Chapter 5: An alliance forged in coin and shared purpose

The warm glow of the virtual hearth in the Whispering Boar Tavern cast dancing shadows on the faces of Emile and Jin as they discussed their next steps. The initial excitement of Emile's class and talent awakening had settled into a more pragmatic discussion of how they would navigate the vast world of "Beginning Of The Universe END."

"So, Voidblade Ascendant (Ex), huh?" Jin mused, swirling the ale in his mug. "Sounds like you're set to become some kind of legendary hero already."

Emile took a sip of his own virtual drink, a concoction that tasted surprisingly like spiced cider. "Potential is just that, Jin. It needs to be honed. And frankly, I have no real combat experience in this world."

"That's where I come in, my friend," Jin said, a grin spreading across his face. "I might not have a fancy talent or a mythical class, but I know how to handle myself out there. Been exploring and trying to figure out the best way to get my guild off the ground so I can support my family." He tapped his temple. "Knowing the lay of the land counts for something, right?"

"Indeed," Emile agreed. "Your knowledge of the game world will be invaluable. Which is why I was hoping we could… collaborate."

Jin raised an eyebrow. "Collaborate? You mean like, team up?"

"Precisely. While I have the financial resources to acquire powerful gear and potentially fast-track my progression, your practical skills and understanding of the early game could accelerate that process significantly. And," Emile added, a hint of his inherent ruthlessness surfacing, "working together will undoubtedly increase our chances of survival against more formidable threats."

Jin leaned back in his chair, considering the proposition. The ten million gold Emile had given him was already making a significant difference to his in-game prospects, providing the initial capital he needed for his guild. Teaming up with someone as potentially powerful and well-funded as Emile could be a game-changer for his plans.

"I'm in," Jin said, extending his hand again. "An alliance between the calm genius and the aspiring guild leader. Sounds like the start of something big, if I do say so myself."

Emile shook his hand, a rare genuine smile gracing his lips. "Excellent. Now, what should our immediate goals be?"

"Well, I was just about to head back out to the Whispering Woods," Jin said. "It's a decent area for gaining some initial experience and resources that could be useful for the guild later on. Figured I could scout out some potential areas for our future headquarters too."

"A practical approach," Emile noted. "I could use the experience as well, and seeing potential locations for a guild sounds… strategic."

They finished their drinks and stepped out of the bustling tavern. The virtual night had fallen over Oakhaven, the streets lit by glowing lanterns and the flickering lights of various shops. The air was cool, and the sounds of nocturnal creatures could be heard faintly from beyond the town walls.

"The Whispering Woods are just west of here," Jin explained, leading the way. "Plenty of low to mid-level monsters, good for grinding and gathering. And I've heard there are some interesting landmarks that might be suitable for a guild hall."

As they walked, Emile accessed his skill list again, familiarizing himself with the nuances of his Voidblade Ascendant (Ex) abilities. He practiced the mental commands for Void Step, teleporting short distances with increasing ease. The feeling of the Void energy flowing through him was becoming more natural, more intuitive.

They reached the western gate of Oakhaven and stepped out into the darkened landscape. The Whispering Woods lived up to its name, the rustling of leaves sounding almost like hushed voices in the night. Strange, glowing flora illuminated the path, casting eerie shadows that danced among the trees.

"Keep your eyes peeled," Jin cautioned, his hand resting near where a weapon would be if he were expecting immediate combat. "There are some aggressive creatures out here. Good practice for both of us, and any future guild members."

They ventured deeper into the woods, the sounds of their footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves. Emile remained calm, his senses heightened, his mind alert for any sign of danger. He trusted Jin's knowledge of these early areas.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees. Jin immediately went on alert, his gaze scanning the surrounding foliage. "Something's out there."

A massive wolf, easily twice the size of a normal one, emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with predatory hunger. It snarled, baring its sharp teeth, its gaze fixed on Emile and Jin.

"Looks like we found some early-game excitement," Jin said, stepping slightly in front of Emile. "Care to test out those new skills?"

The Giant Wolf lunged at Emile, its speed surprising. Emile reacted instantly, his mind clear. "Void Step!" He teleported to the side just as the wolf's jaws snapped shut where he had been moments before.

The wolf turned, its eyes narrowing on Emile. This time, Emile didn't wait. He drew his basic iron sword, channeling Void energy into it. The blade shimmered with a dark, ethereal light. He moved towards the wolf with a surprising agility, considering his relatively low Agility stat. It was as if the Void energy itself was enhancing his movements.

He executed an "Abyssal Slash," the Void-infused blade leaving a dark trail as it struck the wolf's side. The beast howled in pain, a visible gash appearing on its flank. Jin, ready to assist, watched with keen interest as Emile handled the creature.

The wolf, enraged, turned its attention to Emile again, lunging with renewed ferocity. Emile met its attack head-on, parrying its claws with his sword. The impact sent a jolt up his arm, but he held his ground. He followed up with another "Abyssal Slash," aiming for the wolf's throat. This time, the strike was fatal. The Giant Wolf collapsed, its body dissolving into motes of light, leaving behind a small pile of silver coins and a notification for both Emile and Jin.

[System]: You have gained 350 experience points.

[System]: You have gained 5 silver coins.

"Not bad," Jin commented, impressed. "You handled that well. That Void Step really throws them off."

They continued their exploration of the Whispering Woods, focusing on gaining experience and Jin scouting potential locations for the guild. They encountered packs of smaller wolves and oversized spiders, Emile using these encounters to further familiarize himself with his Voidblade Ascendant (Ex) skills. He found that combining Void Step with Abyssal Slash allowed for swift and effective attacks. He also experimented with the Void Shroud, finding it useful for briefly increasing his defenses.

As they moved through the woods, Jin pointed out areas with dense foliage that could provide good cover, and a small clearing with a natural spring that might be a good spot for a future gathering place for his guild.

By the time the virtual dawn began to break, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, they had gained a good amount of experience and Jin had several potential locations marked in his mind for the guild.

"Alright, I think that's enough for tonight," Jin said, stretching his virtual arms. "Gotta get some rest before the real world calls. But this was a good start to getting the lay of the land for the guild."

"Indeed," Emile agreed. "Your knowledge of the area is very helpful, Jin. Thank you."

"Anytime, my friend. Anytime. We'll have to start thinking about recruiting members soon. Maybe we can put up some notices in Oakhaven."

As they made their way back towards Oakhaven, Emile thought about their future in this game. With his wealth and potential power, combined with Jin's ambition to build a successful guild, they could achieve great things. And perhaps, just perhaps, they could even uncover some of the deeper mysteries of "Beginning Of The Universe END" and its connection to the impending apocalypse. The thought, while still vague, sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine. Their alliance, built on shared goals and a foundation of financial support for Jin's guild, was ready to face whatever the game – and the real world – might throw their way.