Chapter 553 - Existential Threa (1/2)

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Aside from Bladelight, no one else had informed Nie Yan of anything. Who else in Asskickers United was approached by the Century Financial Group? How many accepted or were considering accepting their offer?

It didn’t make sense for the Century Financial Group to have have only approached Bladelight and no one else.

The Century Financial Group had likely already bought off many members from Asskickers United.

Nie Yan had no idea how deep the Century Financial Group’s influence had spread.

Something going wrong during a crucial moment in the war against Alliance of Mages would likely spell disaster for Asskickers United. All their previous hard work would go down the drain.

「Did anyone else contact you about the Century Financial Group approaching them?」Nie Yan asked.

「Smoke Stub did, Sun too. Besides them, no one else,」Guo Huai replied, sympathizing with what Nie Yan was feeling right now. Who wouldn’t have doubts in this situation? Nie Yan worried there were others who had had made contact with the Century FInancial Group but chose not to disclose it—either because they were weighing their options or already operating as moles.

Even Smoke Stub and Sun were approached. Just how many people did the Century Financial Group offer contracts to? Nie Yan felt a headache coming on.

Nie Yan couldn’t prevent this matter from gnawing away at the back of his mind. Just how glorious was the War God Tribe of the previous timeline, having at one point even surpassed Victorious Return? Yet they were still entombed by the Century Financial Group’s immeasurable wealth. He feared history would end up repeating itself.

Thinking to this point, Nie Yan grew restless and jittery. He couldn’t stop himself from suspecting certain people. This was simply human nature. He was confident the names floating in his mind also received offers from the Century Financial Group.

「Nothing can be done about it. The Century Financial Group won’t stop. The best we can do right now is place our unconditional faith in our fellow guildmates,」Guo Huai comforted. He knew getting paranoid would only drive more people away, including those who were initially on their side, and lead to further alienation.

Nie Yan pondered for a moment. Guo Huai was right. With the Century Financial Group offering such lucrative and attractive contracts, some players were bound to leave. This was unpreventable. So, what could he do? That was to make sure no one in the guild felt alienated or pushed aside, placing his utmost trust in them. Only then would they feel a sense of belonging.

In the previous timeline, the War God Tribe’s self-governance was always an issue. As more and more people left, the amount of internal disputes only increased. With distrust ever present between members, this wedge only further sped up the collapse of the guild. Founded on a mishmash of different gaming organisations, the War God Tribe was never that united to start with, and certain factions frequently stirred up conflict. Not to mention all gaming organisations operated on the model of profit first. Defection was only to be expected. However, Asskickers United was far more united. Even if some people left, as long as Nie Yan didn’t make any mistakes, it would be incredibly difficult for the Century Financial Group to destroy them from within.

Nie Yan came up with some countermeasures, such as raising the benefits of all the players in Asskickers United. This would secure the hearts of the players. At the same time, those who were thinking about defecting would have no choice but to reconsider, unless the Century Financial Group increased their offer by a corresponding amount. After looking over the guild’s finances, Nie Yan raised everyone’s benefits by 30%. Like this, the Century Financial Group would have to at least triple that amount. For some Asskickers United players to even consider transferring, the Century Financial Group would have to offer a lot more.

Give it your best, and leave the rest up to fate. Anything that could be done, Nie Yan would do. He knew this day was inevitable. The Century Financial Group previously only relied on their underlings. Now that they were taking direct action, they would employ all means by foul or fair. He had no choice but to raise his vigilance.

「Pay close attention to the Century Financial Group’s movements. If anything comes up, report it to me immediately,」Nie Yan said. He treated this matter with the utmost seriousness. Keeping up to date at every moment was crucial. The slightest misstep could lead to destruction!

「Don’t worry, if the Century Financial Group makes the slightest movements, I’ll report it to you immediately!」Guo Huai replied.

After hanging up the call with Guo Huai, Nie Yan entered the main lobby.

A group of people was gathered in the main lobby. Looking around, Nie Yan counted a total of 26. Besides Crazy Magic and Divine Flame, there were six Thieves, five Paladins, seven Mages, three Priests, and three Warriors. Their equipment was all excellent. With an average level of 70, they were undoubtedly Alliance of Mages’ top elites.

“The Century FInancial Group has made a move on Asskickers United. I trust we’ll be hearing some good news soon,” Crazy Magic said. He had just received this information.

“Five Armoured Ice Catapults have already crossed the borders of Blaze City and will be arriving in Moonlight City in eight hours. I suggest you think of a way to deal with them first,” Divine Flame said, dropping a bucket of cold water on Crazy Magic’s enthusiasm. The effectiveness of the Century Financial Group's methods still remained to be seen.

“What, how!?” Crazy Magic knitted his brows. The speed of Asskickers United’s advance exceeded his expectations.

“Asskickers United attached horse carts to some of their Armoured Ice Catapults.”

“Horse carts?” Crazy Magic suddenly recalled such a thing. It was true that horse carts could raise the speed of war engines. However, researching this technology cost upwards of 600,000 gold. The production costs were also considerable. Asskickers United really had too much gold on their hands. He couldn’t help but wonder where it was all coming from. Nie Yan’s assets were something he could never imagine in his wildest dreams.

With Asskickers United right at his doorstep, Crazy Magic was feeling the pressure.

Little did Crazy Magic and company know that several pairs of eyes were watching them while they were having this discussion.

「Report your coordinates.」

「I’m at 23.85.28,」King of the World replied.

Nie Yan glanced at a corner to the east of him. King of the World was hiding behind a pillar over there.

「I’m at 32.28.29,」Sun replied.

Before long, Nie Yan confirmed the positions of the other four. Sizing up the 26 people in the main lobby, he spotted many familiar faces, three of whom were quite famous in his past life. They were called Soda Water, Sour Cheese, and Maple Sky. They played a Warrior, Paladin, and Priest respectively. All three were top master class players in the previous timeline and held influential positions in Alliance of Mages.