Mixed Opinion

Akiol looked at the situation objectively. A World's Legacy was the latest and most immersive game. Despite there being attempts to mimic it's depth a few competitors only fell short. Akiol was sure this was because of the hidden agenda of Horizon's Origins, but setting that aside A World's Legacy promised to be an in-depth fantasy mmorpg. 

In a sense, the west is treating this in the truest sense. They're really treating it as a game, abusing any end to gain an edge or a drop. Utilizing any strategy to defeat a powerful NPC for their drops. From a real world point of view there wasn't really anything wrong with this. In a sense this was really just a standard gaming viewpoint!

Yet when looking at the situation subjectively. . . Akiol recalled the depth of emotion and reaction from the various NPCs he interacted. The fear of the workers wondering if they would be replaced. Kayne's relief at the east continent not posing much danger. The farmer's apprehension and the boy's fear. Mira's doubt, Stars' childlike wonder, and Givale's confidence. . .

How could you see such reactions and not even blink? To treat them so harshly, to hunt them to the end just for some drops? Even if they were just 'NPCs' did the west players not have the slightest impact on their conscious? Was this sort of action already viewed as being normal to where they don't think about it?

Akiol fell back onto his bed and frowned, was he the one viewing it strangely?

As Akiol watched more of the hunts his face twisted into a complicated expression. He watched as some of these so called 'wandering bosses' sometimes beg for freedom in their last moments. Working desperately to survive, even going as far to ask what they had done. Excluding Third Step ones, who fought viciously until their ends.

Akiol didn't think this to be purely an issue with the Guidehands. Remembering his little experience in the west continent he knew this was a player thing! Still Akiol subdued his feelings on the matter, it was important to view it objectively! Objectively!

Not wanting to watch anymore of these 'hunts' Akiol returned to the Guidehand page. Finding their selection of Guides he read through some of the starter ones. There was some beginning tips, selection of classes and their evolutions, a brief overview of hidden and rare classes. Akiol was even surprised to find a list of methods to obtain some of the rare classes. 

Further in the introduction spoke about race benefits and race changers. A huge point was the fact that it was harder for non-human races to change into a different race. The caveat was that non-human races obtained quite a bit of specific buffs while humans often received no benefit.

Unless you got lucky and started as a blessed human. Akiol rose an eyebrow at this and remembered Yielya's situation. This humored him slightly and alleviated some of his previous concern.

The guide then moved onto the basic starting choices. It first mentioned that players wishing to join a Sect or organization should do so immediately. Sects were impossible to join at the start unless you had a connection, or the Sect was relatively low ranked. Thus they fully recommended the mercenaries.

Further into the guide they fully recommended doing as many mercenary requests as possible as a player progressed. Not only for the rewarding Bills and experience, but to accrue reputation points as early as possible. This was to quickly be able to accept personal requests as fast as possible. It was worth noting that "Bills" was the west's version of currency.

Akiol inwardly commented on the fact that by hunting as many of the Second and Third stage NPCs as possible they've essentially ensured any requests would automatically be directed towards the players. No wonder they heavily recommend increasing your reputation.

His eyes lingered on the final comment regarding leveling in the early stages. The words read:

"Don't bother with personal quests from NPCs unless it's through the mercenaries. Their rewards are often not worth it. Additionally do not request to help, they won't provide a quest for assistance. It's best to just ignore them and do mercenary requests for more efficient progression."

Who's fault do you think this is! Akiol massaged the bridge of his nose. For a guide mentioning this might be a good thing for the players. Back when Akiol started playing A World's Legacy he often provided a helping hand just for the sake of being helpful. Often turning down forms of payment for his actions. While he was rewarded via a Title, he didn't help so many just for a Title.

Is providing a helping hand just to be nice a foreign concept? Akiol inwardly sighed.

The Guide provided resources to easy and helpful Titles to obtain, and their proven methods. Noticeably the Guide didn't recommend doing any dungeons until a suitable set of equipment and a good amount of levels were obtained. Akiol believed this also to be a matter of allowing players to become more accustomed to A World's Legacy before diving into complicated and difficult battles.

Setting aside the semi-complex issue of the NPCs this guide really was a good one. If Akiol didn't have an abundance of combat experience prior to him joining A World's Legacy a Guide like this would've been helpful.

There was even resources for the recommended equipment of the various classes, and how to obtain them. Along with another link to a comprehensive guide on obtaining custom equipment.

It was hard to find any faults in this guide. Akiol truly felt the Guidehands had good intentions for the players, these guides were really helpful! In the long list there was guides on clearing many dungeons, written by various Guidehands. A long list of proven effects certain materials provide when made into equipment. A drop list for the more common bosses of both 'wandering' and dungeons. 

If not for their attitude about NPCs, Akiol would be swayed by such selfless effort!

Taking a delve into their dedicated forum page Akiol read the pinned post. A simple set of rules to follow, and a reason for the separate page. Apparently the official western forums were swarmed about Guidehands, thus they made their own page to not flood the official one.

Hundreds if not thousands of posts listed the Guidehand forums. Requests, tips, party searching, questions, all sorts of topics with their dedicated tags. As Akiol read the responses he was surprised to find an overwhelming amount of support and help. Members with their own titles in the forums such as "Unofficial Guidehand" and "Bookkeeper". Although he didn't entirely understand, some of the Titles were self explanatory.

Suddenly Akiol felt the urge to test how deep their knowledge was. Starting a throwaway account Akiol made a post of his own. One with a simple header.

"How do some players become Second/Third Step without reaching a level requirement?", it read.

To ensure this question wasn't asked previously he used the search function regarding information about the various Stages. Yet it wasn't as nearly as comprehensive. This was easily guessed since the current demand of Third Stage individuals meant the method of 'paths' wasn't well known. 

So Akiol decided this made for a decent beginning question to see how much they knew and were willing to share. Akiol figured he'd occasionally drop high level questions like this to test the limits of the Guidehands. 

After finding out about their attitude of NPCs, Akiol didn't wish to join their ranks much further. However if they were willing to openly provide information Akiol hoped to gain insight on how the Guidehands were able to predict what was dropped from their various victims.

He also planned to eventually question and find the Guidehands inside of A World's Legacy too. Through this he could gain his own insight into the inner workings of A World's Legacy. Eventually deepening his understanding of its laws, and in turn preventing him from being helpless to certain effects like Territory again.

This however leaves a huge critical issue with his plan. Since the west players have undergone an excessive hunting of the high level NPCs, it was likely Akiol wouldn't be able to find a master of a technique to learn from. If the players hadn't hunted every Third Stage NPC, it was still slim for Akiol to be able to speak with them.

The "Resurrectors" had a reputation after all.

Akiol fell into thought. He was unsure how to continue now. Rely on luck and fate to cross paths with some hidden master? Wouldn't that be all too convenient? Even if this were to happen it was more likely for Akiol to be attacked. Directly crossing blades may be one way to improve, but this wasn't a method he could sustain.

If not for the fact that Givale and Mira were in a hard to find secluded area, Akiol would've held some serious concern for their safety. The moment the two were found it would only be a matter of time before they become victims of the 'hunt'. With the expensive method of hunting the Guidehands use, Akiol held no doubt the Sects may hold a similar level of wealth. 

Even with the power Givale and Mira held at Third Stage the techniques used by the west's players may catch them off guard. 

Rubbing his scalp Akiol made himself a reminder to warn Givale and Mira. Along with informing him if they ever fight a player!