The brilliant blue light of the teleportation crystal slowly faded.
A cold breeze swept across the stone plaza as Cynthia and Leila stepped out onto the familiar platform situated at the center of Floor Two's largest city.
The atmosphere immediately felt different.
Usually, the teleportation district bustled with merchants shouting prices, adventurers laughing after successful raids, and players hurrying between shops.
Today...
Everyone seemed to be moving in the same direction.
Toward Oblivion Pledge.
Leila adjusted the greatsword resting on her shoulder before letting out a long sigh.
"...Looks like we weren't the only ones called back."
Cynthia quietly nodded.
Guild members wearing the silver-and-blue crest of Oblivion Pledge hurried through the streets one after another.
Raiders.
Scouts.
Gatherers.
Blacksmiths.
Alchemists.
Even support members who rarely left the headquarters had been summoned.
Nobody spoke much.
The urgency of the guild-wide message hung heavily in the air.
Dark Shadow never recalled every member unless something significant had happened.
"...Let's go."
Leila nodded.
The two hurried toward the massive headquarters standing proudly near the center of the city.
The guild hall towered above every surrounding building.
Its polished white stone walls reflected the afternoon sunlight while enormous banners bearing Oblivion Pledge's crest fluttered proudly from the upper balconies.
Normally the entrance was lively.
Today...
It was silent.
Guild members filed inside one after another without conversation.
The moment Cynthia stepped through the massive doors—
she froze.
"...Wow..."
The main assembly hall was already packed.
Hundreds of guild members filled the enormous chamber.
Rows upon rows of people stood neatly organized beneath the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The usually cheerful atmosphere had disappeared entirely.
Instead...
There was discipline.
Order.
Expectation.
At the front of the hall stood a tall man with short dark hair wearing polished officer armor.
Arlo.
One of the senior officers of Oblivion Pledge.
He held a clipboard while calmly directing everyone into formation.
"Raid Division."
"Front left."
"Scout Division."
"Second row."
"Support Teams."
"Behind the scouts."
"Crafters."
"Right side."
"Logistics."
"Rear section."
Nobody questioned his instructions.
Members quietly moved into place according to their assigned roles.
Leila lightly nudged Cynthia.
"Looks like we're splitting here."
Cynthia smiled.
"...See you afterward."
Leila gave a lazy salute before walking toward the combat division.
Cynthia quietly joined the gathering of craftsmen.
Blacksmiths.
Tailors.
Engineers.
Potion brewers.
Enchanters.
Every production profession within the guild was represented.
She had barely reached her position—
when a familiar voice came from behind.
"...I'm surprised you're actually here on time."
Cynthia slowly closed her eyes.
She already recognized the voice.
Turning around calmly—
she found herself face-to-face with a young woman whose crimson-red hair reached just below her shoulders.
Lucia.
Another master craftsman of Oblivion Pledge.
Unlike Cynthia—
Lucia specialized in traditional equipment production.
Reliable.
Efficient.
Profitable.
Everything Cynthia... wasn't.
Lucia folded both arms.
A small smirk appeared across her face.
"You aren't exactly known for meeting people's expectations."
Several nearby crafters awkwardly glanced between the two women.
Everyone knew they didn't get along.
Or more accurately—
Lucia didn't get along with Cynthia.
For years she had complained that guild resources were constantly being poured into Cynthia's strange inventions.
Experimental lenses.
Mechanical tools.
Prototype devices.
Most failed.
Some exploded.
A handful actually worked.
But from Lucia's perspective—
they consumed far too much of the guild's research budget.
Cynthia simply smiled politely.
"Hello, Lucia."
"...It's nice to see you."
Lucia blinked.
"...That's it?"
Cynthia nodded once.
"...Yes."
She offered no argument.
No sarcasm.
No attempt to defend herself.
She simply stood quietly among the other crafters.
Lucia clicked her tongue.
"...You're impossible."
Cynthia merely smiled again.
Silence settled between them.
One of the nearby blacksmiths quietly whispered,
"...She never takes the bait."
Another nodded.
"...That's probably why Lucia gets annoyed."
Lucia heard them.
"...I can hear you."
The blacksmiths immediately looked away.
Before anyone could continue—
the hall suddenly became quiet.
A heavy pair of footsteps echoed from above.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the grand staircase overlooking the assembly hall.
One figure slowly descended.
Dark Shadow.
The guild master of Oblivion Pledge.
His long black coat swayed gently with each step as his calm gaze swept across the assembled members.
Even after months leading one of Evermount's strongest guilds...
His presence alone was enough to silence an entire room.
Arlo immediately straightened.
Every guild member followed.
Then—
another pair of footsteps echoed beside him.
