Infinite Realm

Just as Azure's scouts had spotted them, Silver Wolf's scouts had also discovered the existence of the opposing team but neither tried to avoid the other. As a result, it didn't take long for the two different teams to meet up.

"Iron Bear. It's been a while." Chesces spoke up.

While Silver Wolf was the leader of the Battle Wolves' team in this raid and Azure Dragon led Emperor's Might, the latter's authority and position in his guild was above that of Silver Wolf. However, it would have been better than having to converse with the second rank Iron Bear. Hence, Azure was disinclined to speak with him and left the negotiations to Chesces.

You send a minion and expect to talk with the boss? Dream on.

"Haha. If it isn't the 5th hand of the Emperor, the sly devil himself. What brings you here if I may?" Iron Bear asked.

The question sounded like a dumb one but the hidden meaning behind it was simply Iron Bear mocking Chesces. First, he praised Chesces with his recognised titles and then asked the question, 'what brings you here'. The question didn't refer to Emperor's Might being here -as the answer to that was pretty obvious- but it was referring to the fact that Chesces came out to represent them.

It wasn't a secret among the top-ranking figures of the top guilds that Chesces and Azure Dragon had a bit of beef between them. The two were figures nominated for the upper echelon spots in the guild. In other words, they were competitors, as well as opponents. However, Chesces never showed any interest in the high positions like elder or guild leader despite having a headstart with the pseudo-elder-like position in the title of the 5th hand. Despite so, Azure Dragon saw him as an opponent; a challenge he must face. Not only was Chesces stronger than he was but he was also as smart as him, if not slightly smarter. This gave Chesces an advantage such that even if he didn't want to compete for the position of elder or guild leader, the upper echelons would still select him. 

As the two were now in the same branch with Azure Dragon heading it, anyone with a little bit of sense as well as the aforementioned intel, would know that Azure Dragon wouldn't make things easy for him and might even try to ruin him.

Iron Bear was clearly aware of this, hence, such a simple question like 'what brings you here' not only mocked Chesces for being a secondhand figure but also reminded him about the issues between him and Azure Dragon. With just two sentences, he had tried to sow discord between the two heads. A simple-minded person wouldn't realise this complex evaluation but someone like Chesces, whose head was filled with conspiracies, plots, and schemes, could discern this hidden meaning at a glance.

"Why shouldn't I be here? I'm the guild's lead fighter so it's only right for me to be here. You n the other hand, why are you here?" Chesces tossed back the question.

"Haha. As expected of a devil-like yourself. I'm a military man and I'm not good at such things. As for why I'm here, you obviously know that. Let's stop with all this play and have a nice chat now." Iron Bear smiled.

"I don't think we both are worthy enough for that right?" Chesces smiled.

"You're right." Iron Bear nodded. 

"My captain opts that we discuss over there." Pointing a finger to a small hill a couple of metres away, Iron Bear continued, "The area is clear and there's a cave wide enough for our two teams. It's just that it's still far from the centre, hence the reason we didn't take camp over there."

"Okay."

Not bothering to waste any time on senseless comments, Chesces left to report the situation to Azure Dragon, and iron Bear left to do the same.

"Negotiations? Hehe. He probably wants to figure out who made it first." Azure Dragon rapped his finger around his staff.

"The title for first is something important to our two guilds as it would help in the actual negotiations. Solving this problem now would make things better for both sides." Chesces commented.

"True. But if we're second, then that's bad." Azure Dragon said with a dignified expression.

During the Grand meeting of guilds at Salt Springs town, selecting a leader for the alliance was a difficult problem so the various guilds came up with the idea of this contest. As they say, action speaks louder than words but the gamers say strength speaks the loudest. Being able to reach the 10th floor first was both a show of strength as well as one of commanding ability. So selecting the leader via this method was seemingly not bad. There was an underlying effect though, the leader could preserve his troops and use the rest as cannon-fodder to weaken the BOSS, unleashing the full strength of his squad only at the last moment.

There was also the problem of the loot division, so the first to make it to the 10th would not only be the de facto leader of the alliance of the various guilds but would also have priority when choosing from the loot. All these perks made the spot lucrative for the top guilds so even Azure Dragon wouldn't want to lose out of it. 

On the other side…

"We managed to make it in time but just barely." Silver Wolf sighed.

His team had originally departed before everyone else and their comprehensive strength was among the top, yet midway, they got overtaken by Emperor' Might. After riling up the spirit of his team, Silver Wolf rushed forward with his men, without regard to their safety or such; only forging a path of blood till they made it to the 9th floor. Once that was accomplished, the rest became easier. The team was only made up of 15 or 16 players so the strength of the Guardian Golems wasn't as terrifying as the one Emperor's Might faced, but they still didn't have it easy.

Finally, after using one of their key tools, they managed to win the battle and immediately darted through the Exit gate just so they could be the first.

"The super guilds have enjoyed years of domination and supremacy without a worthy foe. As a result, they have gotten weak. Even so, they are still a difficult opponent for many. Relying on their heritage and strength, even a silly branch would strut its tail like a true dragon when it's just the same as a rabid dog but with better ability. However, a branch is but a branch and not the main thing." A middle-aged man beside Silver Wolf spoke up.

"Even if it departs from the tree, it would still need some time to grow. And during this period of growth, is when it's at its weakest. It no longer has the support of the main tree so it ought to lie low and bid its time, till it has matured completely. Then it can astound the world, turning into a great tree. But that young lad, Azure, doesn't seem to understand this. He's too desperate for glory that he doesn't mind digging a pit for himself. Such a waste of talent.." The man shook his head.