Chapter 1389: The State Of The Guild
The Dark Guild’s setup was a little different compared to the other areas ruled by the Kings. While each King earned their title through the power, influence, and control they held over a specific city, the Dark Guild didn’t operate in quite the same way. They didn’t rule over a single city at all.
Instead, the Guild had several bases and formed agreements with gangs across many tier-two cities. Their system had been intentionally designed this way, allowing them to hold their infamous auctions in locations all across the country.
These auctions weren’t small-time events either. Being hosted in tier-two cities meant that not only could the lower tiers attend, but even the Kings themselves could participate without drawing too much attention. In fact, the Dark Guild was often considered to be a King in its own right, not because they matched the others in territory, but because they moved differently, more covertly, more dangerously.
It was widely believed, and not without reason, that the Guild held an incredible amount of wealth and power, especially with their deep connections to multiple criminal organizations and the kinds of items they sold.
Because of the way they operated, the core members of the Dark Guild, including Marcus, were rarely stationed in one location for long. Their movements were unpredictable. Even if someone wanted to target them, it would be nearly impossible to know where to strike.
At present, Marcus was in the middle of setting up another one of the Guild’s signature auctions, this time in yet another tier-two city. Even though the supply of Altered solutions from large corporations had slowed dramatically, it only made the Guild’s remaining stock even more valuable.
What little supply they had managed to acquire was in extremely high demand. People were willing to pay anything, money, favors, power, for just a single vial. Marcus and the Guild used this rising desperation to their advantage, forging stronger relationships with contacts around the world.
Bit by bit, they were becoming a silent force. A rising power that most people didn’t even know existed.
But not everyone was okay with that.
Their growing influence was beginning to cause serious friction with another faction, a particular group that desired control over everything and everyone. A group that hated being left out of decisions. And most of all, they hated not being able to control the Dark Guild.
Back at one of the auction houses, as the final preparations were being made, Marcus walked the floor. The halls were filled with rare and dangerous items, and staff were busy arranging them for display. Marcus paced with purpose, instructing the men to double-check the order in which items would be revealed.
Order was important. The auction was designed to keep guests hooked, no one ever knew in advance what would be shown. That uncertainty allowed the Guild to sell even the less valuable items for more than they were worth.
Suddenly, a man in long robes appeared at Marcus’s side and leaned in to whisper urgently into his ear.
Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “What? That makes no sense,” he said, his voice low but sharp. “I had a meeting with Lupus not long ago. He assured me there wouldn’t be any action taken. Are you sure this information is accurate?”
The man leaned in again, whispering more quietly this time.
Marcus clenched his jaw. “So it’s not just hearsay… he’s already on the move?” he said aloud, his voice laced with disbelief. “But why? Lupus wouldn’t say one thing and then immediately do the opposite. And without even the courtesy to inform me first?”
His thoughts began racing. “There has to be something more to this. Could he be under pressure? Blackmailed? Forced into this? Or… has something gone seriously wrong that’s left him no choice?”
Marcus’s eyes wandered across the venue. So much had already been put into this. The auction house was filled with crates and displays that had taken days to set up. Two whole days of preparation, not to mention the months of behind-the-scenes planning to make sure the auction would go unnoticed by any outside forces.
But he couldn’t ignore this.
“We’re canceling the auction,” Marcus said firmly. “This is too important. We need to find Lupus and figure out exactly what he’s doing. Losing him now would be disastrous for us.”
There were very few people in the world who even knew about the Settlement’s existence. But the Dark Guild did. Their knowledge had been passed down through stories, secrets, and warnings from generations before them.
There were multiple reasons why they’d chosen to work with Lupus and his group. Protection was a two-way street, and both sides had something to gain.
Marcus didn’t need to explain himself. When the order was given, no one complained. No one whined about the time or effort going to waste. Everyone simply moved, fast.
Marcus left the grand theater through the double doors near the top of the hall, striding out with long, confident steps.
“We’ll act first,” he muttered to himself. “And we’ll decide our next move the moment we arrive. I’ll need to gather my weapons too. Who knows how dangerous things might get?”
Turning a corner, Marcus suddenly came to a halt. He stood in front of a particular storage room. Unlike the display areas, this room held items not for sale, items meant for the Dark Guild’s use only.
In many ways, their fighting capability wasn’t that far off from that of Altered Hunters. They had their own tools, their own enhancements.
But something was wrong.
Looking down, Marcus saw it, a trail of blood, just barely visible against the polished floor. He glanced to the men on his left and right, both alert now.
Could the Settlement have acted this fast? Had they been watching us this entire time?
With a swift motion, Marcus shoved the door open.
Inside stood a man, arms coated in blood, his eyes glowing a deep, unnatural red.
“It’s the Settlement!” Marcus shouted. “They’re here, warn everyone now!”
Lightning coiled around his raised arm, blue energy crackling with fury, and without hesitation, it launched forward, lighting up the entire room with a blinding flash.
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