Virtual Reality : Dystopian Tales Online

006.1 | The Cassaianne Guild

"Ah... I-it's really huge."

No wonder even the Guild Master of the Artisan's Guild can't help but to praise.

In the center of the game's scarcest place, a land filled only with dunes of sands, moving and shifting with gusts of winds always brewing a storm, a dry desert of golden dust named after the Egyptian Pharaoh, Thutmose III - stand a grandiose manor owned by none other than Clover.

A 90,000 square ft manor exceeded the land area of other large guilds by double, housing hundreds of 4-person sized rooms, a couple of bathhouses, recreational spaces, large and small scale mess halls, training areas, and the grand throne room. Named after the star Cassiopeia, the Cassaianne Guild holds the record of the most number of members and the wealthiest guild of the game world.

Despite the harsh conditions of the desert, the guild survived the sand storms and sinking due to Clover's careful planning. As one of the oldest guilds, the guild started as a small inn with only a single mess hall and a couple of rooms. It was built above an oasis where the soil is fertile. Clover devised an aqueduct underground to maximize the consumption of water and to avoid emptying the water bank.

After years of construction and development, the guild grew huge. Upgrades can be done after a particular condition is met, including the allowed number of quests to places that they can access. There are more valuable facilities, and the rooms have been upgraded with the maximum output of resources. Even the simplest room is comparable to a wealthy NPC merchant house in the game world. 

As the game world follows the scale of Earth in the past, then this desert should have represented the inhabitable desert area filled with the most tenacious poisonous species. In this world, the poisonous species still existed but with sizes that are larger than houses. It's fascinating how Clover managed to protect the guild under harsh conditions. 

"It really never fails to impress me," another person commented.

A group of players started arriving one by one from the circular portal. It is situated on a high platform separated from the guild's main grounds and only connected by a three-lane pathway. The portal continuously emitted a fluctuating light, which means that people are using the portal. 

Portals are used for traveling convenience for places that are out of reach. For example, are the Rebirth Stones. However, these portals are artificially made and required passes to activate. Without a pass, the player could still access the portal but only limited to the public areas. They also have to pay a few gold coins to pass. 

This guild's portal is one of those conditional portals that does not require passes but a condition. The one that sets the condition is, of course, the guild master or some representative. Due to the guild's location and the harsh environment outside the area, it would be impossible for any low-level players to pass without sinking or bitten by desert monsters. This portal is free of charge to help the players below the average line to save money.

Yakisoba from the Artisan's guild, known as player Allen-38 in the game, and his guildmates arrived at the destination from their guild's portal. The members followed their guild leader as they interestingly looked around. The desert seems endless, while some giant creepy centipedes or scorpions will appear now and then from the dunes.

A player that had never been to the guild subconsciously took a step back after seeing a large crawling insect appear on the side of the pathway. Though, it only appeared then borrowed back to the ground. Still, such things will always trigger some disgust and feel repulsive upon seeing one. 

"Don't worry," Allen-38 said reassuringly. "It may look dangerous, but this area is completely safe. These insects could not do anything as long as we are inside the guild grounds."

"Then does it mean-" The players that were hanging on the corners to see more of the desert quickly condensed in the middle lane. They don't want to imagine what will happen if they accidentally slip down and fall. 

The pathway wasn't long, so they arrived after three minutes of walking. Seeing the scenery before them made them gasp for air, obviously overwhelmed by the vast place. Their place, Artisan's guild, a village guild where the main building is connected to the marketplace, and three surrounding villages is already considered significant.

This one is on a whole new level!

"I can still remember the very first version of this guild. So small and vulnerable," Allen-38 commented, almost teary-eyed. He is probably from the First String of players.

Some of his members nodded while the others asked questions when they heard it. Some of his members are from the Cassaianne before transferring after getting the required level of entrance in their guild. The Cassaianne guild on that time must be already on its grandiose form. 

"It was just a small inn," Allen-38 started. "With a small mess hall that can only fit a dozen of players. I remember staying in one of the cabins. The bed is rough and made up of straws, and there is barely any space for your things to place..."

