Star Falls City, Vanguard Shop
While Xu Feng was occupied in the Origin Trial, the Vanguard Shop within Star Falls City was reaching its peak in terms of population. Numerous players were being accommodated to a seat for a proper view of the grand stage.
Despite representatives from each respective guild and team could only bring one additional person along with them to attend, it was still filled to the brim.
After all, even individual players who were capable by themselves managed to snag a voucher to attend the grand and prominent auction.
"I've heard that Epic equipment is going to be auctioned today."
"You don't say? Why else did you think so many famous guilds and teams attend this auction?"
"Couldn't it be a lie to deceive the public though? Even some potions could be considered Epic Rarity, so the Vanguard Guild could just be doing word plays."
"Hah, with these many famous guilds here. I doubt the Vanguard Guild is trying to make a fool of themselves and offend every guild here."
As the individual players found their seats, they began to discuss and gossip among themselves regarding the rumors that had been circulating around for a while.
Of course, the guilds, especially the famous ones, merely kept quiet about gossip. Without a doubt, they weren't on the same level to believe the Vanguard Guild would pull such a funny stunt to waste their time.
No one in their right mind would boast and attempt to deceive the public in a supposedly grand event that involved many affiliations.
Amidst the commotion, there were still a few clever folks who realized some of the famous guilds were absent, noticeably the Reaver Guild.
"Heh, as expected. The Reaver Guild people aren't here."
"If they could be here, then that'll be a shocker. Haven't you noticed that some of the guilds who were affiliated with the Reaver Guild had their seating quite far in the back as opposed to the neutral famous one?"
"Haha, you're right!"
While the auction had yet to officially begin, the hype was already obvious to all those who were present.
Meanwhile, overseeing the area was Veronica, who gazed at her friend, as well as her superior in the guild, Carmen.
"Are you sure the Guild Leader wants to delegate all the responsibility to me?" Veronica turned to her and asked bitterly. To be trusted at this level was definitely a good feeling, but when she glanced down at the list of participants, the anxiety quickly overwhelmed her.
One wrong move or word said, and she could easily make Vanguard Guild the number one enemy. Such an outcome was a catastrophe and lethal enough to make Veronica second thought herself.
"Relax, the Guild Leader is currently unavailable to be contacted, but he did tell me beforehand that whatever you do, he will shoulder it." Carmen smiled and consoled her.
"And why are you acting nervous when it was usually you who kept teasing me for being one?" She continued, reminding Veronica how she behaved back when they still worked at LTG Digital Marketing.
"Ugh, how can these two things be the same?" Veronica rolled her eyes.
She was an expert in marketing, yes. But she was no expert in VRMMORPG, much less the Divine World itself.
Sure, her level had skyrocketed, and even had good equipment, but that was all because she had been carried by Carmen. She had yet to truly comprehend all the fundamentals and mechanics.
"Veronica, stop." Carmen cleared her throat and pointed at the crowd on the screen. "Don't you see how efficient you are despite your words? You managed to arrange them in a position that made them busy competing among themselves."
On the projection screen, it displayed numerous top guilds being seated next to each other, but visibly, there were a few among them that were clearly positioned a little bit behind.
Although nothing was said on the surface, it was pretty evident that those in the front were more prominent and influential than those in the back, even if it was only by a small margin.
Due to such an arrangement, these guilds were secretly holding grudges silently— not at the Vanguard Guild, but at the other guilds that were in front of them.
Why should they get to be seated at the front while they have to be behind?
What could they possibly be lacking?
Soon, their mindset would come to a single conclusion: financial status.
Only by competing and winning the most valuable, prized item that the Vanguard Guild revealed, could they feel good about themselves.
At the same time, they could also declare to the public that they were equally the same or possibly greater than the other guilds.
Naturally, those guilds on the front row seat would also feel the pressure to maintain their status.
Thus, they couldn't afford to be outbid by those behind them. It was not just a matter of reputation, but also a stance and declaration that they deserved to be seated on the front row.
"OneManMedia is already well positioned and started the stream from your arrangement. With the public scrutinizing the scene, those guilds won't even think of portraying us as the enemy, but the people sitting next to them or behind them." Carmen smirked and gazed at Veronica.
"If that's not called good management, then I don't know what is." She added, praising Veronica's shrewd and manipulative plot.
Veronica faked a cough, wondering if her friend was complimenting her or insulting her. She then squinted her eyes and asked, "You're on my side, right?"
"Of course, I am." Carmen nodded.
"Then let's not compliment in that way anymore. Agreed?"
As the two reached an agreement, Veronica received a message from OneManMedia, informing her that it was time to begin.
"Phew, this feels just the same as when I started my first job." Veronica took a deep breath.
"Don't worry, you've got this. We're in the Vanguard Shop, so if there are any troublemakers or people you are displeased with, just ban them outright. They'll be expelled immediately by the system." Carmen laughed and advised.