—

As mentioned before, guilds within Zenith Online were vehicles of immense financial potential. But that potential only became apparent after they could shatter all the major limitations.

A guild required an insane amount of members to function correctly, but it also needed respect from NPCs and fear from players.

Without those two components, an uprising guild was bound to fail after suffering the suppression of several gargantuan presences.

Kieran understood that because he only possessed nine other members, creating a guild at this very moment was difficult.

Before Kieran could voice his concerns, Altair was the first to speak. "Wait, you have fulfilled all the criteria to become a Guild Master?!"

The requirements to become a Guild Master were no longer a secret. One simply needed to ask the Adventurers' Guild for information on the matter to learn the specifics. The terms were as follows:

The player required a reputation of a Lord or higher.

A Lord was the reputation caliber in which players could begin registering land and property under their name. While obtaining property was easy, acquiring land was next to impossible, so no one sought this option.

In Zenith Online's current form, obtaining a piece of prime property was the most practical route for existing guilds to officially establish themselves within Zenith Online.

Kieran had fulfilled this requirement, so there were no worries on this part.

However, there were additional requirements that could more or less be considered more challenging to complete.

Aside from being a Lord, the player must hold a Gold Adventurer Badge to be considered a candidate for an official Guild Master position.

Kieran received this early in the game, and it was quite easy.

In fact, if it was compared to players who tried to obtain a Gold Adventurer Badge now, the time-to-effort ratio difference was staggering!

The third requirement was that one must pass the Power Exam of the Adventurers' Guild, which tested the player's individual strength. At the very least, the Guild Master must be considered a peak Intermediate Being to pass this exam.

This particular requirement existed for the sake of the created guild's protection. Many dark forces within Zenith Online preyed on infant powers to obtain their livelihood.

One such power was the Desertborn Brigands that Kieran annihilated.

The last and most elusive requirement was the Official Guild Creation Order that dropped from bosses of specific standards. It could be obtained in dungeons, but only from a difficulty that Kieran had yet to attempt.

Aside from dungeons, it could also be a lucky pull from Treasure Chests, but the odds of that happening were less than favorable. Kieran considered this option in the past, but now he wasn't so sure.

After all, Khaos had invited him to join in a dungeon run.

If they obtained the First Clear, his need for his Treasure Chests would change, allowing him to simply spam open his Treasure Chest and see what he received.historical

Kieran shook his head in response to Altair's question. "I haven't completed all of them, but I've completed the most difficult one. We can move forward as soon as I obtain the Official Guild Creation Order."

"Are you telling me we'll become the first official guild within Zenith Online?! Are you kidding me? Do you know how insane that would be? Not even the Behemoths or Leviathans have accomplished that," Bastion exclaimed.

He felt as if his heart would explode from the excitement.

The Leviathans were a grade of guilds above the Behemoths, and they earned their status as Leviathans because they were viewed as untouchable.

Not even Golden Brigade in his past life fulfilled the requirement to mature into the Ninth Leviathan. In fact, it was the 2nd Ranked Behemoth, which is why it was considered a top ten guild.

"He's right. Speaking of which, I haven't heard much about the Leviathans. They have been awfully silent. That's uncharacteristic of them," Nemean mentioned.

Kieran chuckled at everyone's responses.

"Zenith Online isn't like other games. One can't join and willfully create a guild. Their previous status is virtually worthless until they can garner rapport with revered figures."

In previous titles, creating a guild was effortless. All it required was money. If one had that, nothing could stop them. But Zenith Online veered away from that power model.

A player's stratum didn't directly relate to one's status inside the game. Everything had to be acquired by skill or luck.

"I agree. It has only been a few weeks, but this game has been eye-opening. I wouldn't have thought a game could temper us," Alice added.

Sithik nodded behind her, rolling his aching shoulders. "I thought it was unbelievably hard at first, but I judged it too early. The settings were made to weed out the weak and leave those willing to truly brave danger."

Many players quit the game after dying countless times and suffering trauma, but the number was negligible compared to the number of players Kieran's stream attracted.

