All of them are wondering the same thing: Who am I really?
"Then it's settled," Caldwell announced.
The minister's quill scratched across parchment, each stroke sealing Arthur's position in Caldera's hierarchy.
Arthur rose smoothly. "Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to productive cooperation."
I've won this round. But the game continues.
Seraphina uncrossed her legs.
"Perhaps we should discuss collaboration?" Her blood-red lips curved into a smile that could melt steel or forge it. "I would love to set a meeting with you to talk about how our guilds can cooperate."
Partnership or poison?
"Lady Gilderhaven raises an excellent point," Thornwyck agreed, stroking his silver beard. "New alliances often prove... mutually beneficial."
Arthur studied the assassin queen's face. Behind those dark eyes lurked centuries of accumulated secrets, debts, and leverage. The Gilderhaven family didn't make offers—they made investments.
She wants something. The question is what.
"I'm flattered by your interest." Arthur's voice carried polite warmth that revealed nothing. "Though I wonder what collaboration between our guilds might entail."
Seraphina's smile widened. "Why don't we discuss that privately? Some conversations require... discretion."
General Draketower's mind preferred clear battle lines to shadowy negotiations. "Perhaps such discussions should include all council members."
"Should they?" Seraphina's laugh was silk wrapped around a blade. "I don't think there is anything to stop us from doing so."
The council members continued their verbal sparring, voices rising and falling.
Meanwhile, Arthur heard none of it.
His attention was fixed entirely on the notification blazing across his vision—words that changed everything.
[Congratulations. Your guild, Power, has been officially recognised as the first player guild in Caldera. Would you like to announce it in the global announcements?]
The first player guild.
Arthur's eyes widened. He hadn't expected this—the system offering free advertisement on a scale he couldn't have purchased with all his accumulated wealth.
Unlike before. Unlike when I was weak and defenceless.
For the first time since entering Armageddon, Arthur pressed yes without hesitation.
[Global Announcement! The First Player Guild, Power, has been recognised!]
[Global Announcement! The First Player Guild, Power, has been recognised!]
The announcement blazed across every player's vision.
Three times. Four. Five.
Even beta players logged out in the real world received the notification—an unprecedented system-wide broadcast that gathered the attention of ten million beta players.
Gates nearly choked on his coffee.
The secure facility's command centre erupted in controlled chaos as technicians scrambled to verify what their monitoring systems reported. Global announcements were rare, reserved for world-changing events.
"Sir!" An analyst turned from his workstation.
"It's confirmed across all networks. System-generated announcement. First player guild recognition in Armageddon history."
Hours. Gates set down his cup with trembling fingers. It took him less than a day to reshape the events, break everything the military tried to do and add his own system
Gates wasn't stupid, it obviously took much longer to plan, execute and such. But the premise was the launch.
"Immediately, continue releasing the video of Fateless! I want it all over social media!"
Gates stared at the wall of monitors displaying real-time data. Every metric showed exponential growth in Arthur's videos —not linear progression but something approaching an explosion.
What kind of monster have we allied ourselves with?
Tiana appeared at his elbow, tablet in hand. "Father, the rate of change is unprecedented. "
Gates nodded absently, mind racing through implications. Arthur Fate was an anomaly that nobody had taken into account.
Just what kind of talent is he? S+ or...SS?
He gulped at the thought. It was known that the top species had only one ss talent, and the humans seemed to have one.
Deep in the forest surrounding Village #420, a group of ten players paused mid-combat.
Marcus, their team leader, read the announcement aloud despite everyone seeing it. "First player guild. Power."
"Fateless was telling the truth," whispered Sarah, a low-level healer clutching her rare staff. "The system itself confirms it."
The team exchanged glances heavy with realisation. They'd believed Fateless when he spoke—his charisma, conviction and reputation carrying them forward. But seeing the system validate his words elevated him from an inspiring leader to a legendary figure.
He knew. He knew this would happen.
"Back to work," Marcus commanded, but his voice carried new vigour. "For Power Guild!"
The elite-bear they were struggling with before died in thirty seconds.
Around the forest, similar scenes played out among dozens of hunting parties. Players who'd trusted Fateless found their faith rewarded. Those who'd joined after seeing the rare equipment distribution felt vindicated.
We chose correctly. We're part of something historic.
Their strikes hit harder. Their teamwork flowed smoother.
Conviction transformed ordinary players into something approaching an elite force.
Each monster fell faster than the last.
Donald Warner sat in his holding cell, staring at the notification with growing horror.
First player guild. Global recognition.
The military facility was restless beyond his locked door.
Plans were being revised at breakneck speed.
Through his small window, Donald watched soldiers hurrying between buildings. The same personnel who'd once dismissed Arthur as a controllable asset now treated him as an existential threat.
Because that's what he's become.
Donald's hands shook as he dismissed the notification. The global announcement meant Arthur had achieved something unprecedented—formal recognition from both Armageddon's system and Caldera's political structure.
Double legitimacy. He's not hiding anymore.
A key turned in his lock. General Hawthorne entered, face grim as gravestone marble.
"Still think your boy is manageable?" The general's voice dripped acid.
Donald couldn't answer.
"Global announcement, Donald. First player guild in Armageddon's history." Hawthorne moved closer. "Your little psychological manipulation created a monster. A monster that no one can tame!"
The words echoed in Donald's mind like funeral bells.
"When the merge happens, you're going on television."
Hawthorne's smile held no warmth.
"Live broadcast. International coverage."
Donald's blood turned to ice. "You're insane. He'll kill me the moment he sees—"
"That's the idea." Hawthorne turned toward the door. "Bait works best when it's irresistible."
The lock clicked shut, leaving Donald alone with his terror and the countdown to his own execution.
In days or perhaps hours. Arthur Fate with real-world powers and nothing left to lose.