The group arrived at the entrance. The door opened, welcoming the guests by a group of people in charge of accepting visitors. Most of them are NPCs, while a few are the guild's recognized members. Allen-38 can feel a difference not only from the outside but also in the inner view.

He can no longer see that shabby inn before.

Instead, a marble-polished reception desk first comes in view with a wall as background, covering the whole view in half as if hiding the complete picture of what is behind. Two NPCs are standing at desks with some people looking for direction. NPCs are system-made. They are set with fixed dialogues and commands. On one side, a player is found chatting with the other one leaning on the desk. Allen-38 recognized the player and approached to greet it.

“And here I thought how NPCs started to speak,” Allen-38 spoke out his mind to call the attention of the said player.

An Elven player turned his head due to the loud voice, his pointy ears becoming visible as his long hair moved along the side, his face showing emotion of concern. His pointy-tipped eyes moved around to look for the source and found a Humanoid wearing a golden crown and holding an equipped weapon of [ABSOLUTE STAFF]. The elf’s eyes shifted from worry to a shiny one, grateful to see such a character inside the guild.

“How could I not recognize that voice,” the elf exclaimed. “And I thought nobody would come.”

“Nobody? Did we arrive too early?” Allen asked.

“Not quite; the hall is ready. You can now actually go in,” the elf said with a smile.

Coming from the Elven race, username Xav-11 is a known player and one of the top members of the Cassaianne guild. Holding a position as the right-hand man of the Guild Master Clover, he is the one who manages the guild, checking on new members, giving out quests, and accounting for the guild’s treasury. Everyone in the guild respected this character like how they appreciated the Guild Leader.

Though, actually, the appearance of the Guild Master is quite a mystery. It was always Xav-11 who manages everything. Everyone thought that he could be the Guild Master Clover. But the player clearly stated from the start that Clover is a character that can’t easily go out without reason. The character of Clover remained a mystery; however, his influence on the players worldwide is big.

For this night, it would be Xav-11 who will accept the other Guild Leaders as a substitute for Clover. Well, they really never care at all. Xav-11 is kind and hospitable; everyone would open up with him at any chance, making him a warm and comfortable person. Even if just watching him, the aura around him tells how pure his soul is.

Added by the ethereal beauty brought by his race, he started to look like an angel in disguise.

Xav-11 guided these people towards a doorless hall. For non-members and supposed to be intruders will only see a hall with walls once they enter the reception. It is common knowledge for Guild Leaders that some players might steal something from their property or probably sneak in as a spy. Security measures are no joke.

"I'll be guiding you to the main hall. From there, you can choose if you want to go upstairs," Xav-11 said.

The elf looked like flipping the space in front of him. A translucent slate that is only visible to him appeared, showing the complete list of rooms and halls of the guild. He scrolled around for the allowed public places and found the venue. Choosing the room, a password appeared, asking for the code. Xav-11 quickly typed in the combination, authenticated by the system, and accepted his entrance.

A large wooden door with the Cassaianne Guild Logo in between materialized in one of the walls. From its looks, they can tell the elegance of the art and carvings on the wood. Xav-11 pushed the door open, creating an entrance towards a mess hall already filled with the guild members' celebrating.

Allen-38 can't help but be mesmerized by how large the place is.

Xav-11 opened a door towards the guild's main mess hall. The mess hall is large itself, with two more floors above as closed rooms. On the ground floor, round tables created from century-old tree trunks were made with five wooden stools each, with an additional picnic table for six people at the sides of the hall. The middle of each round table would be an elemental plant for relinquishing free MP and HP helping players regenerate their HP and MP loss.

A stage is also present on one side where the tables are facing. This stage has the complete lighting equipment with a backstage present for performers to get ready. A sound system is also attached on one side that is connected to the lines of the guild. It can be used for announcements whenever special events happen.