The room collectively froze.
"...No way."
"...Is that..."
"...Seriously?"
Walking beside Dark Shadow...
Was another guild master.
A woman with long silver-blue hair flowing elegantly behind her.
She wore an immaculate white-and-blue battle coat adorned with intricate frost patterns embroidered along the sleeves.
Her calm blue eyes carried an almost chilling composure.
Zeroine.
Guild Master of Absolute Zero.
One of the most influential figures in Evermount.
The whispers spread throughout the hall almost instantly.
"Why is Absolute Zero here?"
"Did something happen?"
"Are we forming an alliance?"
"Did a world boss appear?"
Even Lucia's expression shifted from annoyance to confusion.
Leila, standing with the combat division, quietly narrowed her eyes.
Cynthia simply stared.
She had expected an important meeting.
She had not expected...
This.
Two guild masters standing together.
Whatever had happened during Dark Shadow's meeting with Absolute Zero...
It was important enough to summon the entire guild.
Dark Shadow reached the center of the platform.
Zeroine stopped beside him.
Neither spoke immediately.
They simply looked over the gathered members.
Raiders.
Scouts.
Crafters.
Support.
Veterans.
New recruits.
The entire strength of Oblivion Pledge stood before them.
The silence became almost unbearable.
Finally—
Dark Shadow folded his hands behind his back.
His calm voice echoed throughout the massive hall.
"Thank you..."
"...for gathering on such short notice."
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Every eye remained fixed upon the two guild masters.
Because everyone understood...
Whatever was about to be announced...
Would change something far bigger than Oblivion Pledge alone.
The massive assembly hall of Oblivion Pledge remained deathly silent.
Hundreds of guild members stood shoulder to shoulder beneath the towering crystal chandeliers, their eyes fixed upon the elevated platform at the front of the room.
No one dared whisper.
No one dared move.
Dark Shadow stood at the center of the stage with his hands folded behind his back.
Beside him stood the guild master of Absolute Zero.
Zeroine.
Two of Evermount's most respected guild leaders.
Standing together.
That alone was enough to leave the entire hall unsettled.
Dark Shadow slowly looked across the crowd.
Raiders.
Scouts.
Craftsmen.
Gatherers.
Support members.
Veterans who had followed him since the guild's founding.
New recruits who had only recently joined.
Every face carried anticipation.
He inhaled quietly before speaking.
"...Thank you."
His calm voice echoed throughout the enormous hall.
"I know this sudden recall has caused concern."
He paused.
"So I'll get straight to the point."
Another long silence followed.
Then—
"The meeting between Oblivion Pledge and Absolute Zero has officially concluded."
Several guild members unconsciously straightened their posture.
Dark Shadow continued.
"After weeks of discussion..."
"...both guilds have reached an agreement."
Zeroine finally stepped forward.
Her calm blue eyes swept across both guild banners hanging inside the chamber.
Her voice was soft.
Yet carried effortlessly throughout the hall.
"Beginning today..."
"...Absolute Zero will officially cease operations."
Gasps spread through the room.
Members of Oblivion Pledge stared in disbelief.
Even though they weren't members of Absolute Zero...
Everyone understood exactly what those words meant.
One of the greatest guilds...
Was disappearing.
Zeroine continued calmly.
"And..."
"...Oblivion Pledge will also be dissolved."
The room exploded into whispers.
"What?!"
"No way..."
"Both guilds?"
"They're shutting down?"
Lucia's eyes widened.
Leila frowned deeply from the combat division.
Even Arlo looked down quietly despite already knowing the decision.
Dark Shadow slowly raised one hand.
The whispers immediately died.
Then he delivered the announcement.
"Both guilds..."
"...will merge into a single organization."
His voice carried absolute certainty.
"A new Apex Guild."
One massive banner slowly descended behind them.
Black.
Silver.
Blue.
At its center—
a newly forged emblem combining both guild insignias.
Dark Shadow looked toward the crowd.
"Our new name..."
"...will be."
He paused deliberately.
"...Oblivion Zero."
Silence.
Then—
the room erupted.
"Oblivion Zero?!"
"A merger?!"
"An Apex Guild?"
"This is insane!"
Dark Shadow allowed the reactions to continue briefly before speaking again.
"You've all seen the changes happening throughout Evermount."
"The balance between Apex Guilds has shifted."
He slowly gestured toward the large world map hanging behind him.
"Royal Knights."
"Starway."
"Crowned Era."
"The competition grows stronger every day."
"The shareholders of both organizations have unanimously concluded..."
"...that remaining separate will only weaken us."
Zeroine nodded once.
"Together..."
"We possess enough military strength."