Before starting the game, many of them visited his stream, lauded as Zenith Online's most entertaining channel. His last stream had broken all-time records!

"I'm glad you all are growing to love the game, but we can't forget that a guild within Zenith Online is nothing without a headquarters on Earth. This facility won't suffice. We need something that is our own," Kieran announced, drawing everyone away from their chatter.

"I.. I could probably get my mother to finance the guild if you'd like," Alice offered.

Kieran felt that Alice came from an Affluent Family based on the style and grace of her movement. Her detached demeanor and composed behavior weren't too odd for a rich girl.

But Kieran shook his head. "At the very least, our silent partner would have to be an Extreme Magnate Family, but that's pretty much impossible. They'll want to swallow the entire guild."

An Extreme Magnate Family went beyond the influence of a typical Magnate Family like the ones that backed the Behemoths. Extreme Magnate Families could tip the scales of the global economy with their individual wealth.

Such a frightening power was something no regime, whether the governments of the various countries or guilds, were willing to clash heads with. It wasn't uncommon for individuals targeted by Extreme Magnate Families to simply vanish into thin air.

"If we need a backer like that.. what will we do?" Alice grimaced. "My family isn't even considered a Magnate Family. Perhaps it could be in a few more years, but as of right now, we're an Affluent Family."

"Wow, that's quite the background you have. You're already a socialite," Kieran nodded, smiling faintly.

After smiling, Kieran's expression grew serious. "What we will do is simple—acquire supreme power within Zenith Online and become our backer. I want sole ownership. I will not be handing out shares of our future guild. It will take ample work, but that's why we're having this discussion."

Kieran crossed his arms and guided everyone upstairs before taking a seat to discuss the important matters.

Once seated, Kieran continued. "I want to assign our roles from now. Everyone at this table will be given a core member status once the guild is created. This means you are a part of the original members."

"Even me?" Sithik asked cautiously.

"Me too?" Cygnus questioned, blinking her watery eyes.

"Yes, you two are included. Why would I train if I didn't intend to employ you? You can become excellent healers. I haven't gauged your skills recently, but I'm sure your awareness now is incomparable to before."

Kieran then shifted his gaze to Altair. "I want you as my High Commander, and if not that, you'll become my Executioner."

Altair grinned after hearing this offer. "Usually, I would reject an offer to join a guild as I have done for the past ten years, but what can I say? You all have grown on me. Executioner sounds good to me."

Altair wasn't the type that sought such high responsibilities, so the Executioner position would fit him well.

"Bastion, you'll become my Chief of Tankers and Main Tank," Kieran said. He paused and awaited the passing of Bastion's gleeful smile.

"Nemean, you'll become the Vice Guild Master responsible for discipline and maintaining order."

"Woohoo!" Nemean shouted with a raised fist. "I'll be a Vice Guild-Master. Do you guys hear that? You'll have to listen to this daddy in the future!"

Kieran snickered but didn't say much. "Alice, you'll become the second Vice Guild Master responsible for management. I believe you'll excel in this department."

"Sera, even though you're quiet, you always exhibit superior awareness and make prudent decisions, so you'll naturally become our Chief Healer, responsible for providing insight into what makes a good healer. This means your position will rival Bastion."

"Sithik, Cygnus—you'll naturally be two of the main healers within our main squadron. Cyr, you're going to shadow Altair and continue to develop your skill. Once you are strong enough, I'll grant you a more distinct position."

Kieran laid all of the roles on the table regarding the battle aspect. There was also the matter of dealing with Lifestyle Players, but that didn't involve these members.

Furthermore, it would be more tricky to set the foundations of that.

'If I can scam Hamon and Sorcia, I mean recruit.. building off my current fame won't be difficult,' Kieran thought.

Scar had permitted him to roam, and Zerim had invited him to his family's land, so Kieran's chances are acquiring extraordinary materials were relatively high.

At that moment, his holo-phone began to vibrate and release an obnoxious alert. Everyone turned towards him with eyes brimming with curiosity.