Second World

"Really?" Almost everyone asked.

"Yes. If you destroy another Bandit Outpost after having a Guild Headquarter, you will simply get the standard reward," Peniel replied.

"How do you know that, little fairy?" Bluedaze asked.

"Trust me. What she says about this world, you can believe it to be true," Jack said.

"Then what about if someone who already has a Guild Headquarters conquers another guild's headquarters?" Silverwing asked.

Peniel was silent.

'It's okay, I trust him,' Jack sent his thought to her..

Only after receiving Jack's assurance that Peniel said, "If a guild who already has a Guild Headquarters destroyed a Guild Core, the headquarters will not be destroyed. The defending guild will still retain the guild. However, the winning offensive guild will gain a guild hostage token from the defeated guild and plunder 20% of its current resources. As long as the winning guild was holding this token, they will get 15% of any gold coin, mana, or resources the defeated guild receives at any time."

"So, it's like a permanent tax or tribute?" Jeanny asked.

"Yes. To cancel this tribute, the guild hostage token has to be destroyed. If you ever get this token, it will appear inside this Guild Hall beside your Guild Core."

"What if this guild is defeated again?" Silverwing asked.

"In what scenario?" Peniel asked back, but resume to answer, "If it is by a guild who not yet have a Guild Headquarters, I guess everyone knows already, the winning guild will take over the headquarters. If it is again by a different guild that already has a guild headquarters, they will get the same reward. One guild can lose a maximum of four Guild Hostage Tokens, resulting in a total tribute of 60%. Afterward, if the guild was defeated again, it will no longer produce Guild Hostage Token, but the plunder amount will increase to 50% of its current resources. If it is by the same guild who have defeated it before, they won't get a second Guild Hostage Token, they will instead plunder 50% resources as well."

"If the headquarters is taken over by another guild, then what about the Guild Hostage Token that it has given out before? The previous winning guild will lose the token?" John asked.

"No, the token will still be there. You just stop receiving any tribute since the losing guild no longer has a Guild Headquarters," Peniel answered. "But if in the future they conquered another headquarters, the tribute will resume. The only way to cancel the tribute is to destroy the Guild Hostage Token or disband the guild entirely and create a new guild."

"But that will mean sacrificing all the guild reputation points they have painstakingly accumulated to level up their guild," Silverwing commented.

"So, it is still a loss either way," Bluedaze added.

"Yes, so it is absolutely important to never lose when you defend your Guild Headquarters," Peniel said.

"Well, it's not a problem for us White Scarf, since we not yet have one," Silverwing laughed. Jack could feel a mocking tone in his voice.

"Open your map," Jack said to him.

"Oh? Why?" Silverwing asked, but he still opened his map. Jack sent a coordinate to him. "What's this?" He asked again.

"It's the coordinate of a small-sized Bandit Outpost," Jack informed. It was the one he saw when he was on his way to Busculla Plateau. "Unless the outpost had evolved, the last I saw it, the outlaws inside have an average level of 30. If you can get sufficient members to that place, you should be able to raid it and get yourself your own Guild Headquarters."

Silverwing was silent hearing Jack's words, but everyone could see the astonishment in his eyes.

"This… I'm truly grateful for the info," Silverwing finally said.

Jack waved him off. "I'm the one that should be grateful. You have come to our aid during our time of need. We are in your debt. This is just small info. But you better organize a force to that place as fast as possible. For all we know, that outpost can be the one Wicked Witches people are targeting."

Bluedaze shook her head, "No, although we don't know the precise location of their target. We know the general direction they are heading to, and it's not in the direction of these coordinates."

"Well, you people should still hurry. There might be some other guilds stumbling into it, now that more and more players dare to journey around the wilderness. But I need to say something, I ain't giving this info to White Scarfs, I'm giving this info to you," Jack said to Silverwing. "I've heard how the White Scarfs' main leader has forbid you to aid us. Yet, you still come with your personal force. I'm exceptionally grateful for that. I won't lend a hand if White Scarfs is in need, but if it is you who asked, I will not hesitate to come to your aid. I just want you to know that."

"I understand," Silverwing said. "And I thank you for your friendship. Once I managed to take down this outpost and get a Guild Headquarters for White Scarfs, I will make sure the other upper echelons know that this is all due to our alliance with Everlasting Heavenly Legends."

Jack nodded.

"I guess I will take my leave now. I need to make lots of preparation to move out to this outpost as soon as possible," Silverwing said. "But I'm afraid next week if the coalition attack again, we might not make it back in time to help you in defending."

"Don't worry about it," Jack said. "We have one week to prepare. We will be okay. We are not that weak. You just make sure you take down that outpost. Unfortunately, I can't help you on that as well."

Silverwing chuckled, "you giving us this info is already a big help."

"Before you leave, do you happen to know the exact location of Death Associates and Corporate United's Guild Headquarters?"

"I do. Why?"

"I want to repay them in kind for what they did today. Can you transfer their coordinates to me?"

Silverwing sent Jack the coordinates. "Are you thinking of striking them back? It is unwise considering your guild's current state."

Jack didn't say anything more after receiving the coordinates. Silverwing didn't push the subject either. He said, "I bid you all farewell then."

"Wait! We need to work out how we recompensate you for the loss you suffered during this battle today," Jeanny said.

It was Silverwing that waved her off this time. "This info from Storm, I mean, Jack, is compensation enough. I have to go now. You people take care of yourselves."

After another round of courtesy, the two finally left. They were especially in spirit when they left. Considering they had felt that they were left behind by the other guilds due to not yet having a Guild Headquarters, now that they have a good chance of getting one themselves, their excitement was understandable.

After they left, John said, "Okay, let's us discuss our next defensive plan."

Jack said, "You two make your arrangement. I have something I need to do."

"I know I can't beat you, but at this moment, I don't care. If you say you are going to leave us behind again to deal with this guild matters by ourselves, I will fight you," John said. His staff was even in his hand now in a menacing pose.

"I'll assist you," even Jeanny had taken out her spear.

Jack was taken aback by the two's reaction, he hurriedly said. "You two misunderstand me! I might have chosen my words wrongly. What I meant about what I plan to be doing is that I'm going to deal with the coalition. If I'm successful, they might not have the time or the force to deal with us for some time."

"Is that why you asked for the location of Death Associates and Corporate United's Guild Headquarters?" John asked.

"Yes."

"What are you going to do? I know you are strong, but there is a limit to what one person can do," John said.

Jack grinned. "I'm going to return the favor they showed us today."

John could see there was a certain confidence in Jack's grin. After some thought, he said, "fine. Go do what you think is best."

"When are you leaving?" Jeanny asked.

"I want to get the elite class for my Mage first tomorrow. Afterward, I will depart. For tonight, I will do what I can for the guild. Did you two collect all the Common grade equipment and ores as I told you to?"

"Yes. But it is seriously a waste," John said. "Other guilds sold all these common grade things for coins before donating them to the guild. It is much more useful this way. We instead give out contribution points for these useless common-grade equipment and ores. What are you going to do with them anyway?"

"Don't worry, you won't regret it. They are all in the warehouse, right? I will go take them right now," Jack said. "Oh, right. Have you already collected all the info regarding our core members' current list of equipment?"

"Here," Jeanny said. "What for?"

Jack took the list and look at it. "As I guess, many are still using uncommon equipment. All right. Give me one night. I will surprise the two of you tomorrow morning."

Jeanny and John didn't ask further. They just looked at him walking away. He suddenly stopped and said, "ah, before that. I have to sleep a couple of hours first. I just remember I haven't slept since yesterday."