Chapter 182: Keep it simple. [1/2]
Phillip and I continued to joke about my impending war as we made our way to the dispatch office.
Apparently the other production guilds were harassing Overlord, Red Moon, and Golden Wick to let them meet me. Phillip was similarly harassed, but his affiliation with David's group kept everyone on their best behavior.
According to him, the three guilds formed a united faction called the Limitless Logistics Group, or LLG. Supposedly, the P3, P4, and P5 guilds hired by Overlord and Red Moon were also members.
The LLG, which appeared overnight, threw off the balance of the Production Guild's hierarchy. As a new major power, they were ostracized and bullied into disbanding. The higher groups tried to force the LLG to cancel their contracts with me.
"But since most of the guilds in the LLG were at the bottom, they decided to leave the Production group altogether and follow you. Naturally, I was brought into the union as their advisor."
"Aren't they risking too much?
"Mr. Smith, risk only matters when you have much to lose. For these people, following the Production hierarchy would get them nowhere."
"Tsk. You got another cut, didn't you? You greedy monocled bastard."
"Why yes, yes I did. I have a 1% commission on everything the LLG sells. Provided I keep them informed of your affairs."
"Just for that? You are swindling them!"
"Mr. Smith, you still do not seem to understand how much of a balance breaker you are. I would earn my 1% with just the information about your ascension to a Phantom."
"Let me guess, they all gambled on the Annihilation rankings as well?"
"Indeed they have, one of the benefits of being a member of the LLG is insider information."
Wow, this has really become a big deal, hasn't it? I could care less about such things, but when enough people got together, things would usually happen.
"As I mentioned before, one of the main rules of the LLG is to support you in any way possible. So they requested for an official meeting."
"Hmm, I guess that is fine, I needed to discuss something with them anyway."
Just then, I heard people running towards us.
"John! Wait up!"
Scott Davis, Frank Moses' adopted son, led the group of misfits toward me.
"What do you want Scott? I am busy, if you bastards still want to horse around leave me out of it."
"Hombre, that's not it. We talked and you told everyone you would bring us with you after a week," Santiago interrupted.
"Yeah, I did. Your point is?"
"Boss, can we start working for you tonight? Everyone here is already familiar with guns, if you get us a gun, we can help you out."
"White boy, you remember my mace? I tank for you!"
I looked at Warren, out of all the people here, he was the only one I hadn't invited. We only met because he was tailing Dominic Maegester.
Probably understanding what I was saying, he replied with a big grin.
"Nigga, my {fate} tells me you are like a once-in-a-lifetime wave, let me join. I am Formless as well. Was a reservist, so I know my way around a gun."
While I hesitated, in reality, these Formless guys would help me quite a bit. With most of my {Kismet} gone, I couldn't even draw weapons fast enough.
My rate of fire actually determined how many zombies I could kill, and no matter how much I economized, as long as only two weapons fired at once, the kill rate would reflect that.
With an additional five people, six if I included Angela, the kill rate would of course be significantly higher.
It was unfortunate that I no longer had the {Fates} of the Sirens, otherwise I could cast them on all my weapons. At the moment, the 1887, AR-15, M24, and M60 were the only ones enhanced by {Fates}.
I couldn't even use the drone to create the map because Aira was no longer here.
'Hmm. I was going to do it eventually, but if these guys wish to follow me, they need to be aware of the risks.'
"Okay, let's talk inside, if you still want to follow me after listening to what I have to say, then we can discuss it afterwards."
The Formless cheered at my acceptance. As we talked, I noticed a group of people following me. It seemed that my uniform had become synonymous with my identity. But I could care less about them now.
Phillip led the Formless group and me to one of the large conference rooms. When we entered, there were well over a hundred people.
About half were seated around a large, long table. For every person seated, there was another standing behind them.
'The seated ones must be the guild leaders, while those behind them are their aides.' I guessed.
I scanned the room and saw Cynthia of the Red Moons, Addison of Overlord and Yvonne of Golden Wick were also seated. Claire, the sassy girl from Yvonne's guild, was standing behind her.
Cynthia stood up and announced in a loud voice.
"All rise, Reaper Limitless has arrived."
At her command, the entire room stood up as they all turned towards me. As someone at the bottom of the corporate and social ladder,
I was overwhelmed by such respect. I froze in my tracks as I swallowed my nervousness. The more I interacted with these people, the more I saw how much my actions affected Hellsgate.
While I drew a blank, the Formless all entered the room and lined up behind the head of the table. They stood evenly spaced without uttering a sound. Phillip came after as he stood behind the head and gestured for me to come in.
'Fuck! Isn't this too much? They already treated me like a president or something.'
I awkwardly stepped forward and stood at the head of the table. As over a hundred people waited for my next words. I tried to keep calm all while, I felt like I had a knot in my stomach.
All I wanted to do was kill zombies, yet here I was, leading a meeting with over a hundred people. My ego wanted to be proud of my accomplishment, but I bit my lip and forced it down.
'I have a war in three days, I have no time for such stupid ideas.'
I gritted my teeth and managed to take a seat, gesturing to Phillip.