Just as Damon wondered how to manage this headache, Mark walked over. He whistled as he looked at the obsidian spires clawing their way into the sky. "This is insane, Damon. You really went all out, huh?"
"Of course. Random raid parties and dungeon parties won’t be able to even come near our outpost. They need to at least organize a coordinated full scale guild assault to start a good fight." Damon smiled. And then smiled some more.
Mark felt a creepy feeling crawl down his spine. "Why are you looking at me like this?"
Damon was silent. He only continued smiling.
Mark gulped. Since he had plenty of experience dealing with this villain, he was able to guess what was going on in Damon’s mind immediately. "What weird plan do you have for me this time?"
"You!" Damon finally said. "You are going to be the face of our new guild!"
Mark blinked. "...What?"
Damon nodded, giving Mark an assuring smile. "There are plenty of advantages in being a guild leader. Don’t think that I made this decision lightly. You are a strong player, but you seem to lack an edge. This should provide you with that small push you need. You-"
"Are you going to stop or do you fucking want me to punch you in the face?" Mark shook his head with a firm no.
Nearby, Kate giggled, clenching her stomach. "Damon, my brother would suck at this. You know it. Why are you messing with him?"
Damon shrugged. "He would be very good at it. I just know it. Trust me, my dear."
Kate blushed at the endearing term and did not bother to argue with him any longer. "I mean... if you say... it is definitely worth considering. Brother is indeed talented in-"
"Oh, shut up." Mark was livid. "You two idiots better not dump this on my head. First, let me be clear about something. This bastard here just wants to pawn off all the shitty work that he doesn’t want to do. There is no fucking way I am taking the fall for this one. Besides, your name is the famous one. If you start a guild, then many people will run over to join the guild. Not me. My name is practically invisible."
Damon threw a mock-horified look. "I am so shocked that you would accuse me of these things. Of course, my name will also be there. I will be the guild owner, and you will be the mysterious guild leader." He smiled.
Mark’s face twitched. "It doesn’t change the fact that you are pawning off shit work to me."
Damon froze and then sighed. "Okay. You got me, Mark. You are my best friend. I am never going to get one past you, I guess. I had to try, though. I am just tired, you know. These days, I am doing everything anyway. I defeated the birds. I saved the merpeople. I again defeated a horde of demons. I paid the cores for these defense constructions. I tamed the roc. I also went through something pretty traumatizing recently. I am just so tired. I am very sorry that I tried to-"
"Damon, maybe I can help you." Kate stepped closer, worry softening her features. "Is it okay if I become the guild leader? I can help with the recruitment, the logistics, and the other things. I am not sure what exactly I have to do as a guild leader, but I can definitely help."
Mark scoffed, then folded his arms. " Kate, you are falling for that? Have you lost your mind or what?"
"Mark. It’s fine. Am I not the one doing this? I don’t care if he is acting or not. If you don’t want to step in and share his load, then I will do it. What’s wrong with helping him a little?"
Mark’s face twitched. He knew that he had already lost. These two had teamed up against him. There was no point in resisting anymore. "Fine. Fuck it. I will become the guild leader, okay? Are you happy now?"
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