Chapter 106 Chapter 105-AGHHO, The Plot Thickens（2nd update, Cheer me with Power Stones!）
Upon hearing Wolf Howl's explanation,
Darklord's face displayed even more doubt.
He may be arrogant, but he wasn't stupid.
If the Guild Leader of the Wolf Guild wanted to reconcile with Galewind, what waves could the vice possibly make?
With this thought, Darklord was inclined to leave.
"If the Wolf Guild wants to mend ties with Galewind, I don't see much point in us talking. I take my leave."
Just as Darklord was about to stand, he heard Wolf Howl's icy voice: "Wait, Darklord. I merely stated my boss's thoughts, not the opinion of the entire Wolf Guild."
Darklord scoffed, "If your Guild Leader has surrendered, does it matter what the others think?"
Wolf Howl leisurely responded, "My brother's confusion is due to Galewind's impressive performance at the auction. Our guild and Galewind are now sworn enemies. It's not so easy to turn swords into plowshares."
Darklord, sensing the hatred in Wolf Howl's words, sat back down: "Alright, spill it. What's your plan to target the currently thriving Galewind?"
Wolf Howl's smile grew colder and more sinister, tinged with a hint of bloodlust. "Darklord, do you remember when I mentioned 'AGHHO' to you?"
Darklord frowned, "I'll be honest, I went back and searched for this 'AGHHO' you mentioned. Neither the forums nor the official site had any information. Do they really have the strength to take on Galewind?"
Seeing the skepticism on Darklord's face, Wolf Howl explained, "Just because you couldn't find anything, Darklord, doesn't mean AGHHO isn't powerful. It's just that this force has always been lurking in the continent of Godslayer, known to few."
"Do you know what AGHHO stands for?"
Darklord shook his head.
Wolf Howl uttered a name with an air of indifference, "Ancient God Hunters Hermit Order."
"Sounds...quite extraordinary."
Darklord's eyes suddenly lit up.
Wolf Howl smiled confidently, "Of course. It is said that several masters from AGHHO's upper echelons have a record of hunting demi-gods."
"It's an organization formed by an alliance of the most ancient assassins. Every significant assassination event that has taken place in the Godslayer continent from ancient times to present is tied to them. They worship Alyssum, the God of shadows and murder, and it is the ultimate sanctuary for the assassin class!"
Having said that, Wolf Howl fixed his gaze on a visibly stunned Darklord and chuckled sinisterly, "Now, Guild Leader Darklord, do you still doubt AGHHO's power?"
Darklord hastily shook his head and quickly added, "No doubts at all! Such a powerful organization would certainly be able to take down Galewind!"
Wolf Howl's introduction filled Darklord with confidence.
If they could hunt demi-gods, what's a small fry like Galewind?
To this day, he has not come across a native demi-god NPC.
According to the official announcements,
it would require several major updates for such powerful beings to appear within players' reach.
That might take several years.
Just then, the silent SoulSong interjected, "What level are the strongest masters in AGHHO?"
Wolf Howl's smile froze on his face.
He couldn't answer SoulSong's question.
After all, even his mysterious teacher was only an outer member of AGHHO.
He wasn't even a formal member of the organization, let alone having any contact with the top few masters.
"Probably... around level seven or eight hundred..."
Wolf Howl stuttered out his guess, then asserted, "Such powerhouses are beyond our reach at the moment. Even if they were standing right in front of you, you wouldn't be able to discern their actual level."
Darklord pondered for a moment and found the reasoning plausible.
SoulSong, however, did not agree and continued to press, "Then on what grounds are you so sure, Vice Guild Leader Wolf Howl, that you can get these masters to take action?"
Wolf Howl was instantly irate.
He looked at Darklord and said with a sneer, "Guild Leader Darklord, your skill of handling subordinates really makes me look bad. Are your people always so lacking in manners? When did it become his place to question my words?"
Darklord also found this embarrassing and scolded SoulSong, "Silence! I'm discussing matters with Vice Guild Leader Wolf Howl right now. If you interrupt again, you can get out!"
SoulSong's face changed several times, and he bit his lip to apologize, "My apologies for the intrusion. Please, continue..."
He lowered his head, masking the hatred in his eyes.
If it weren't for his need of Darklord's financial support,
he would have long gone independent.
Why would he continue to tolerate humiliation in Darklord's pathetic guild?
Seeing his stern words subdued SoulSong, Darklord felt satisfied.
He then turned to Wolf Howl, who was watching the drama unfold, and said nonchalantly, "Vice Guild Leader, you may continue."
