Raising a finger Somber Gaze immediately withdrew, "Blighted Blood received plenty of rewards last month, I think it's only fair we sit this one out. Instead I'd like a tiny portion of the Star Driven Sword's reward in exchange for the information we've provided."
Your Guiding Hand tilted his head towards Somber Gaze's direction, "This is fair. As per usual any additional information will be met with the corresponding rewards. Or compensated by us."
The "Strongest Adventurer", a man who went by the Epithet Sunlit Paved Grace, casually mentioned, "As per usual, if you need either my or this money grubber's help you know our prices."
Pointing a thumb towards Sunny Jade the Strongest Adventurer made an amused smile. In response, without lifting her tricorn hat, Sunny Jade threw the middle finger towards him. This only made Sunlit Paved Grace more amused.
Sworn By Steel was next to withdraw from the reservations, "The Regard Truth Sect doesn't need anything, although the rewards from a Dragon are tempting."
Six other Sects also backed out. This was the result of their carefully formed agreement. A way to split the spoils between Sects without infighting. All orchestrated by the leader of the Guidehands.
Having seen that everyone who wished to withdraw had done so Your Guiding Hand also placed a hand over his insignia and slightly bowed, "As normal, Your Guidehands will also withdraw."
This was the signal that the opportunity to step out was now ending. Since Sunny Jade and Sunlit Paved Grace weren't representatives of a group they didn't get the opportunity to reserve the rights to hunt a wandering boss. Neither party cared about this, since Sunlit Paved Grace only really cared about exploring, and Sunny Jade was a mercenary who only worked when paid. Their seats at this gathering was merely a testament of how powerful they were individually. Your Guiding Hand put great importance on their participation.
Reaching into his bag Your Guiding Hand withdrew a stack of papers. Casually tossing them forward the papers spread out evenly, giving an equal amount to all participating groups. They slid with ease in front of their seats.
Your Guiding Hand smiled, "Our estimated material drops, this is just our initial guess until more information regarding them is revealed."
"That Seer eye is really powerful.", the leader of the Working Title Sect lamented.
"It may be powerful, but it has its conditions."
The list was simple. A large amount of various scales, from the All Reaching Dragon it would make sense. However a few members were surprised to see Blood Crazed Calamity to have a long list. More importantly, the one named Star Driven Sword had no information at all.
Raising the paper Working Title Sect Leader asked, "Why is it empty?"
"The Seer eye couldn't see anything regarding this one.", Your Guiding Hand happily explained.
"Did we ever experience something like this before?"
"Before the Seer's eye we estimated the drops based on their appearance, fighting styles and types, history, and their elemental designations. We won't be able to use this method without a significant amount of research on these new bosses."
"Third Steps are becoming more common, and even more so after you leaked some info regarding how to become one early.", Sworn By Steel glared towards Your Guiding Hand.
"Your Guidehands do not withhold information when asked.", Your Guiding Hand replied simply.
"Anyway we can't utilize the old method when at any moment these bosses can be handled right underneath our noses. Red Fueled Avarice is a direct point of this matter."
Tossing the papers towards the center the Sect Leader of Working Title, who went by the Epithet Paused Might, made a suggestion, "Old Paul, you want to work together on All Reaching Dragon? We split the main loot equally. We both know how rough taking down a Dragon is."
Old Paul, a gruff looking man wearing an eyepatch sneered, "You just want to use the Dragon Piercer."
"Naturally, we both know how long it takes to be used. I simply suggest my side buys time while your side deals the finishing blow."
". . . Fine, we claim the scales ahead of time.", Old Paul crossed his arms.
Suddenly an individual smacked the table, "You want those scales to make that set of armor you promised Stalwart Wall! You poaching bastard."
"Just because you couldn't counter offer doesn't mean you can call me a bastard.", Old Paul sneered in response.
"You Tryhard bastards always poaching, you're the reason we're all in this mess!"
"You're a top fifteen Sect. You mean to tell me the Severance Sect lacks the resources to keep one of their dedicated tanks?"
