this decision would be the right one or not.
This was his first time having to deal with this, and to be safe, he felt that Lisa’s opinion would help a lot.
So, he kept his options open.
Upon hearing the mention of joining a "larger organization," Devon frowned, a hint of apprehension and bitterness appearing in his eyes.
"Hayes, to be honest... I’m a little apprehensive about that idea," Devon admitted, crossing his arms over his chest. "I told you what the Guild we’re in is doing. My biggest concern is that your organization is also one of those tyrannies that just wants to trample on Players with low Bases and exclusively value those who got lucky with the Oracle. If we’re going to escape one oppression only to enter another that sees us as nothing but numbers, I’d rather look for another solution."
Lohan sensed Devon’s sincerity and let out a short laugh, breaking the tension a little. He understood Devon’s fear, for he himself had been rejected by all the major guilds for being "just a Slime."
"I get it, Baker. But you’re underestimating us." Lohan replied, his aura exuding an icy calm. "Although my group has indeed decided to follow an Elite path for strategic reasons, we aren’t jerks to those with a weaker foundation. We know, better than anyone, that a Common or Uncommon foundation isn’t a final verdict. Elysium offers various opportunities to increase one’s rarity level through effort and rare evolutions; a member of our group has already grown that way."
This was information that surprised Devon. Although he had read about Players who managed to increase their base through lucky opportunities in Elysium, he had never seen anything like that in person, so in his mind it was something extremely rare, so rare that it would never happen.
But hearing what Lohan said, that someone close to him in his group had managed it, made him see an opportunity for improvement for the group’s players who had a Common base!
Lohan leaned forward, keeping his gaze fixed on Devon’s.
"Our focus on the elite is to directly elevate the Guild’s strategic level, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for others. Players with a common background can be essential in logistics, infrastructure maintenance, or support in lower-risk areas, contributing in their own way and receiving fair protection and resources in return. In our organization, each person’s value is dictated by loyalty and usefulness, not just by the brilliance of their character’s status."
Lohan could have mentioned the substantial financial support the guild provided, that there was a real opportunity for players from the Lower Zone who joined to improve their lives as well, but he was careful not to reveal the guild’s secrets, the name "Halon," or the location of the ancestral tree in Mythlorien.
He wanted the partnership to arise from mutual trust and not just Devon’s financial desperation.
"Anyway, we’re not going to decide anything here between molecular biology classes," Lohan concluded, standing up as the bell signaling the end of break approached. "Think about what I said. Talk to your leader and the rest of your group. See what they think about a possible long-term collaboration. If they’re willing to hear a real proposal, we can set up a meeting next week."
Devon nodded, the glint of doubt in his eyes now mixed with a spark of hope he was trying to hide. "I’ll talk to Skye tonight.
To be honest, Hayes... I hope you’re being sincere. We really need a way out of this hole."
The two practically agreed to keep the line of communication open, returning to their seats as class resumed.
Lohan felt Isabella Vance’s gaze on him for a brief second before she turned her attention back to the hologram, and he gave a small, discreet smile.
Considering what he’d come to know about Lisa over the past few weeks, and how much their thought processes aligned, Lohan was confident she’d trust his judgment.