Chapter 916 - Eight Chapters from the Book of Order (1/2)

The Forkingham Stronghold of the Century Financial Group. This was their most flourishing stronghold. The main road was bustling with people and rows of shops stretched down both sides.

Along the sides of the walls players had set up stalls and booths, where they sold their loot from the wilderness.

However, this lively metropolis concealed many hidden dangers.

Ever since Angel Corps and the Century Financial Group suffered defeat at the hands of Asskickers United above the City of Sin, the goods for sale here had their prices increased by double.

If the Century Financial Group kept this tactic up after every defeat, even the thriving commerce of the Forkingham Stronghold would go up in smoke.

A group of 13 players were walking down the street. They belonged to Mad Devil, a subordinate guild under the Century Financial Group. They were in charge of overseeing this stronghold. They used to walk around like they owned the place. Now, however, their pride appeared to have taken a huge blow.

When the Century Financial Group had put Mad Devil in charge of the Forkingham Stronghold, they’d given them free reign. So, the merchants seeking to do business here would fawn over the players from Mad Devil, for fear of offending them. Now, however, the Century Financial group started meddling in how to run this stronghold. Mad Devil were to do their best to appease the merchants. If they failed to do so and the entire market in the stronghold were to crash, the guild would suffer extremely severe losses.

Unfortunately, appeasing alone wasn’t enough to keep the merchants around any longer. Many of them closed down their shops and left the Forkingham Stronghold. Their destination was the Abernathy Great Grasslands. Asskickers United had drawn up many attractive policies to help businesses flourish. Not to mention its great location between the two great empires. Competitors of every market were selling their goods and services here. Security wasn’t a concern for the merchants either. Since Asskickers United had won the last several battles, with most competition taken out, they felt that the Abernathy Great Grasslands was absolutely a safe place to set up a business.

Mad Devil’s income plummeted as a small exodus took place in the Forkingham Stronghold. With trade dying in their stronghold, they could only rely on the welfare provided by the Century Financial Group.

“God dammit! Another six shops announced they’re closing down and selling their property. Their listed price is even 30% less than what they originally paid for it! To think these penny-pinching money-grubbers are actually willing to take a loss!” a Warrior from Mad Devil grumbled.

“Nothing we can do about it. It’s not like we can stop them from selling their shops. It would only cause more businesses to start fleeing the city,” an elven Mage in azure robes said. He was the leader of this group.

“Gale, is there nothing we can do?”

The elven Mage called Gale shook his head with a bitter smile. “What could we possibly do? We can only hope that Angel Corps and the Century Financial Group win some of their next battles. That might pacify some of these businesses. We will probably lose everything otherwise. They’re all aware that if Asskickers United’s troops arrive at the gates of this stronghold, their shops will be worth even less money.”

Previously, whenever they strolled through the streets, many people would approach them to try and curry favour. Now, whenever people saw the Mad Devil guild emblem on their chests, they would duck their heads and quickly walk past.

Gale was Mad Devil’s number one expert and also one of Cao Xu’s direct subordinates. Even he didn’t have much faith in the Century Financial Group and Angel Corps turning this around. Glancing at the Chapter of Silvermoon in his bag, he started dreaming of completing the volume. It would give him the strength to stand on his own two feet, instead of leaning on the Century Financial Group for support.

Even a direct subordinate of Cao Xu’s like Gale was filled with disloyal thoughts, to say nothing of lower rung members.

“Let’s head to the auction house and see if they have anything good for sale,” Gale said. He took a step, when his body suddenly turned rigid. His skills were all grayed out too! What was going on? A single thought flashed through his mind. An enemy attack!

If it were the wilderness, Gale definitely wouldn’t so carelessly walk into an ambush. However, this was the Forkingham Stronghold, his territory! Here, he had completely lowered his guard. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to meet with an enemy attack here of all places!

The sharp blade of a dagger flashed before Gale’s eyes. His pupils constricted. PSFHT! PSFHT! Before he could even react, two daggers stabbed into his body. So quick! Definitely Shadow Dancers! This was his last thought before his vision went black.

At the same time Gale was killed, the 12 other players from Mad Devil also dropped dead on the ground. The Chapter of Silvermoon that dropped from his bag was picked up before it even fell on the ground.

These Thieves were gone before the bodies even hit the ground. It was almost as if they were never here in the first place.

The hundreds of players in the surroundings all witnessed this scene. They were slack-jawed. Within the short span of a few seconds, those Thieves had cleanly dealt with Gale’s group! What ruthless efficiency!

“Who were those Thieves?”

“No idea, but you can only find Thieves like that in Asskickers United!”

“Look, that’s Gale, the number one expert in Mad Devil! He’s a Magister. Yet even he didn’t stand a chance. Those Thieves are terrifying!”

The passerby felt their scalps turn numb. Asskickers United was too overbearing, actually daring to kill someone in their own territory.

The people who witnessed this scene felt an even deeper reverence for Asskickers United.

The merchants felt their trust for Mad Devil sink even lower, many of them opting to put up their shops for sale.

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