The confrontation with the Phoenix Sovereign had done more than just grant me access to Mythic power; it had violently exposed my existence to the global Grand Guilds. The Central Authority had clearly set the stage, hoping I would destroy myself, but instead, I had survived, now carrying the undeniable aura of a Mythic essence.
I emerged from the Ancient Citadel of Ash, not into the arms of the Central Authority, but into a complex, immediate conflict: Guild Rivalries.
The Grand Guilds were not unified. They were powerful, competing factions. My sudden, disruptive presence—a master of optimization with an Epic-Echelon 2 core and Mythic potential—was seen as the ultimate swing factor. They weren't hunting me anymore; they were recruiting me, or rather, trying to control me.
Within 48 hours, operating from a concealed safehouse in Solaria, I received three separate, encrypted invitations, each from a rival faction attempting to draw me into their sphere of influence.
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The Obsidian Pact was a powerful European-based faction that believed the Central Authority had ruined the true art of hunting with its rigid rules and predictable cycles. They were led by ancient, ritualistic Legendary hunters who valued raw, uncontrolled power.
Their Pitch:Absolute Freedom and Raw Power. They promised to finance my hunt for chaotic, unstable Mythic essences, encouraging me to absorb them all without the restraint of the Void Alchemist. They offered an alliance based on mutual destruction of the Central Authority's order and a return to the old ways of chaotic, unpredictable conflict.
My Assessment:Too Unstable. Their alliance offers power, but also chaos. Their lack of organization would quickly make them a target for the Central Authority, and I would be dragged down by their lack of discipline. Their goals align with my destructive nature, but their methods jeopardize my methodical ascent.
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The Celestial Concord was a massive Asian-based alliance focused on reforming the Central Authority from within. They believed the current rulers were too isolationist and greedy, hoarding too many resources. They were led by highly methodical, almost academic Legendary hunters specializing in elemental control and logistics.
Their Pitch:Unrivaled Logistics and Influence. They offered to grant me a seat on their High Council, providing direct, authorized access to global Epic and Legendary farming sites without conflict. They wanted me to use my efficiency to help them optimize their resource flow, gaining leverage over the Central Authority through economic dominance.
My Assessment:Too Restrictive. This alliance offers stability and resources, but it requires me to submit to a political hierarchy. I would become an asset, bound by rules and meetings. This completely undermines my core philosophy of uncontrolled, absolute personal dominance.
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The Sovereign Collective was a small, ultra-wealthy North American faction rumored to have ties to the original inventors of the Gauntlet technology. They operated entirely outside of the public eye, dealing exclusively in Artifact Trading and Ancient Lore. They were not interested in hunting or politics; they were interested in knowledge.
Their Pitch:Access to Mythic Lore and Ultimate Control. They didn't ask me to fight or reform. They simply offered to trade Ancient, unclassified Mythic Lore—including schematics for counter-measures to the Central Authority's command systems—in exchange for regular updates and analysis of my Epic Gauntlet's ability to consume and stabilize power.
My Assessment:The Ultimate Prize. This faction is the least interested in controlling me and most interested in exploiting my ability. They offer knowledge and independence, the two resources I value above all else. This alliance allows me to remain an unpredictable, solo actor while gaining the technical data needed to eventually breach the Central Authority's core.
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My decision was clear: Exploit the Rivalry to Gain Critical Assets. I would accept the Sovereign Collective's offer, as it required the least compromise and offered the most valuable, unique asset: knowledge of Mythic-level control.
I responded to the Sovereign Collective first, accepting their terms and setting up an immediate, encrypted rendezvous.
I sent calculated, simultaneous rejections to the other two:
To the Obsidian Pact (The Purists): "Your methods are too slow. I do not have time for petty destruction."
To the Celestial Concord (The Reformers): "I do not submit to councils. When the system breaks, I will send you the invoice."
The rejections were designed to infuriate and intimidate while subtly leaving the door open for future collaboration. The rivals would now be even more desperate to gain my favor, effectively creating a chaotic perimeter around me that would deter any singular assassination attempt.
I had successfully turned a massive weakness—being caught between rival power brokers—into my greatest strength: I was now the indispensable variable in a global arms race. My next step was to acquire the ancient lore promised by the Sovereign Collective and prepare to challenge the unseen rulers of the Central Authority.