Hero of Darkness

3 DAYS LATER.

In the eastern section of Alfheim at the time of night, an estate spanning 2 kilometers in radius which consisted of several buildings with multiple floors and wide open grounds in some sections came into sight.

The atmosphere was filled with loud noises and a crowd of more than 600 individuals of different species chatting and singing loudly was revealed inside the largest building of them all.

The scenario was of the feasting and celebration and the main cause of this joyous occasion being the…

Official opening ceremony of the Misthios Mercenary Guild.

The current place of this event was actually the new main headquarters of the Misthios guild that Kahn and the group bought a few days ago.

This 2 kilometers wide estate had multiple buildings and even living rooms allocated for all the members of the guild with every facility available to them.

This was one of the requirements for a guild. That every new guild had to have a base headquarters and their mercenaries should be living in it.

There were also a few buildings dedicated to departments such as medical care, food halls and armory in this establishment.

On the left end, was an open training ground for the members where they could train and fight together as a team because it was the most important part of the trade.

Whether one had to guard an envoy or kill an enemy force… both types of battles demanded teamwork and understanding of each other as fighters and as a person. So this was a part that couldn't be skipped no matter what.

Kahn and the group had officially received the approval to set up the guild after all the documentation and necessary formalities were verified.

Because in the meanwhile after Kahn had successfully performed a heist and made half a billion in a single day…

Logan had gotten into an advantageous position after the high elf COO was kicked out of his post and the matter was still being investigated.

Logan was now the interim senior executive temporarily and received the authority to approve a guild based on his judgment.

Although this position was most likely to be taken away until the association found another capable person… or more likely another 'elf' for the job, Logan would hold the reign.

Kahn as Legolas had already instructed the brown wolfkin on what to do in the small time frame where he had access to the sensitive matters of the top brass.

And soon, they'd start the real work without anyone ever finding out that the leader of the Misthios guild was the main culprit all along.

With this, Kahn created a strong ally in the association and also solved their current financial problems in a single shot.

The merry celebration and the feast continued in the hall as everyone ate to their heart's content. Although this was a members-only party, the way these people wolfed down the meat and delicious food made Kahn question his previous conceptions of this civilization instead.

"I hope this doesn't turn out like the Red Wedding."

At the end of the grand hall that was to be their main assembly hall where all the important announcements regarding the guild would be made from now on; was a long and wide table where Legolas and the other commanders of the guild were seated and exchanging conversations with the members who came to make a small chat.

As for the structure of the guild itself…

Kahn divided the members based on ranks.

Each group was made based on classes and abilities that aided them in a battle.

Currently, the members had the order from F Rank to S Rank.

Some groups have their team Captains who were given that position based on their rank as fighters and experience in the trade.

As the celebration was coming to an end at the midnight, a group of 5 people, all of whom were at Peak Grandmaster rank signaled each other through eye contact and then walked towards the sitting arrangement where Kahn in his Legolas appearance was enjoying an aromatic wine as he reveled in the sweet and sour taste.

As these people came forward and stopped in front of the long and wide table, all the attendees suddenly stopped

"What is it?" asked Legolas in a carefree tone.

"Leader Ragnarsson… now that every member of the guild is present here, we'd like to talk to you about something." spoke a stone-skinned swordsman whose head looked like a chameleon but had a wider mouth with sharp teeth akin to a crocodile.

"Speak." said Legolas and munched on a big piece of succulent meat placed on his golden plate on the table.

"We feel that we need to alter a few terms of the contract in good faith. It will also help us bring in more people to the guild and spread its fame." said an elven mage donning yellow robes.

"Oh really? What do you propose?" queried Legolas with an anticipating gaze.

Soon, the 5 members started talking about how to create different groups and hand them particular areas to live in based on their prior connections, areas of expertise and knowledge of different parts of Alfheim.

They also talked about expanding the guild's reputation and some incentive for members if they brought in new people and had them join the guild.

