“In today’s morning E-sport news, numerous guilds are renting vacant offices and spaces to house their members. As the game COVENANT boomed, everyone is excited for the end of the update in which guilds can officially be established in the game.
“One of which is the popular and crowds favourite, Black Lion. Their leader, Scar, is here with us today.”
Looking at the news on his phone, Ren dried his hair with a towel. He had just finished a shower after an hour jog in the park before he’d get ready with their lunch with Ragnar.
Ren pressed a button on his screen, and a hologram appeared on his phone like a TV screen, displaying Scar’s unblemished handsome face in the early morning.
“Tell us about the ongoing construction of your guild house.”
Scar smiled and said with a practiced perfect voice, “It’s not a construction but a renovation. One of my apartment buildings is being converted into our guild house. It’s a fifty-story high building that house all amenities that a player would need. Complete from bedrooms, gaming pods, meeting rooms, cafes, pools, massages, recreational rooms, and the likes.”
“Wow. I guess that Black Lion will have an influx of players by how well they’re taken care of.”
“We want our players to feel as secure and comfortable as possible. Less stress for them and more time to focus on our strategy as a guild.”
“I heard that numerous investors are behind your back. Is this because of the in-game currency? COVENANT’s developers said that there will be guild wars, and of course, we all know that behind that, bets in the form of millions are at stakes.”
Scar merely laughed.
Ren swiped at the screen to get to the other channel. Scar was doing a publicity stunt to keep his guild relevant and on top. And what more a son of a billionaire could do but brag about a fifty-story high building that would be the base of operation by Black Lion?
Not only Black Lion. Even Golden Phoenix wouldn’t lose against them. Theirs were only two-story in height, but Silvia used an entire island for their base of operation. An Island that she inherited from her grandparents.
The other guilds were also buying properties or renting buildings for their guilds.
It’s starting. Ren thought.
The mass construction was happening earlier than he expected. But Ren was already prepared for it.
In fact, he contacted a broker and real estate agent to look at some apartment and condo units to buy. He would go apartment hunting during the time that the game was still updating.
Ren read some news and chatted over the forums to pass the time before he went and changed for their lunch with Ragnar.
He wore nothing fancy — just a shirt and jeans before he left with his phone and some cash. Ren and Leonel wouldn’t pass a free lunch. And Ragnar’s office, where they would be having their lunch, was just a ten-minute bus ride from where he was.
Along the way out of his rented apartment, he stumbled upon Roni, who was taking out his trash.
“Ren, you going out?” Roni asked, looking up and down at Ren’s get-up.
“Yeah.” Ren forgot about Roni, to be honest. He has been occupied with his apartment hunting and COVENANT that the guy left his mind.
“You going out for lunch?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow. You really must have some cash to spare. Me, I’m just eating instant noodles since my allowance is late again. It must be nice to be an only child.”
Something with the way Roni said those words didn’t sit well with Ren. The guy was very much implying that he was using his parent’s hard-earned money to go out for lunch. Enjoying their money while they painstakingly work day in and out.
Ren faced Roni with a condescending smirk. “I work for it. Didn’t I tell you? If you want money, stop asking your parents and find a job for once.”
Roni’s face burst red and his brows knitted, but Ren had already left before he could even formulate his words of comeback.
Watching Ren’s back, Roni bit his lip and clenched his fists. When did the guy became so arrogant?
Well . . . Ren was arrogant before, but there was a confidence in him now that Roni didn’t see before. From just Ren’s aloof aura and from the way he walked with straight iron back and assertive stride, he seemed very different. Like he became successful or something.
“What a pretender.” Roni sneered. “Acting like he had money but is actually dirt poor. I bet he’d just buy instant noodles outside.”
Roni grumbled to the side as he went downstairs.
Eventually, Ren and Leonel meet up outside of Axes Corporation. A skyscraper that reached the sky incorporating new technologies like robotic windows, air filtering walls, rotating floors to maximize the sun and winds, and so much more.
Leonel whistled as he took in the place in one swirled. “Imagining owning a building like this. At a time like this, I’m reminded that Ragnar is filthy rich that I wanted to curse him so badly.”
Ren stifled a laugh. Ragnar said to meet them at the topmost floor where his office resides.
“He must be busy that he was thinking of taking lunch in his office.”
Leonel stuck out his tongue. “That guy is probably just lazing around and swiveling his chair all day.”
Ren and Leonel went to the reception and showed their IDs. The staff were polite and had a practice perfect smile on their faces at all times. They didn’t even bat their eyelids at their get-up like most people present in there. It was an office building, so everyone was expected to dress accordingly.
And when the receptionist saw their faces and confirmed their names, their smile widened even more. They were Ragnar’s guests, so the VIP treatment.
“Ren and Leonel,” Lyn beamed, “Mr. Ragnar has been expecting you. This way, please.”
The staff guided them towards a private all-glass elevator that showcased the majestic landscape around the building and the view from below.
Reaching the top floor, they rounded some corners and a hallway before they reached a huge door made of solid metal in color black. Inside was a spacious carpeted room with only a huge solid wood table at the center. There was also a widescreen on the front wall, while on one side was a floor-to-ceiling glass window, bringing life into the room.
“Hey, guys!” Isolde waved at Ren and Ragnar. She was sporting her usual white slacks and white long sleeve polo shirt. Her long black hair was ponytailed as usual. She was already making herself comfortable by munching on a gingerbread stick and some glass of wine.
Leonel hopped beside Isolde while the staff looked at Ren and beamed.
“Please wait for a moment. Mr. Ragnar is still in a meeting. In the meantime, you can order anything you want.”
Lyn clapped her hands and from the main door came in people in aprons.
Lyn then excused herself after Ren, and the others said their thanks.
“Whoa, look at this menu. I don’t understand anything from it,” Leone muttered.
“Just order everything in there. It’s free anyway. We’ll take out anything that’s left,” said Ren with a vengeance. He was determined to get back his lost gil.
“Good idea. I’m sick of eating cup noodles all day.”
“You’re still eating noodles? After I lent you money?” Isolde asked before she covered her mouth with her hands.
That was supposed to be a secret!