On the other side of the mess hall, where the air is a bit solemn, is a bar handled by one of the high-ranking officials of the guild. Ari-05, a Humanoid with the primary artisan archetype, is the one who controls the overall food production and consumption of the players. He is also the one who posts and approves the quests Xav-11 gave him, distributing them to the players. He can only be found on the bar serving drinks to players or cleaning the glassware.

Xav-11 looked around and headed towards the bar. He found the 12 turning stools at the front empty, looking as if he's expecting some people sitting there. Ari-05 noticed the incoming players and greeted them with a smile. As usual, he's cleaning some wine glasses again.

"Hello," Ari-05 bowed slightly to the Artisan's Guild Leader.

"Now I understand why you want to stay," Allen-38 commented, displeasure is evident on his face. 

A long time ago, before Ari-05 became an official member of the guild, he is one of those active players often found on dungeon clearing and quests records. Despite being a Humanoid Artisan, he created a name that is not common for a merchant archetype. Being an artisan is equal to a supporting character. But he showed otherwise.

All the old players know that this guy is very ruthless. If not from killing bosses, he also kills players if necessary. The PK grounds are always filled with blood when he is around. 

Allen-38 once scouted him to join his guild whenever he reached the required level of the guild, but the player refused. An earlier proposal was sent to him already, and he accepted it with no doubt. If only Allen-38 messages him a bit earlier, maybe he is on his guild now. 

He still wanted to pull him in his group ba. 

After listing as one of the officers of Cassaianne guild, Ari-05 never appeared on the scoreboards again. Some thought that must be because he has gone weak and let the guild support him. But nobody really knows the reason. Still, Ari-05 has that aura around him, saying that he is no ordinary player. Well, if he's weak, Clover won't choose him, right?

Xav-11 is still looking around.

"If you're looking for them, they have still not arrived," Ari-05 said as if knowing who he was searching.

"Hmmm? Who?" Allen-38 asked.

"Sora."

"Oh, the sky team, huh?"

They all nodded to Allen-38. Sora, or the Sky Team, is one of the four main parties of Cassaianne. Xav-11 looked at his clock and checked the time of the outside world. He heaved a sigh. It has been many years, but he is still depressed from missing a talent out. 

"I heard that they would do dungeon first before going here," Ari-05 said. "It looks like they are trying to collect some material Clover asked them to do."

"Is that so?" Xav-11 suddenly gloomed. Ari-05 assured him that they would be coming anytime later.

Allen-38 looked at his group, who are still listening to them. He raised his arm to call their attention.

"You can go now. Do whatever you want. Just don't go somewhere restricted," he instructed.

The group dispersed quickly, going in different directions. Some of the players headed to the mess hall where they found some of their old friends, while some went upstairs to use the private rooms where arcades and movies are present. Allen-38 remained on the bar. He liked the solemnity of the place and the vibe it gave him.

"You should go back to the reception. Some of the Guild Leaders might be there waiting for you," Ari-05 said.

"But-"

"Clover expected you to do this work. We know that you only have access to all the rooms of the guild. You're also only the one who can open the door for non-members of the guild," the artisan reminded him. "Though, I can do that work for you if you do my work for me."

Xav-11 can't say anything but cutely pouts. Allen-38 hid his chuckle while Ari-05 gave him a determined look. The elf's pointy ears droop down, whining while opening his access.

"Okay... I'll just finish my work and-"

Xav-11 vanished out from their sight. He probably teleported to the reception desk while whining. Allen-38 let out a heartfelt chuckle and faced the bar. Ari-05 handed him a drink.

"It looks like I can't really have you come to my guild, no?" Allen-38 asked again.

He took the drink and swirled the contents inside. Ari-05 laughed.

"If only I asked you first, maybe you're in my guild now," he heaved a sigh.

"Hmmm? What do you mean?"

"If only I invited you to join my guild  a bit earlier than Clover did, maybe..."

"You got everything wrong," Ari-05 chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

There's a pause between them.

"Clover did not invite me to join the guild," Ari-05 retorted.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Allen-38 was confused.

"It's more like... 'How about we build a guild?', I asked."