Tap-tap-
Your Guiding Hand tapped the table allowing it to ring throughout the basement, "No arguing amongst each other. This is a collaborative effort amongst us all. I ask you to have some basic manners."
A huff came from Severance Sect's Leader, holding the Epithet of Shadow Blessed Inheritor. Old Paul rolled his eyes, yet made no further comment. Seeing that the two were now behaving Your Guiding Hand announced, "All Reaching Dragon has been reserved between Tryhard and Working Title. Any further claims?"
No one spoke. Although Blood Crazed Calamity was one with the most rewards, its quality was entirely unknown amongst everyone present. No one was willing to take the risk of wasting their reservation on a mediocre Third Step wandering boss. Additionally with a lack of information regarding Star Driven Sword, the remaining two options became a gamble.
Your Guiding Hand smiled as if he expected this, "Then we shall postpone the remaining two until more information is found. Our next gathering will proceed as scheduled, I hope to see you all there."
Clasping his hands together Your Guiding Hand caused all participants to exit via teleportation. Now alone Your Guiding Hand opened the group chat and played the video again. He silently watched the battle take place before a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"It was helping another NPC escape. Very interesting. A wandering boss to protect other wandering bosses."
Then he too teleported, leaving the basement empty.
~ ~ ~
Akiol crossed his arms and sat on a tree branch. The concerns of his predicament clouding his mind. There was two main issues that he was thinking on. First was the issue regarding his future disguise. Morphing his body to hold other features was easy enough. Even if he was wearing the same cloak it wasn't something that would rise suspicion. What the main issue was with his Epithet! If by some reason someone probed the Framework they would find the Epithet of Star Driven Sword!
This was basically a huge light pointing to him saying "he's right here"! Although the cloak could mask his Third Stage self, it didn't completely hide everything. All it would take is a habit to probe the Framework to be revealed.
Secondly, why was he considered an NPC? Was it because of his actions? Akiol recalled the first time he came across the Undead Player back when he prevented Orothus' rising. At that time the Undead Player was only revealed to be a player once he entered combat. The telltale signs of a player wasn't revealed.
In that case, once he initiated battle with Scarlet Saber he should've been revealed to be a player. If this became true then his concerns with disguises would be lessened since it could be chalked up to player conflict. Something not too worthwhile to focus on. At most he would gain the ire of Blighted Blood.
However on the slim chance that this wasn't the case. . . then he currently had an issue with his Epithet being associated with being a wandering boss. He could easily disprove this, but simultaneously this provided him with a unique advantage.
First, under the assumption that a recent change caused him to become an NPC there was only one key thing that happened. Akiol reached up and removed the straw steeple hat. Holding it in his hands he inspected it for a bit, recalling the boy that had hand crafted the hat.
Faintly Samuel's words echoed in Akiol's mind.
-<"You're not like the Resurrectors! You're more like us.">-
A hat that disguised him as an NPC. . .
Akiol chuckled faintly. Although this posed issues, it was the answer to previous problems! His inability to meet NPCs due to their inherit fear of players was now no longer an issue! Instead he simply became the target of players himself!
This way he could potentially find hidden masters to learn from!
Then he simply needed a new identity as a player. That way he could play from both sides. With a player identity he could continue to help with dungeons to learn more about Skills without being in battle, and with an NPC identity he could directly learn about the subtleness of A World's Legacy.
After coming to such a conclusion there was simply one remaining issue, one he already identified! His Epithet!
Akiol viewed the Framework, it worked similarly to that of the player system. As if both the system and the Forums were blended together to make "The Framework". Akiol viewed his Epithet, which held many of his Titles that he was given.
It was here that he spotted something strange. An aspect of his Epithet that he recognized back when he initially ascended to Third Stage. Something he temporarily ignored to focus on the raid against the Undead, and now finally remembered about it.
Tapping a strange button Akiol frowned as his Epithet switched. The words Star Driven Sword had vanished. Instead a new Epithet lay in its place, with a name that rose further suspicion in Akiol. The Epithet was:
Last of the Forgotten Legacy