The Best Persuasion Method
A brief silence fell over the group. Of course, Sertina knew exactly what it meant.
'They've lived without any class system up until now.' They just didn't want to be bound by hierarchies. And Sertina didn't desire some rigid relationship like that either. What she wanted was...
"You've heard of... guilds, right?"
At those words, their eyes lit up. A guild. It was a term all too familiar to players of Astria Online. An organized group united under a guild master for a common purpose—one that could be friendship, rewards, simple relaxation, or even a top-tier raid party tackling world bosses. From small dormant guilds with just a handful of members to massive prestigious ones boasting tens of thousands strong.
"I'm saying we should form one after this update."
Sertina continued in her flat tone. Lee Min-ho, who had been lost in thought, lifted his head.
"Can you form a guild too, Sertina-nim?"
"Why not? I can use the same system you do."
"That means..."
Sertina leaned back slightly. The plush leather enveloped her back like a soothing embrace.
"If I'm right... the realization of Astria Online in reality truly begins with this update."
With that, she turned her head, gazing out at the world through the gap in the slightly parted curtains. It was peaceful for now. But the hands of the clock pointing toward disaster ticked relentlessly onward. Even at this very moment. Riding an unstoppable current.
"Stronger monsters will appear, threatening the world."
As if sharing the same thought, their expressions darkened. Tier swallowed hard, her face tense. Meeting their eyes directly, Sertina spoke.
"How about we establish a solid mutual cooperation agreement right here?"
Their eyes widened in shock. A cooperation proposal straight from Sertina herself. It was monumental. In this Earth plunged into chaos by monster invasions. In this world where even tougher battles loomed ahead. To join hands with the undisputed strongest being? For people whose every day was a fight for survival, it was an offer too tempting to refuse.
"If you cooperate, I'll guarantee your safety and provide unwavering support."
As she spoke, Sertina placed a hand over her chest.
"I'll protect you, and in return, you'll back me up when situations like this arise. It's mutually beneficial, don't you think... What's your take?"
Gazes darted through the air, intersecting busily. No negativity in sight—they seemed mostly on board.
"Hm..."
Then Hwang Cheol-ho narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"The offer's appreciated, but isn't it just an empty promise? What's the difference from how things have been?"
"It's fundamentally different."
Sertina dismissed it outright.
"In what way?"
"A guild is a collective."
Individuals and collectives were worlds apart. Sertina knew that better than anyone. Ad-hoc groups of individuals would scatter and pretend not to notice if you targeted one, but a true collective swarmed like bees if you attacked even a single member, tearing into the threat together. The difference between a ragtag band of thieves and a royal knight order.
...She could say that confidently, having dusted both to nothing. She had no desire to be treated like some bandit leader abandoned by her own.
"No need to overthink it. All I want is your silence on my affairs and a long-term pact of cooperation."
"...Would it just be the five of us joining the guild?"
"The entire group of Seoul Forest Station survivors can join."
Hwang Cheol-ho closed his eyes briefly in thought, then nodded firmly. There was no real reason to refuse. He owed her a debt of gratitude. If Sertina had harbored any ill intentions toward them, they'd have been torn apart by street monsters by now, reduced to bleached bones. Better a stable life guaranteed than daily brushes with death in endless adventures. Her proposal was far from bad.
While Hwang Cheol-ho pondered, Sertina shifted her gaze outside. A world utterly transformed. Would the changes end with this one event...?
No. She had a gut feeling. The update crisis wouldn't conclude here.
'Most foes won't even be a match for me, but the international community isn't so forgiving.'
She needed safeguards. Bigger. Sturdier. Resilient enough to weather any external shocks.
"Alright."
Hwang Cheol-ho, done deliberating, extended his hand.
"We'll join."
"Good choice."
Sertina clasped his hand. In that instant, an alliance between a world boss and players was forged.
Delicate ivory drapes embroidered with porcelain patterns adorned the walls. A sleek, dark mahogany wooden table dominated the center of the room. Around it sat a dozen or so sharply dressed people in thick leather chairs.
The stiff trench coat felt utterly out of place. Chae Hwa-yeon, the red-haired ponytail woman, fiddled with her collar and twisted her lips.
"Come on, look at this dust. Why hold a meeting in a dump like this?"
Korea’s rank 2 guild, Flame, commanded 1,500 members. Its guild master shot a sharp glare from her keen eyes.
A burly man in a black t-shirt, with a stoic face—guild rank 4, Immortals' guild master, Lee Cheol-woong—nodded with arms crossed.
"...Deeply unpleasant."
In stark contrast, the middle-aged men in suits beamed with satisfaction.
"Hoho, our apologies. It's the National Assembly, reclaimed after months—we just had to invite you here once."
"Yes, we planned to invite you all eventually. After all, you're the guild masters who rule Korea."
Chae Hwa-yeon's nose lifted proudly as she puffed out her chest.
"Well, yeah. When else would we get to visit the National Assembly?"
Born into wealth, she loved games. But her parents disapproved of her glued to a VR capsule. Eventually, she was sidelined in the family hierarchy by her younger sibling, treated like dead weight. Desperate to win her parents' favor, she poured in effort—but it all fizzled. Their affection had shifted entirely to her sibling. Like a spotlight on stage fixed solely on the star, her sibling.
Chae Hwa-yeon got only the bare minimum living expenses for monthly VR gaming. With nothing else to do, she dove into games, elevating her guild Flame to rank 2.
Always welcomed warmly by her guildmates. Chae Hwa-yeon herself shone as a famous name in Astria Online.
But strangely...
She felt lonely. All that attention and affection rang hollow.
'No matter what, my parents won't look at me...'
Despairing that no method could reclaim her parents' hearts—that's when it happened.
We invite you to the world of Astria Online!
The old laws shattered. New world rules took hold. Chae Hwa-yeon saw hope.
'The dark days are over. Look! Even the president and prime minister bow to me now.'
Tycoons offered gold, begging favors. Citizens cheered, arms raised at her appearances. Placards and holograms praised Chae Hwa-yeon. Power's elite clamored to dine with her. Once just a gamer, she clenched her fist, steadying her trembling breath.
'Mom, Dad... wait a little longer. Soon, Korea will be in my grasp. Then... you'll look at me, right?'
"Now, now, esteemed guests. I understand your excitement, but let's recall why we're gathered here."
From the head seat, Korea's President Han Sung-ho smiled benignly, his tone measured. Everyone present knew how hypocritical that smile was.
"We're all in the same boat, aren't we? Why not just lay it out straight?"
Guild rank 1, Hyunwol's guild master, Kang Min-cheol, snorted derisively with arms crossed.
A sly smile curled Han Sung-ho's lips.
"...Shall we?"
He scanned the faces around the table. Each nodded faintly upon eye contact. No need to mince words.
Han Sung-ho boldly spoke.
"With the update looming, this nation needs a permanent stability system."
As all eyes focused, he steepled his fingers, his gaze turning sinister.
"First, let's discuss how to remove the obstacles hindering our regime."