Based on individual player strength, Battle Crazed Alliance was only second to Asskickers United in the entire alliance. They ranked much higher than Holy Empire, Sapphire Shrine, and the others. Even though they weren't that large with only 80,000 members, they couldn't be looked down on in battle.
Nie Yan thought back to how famous Battle Crazed Alliance was for their battle prowess in his past life. Kill Love was a decent guild leader. Back then, he didn't lose because his guild was weak but rather he was faced with the might of a powerful financial group. But in this life, Nie Yan had brought them under his wing; with his protection, he would see to it that their downfall wouldn't repeat itself.
Hilderlocke's Glowfly Teahouse. Business here was pretty slow with only a few tables occupied by players.
Nie Yan entered the teahouse. He found a corner to sit down in and quietly sipped his tea. No one was any the wiser about his presence.
Not too far away from Nie Yan sat several other players. They chatted about all sorts of topics, including their levels, equipment, dungeons, and the matters of the major guilds. Anything that crossed their minds, they would talk about. They looked lackadaisical as if they had nothing better to do. Their levels weren't that high, hovering between the high 60s to low 70s. In this city full of Level 90+ players, they could only count as third-rate players.
"Man, you're really something. It's only been a month and a half, and you've already caught up to us," a 30-something-year-old Mage remarked. He shot a somewhat depressed glance at the 18 year old Warrior seated next to him.
"Hehe, that's nothing. Give me another two months, and I'll definitely be caught up with the first-wave players," the Warrior proudly declared.
To be able to get to Level 70 in a little over a month, not bad... Well, let's have a look, shall we. As Nie Yan inspected the Warrior with Transcendent Insight. His eyes widened in surprise. Wild Soul!
In the previous timeline, Wild Soul was a powerful Warrior. He ranked above Smoke Stub and consistently occupied one of the top three rankings among Sword Saints. He could be described as a heaven blessed talent. But he had the vice of being insufferably arrogant, making it a point to thoroughly humiliate every opponent he defeated. His reputation outside the game wasn't all that stellar either.
Based on the boastful tone Wild Soul was taking right now, one could easily tell how he would turn out in the future.
Even though Nie Yan had accidently stumbled upon a good seedling, he had no plans of recruiting Wild Soul into Asskickers United. If a player like that were to join their ranks, he would inevitably stir up a lot of trouble.
Nie Yan thought for a moment. Hmm... I can let Kill Love try and sort him out.
As Nie Yan was sipping his tea, the conversation of the people chatting around him caused him to pause and perk up his ears.
"I don't know what's going on with all these skeletons showing up in the east of Hilderlocke recently. They aren't like normal skeletons either. They gather in groups, and there are so many of them. Some of them are even led by Elites. Isn't it strange for them to be so organized? They're also really aggressive. They kill anyone they spot. I went with a team to grind in the barrens today. More than 10 of us were killed, and I only barely escaped. Man, that really scared the crap out of me," a Mage gloomily said.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that too. Apparently, if you're killed by those skeletons, you end up becoming one yourself. Really troublesome, right? They've also been attacking some nearby villages. After they're through, they slaughter every last NPC! Nothing is left alive! More than 10 villages have already been turned into ruins. I'm guessing Hilderlocke will send over guards to do something about them soon."
"It seems like most of those skeletons are coming from around the Brocchi Stronghold."
"Hush! Watch what you say! Don't let the people from God Executioner Sword hear you."
Nie Yan pondered for a moment. This conversation he eavesdropped on lined up with his previous guess. It appeared the Vengeance of the Undead expansion really was happening. Likely, the corrupted player had only recently revived Necromancer Vorderman.
"If I continue letting them grow, things will become troublesome later." Nie Yan decided to go to the Brocchi Stronghold later to investigate. With his strength, even if he encountered danger, he could still escape with ease.
After a while, Kill Love clad in a dark golden armour walked into the teahouse looking like a steel titan. This small and empty teahouse suddenly felt overly crowded.
Each step he took caused the wooden floors of the teahouse to shake and groan. Following behind him were two other players.
Kill Love turned to Nie Yan. The two met eyes and gave each other light nods.
After seeing Kill Love, the players in the teahouse were dumbstruck.
"Look! There! That's Kill Love, the guild leader of Battle Crazed Alliance!"
The players all had looks of reverence on their faces. They understood what Kill Love's name represented in Hilderlocke. They all felt a heavy pressure weighing down on them.
As Wild Soul gazed at Kill Love, there was a look of admiration as well as a hint of fanaticism in his eyes. He couldn't help but imagine how amazing it would be if he could wear such equipment one day. Kill Love was his goal. Wild Soul deeply respected him, not for his skills as a player but rather his remarkable leadership abilities. Every player in Battle Crazed Alliance was strictly disciplined. Not just anybody could bring a guild to such heights.
