<h4>Chapter 15: The Unforeseen Morning Rush</h4>


    In the vast virtual world of Guildbane, guilds were abundant and yed a vital role in the game. Being part of the top one hundred guilds was considered an achievement in itself, given the sheer number of guilds that existed.


    However, the top ten guilds stood on an entirely different level. They were in a league of their own, with prestigious sponsors backing them and ess to the best equipment and resources money had to offer.


    These guilds had a reputation for excellence and were highly sought after by yers aspiring to reach the pinnacle of gaming sess.


    What made the top ten guilds truly remarkable was their real-world influence. Each of these guilds had its own headquarters in the real world, often located in impressive corporate buildings. They were backed by multibillion-dor corporations that saw the potential of e-sports and invested heavily in these elite gaming organizations.


    Within these guilds, professional yers with million-dor contracts honed their skills and represented their guilds inpetitive tournaments. These yers were revered as gaming legends, their names known by everyone worldwide – gamers or not.


    Joining one of the top ten guilds was an arduous taskparable to facing a series of rigorous tests. It involved abination of real-world assessments and in-game challenges designed to weed out all but the most exceptional yers. The selection process was highlypetitive, akin to taking a board exam, and only the very best of the best yers stood a chance of gaining entry.


    The top ten guilds were a symbol of excellence, power, and prestige. Their members were respected and admired, not just within the gamingmunity but in the wider world as well. They represented the epitome of gaming achievement, a pinnacle that many yers aspired to reach but only a select few could ever attain.


    Right now, the top guilds in Guildbane were engaged in a fierce battle within the game''s Auction Features. These guilds were known for umting valuable items and most yers used them as a means to enter the guilds of their choice. As a result, rare and sought-after items were seldom seen in the Auction House.


    Maya (Gamer Name: Elixir Enchantress, head Alchemist of Shadowde, rank no.3 in the world).


    "I don''t care if we have to pay a million to get those herbs! We''re a guild heavily focused on poisons. Alchemy is our heart! Poison is our game. I need those herbs, especially the Bee Balm Tree Sap! Don''t you know how many Poisons we could make with those? Production time would definitely decrease with these materials!"


    [BOUGHT!


    Breath of Life Algae (Rare) x2 @ 1, 000, 000 gil


    Flowering Jasmine (Rare) x3 @ 5, 000, 000 gil


    Bee Balm Tree (Sap) (Very Rare) x1 @ 2, 000, 000 gil


    Spark Stone (Powdered) (Very Rare) x 2 000, 000 gil ]


    =======


    Lucas (Gamer Name: Steel Striker, One of the Commanders of Brotherhood Legion, rank no.1 in the world).


    "Huh? Who do you think I am? I can buy you, you know! Heh! Let''s see if you can top my bid, you fool!"


    [BOUGHT!


    Runewalker Boots, Wondrous Item (Legendary) @ 50, 000, 000 gil ]


    =======


    Ava (Gamer Name: Ember Wisp, one of the Commanders of Phoenix Rising, rank no.4 in the world).


    "Egh? What do you mean I waste? At least I got two of them. Cut me some ck. It''s not my duty to watch things like this. We have a department for this kind of job! You should be praising me that I decided to check the Auction today! They''re quite expensive because a lot of the guilds are bidding for it! Stop ming me for everything!"


    [BOUGHT!


    Breath of Life Algae (Rare) x2 @ 2, 000, 000 gil


    Flowering Jasmine (Rare) x2 @ 4, 000, 000 gil]


    =======


    Sebastian (Gamer Name: Nightshade, one of the Commanders of Doombringers, Rank no. 2 in the world).


    ". . ."


    [BOUGHT!


    Arkrune x1, Wondrous Item, Legendary @ 10, 000, 000 gil ]


    The top guilds were dominating the Auction, and the little guilds could do nothing but attack social media for the unfairness of it all.


    ∥ F O R U M N S ∥


    SilentStriker: Can you believe the top guilds spending insane amounts of money at the Auction? They''re wasting it all!


    CraftyGamer: I know, right? It''s like they have an endless supply of gold. Meanwhile, we''re struggling to even upgrade our weapons.


    ShadowSeeker: I envy their resources, but at the same time, it feels like they''re just showing off. Is it really necessary?


    LuckyCharms: It''s all about prestige for them. They want to maintain their reputation and dominance in the gaming world.


    IamBeautiful: I am Beautiful


    WanderingSoul: I admire their dedication, though. They''re willing to invest so much to secure their position. I wish we had that kind of backing.


    EXPisLife: EXP is LIFE!


    GamingEnthusiast: True, but it''s frustrating when they monopolize all the rare items. We, little guilds, don''t stand a chance against their deep pockets.


    DigitalNinja: We should focus on our skills and teamwork instead of relying on money. That''s what truly matters in the end.


    DreamChaser: Agreed, but a little bit of extra gold wouldn''t hurt, either. It''s tough not to feel a tinge of jealousy.


    BowDownMortals!: Heh! Bunch of Losers!


    PwnMaster: They may have the money, but we have the passion and drive to seed. Let''s show them what we''re made of!


    EpicGamerGirl: Don''t worry, guys. We''ll make a name for ourselves someday. It''s not all about the money. Our time wille!


    DreamON: Dream on, Fools!


    =======


    When Xin woke up, it was already past 10 in the morning, and his sister Xiaxia had already left for school.


    "Oh well . . . I''ll talk to herter," Xin thought to himself as he folded his mattress to clear some space in the room. He wanted to set up the table and have breakfast, or rather brunch.


    But then it hit him.


    He had forgotten to download the app and check the Auction. He had overslept, and the reason became clear - he had forgotten to turn on the extension wire, and his phone didn''t charge overnight. It waspletely dead, and since it was an old model with worn-out batteries, it would take at least five minutes to charge enough to turn it on.


    The Auction must have finished by now.


    Realizing that he couldn''t do anything about the Auction, Xin shrugged off the disappointment.


    He looked around the house, which seemed empty. It appeared that his mother had already gone to work.


    As Xin was about to head to the kitchen, the bedroom door swung open, and his mother, Evelyn, stepped out in her office attire.


    "You''re awake, good!" she eximed in a rush. "Go take a bath. NOW! We''re going somewhere."


    Xin nced at his dead phone and then back at his mother, who seemed to be in a hurry.


    Without saying a word, Xin realized that he wouldn''t be able to download the app for now.