Chapter 6

Valerian's heart raced as he stared at the man in front of him. The dim light in the tavern barely illuminated the figure, but his eyes shone with an unsettling intensity. Valerian tightened his grip on the dagger by his side, feeling the cool metal press against his palm.

The stranger took a step closer, his voice low and smooth. "I see you've made it further than most would at this stage. But this is just the beginning, isn't it? The *Whispering Shard* you carry—one relic in a city filled with many—is a gateway. You can feel its power, can't you?"

Valerian nodded stiffly. He didn't want to admit it, but he had sensed the relic's strange aura from the moment he obtained it. It seemed to pulse faintly in his inventory, like a heart beating within the game's coded walls.

"You have potential," the man continued, his lips curling into a smile. "But potential alone won't keep you alive. There are others—stronger players, guilds, and even the city itself—who will hunt you down if you're not careful."

Valerian's thoughts raced. He had only just started, barely scratching the surface of this virtual world, and already he was being dragged into something far more dangerous than he'd anticipated. The relic in his possession suddenly felt less like a prize and more like a ticking time bomb.

"Who are you?" Valerian finally asked, his voice steadier than he felt.

The man chuckled, a sound that seemed to slither through the room like smoke. "Names are inconsequential here, but you may call me Lucien." He paused, looking Valerian over with those sharp, calculating eyes. "You can't trust anyone in this city. Everyone has their own motives. Even those who offer help…"

Valerian raised an eyebrow. "Like you?"

Lucien's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Exactly. But unlike others, I'm offering something of real value: knowledge. You'll need it if you want to survive long enough to gather the remaining relics."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken promise. Valerian hesitated. He wasn't sure whether to trust Lucien, but there was no denying that the man knew more than he was letting on. His instincts told him to be wary, but he couldn't deny the allure of information, especially in a game as complex as *Guild King*.

"What do you want in return?" Valerian asked cautiously.

Lucien's eyes gleamed. "A simple exchange. I'll guide you, give you the knowledge to navigate the dangers of Whitechapel and beyond. In return, I'll ask for a favor when the time comes."

Valerian frowned. "What kind of favor?"

Lucien shrugged. "Nothing that will harm you… unless you make it so."

The cryptic response made Valerian's skin crawl, but he knew he had little choice. This game was unforgiving, and without allies or information, he'd be dead—or worse, stuck grinding without progress—for a long time.

Valerian exhaled slowly, his mind made up. "Alright. I'll take your help."

Lucien's smile grew, a look of satisfaction flickering across his face. "Wise choice. Now, let me tell you about the rankings."

Valerian's attention sharpened. He had heard rumors in the forums about rankings in *Guild King*, but no one seemed to know the full details. Most assumed it was based purely on combat stats and levels, but something told Valerian that wasn't the whole story.

Lucien began pacing slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. "In *Guild King*, players are ranked not just by their combat abilities, but by their influence. Reputation is everything here. You could be the strongest fighter, but if no one knows your name, you'll find yourself ignored—or worse, forgotten."

He turned to Valerian, his gaze piercing. "There are five ranks in total. Each one unlocks new privileges, quests, and even areas of the game that remain closed to lower-ranked players. Most are stuck in the first rank: the *Novices*. They fight, they complete quests, but they barely leave a mark on the world."

Valerian nodded slowly. He had seen players like that, wandering aimlessly, grinding mobs and completing menial tasks with no real impact.

"Then there are the *Acolytes*," Lucien continued. "Players who have started to make a name for themselves. They've completed significant quests, earned rare items, or perhaps even formed small guilds. But they're still far from true power."

Valerian's mind raced. He had heard whispers of powerful guilds running the game's cities, controlling resources and rare quests. These players must be in the higher ranks.

"The next rank is where things get interesting," Lucien said, his voice dropping lower. "The *Heralds*. These players are leaders, influencers. Their decisions shape the game world itself. Cities rise and fall by their hand, and they command respect from both players and NPCs alike."

Valerian's chest tightened. He had only just started the game, but the idea of reaching that level—of having that much control—set his pulse racing. He wanted that. He needed that.

"And beyond them," Lucien continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "are the *Sentinels*. Few ever reach this rank. They are the game's elite, controlling not just cities but entire regions. Their influence extends across the world, and their power is unmatched."

Valerian's breath caught in his throat. *Sentinels*—the gods of the game. He had never even imagined reaching that level.

"And the final rank?" Valerian asked, his voice hoarse.

Lucien paused, a shadow passing over his face. "The *Archons*. Legends. Mythical figures. No one knows if any player has ever reached this rank, but if they have, they hold the key to shaping the very fabric of the game."

The weight of Lucien's words settled heavily on Valerian's shoulders. This was bigger than he had realized. The game wasn't just about fighting monsters and completing quests—it was about influence, power, control.

"Your journey has just begun, Valerian," Lucien said softly. "But if you follow my lead, you might just rise higher than you ever imagined."

Valerian's hands clenched into fists. He had entered *Guild King* for the thrill of adventure, but now he saw the true stakes. He had to climb. He had to rise. There was no other option.

He looked at Lucien, his eyes burning with new determination. "What's next?"

Lucien smiled, satisfied. "Next, you need to prepare. The other relic hunters won't rest. And now that you've taken the first step, they'll be coming for you."

Valerian nodded. His path was clear. There was no turning back now.

He would become more than just another player lost in the fog. He would rise, no matter the cost.