Wolf Howl nodded and continued, "Assassinating a minor player like Galewind doesn't require the personal intervention of AGHHO's masters. As long as we can persuade senior members of the organization to act, our mission will be accomplished."
Darklord became excited instantly, hastily saying, "Then Vice Guild Leader Wolf Howl, go contact them ASAP. Get as many senior members as possible, and hopefully, we can obliterate Galewind back to level zero."
Wolf Howl suddenly looked troubled, "To be honest, one of the formal members my teacher used to follow is a student of one of the AGHHO's senior members. Through this connection, we can definitely request this powerful individual to take action."
"But the appearance fee for a senior member is very expensive, and our guild cannot bear this burden alone. So, we need the support of Guild Leader Darklord."
As soon as he heard there was a chance to assassinate John, Darklord could hardly contain his impatience.
He immediately waved his hand generously, saying, "How much more money do you need? I'll cover it. As long as we can target that jerk Galewind, no matter how much it costs, I'm willing!"
Wolf Howl showed genuine respect, gesturing with a bow, "Guild Leader Darklord is indeed a magnanimous man. I've already asked my teacher, hiring one AGHHO senior member costs 500,000 gold coins, or equivalent equipment and items..."
"If you want to hire multiple senior members at the same time, my teacher's connection can get us a 5% discount..."
Darklord's previously lofty and generous expression suddenly froze on his face.
500,000 gold coins?!!
The Godslayer game has been in public beta for several months now.
The currency exchange system has gradually stabilized.
As players have accumulated more gold coins,
the real-world currency to gold coin exchange rate has now dropped to 1:40.
And it has maintained at this rate for quite some time.
But even so, the value of gold coins remains exorbitant.
500,000 gold coins, converted into real-world currency, equals a whopping 20 million.
That's nearly the price of several top-tier epic equipment pieces.
And this amount can only hire one senior member of AGHHO.
How can Darklord not be shocked?
"500,000 gold coins..."
Darklord chuckled nervously, somewhat awkwardly saying, "Vice Guild Leader Wolf Howl, isn't this price a bit too steep? Can it be lowered?"
Wolf Howl also had a pained expression, "Do you think I don't feel the sting? The current financial reserves of our guild could only support the hiring of two AGHHO senior members, and even then, some guild members would need to sell their equipment to make ends meet."
"There's no choice. The senior members of AGHHO are already the top powerhouses of the assassin class. It's impossible to have them act without spending some significant resources."
"The truth is, if it weren't for my teacher's connections, no matter how much money we offered, we couldn't hire a powerhouse of this caliber."
Darklord gritted his teeth, made a decision and said, "Since Wolf Guild is so generous, it wouldn't be right for me to keep haggling. The Darklord Guild will contribute one million gold coins as well. Four top-tier assassins should be enough to deal with Galewind, right?"
Wolf Howl was filled with confidence, almost slapping his chest as he promised, "Rest assured, four AGHHO senior members will leave Galewind with nowhere to hide!"
Darklord's smile gradually turned savage.
The thought of spending all the money he had just made from selling his shares made his heart ache.
But for the sake of eliminating Galewind, his number one problem, it was a cost worth paying.
Darklord could only reassure himself in this way.
SoulSong had been silent all this while, not saying a word.
He didn't share the absolute confidence of the other two.
He had witnessed John in action twice in the game.
Whether it was the instant kill in the valley or the brief, but electrifying moment that shocked everyone at the auction house, neither were feats a regular player could achieve.
Especially at the auction house, John's brief display had given a glimpse of the tip of his power iceberg.
To withstand three system penalty lightning strikes and still come out unscathed.
That nearly surpassed SoulSong's imagination limit of a player's strength.
Could Wolf Howl's so-called AGHHO really assassinate John?
SoulSong wasn't so sure.
But seeing Wolf Howl brimming with confidence, he didn't want to be the one to contradict.
He hoped that AGHHO was truly as powerful as Wolf Howl described.
After all, it was a native hidden force in the game, with no level restrictions.
Perhaps they could really pull off a miracle.
While SoulSong was lost in thought, Wolf Howl and Darklord had reached a preliminary agreement.
Judged and certified by the system, the two drafted contracts and each left their own marks.
Wolf Howl watched as the two contracts on the table slowly dissipated, smiling slightly, "In that case, I'll quickly contact my teacher and request the senior members to take action."
Darklord nodded, "I've been investigating Galewind's real identity in the real world as well. Let's move on both fronts simultaneously and ensure that Galewind has no place to hide this time."
Their eyes met, both revealing cold smiles.
It was as if they could already see the scene of John begging for mercy on his knees.
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