“Everyone, go collect everything of value that you can from the houses! Do it as quickly as you can, but try not to disturb anything, or make it look like you were searching for anything.” I said

“Shouldn’t we be getting ready for a fight or something man?” said Secundus, with a confused look.

“Can you fight right now? Your health and stamina is low, just like everyone else's. Even if it weren't, there are 267 people coming, for purposes we don't yet know. And even if, we were at 100%, AND we could take 267 people with just 13, that down there is . They don't know the meaning of give up. They don't have to either, because they can just throw wave after wave of people at something until it finally breaks. No, we have to talk this out.” Secundus couldn't respond, but he was obviously pissed, why though, I don't quite understand. Whatever, I don't have time to explain any further to him. I turn, and begin raiding the houses.

“Ayye man, they may not know we’re here yet, we could make a run for it” phalanx said, as I came out of a nearby house.

“What was the first thing I did when I made it to the valley?”

“Hmm, you had Thelia and Moxxie scout the whole region with their skills.”

“Anybody would do the same thing. Now, they may not have sensory skills as good as our people, but out of 270 people or so, I’m sure they had at least one person who could scan this area and tell them people were here. besides, I have a sneaking suspicion that they came here because they knew we were here, the real question is-” I stopped midsentence. I could hear them now. The many, disorganized steps; the unified beat of Bards’ drums. Well, that definitely meant running was out. Those drums probably boosted movement speed, and the only speed types here are Dave and Moxxie.

In the next 15 minutes, they came into view, walking in through the main entrance of the settlement. You don't really have an appreciation for how many people 270 actually is until it's right there in your face. there was a whole line of huge, obvious tank type players with mismatched armor and various weapons, all at the ready, with players of various classes all mixed together behind them. They parted, and a small retinue of players stepped forward towards myself and my friends, who had quickly reassembled.

Two of them I recognized right away. Solitude and Jay. Or rather, Jay and Solitude. Jy hated being last. They looked as surprised to see me as I was to see them. We didn't have time to catch up. The player in the front stepped forward. He wore a complete set of bronze armor with a thin red cape. He had flowing black hair going at least down to his breastplate. I instantly disliked him as I dislike all pretty boys. woman hogging bastards.

“Good afternoon, I take it, you all are the party of the one commonly called The Whisperer, yes?”

I stepped forward. “What do you want?”

“You're him?” He asked with smirk, “I represent . I am Volcan Rey, perhaps you've heard of me.”

The name struck a familiar chord in my memory. I probably saw him on some footage with . “I’m Linderman. Allow me to reiterate myself, what do you want.” I can't afford to show weakness, and look him straight in the eyes. He smiled and opened his arms wide.

“Why this village you stole, of course!”

“Stole? No, I went on a quest for this!”

“Yes, yes, probably after you heard was looking to acquire villages like this very one. you knew we had our eyes on this one, and we want it back.” The man said with a grin.

“Over my-”

“Dead body? As you can see, we came prepared for that possibility too. Hell, maybe we don't just kill you, maybe we should burn it down, just to make sure. We don't know how the ownership mechanics work in this game, killing you might not transfer ownership. We can start fresh then, new buildings and everything. That's sounding like the better option more and more. Orrrrr, you could just transfer it over like a good boy.” His grin grew even further.

Damn it. He got me. I’d be willing to fight for this place, and die for it. But burning it? After everything we did to get it, all the man hours that went into the quest? We walked through a monster infested forest for a week, got killed by a sociopath, and got swarmed by a host of spirits! I couldn't let that happen. Unfortunately, that meant we couldn't fight either. we would lose, even if we went all out, we could maybe take 20 before they overwhelmed us. The they'd burn it. No, we were gonna lose this place, one way or another. I… just have to get something out of it, anything. My eyes darted around, looking for anything I could use to help me. They fell on Jay and Solitude.

“You really gonna just watch this shit happen?” I asked. Their expression had looked conflicted since the beginning. I could only hope they would say something. And they did, luckily enough. They approached Volcan Rey, whispering in his ear. I could only hear bits and pieces of it, but it sounded like they were telling him that I was somewhat famous, and I could hurt their reputation. I really wish I had thought of that…

“You know,although this village rightly belongs to , out of a show of benevolence, we have decided to pay you a finders fee. 200 Gold. You may show your gratitude.” Volcan Rey sid, with his ever-present grin. 200 Gold was what one of the HOUSES was worth. I really, REALLY didn't like this man. And Luckily, I had just thought up a nice revenge scheme.

“Make it 250, and I’ll soak up all the spectral energy, and make it so that the ghosts don't come back, and I’ll tell you about a killer dungeon near here.”I said. Volcan seemed to mull it over, then responded.

“I’ll ignore your greed, and pay you the 250, fine.”

“Then we have a deal” It took Volcan Rey a few moments to gather the funds from his unwilling subordinates. Neither one of us had used the trade system before, but after a few trials, it was done. The Boulder Settlement was no longer mine.

“The Dungeon is an abandoned mine in the mountains. Just a warning, you should be at least level 30 before you enter, according to the former residents. Ah, but after level 50 It’s not as profitable, so you should take the whole Horde down there when you guys are around level 35.” I said.

“Wow, so this is how does business huh?” Volcan snapped his head in the direction of the voice it was one of the four players that came out with him. A man on a Black Donkey. I didn't know his name, but I knew who he must be. If rumors were to be believed, he was The First Rider. He continued.

“So if I were to join up, I would be reduced to harassing people, and stealing from them. Yeah, Count me out.” He turned and urged his donkey forward.

“Wait Raluin!! You can't just leave!.” Volcan shouted.

“If you have a problem, Just contact Infinitie, see what he has to say.” Volcan visibly paled at that. As well he should. Infinitie was a name anyone knew. The founder of . Which made me wonder exactly who the rider was to throw his name around so casually.

“Tch. Fuck that guy. Hey, Why the fuck are you even still here? It's our village now. Out. Everyone else! Move into the Settlement,lets see what we got here!” sadi Volcan Rey. Jay and Solitude followed him into the Settlement, shooting me a final glance of remorse. The rest of the players followed, all except a mage type, who made up the last of the players with Volcan. He just stood there, smiled at me, then left in the opposite direction of the village. Me and my people walked out of the village silently. At the edge of the valley, I stopped, and turned toards them.

“Lets split the 200G evenly.”

“What bout the other 50?” Asked Phalanx.

“I’m keeping it.”

“What the hell, why?! We're supposed to be a team!” screamed Secundus. Several of my other friends began to get rowdy and ask the same thing, so I answered them.

“It's for us! It's the beginning of guild funds.” I said I looked around them, into all of their eyes. I didn't want to give voice to what would come next, but it needed to be said.

“We just got robbed in broad daylight! We’re weak, we're few, and no one gives a shit about us! I look around at you all, and I can tell how you feel, it's written all over your faces! You're angry at me for not fighting for you, you're mad at yourselves, again for not fighting for you, but more so, you feel weak, unimportant powerless, like trash. I'm sorry, but we don't have the time, nor the privilege of feeling sorry for ourselves. We need to take care of ourselves, get stronger, get people, make a name for ourselves, so that we never, EVER feel like trash again. Are we agreed?” There were a few moment of hesitation, and then:

“Agreed”

“... Agreed”

“Agreed!”

“Agreed.”

“Agreed.”

“Agreed”

“Agreed!”

“Agreed!”

“Agreed”

“Agreed”

“Agreed”

“Agreed”

“...Agreed”

We were unanimous. I nodded my head, and we moved out towards the forest nd the now setting sun. It was time for change.