Legacy of the Betelgeuse

We all are looking at the NPCs that are building Grisell's house. It's quite huge to be called a house, maybe a villa is more suitable. There are 3 buildings that the NPCs have to build. The first one is a house for us to sleep in, the second one is for Grisell's sanctuary, and the last one is a pub for players to gather. It should be finished in a week of real-time based on the information Grisell got from the NPCs and the system.

Thanks to the celebration event, so many newbies are already level 100 and above. We see so many new faces around No Man's Land. Some of them don't even know who we are and just walk past by, but some are approaching us and asking a lot of things. Thanks to Ivonna, she alone is answering all their questions.

We are still watching the NPCs building the house, but then we see Kingstar and his members are coming from the forest and on their way to Fjel town. When they see us, Kingstar and Queenstar are approaching us. Ivonna smiles when her eyes meet with Kingstar's.

Kingstar tilts his head and looks at the NPCs.

"Are you building a house in here?"

Ivonna nods.

"Yes, we are."

Even though they both are not competing with each other anymore, they are still awkward with each other since Kingstar and Queenstar used to diss them in their streams. Not just them, but Francesca and the others are also being awkward with Kingstar and Queenstar since they did the same thing toward Kingstar and Queenstar. I smile and look at Kingstar.

"So, how's the raid? Did you manage to reach the boss stage in the thunderstorm phase?"

Kingstar nods but then sighs.

"We did, but it's impossible with our current level. I think it doesn't matter how many players in the dungeon since the boss has AoE skills that can easily wipe the players. So right now we are going to farm some materials until they updated the max level in few weeks."

Kingstar then remembers something and continues.

"The thing that surprised us is Aksevel was able to defeat the boss on his own in the calm and strong phases because of his legendary weapon."

Ivonna and the others are surprised. Michael clears his throat.

"For real?"

Kingstar nods.

"He was live-streaming his raid and we watched him the entire time. That weapon of his is too overpowered. Yesterday he solo-ed the boss monster and he memorized the boss and now he can summon it whenever he wants. He's already level 250 as well."

Michael is whistling with disbelief.

"Wow... unbelievable."

Grisell is looking at the forum and humming with understanding.

"Huh... so he got a title from the community, the rising star is what they called him now. Soon you will be standing behind his shadow, Kingstar."

Kingstar scoffs.

"Not just me, but all of us will be standing behind his shadow soon."

Queenstar chuckles and shakes her head.

"It doesn't matter because his clan members are a bunch of trash. They do what they want and some of them already got a warning from admin Sev from PK-ing players just because some of the players were farming in the same spot as them. His clan's reputation is already bad in the community. Some of Diamond and Lothair's clan members are some of their victims."

Emma is surprised.

"Really? That's f*cked up."

Kingstar and Queenstar nod. Ivonna is looking at the distance.

"And he didn't do anything about that?"

Kingstar shakes his head.

"He did nothing and he thinks it's part of the game. I already told my members to be careful from now on. If they dare to harm my members then we will give them a lesson."

Francesca is staring at Ivonna and shakes her head. Ivonna is humming with understanding.

"That's not good. I think I will have a talk with clan leaders from the Alliance Faction about this."

I sit on the grass and look at Kingstar.

"Anything else that's going on lately?"

Kingstar is humming while rubbing his chin.

"There's a rumor about Kokushoku Ken is having an issue with another clan leader from Korea. Cho Ahn if I remember correctly."

Kingstar then explains what that is all about. It seems that Ken and Cho An were in the Maelstorm of Abyss dungeon and they both brought their own raid teams. They both agreed to work together, but then an accident happened with Ken's raid team. Instead of helping them, Cho An and his raid team left them and took advantage by killing the boss on their own and didn't share the loot. But Cho An said that he and his raid team tried to help them, but it's already too late to help them since the Boss is already enraged. Nobody knows which story is the right one since both sides have a different story.

Francesca is chuckling.

"That's why it's better to go on your own raid team so there will be no conflict or drama like that."

Everyone is humming in agreement. Kingstar and then clears his throat.

"We have to go back to our base now. Good luck with the house or houses you are building right now. See you all later."

