SSG 250

by Cristae

After easily repelling the raid, Jemutdaero’s guild members uploaded their recorded videos.

Since they had to hide the fact that a raid had taken place, they couldn’t stream it live, but now that the raid was over—and since there wasn’t much damage to fear a raid from another guild—they had no hesitation in uploading the videos.

Jemutdaero’s videos naturally attracted a lot of attention.

Everyone already knew about player-owned cities being raided, and videos about those incidents enjoyed steady popularity.

But as such raids became common, public interest—and thus video views—had gradually declined.

However, Jemutdaero’s video was different.

It was the most-watched guild war, and it was the first time such a large guild as Jemutdaero had been raided.

People started watching the broadcasts of their favorite players.

<Wow, look at those numbers>

People were floored by the sheer number of enemies lined up for the attack.

It was expected that a massed force would be used to attack a giant guild like Jemutdaero, but the reality was even more intimidating.

But that didn’t last long.

<Ark’s top guild, as expected!>

Watching Jemutdaero’s members defeat the horde, the viewers felt true catharsis.

Except for Aiden and Lucky Guy, Jemutdaero’s members all had outstanding physical abilities. People found themselves thoroughly absorbed in the footage, claiming their eyes were being “cleansed.”

That feeling peaked when the black armors appeared.

The number of black armors that appeared exceeded even the number of Jemutdaero guild members. And the guild leader, Aiden, couldn’t even join since he had to give commands.

But Jemutdaero handled the black armors splendidly.

<Really, lots of black armor and yet Jemutdaero’s hanging on. The black armors seem pretty good, too>

Naturally, the video ended with Jemutdaero’s victory.

The viewers had lots of thoughts and comments, but in the end, they agreed on one thing.

That Jemutdaero truly was an amazing guild.

But for every person enjoying Jemutdaero’s video, there were others openly displaying their displeasure.

“I told you! We should’ve attacked back then!”

Inside the guild lounge, Willy shouted at the assembled members.

“I kept saying Mordin’s troop situation was strange! I said flat out Jemutdaero was under a demon attack and we had to strike! So what did our wonderful vice guild leader do then?”

“He ignored you.”

A companion answered. His tone was heavy with resentment.

And he wasn’t the only one speaking up.

“That’s not all. Didn’t he even scold you for supposedly disrupting the guild’s atmosphere with nonsense?”

“And the lackeys who mocked you, acting all high and mighty.”

“Idiots. I bet they never thought for a second they might be incompetent themselves.”

The rift within C.O.T.S grew ever deeper. It might even be worse than when Apollon and his faction were strong.

Back then, the factions of Python and Apollon were evenly matched—no one could do whatever they wanted with the guild. But now, Python was running the show as if C.O.T.S were his private property.

The discontent felt by Willy and his companions spread further and further throughout C.O.T.S.

Python and his underlings tried everything to suppress those complaints, but it was not so easy.

Even though C.O.T.S was small, there were still some members outside the Python and Apollon factions, as well as neutrals.

Although from different factions, they were still members of C.O.T.S, and so all harbored considerable resentment toward Jemutdaero.

But even by their judgement, it was frustrating to see Python miss this chance to not only regain the lost city, but surpass it.

On top of that, their discontent began to infect even some in the Python faction.

The current scene in the meeting room was telling.

Willy and his companions were a minority. They were complaining openly, and yet nobody stopped them.

In fact, while some glared as if annoyed, there were also some who quietly nodded in agreement.

“Those guys care more about their own clique than about C.O.T.S. For all we know, they might not even send reinforcements if Apollon’s city gets attacked.”

“I can’t listen to this anymore!”

Just then, someone stood up and pointed at Willy.

“No matter how much you dislike Python, there’s a line. Do you think spouting such baseless rumors will be tolerated?”

He was part of Python’s camp. A few others got up in support.

Python’s faction was still formidable. In fact, the fact that they’d been quietly listening so far was the exception, not the rule.

But that also meant they had their own complaints about Python not attacking Jemutdaero.

One of Willy’s companions got worked up to retort, but Willy stopped him.

“You’re right. Sorry. I got carried away and said something strange—my mistake. I apologize. Yeah, whatever else, Python wouldn’t do that.”

“Of course. Even if it’s an Apollon faction city, it’s still C.O.T.S’s city! He’d never abandon it!”

