CHAPTER 54: THE RAVEN GUILD

"Where’s your respect for everyone else?" the shop owner asked.

Most people would think twice before calling out a Rank One Ranker. Even in a famous shop in Heaven Village, few would risk their health or life to call him out. The owner didn’t hesitate to speak up.

Ace smiled. "Sorry. Wanted to say hi and set a time to talk after you close. It’s not about me or my Sixteen. It’s about the Camp, something you’ll want to hear."

"Nah, it’s fine. Don’t get so formal with me, brat. The Camp? Yeah." He nodded. "I’ll be done before the sun sets. Come then."

"See you then, Tyler." Ace chuckled and took his leave.

Tyler was in his late thirties. Despite the age gap, Ace had been close to him in his first life; they were good friends.

Tyler wasn’t a strong fighter, but he had loved historical weapons as long as he could remember. Guns bored him, though he respected their value and impact. Swords, spears, bows, and the rest held his interest.

Their designs looked simple, yet each type had been refined and tested. Each carried a long history. With that knowledge, Tyler ran a weapon shop.

He could fix weapons and teach people how to use them. In Heaven Village, where Rankers were thrown in at the deep end, his know-how was priceless. He shared it with everyone.

"Sadly, more people ignore him and do their own thing than listen. Without a rank to back him up, most care more about repairs and upgrades than the lessons," Ace said.

"So foolish," Chaewon said, shaking her head.

"There’s still time before sunset." Alex looked up at the sky. "What do we do now?"

"You heard Tyler, right? They found Skeletons, a new kind of undead. We need to learn how far other Rankers have scouted and where they’ve gone. The tavern should have the most information, so that’s our first stop," Ace said, earning nods from his team.

On the way, something caught everyone’s eye. In the middle of Heaven Village, a circular plaza held a huge totem that burned like a bonfire.

It burned constantly and gave off heat, but that wasn’t its purpose.

Rankers carried bags of dismembered corpses and dumped them straight into the fire. Others stood around the totem to honor the fallen. Some cried; others were silent. The overall mood was solemn.

Ace’s team drew close to pay their respects. He and Alex didn’t feel it; they met each other’s eyes and went through the motions. When Chaewon, Mercer, and Marko closed their eyes to pray, the two looked around.

Ace stared at the base of the totem, where the wind lifted ash. In the flame, he felt eyes on him. The wood cracked and hissed, and the feeling sharpened. Only he sensed it.

The Withered Shrine of the Immolated... I suspected they’d taken root in Heaven Village. Now it’s confirmed.

Each shrine was an ultimate dungeon. Rankers could raid them for items and skills. But shrines could also "raid" Rankers, turning them into pawns to take over Gravehaven Isle. If someone placed anything tied to the Withered Shrine in the middle of Heaven Village, they had rank and pull.

Things weren’t getting better.

"Don Capo," Alex whispered.

"Yeah?" Ace replied.

"What’s the point of all this?" Alex asked.

Ace smiled. He knew where Alex was coming from. They’d been thrown into Hell, yet people here prayed for the dead. Who were they praying to, and would that being even answer?

"It calms them," Ace said. "Maybe the prayers don’t do anything, but they help the people praying. If it gives them peace, fine. As long as no one forces it or starts killing in its name, we leave them be."

"I see... yeah, that explains it," Alex said, nodding.

They went to the tavern. The three-story building was packed with tables and people spending precious potions on meat and water. For a moment, it felt like a normal life.

Ace kept quiet and led them to the left wall. Public notes listed undead, locations, monsters, and more. Soon, dungeons would be listed too. Weaker crews could form Sixteens and clear them with posted walkthroughs.

Ace took a free table and glanced at the big board covered in rough handwriting and scrawled notes.

Alex narrowed his eyes. "What’s this Raven Guild? Why do they control a dungeon? What, they gonna kill me if I try to enter?"

Ace nodded. "Yeah."

Mercer and Marko flinched, while Chaewon stared at Ace in disbelief.

"You said it with such confidence... I fear you’re right," Chaewon whispered, looking down.

"No one wants people sniffing around their golden goose," Ace said. "With the dungeon under their control, they can scout more people for their guild and share more experience with each other. Some dungeons have Sixteen-only rooms, and the final fight is often Sixteen vs the Last Boss, but the path to that room is open. Also, you’re forgetting something."

Chaewon and the others straightened and met Ace’s eyes.

Ace said, "Not every Gate will be cleared. Some Gates will lose all their Rankers, and the monsters—and the Shrines’ priestesses—will flood out to keep their mission going. Guild leaders think ahead. Quantity? Quality? A few strong Sixteens? They pick a path and stick to it. The Raven Guild took control of the dungeon early, which means they’re focused on quality. They won’t bother with anyone else unless it helps them."

"Still, to kill someone over that..." Chaewon whispered.

Ace sighed inwardly. They need to fight Rankers earlier than I thought. Good thing Heaven Village has an arena to trade pointers and practice.

That’s why Ace told Alex a few days ago to prepare to fight Rankers. It’s the best way to keep their ranking steady, or even improve it. He wanted to fight alongside Alex, but now he thought it would be better to put Chaewon, Alex, and Mercer in as a trio against others.

Ace already had their first opponent in mind.