Legolas and the saint commanders listened to this suggestion. However… their expression wasn't that of joy or approval.

Rather, all of them revealed a slightly gloomy countenance.

"Do you represent the will of everyone else present here?" asked Legolas in a soft voice.

All 5 representatives nodded together.

It didn't take a genius to guess that all of them had banded together and then making these 'suggestions' wasn't out of coincidence. There was some sort of hidden motive going on here.

However, in the following moments, the elf ironborn's eyes turned red, fuming with anger.

Someone had orchestrated this whole thing from outside and was just using these people as an excuse.

So this was a time to react instantly.

"Ah… this is so exhausting." frowned Legolas and the very next moment…

BOOM!!

Legolas used War Dominance aura and instantly put unbearable and leaden pressure on all the members who were previously enjoying the feast; the 5 representatives on the other hand also received the edge of his immense killing intent.

Legolas' black and dark red aura was so terrifying and chaotic that no one could even breathe properly.

Shing!

Shing!

Shing!

Right in front of everyone…. More than 800 elemental greatswords appeared out of nowhere and floated above their heads as if one blink of an eye and they'd slash them apart in two.

Kahn was currently a 2nd stage saint now.

His limit was 1000 swords using the Sword Emperor skill which was a saint rank version of Sword King. And he was forced to use it on not his enemies but his allies instead.

His gaze then turned grim and infuriated as he looked at all the people around the hall.

"I gave you fuckwits a helping hand when you were struggling to make a living.

I already gave you lot a signing bonus and offered terms favorable to you and your families in case you die on the job.

But now you fucking ingrates are already demanding more than what I offered?" refuted Legolas in an angered voice as he jeered all the members.

"The guild hasn't even received our first commission and you're already talking a big game.

Or are you still under the impression that we need you?" he asked, his stern and domineering voice reaching all their ears.

"Didn't I make this clear?

We will deliver on promised terms as long as you do what you're told to do.

Who the fuck said you have a say in the decision-making of this guild?!" bellowed Legolas as he stood up and gave a death stare to all the members.

"You're bound by the contract. You can't abandon the guild for the next 6 months.

I don't care what arrangements or relationships you people had before this.

But this isn't a place you play family.

Follow the protocols we set and your life will be easier.

Make unnecessary trouble and you're easily replaceable!" he declared in an overbearing and authoritative voice.

Legolas then retracted his saint pressure and let everyone breathe again.

This action of his turned the whole environment of joy into a scary scenario.

But the elf felt no regret in doing so.

Kahn had no plans to become a righteous leader or cared about these people.

This was a give-and-take relationship for both sides.

They needed the numbers to form a guild while these people needed strong leaders to make a living.

If anyone started voicing their opinions or forming factions in their group, the guild would fall apart later… like how Democrats and Republicans divided the country.

A monarchy was often what maintained order and law more than the free will and voice of the people in the world of Vantrea.

Thus Kahn had to set a hierarchy from the very beginning.

[Ronin, change of plans. Create new teams and put everyone in different groups as well as replace their living quarters.

Nobody should be in a group with any of their former friends and allies from their previous teams before they joined.] ordered Kahn.

To his command, Ronin spoke his own opinion.

[But master… It will bring instability to the guild.]

[It's worth the wait. Reformation takes time but it's better if we get rid of the problem before it causes any trouble.

These lots will get accustomed to working with each other in time and we won't have to worry about them creating factions in the guild later.

I don't have time to deal with these petty mind games, dramas and quarrels inside the house.

Our goals are beyond their understanding.] ordered Kahn.

[I will arrange it so.] responded Ronin.

The next day, a secret letter arrived at Kahn's new mansion where he and the subordinates lived for now.

Ronin came and handed him a letter.

"I guess today is going to be our official debut." spoke Kahn after he read the contents of the letter.

Because this was the most crucial part for any mercenary guild that was formed.

Their First Client.