Game’s Dogma

“You wish to join Empyreal Alliance?” Slyfox squinted his eyes at the old men.

The old men looked at him with their heads lifted high and said, “Hmph! It is your honour to take us in. Having Ki Industries on your side means a lasting supply of epic furniture!”

Apart from Old Florist, there wasn’t anyone in the game who could provide a steady supply of epic furniture. Originally based in Empyreon, Old Florist had since moved over to Yoda after Tigeroar’s assassination attempt on Drako Yau went awry and dragged him into the mess. It was now one of the signature stores in Yoda as well.

Ki Industries, namely the old craftsmen, was the second party with the capability to pump out epic furniture.

“Spire master, what do you think?”

Chau Yu closed his eyes and said, “Nothing really. We cannot take them in.” He then projected a forum post into the air with his phone.

The post was made by Dragon Alliance’s Hexen, the internal affairs minister of the alliance. Financial matters and daily operations were all under his administration. With most of Corrupted Officials’ players being businessmen, Hexen and his members took care of their duties splendidly.

In the post, Hexen published all expenses and resources they had invested into Ki Industries since they joined. He went as far as converting all of those items into gold coins as well—the total sum of absolutely shocking. The greatest issue among everything was that the income so far had been zero.

Hexen openly admitted that Ki Industries did in fact produce an epic piece of furniture. However, he also added that the craftsmen representing the company turned on them and left right afterwards.

The post ended with the question, “Is this the way the top company in the Third Eastern City and leading company of the wood processing industry works?”

Now, the old craftsmen of Ki Industries were like hot potatoes; whoever took them in would be reviled by all players.

Why were guilds and alliances powerful? Because of their players. Only with players joining could they continue to thrive and grow. No one dared to anger the masses, especially when they had a perfect example of what that incurred—Dark World.

Dark World tried to impose themselves on Howl of the Tempest Wolves back then. With Mask leading a staunch defence that showed the world their will to die and break rather than surrender, many hot-blooded players eventually joined his cause, which also established the foundation of today’s Dragon Alliance.

Dark World could only barely live on as a second-line guild under Empyreal Alliance due to its notorious reputation; its former glory as a famous first-rate guild was but a matter of the past now.

In an office in Ki Industries Tower, Ki Sai Wing was sizing up the old man before him. While he was old, his eyes were full of clarity and vitality. Across the desk sat an old man who slumped into his seat lazily, clearly not taking the company chairman seriously; he, Elder Ki, was senior to Ki Sai Wing in age after all.

“Elder Ki, you really messed up this time,” Ki Sai Wing said in a low voice.

He rarely took part in the company’s operations. However, this was a revolutionary project that brought their company into a game, not to mention that it was led by none other than his son, so he had no choice but to keep himself involved.

Elder Ki was completely unfazed as he spoke calmly, “Little Wing, aren’t you too nervous about this? We can now mass-produce epic stuff. With that ability, why do you even have to worry about not selling enough products?”

Those qualified to call him “Little Wing” were far and few. Ki Sai Wing sighed and said, “You don’t understand. If you and your team operated individually, it wouldn’t be a problem. As long as you produce outstanding products, you can sell them through the trade centre for a transaction fee even without a store, and it’d still net you profit.”

“However!” Ki Sai Wing stared at Elder Ki with a criticising gaze. “You now represent us, the Ki family! The century-old Ki Industries! You’re making our company lose face, not just yourself!”

Elder Ki was flabbergasted by Ki Sai Wing’s attitude. He slammed the table and shouted, “Who do you think you’re speaking to! Among the best products Ki Industries have sold, a third of them are my works! I was the one who made the desk you’re using right now!”

“I’m sure you don’t know about the company’s situation, do you? The company’s turnover has been stagnating for years. At first, I thought that the younger generation no longer appreciates wooden products because times have changed.

“Now, I realise I was mistaken. It’s because we have conservative and complacent people like you in our company, incapable of self-improvement and innovation. Time won’t stop flowing just because we refuse to make progress.

“Indeed, our public statement did say we invested over a hundred million dollars, but the actual sum was less than thirty million. Why? Because the products you ask for are way too unpopular or rare in supply. We couldn’t even buy them with money! Those manpower and resources you’ve been fed with are all provided by Shing Chi’s friend, the King of Yoda you look down on. They never asked us to pay for their services and even sold us those special logs at cost price.

“That is how you repay your benefactor after you’ve levelled up?”

Elder Ki snickered. “So what? That’s society! People take advantage of one another! Ki Sai Wing, don’t act high and almighty before me, you’ve used those methods plenty of times yourself!”

Ki Sai Wing sighed and said, “You still don’t understand, don’t you? Those despicable moves were all used on my enemies. For my allies, I have always treated them with sincerity. How else could Ki Industries have lasted for three generations?”

“Sigh, never mind.” Ki Sai Wing threw a cheque onto the table. “This is your final payment, you are now dismissed.”

Elder Ki froze in disbelief. “You… You dare to fire me? Ki Sai Wing, you’re mad!”

Ki Sai Wing turned around without looking at him. “Call me mad if you want to.”

Elder Ki went silent for a good while. Suddenly, he laughed coldly and said, “You’ll regret this! My character’s all levelled up anyways! I’m sure people will buy my products even if I operate individually!”

“I’m afraid that is not for you to decide.” The person who spoke was the man standing in the corner—Butler Chan who had been serving the Ki family for thirty-two years. “I suppose you have forgotten about the agreement you all signed with the company before entering the game. While your accounts are bound personally to you all, they are considered company property. Please delete your character before you leave the company, or you will receive an attorney’s letter soon.” 

Drako Yau was oblivious to everything happening in Ki Industries, nor was he bothered by them at all. His days had been hectic lately: levelling up, sparring with his companions, levelling up his Scrollcrafter subclass…

After grinding endlessly, he was now a Level 4 scrollcrafter and ten per cent experience away from reaching Level 5.

His Tattered Armour had gotten a lot better after giving it time to recuperate and feeding it with Holy Blessing Scrolls that Hexen bought at high prices whenever one showed up on the market. Drako Yau kept trying to converse with it, but it rarely responded.

Well, it’s worth it as long as all this helps it out.

Since Tattered Armour had saved his life once, it was only right for him to aid it with all his might.

For every 1000, then 2000, then another 2000 Likes on all chapters (1000 -> 3000 -> 5000), there will be bonus chapters! Register an account on Penana and start Liking now for more chapters!

Join our discord server: here!