World Online

Black Stone Kingdom,

Capital City.

Jake was in front of a normal sized building that had a ton of guards in front. And these guards were not NPCs who could actively harm players. They were players themselves.

The only reason that they existed here was that not everyone could get their hands on NPC guards.

"To think that they could actually afford one of these buildings. Looks like Horace might have bought so many coins and traded them at a bank at an unfavorable rate just so that they could have an advantage. Well, these companies are willing to do anything to get an advantage, aren\'t they." Jake chuckled.

He glanced at the players who were walking around, checking each and every person who was entering the place.

"Such an extravagance. They should know that having players as guards is such a stupid move. After all, the players will be jailed the moment that they harm another player in a city." Jake thought to himself as he was stopped by one of these players.

"What are you here for? Who are you looking for?" one of the guards stopped Jake as he was walking into the building.

"Urgh. Why the hell would anyone want to break into this place? It has nothing of value, don\'t worry about that. I am here to meet the CEO. I was called here? Shadow King of Bright Horizon?" Jake told the guard.

"Who now?" the guard was visibly confused, but someone next to him stepped in.

"Forgive us for our terrible service. The CEO is expecting you. Please, come in." one of the other guards, someone who was clearly higher up since he was privy to more information than the former guard, beckoned at Jake as he opened the door of the small building.

Jake could see the hall that he was entering. The hustle of hundreds, nay, thousands of people talking, windows everywhere, this was like walking into an office more than some guild headquarters.

"To think that a huge company like Horace would have such a terrible headquarters. I would think that they would have a much, much better building. I mean, sure, the land costs a lot, but having a proper five story building would be so much better." Jake commented as he walked in.

And the place that he walked in was no sparse hall. It was packed, and the moment that he walked in saying these words, everyone heard them.

Jake could feel the angry glares at him. If stares could kill, then he would die of these piercing ones in an instant.

"Who the hell is that? Why does he have an escort?" someone whispered on the side.

But with Jake\'s remarks, everyone grew silent, staring at Jake. And so, even a whisper was like someone shouted, and everyone could hear the person who just spoke.

Jake smiled as he embraced the attention. Seeing a whole hall of people quiet down just because he said something rude was interesting to watch.

"This is just a temporary fixture. I am sure that you are aware of that. Now then, please follow us." the guard said.

"Yes. Temporary indeed. I cannot afford to have an ally of mine having such a shabby place that they call their headquarters. I mean, Horace is Horace. One of the biggest companies in all of Britain!" Jake remarked.

The guard smiled bitterly as they continued to walk.

Looking around, Jake could see that the building was nothing compared to Jake\'s own, but it was built on land that was much larger than the one that Jake\'s store was on. And it was simple why.

Even though the Capital city of the Black Stone kingdom was bigger than Diffast, it was still not the same as Diffast, a city in the Loviel Empire.

Land was going to cost more in the central street of Diffast than this normal street of the Capital of Black Stone.

The benefits that having a piece of land in an empire would show itself in the long term, and not now. But looking at such a nice piece of land being wasted, it pained Jake\'s heart.

"Maybe I should get a large land in a normal kingdom, and get a huge mansion built. It might be a good resting spot for the guild members." he wondered.

Still, he continued to walk forward, unfazed by all of the people staring at him.

As they kept walking into this endless hall that they were in, Jake realized that there was not a single room here. It was all just a giant lobby.

"Truly, such a terribly guild headquarters. Why wouldn\'t you prepare for rooms? You should have rooms for your higher ups, your elders, and for admin work. You know that for a little extra, you can get a proper building layout right?" Jake shook his head.

"That little extra is a lot here. We are here. Please, go in." the guard stopped in front of a wall, with a single door.

Beyond this wall was a single office, none of which could be seen from outside. Whoever was within the office clearly wanted privacy over everything else.

Knock! Knock!

Jake knocked on the door. Behind him, the guard was long gone, walking back to the place where he was supposed to, well, guard.

"Come in." an old voice came from the other end of the door.

"When the hell are these old fogies going to finally retire and let the young handle things. I am sick of working with people three times as old as I am." Jake cursed to himself, but he quickly relaxed his facial muscles and turned that whining mouth into a smile.

He then twisted the door knob, and hearing the click, went straight into the bright room that lay ahead.

"Mr. Grant. I am glad that we could finally me-. Wait, I thought that I was meeting the CEO. Who are you?"

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