Kingstar and Queenstar then leave to Fjel town. Ivonna and the others are looking at each other with weird expressions. Leonardo is chuckling with disbelief.

"What happened to them? They used to give us a cold shoulder and talk sh*t to us. But now he's acting weird."

Everyone is chuckling and shrugging. I scoff and look at Kingstar.

"Once you're no longer their competitors it seems the heat around you and them is no longer there. Well, maybe I did play a small part in there as well. But that's a good thing right?"

Emma is nodding in an agreement.

"Yeah. Even though I like drama, but if I'm part of that drama, I don't like it."

Everyone is laughing at Emma, and then everyone continues to observe the NPCs. I get up and tell them I have something to do in Fjel town. They all nod and then I leave to check the pub.

As soon as I enter the pub, I see that guy again. He's sitting at the counter while drinking his beer. I approach the bartender and he waves at me. The guy slightly turns his head and looks at me from the corner of his eyes.

I sit next to him since I also need something to drink. We are not talking with each other, but he keeps taking a look at me frequently. Then he put his glass on the counter.

"I never thought that the strongest player in the game is staying in this small town."

I look at him from the corner of my eyes while drinking my ale. I scoff and smile.

"I don't like the attention."

He chuckles and nods.

"Since we meet again, there's something I would like to ask you."

We both keep looking at our front and not looking at each other. I raise my eyebrows.

"Sure, ask away."

He is playing with his glass and smiles.

"I was there when you revealed yourself in the skirmish game. I noticed something interesting about you. That hooded robe and mask belong to the shadow of the Eluna Empire. I once chose the Eluna Empire faction and took the path as a shadow, but what piqued my interest was that we, the players can't have that set of equipment. Only those shadows NPCs that allowed to have it."

I scoff and nod.

"Yeah, that's right. What about it?"

He smirks and takes a sip of his beer.

"The only explanation for that is... you must have known an NPC that is or now was the high rank in the shadow's unit. She must have given it to you, wasn't she?"

I chuckle and shrug.

"What makes you think it's a she?"

He smirks and scoffs.

"Your appearance and her disappearance coincidentally almost at the same time. Did you do something to her?"

I tilt my eyebrow and smile.

"Who knows... what's your business with her anyway?"

He then turns his body towards me and lifts his hand for a handshake.

"Shall we introduce ourselves first? My name is Aspen. I'm the clan leader of the Neutrality Clan."

I look at him and raise my eyebrows. I grab his hand.

"My name is Trevor. I think you already know that. Nice to meet you, Aspen."

Aspen nods and then he shows his recommendation letter from Avriel to me.

"I'm looking for her because there's something I need to know. Something that is hidden from the public. Something that is very important. But now I don't think I need to see here anymore since you're here."

I look at him and squint my eyes.

"This is about Krestan. isn't it?"

Aspen is laughing and nods.

"Yeah, but not entirely. It seems that you and Avriel already maxed your bond with her, you should know who is her father is, right? I have a task to find some kind of information about him and Krestan as well. I heard they both are trying to do some kind of revolution."

I can feel the bartender and all the NPCs behind us gazes are pointing at us. Aspen might be in a trouble now. I'm humming with understanding and nod.

"I see... can I ask you a question first?"

Aspen nods. I drink my ale and clear my throat.

"If what you heard is true. Which side are you going to take?"

Aspen is tilting his head and drinks his beer.

"It depends... which side will give me more rewards."

I chuckle and shake my head. Aspen is furrowing his forehead and looks at me with confusion. I look at him and tilt my head.

"I tried to stop them by asking that question to you, and I thought you would going to give me a precise answer. But I guess I was wrong."

All the NPCs behind us are suddenly standing and showing their weapons. One of them locks the door and standing in front of it. The bartender who was wiping the glasses suddenly changes into a dagger. Aspen is surprised and lifts both of his hands. I chug all the ale and then look at him.

"You made the wrong choice, and unfortunately I can't help you even if I want to, Aspen."

Aspen looks at me and smirks while standing up from his chair and grabbing his daggers from his waist.

"That's really unfortunate..."

Aspen looks at every single one of them and smiles.

"But I already know about what kind of place this pub is, and I'm already prepared for this. So I guess I have to handle this on my own then..."