"Excuse me, everyone, I have some business here. I'd like to ask you all to clear the premises. Thank you," Kill Love said. His voice carried an unquestionable authority.
After hearing Kill Love's words, the players in the teahouse got up and prepared to leave, including Wild Soul.
Kill Love held quite a bit of influence in Hilderlocke. Even the higher ups of God Executioner Sword wouldn't dare to rashly provoke him.
Seeing the players leaving one after another, Nie Yan sent a private message to Kill Love.「You see that Warrior over there? Have him join Battle Crazed Alliance. He's a decent seedling, just that he's a bit on the arrogant side. You'll have to discipline him well.」
Just as Wild Soul was about to leave the teahouse, Kill Love turned around and shouted, "Hey, you there! The skinny brat in the armour, hold up!
Wild Soul halted his steps. He turned his head back with a puzzled look on his face. Was Kill Love calling out to him?
"Yeah, you. Come back here, and take a seat," Kill Love said. Seeing Wild Soul still not reacting, he walked over and grabbed him by the collar behind his neck, then brought him back like he was carrying a cat.
After being lifted up by Kill Love, Wild Soul felt depressed. He didn't dare to attack Kill Love, but that was only secondary. In front of Kill Love's overbearing strength, he couldn't muster up any resistance.
The difference was too great. He felt utterly helpless.
Kill Love glanced at the two players behind him. "Have him join Battle Crazed Alliance. Draft up a contract, and make him sign it. If he doesn't want to, show him the consequences."
"W-wait. What!? Why?" Wild Soul stared at Kill Love in disbelief. This situation was simply too bizarre. Suddenly being hoisted up like some kind of a child, then forcefully conscripted to a guild, anyone would be confused.
"There is no why," Kill Love said in a cold tone. Seeing Wild Soul looking like he wanted to ram his head into a wall, he inwardly chuckled. Lil' punk, just watch me whip you into shape.
Wild Soul felt like he was going crazy. Just how did the situation develop this way? Even though he had always wanted to join Battle Crazed Alliance, never in his wildest dreams did he think he would become a member like this.
"Can you at least give me a reason...?"
"I don't like your name. No one is wilder than me," Kill Love curtly replied. He then turned around and walked over to Nie Yan.
You really expect me to believe that? Wild Soul rolled his eyes.
"Sign it." The Mage following behind Kill Love placed down a contract in front of Wild Soul.
Wild Soul skimmed over the contract. The restrictions weren't too harsh, and the benefits were generous. For a student like him who wasn't making any money and came from a medium household, it was certainly attractive.
Wild Soul swallowed his saliva. He felt like a meat pie had dropped down from the sky.
"W-what if I don't sign it...?"
"We'll have you PKed back to Level 0 within five days," the Mage replied without batting an eye.
Do all people get recruited into Battle Crazed Alliance like this? Shaking his head, Wild Soul didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He wasn't even given a choice! From a glance he could tell the Mage wouldn't budge, so he relented and helplessly signed his name.
Wild Soul looked over at Kill Love's side and was dumbstruck. From his perspective, Kill Love was a hero who could support heaven and earth, an unreachable and eminent existence. But at this moment, he was like a good subordinate to the person in the black cloak, his every action laced with great respect.
Curiosity welled up in Wild Soul's heart. Just who was Kill Love talking to?
Wild Soul had no way of getting an answer for now.
"That punk signed the contract," Kill Love said, glancing at Wild Soul in the back.
Nie Yan nodded. Whether Wild Soul joined Asskickers United or Battle Crazed Alliance made no difference. He no longer lingered on this topic and shifted the conversation to God Executioner Sword.
"What's the situation with God Executioner Sword?" Nie Yan asked. Kill Love belonged to Hiderlocke. So, he should know a bit more.
"Their growth exceeded my expectations, especially after absorbing all those guilds fleeing from Colt. They currently control 21 strongholds in Hilderlocke. I've always felt like they have some powerful entity backing them. So, I've been trying my best to avoid any confrontation with them and branched out to other cities instead," Kill Love said. It appeared he was quite cautious with God Executioner Sword.
Nie Yan nodded. Kill Love's decision was reasonable. If the two guilds came to a head, it was hard to say who would come out on top. With the victor gaining very little while the loser would be condemned to eternal damnation, it was easy to see why Kill Love wouldn't take the gamble. He knew better than to put his guild's future on the line.
"You're right to avoid a direct clash. They have the Monet Financial Group backing them. As you know, we recently conquered Colt. We'll soon be going to war with them," Nie Yan said.
Kill Love stared at Nie Yan. Asskickers United already controlled such a large territory, but they were still provoking more powerful enemies. It seemed like Nie Yan wasn't satisfied with simply keeping his territory. He wanted to unite the whole Viridian Empire!
Is it really possible? Thinking to this point, Kill Love's blood boiled with excitement.