"Enough economic influence."
"And enough manpower..."
"...to compete against every Apex Guild currently rising."
The hall gradually quieted again.
Dark Shadow folded his hands.
"The shareholders have also reached another agreement."
He looked toward Zeroine.
"I will serve as Guild Master."
Zeroine simply nodded.
"And I..."
"...will serve as Vice Guild Master."
There wasn't much surprise.
Most members had expected as much.
Dark Shadow had founded Oblivion Pledge.
Zeroine herself had recommended the arrangement.
Then—
his expression changed.
It became heavier.
More solemn.
"I'm afraid..."
"...there is another matter."
The atmosphere instantly became tense again.
Dark Shadow lowered his head slightly.
"...I owe every one of you an apology."
Confusion spread across the room.
He slowly continued.
"Constructing a Third Guild Quarter..."
"...requires enormous resources."
"The new headquarters will be built on Floor Three."
"And during this early stage..."
"...Oblivion Zero cannot support every current member."
Those words landed like stones.
Dark Shadow closed his eyes briefly.
"We simply do not have enough funding."
"Nor enough supplies."
"We will only be bringing a selected number of personnel."
The room became painfully quiet.
No one interrupted.
No one argued.
Because everyone understood.
Building an Apex Guild headquarters from nothing...
Would require sacrifices.
Dark Shadow opened another document.
"The shareholders have approved compensation."
His voice remained steady.
"Every member not selected..."
"...will receive one hundred and fifty copper coins."
A few members gasped.
One hundred and fifty copper.
For ordinary players—
that amount represented months of grinding.
Dark Shadow continued.
"This compensation is only a fraction of what your loyalty deserves."
"I thank every one of you..."
"...for everything you've done for Oblivion Pledge."
Several older members quietly lowered their heads.
Some smiled sadly.
Others clenched their fists.
Years of memories...
Would end today.
Dark Shadow unfolded another list.
"The selected personnel will now be announced."
The room grew completely silent.
"Combat Division."
He began reading names one after another.
Experienced frontline fighters.
Raid specialists.
Shield users.
Support knights.
Each person who heard their name visibly relaxed.
Leila stood among the combat members with both fists tightly clenched.
Dark Shadow continued reading.
"...Leila."
She exhaled deeply.
"...Yes."
Arlo looked toward her.
"You will remain within Vanguard Assault."
Leila nodded immediately.
"...Understood."
She wasn't simply staying.
She was keeping her current position.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Nearby teammates quietly congratulated her.
Dark Shadow continued through the scout division.
Then logistics.
Then healers.
One role after another.
Finally—
he reached the crafters.
Several people visibly tensed.
Dark Shadow looked down at the final document.
"The Crafter Division."
He spoke carefully.
"For the initial establishment of Oblivion Zero..."
"...only three master craftsmen will be transferred."
The room instantly became restless.
Twenty-six crafters stood together.
Only three.
Dark Shadow began reading.
"...Fade."
A middle-aged blacksmith stepped forward.
"...Present."
"...Istra."
A young enchanter quietly nodded.
"...Present."
Dark Shadow paused.
The silence stretched.
Then—
"...Lucia."
Lucia's eyes widened.
"...Present!"
Relief immediately flooded her expression.
She smiled proudly.
Almost triumphantly.
Several nearby crafters congratulated her.
But...
Dark Shadow lowered the document.
"...That concludes the Crafter Division."
Silence.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three.
Cynthia blinked.
Her name...
Never came.
The realization slowly settled over her.
She wasn't selected.
Around her, several other craftsmen quietly lowered their heads.
Some accepted it immediately.
Others looked devastated.
Lucia slowly turned toward Cynthia.
Their eyes met.
the usual smug satisfaction appear on Lucia's face.
She simply looked amused.
She knew exactly how much Cynthia had devoted to Oblivion Pledge.
Yet she the reason most of the guild's fund went to restoring back the wasted materials on her failed experiments
Cynthia herself remained motionless.
Her hands rested quietly at her sides.
No tears.
No shouting.
No anger.
She simply stared toward the front of the room.
Listening.
Dark Shadow finally lowered the final list.
"...Those whose names were not called..."
"...please know."
He looked directly toward the remaining members.
"This decision was never about talent."
"It was never about dedication."
"And it was certainly never about worth."
His voice grew softer.
"It was simply the cruel reality..."
"...of choosing who could come."
The hall fell completely silent once again.
For Cynthia...
The words reached her ears.
But somehow...
They felt impossibly far away.
After months spent designing tools...
Building inventions...
Pouring nearly everything she had into helping Oblivion Pledge move forward...
Her journey with the guild...
Had come to an end.