“Right, you’re correct. If by chance he really did, he’d be unforgivable trash—but Python’s not that kind of guy.”

“Glad you know.”

For now, Willy bowed his head and he and his companions sat down.

An awkward silence hung over the rest area.

But Willy smiled inside.

Everything was going according to plan.

Sometime later, C.O.T.S was attacked by demons.

This attack was unusual. Until now, a guild’s entire force was usually concentrated at a single city, but this time, three cities were attacked at once.

But the enemy forces weren’t three times bigger. The demon troops were divided into three groups—each strong enough to be just barely held by C.O.T.S.

Naturally, C.O.T.S also split their forces. The criteria for the split was predictable.

“So they went with this, after all.”

“Obvious choice.”

“Honestly, this is less stressful.”

C.O.T.S split its forces into three groups: Python’s faction, Apollon’s faction, and Willy’s cohort.

Apollon’s faction was assigned to the only city among the three under their control, and the other two groups were assigned to the other cities.

But the forces given to the cities were not equal.

Of course, Python’s group had the largest force, while Apollon’s was smallest. Still, the invading enemy was split evenly into three groups.

There was no way Apollon’s group could win.

“We’ll help out as soon as we finish on our side. Anyway, this city is the most important in our guild now.”

Python’s city was the biggest in C.O.T.S, so he had that excuse. Apollon knew the excuse was nonsense but just nodded quietly.

He was well aware that this division was meant to weaken his group even more.

But he no longer had the strength to openly oppose Python. Besides, he didn’t want to fight alongside Python’s group anyway.

“Those bastards want as many of us as possible dead, so we can’t revive or, worse, regress! But damn it, we’re not weak enough to fall for that kind of trick! Hold out no matter what, until those bastards show up. Got it?!”

<<Yes!>>

A speech thick with anger and mistrust toward Apollon. But neither he nor his followers doubted that, even if late, Python would still send help.

“What about Mad Hammer?”

“He’s gone with Willy. Lately he’s joined up with Willy’s crew and follows them around.”

“I hear his old group is getting close to Willy’s group?”

“That’s right.”

“Their skills are proven. We might have to consider joining up with them to oppose Python.”

“Understood. I’ll bring it up.”

The enemies began their assault.

No matter how much their star had faded, this was the group that once made up a core of Ark’s strongest guild, C.O.T.S. Against the odds, they held out with remarkable skill.

But not for long. Soon they began to falter.

“Those bastards aren’t here yet!”

“Damn it, how long does it take to handle that?!”

One by one, complaints began to surface. If all went as expected, Python should have cleared his front and come to help. But support was nowhere in sight, and their casualties kept mounting.

“Send Python a message!”

Slashing down a demon, Apollon barked.

“I—I got a reply!”

“What does it say!”

“He says he can’t help because they’re in danger, too!”

“That son of a—!”

With their strength, claiming they were too busy to send help now? It was laughable.

“Wait, you don’t think—they’re trying to wipe us out for good, do you?”

“……”

Until now, that had seemed impossible. No matter how much Python wanted to push him out, there were limits.

But by the look of things now, Python had neither limits nor decency.

“That damn bastard Python!”

Apollon’s furious yell resounded.

Yuseong visited Hyewon’s grandmother’s home for the first time in a while. As before, he filled up on rice and sipped scorched rice tea. The food was as delicious as ever.

“By the way, did you see this?”

While her grandmother stepped out, Hyewon used the remote to play a video.

It was a streamer who delivered various Ark news.

A very famous figure, he mainly uploaded videos with tidbits people didn’t know. Because his information was so accurate, people loved his broadcasts.

Even now, he was covering the hottest and most controversial issue in Ark.

“C.O.T.S’s internal conflict is much worse than you might think.”

As he fiddled with a tablet and looked at the chat window, he continued.

“C.O.T.S’s city also got raided this time. Frankly, even though C.O.T.S fell behind Jemutdaero, they’re still a very strong guild. Of course Jemutdaero is the clear No. 1, but there’s a lot of debate about who’s next. But no one can deny that C.O.T.S is one of those candidates. Naturally, they should’ve easily repelled the raid. But they didn’t. Why do you think that is?”

After enjoying the viewers’ anticipation for a moment, he finally spoke.

“Python refused to send reinforcements to Apollon’s city.”