Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player
chapter-398

After beginning to mention what the name of the guild could be, Kieran paused and fell silent.

After all, like his character name, the guild's potential name was something Kieran continued to consider since the beginning of his rebirth.

Thanks to the second opportunity he got at life, a chance to correct all the mistakes that he lamented or all that wronged him… Kieran felt the guild's name should be something symbolic—something that painted the picture of the guild's purpose or effect without him having to announce his arrival.

There were many options on the table, but choosing the right one was the hard part. While they all sounded okay or passable initially, Kieran quickly axed all of them.

For a moment, he considered something like the Harbingers, an allusion to the type of fate Hekaina said he possessed. Yet, that name didn't fit the other potential guild members.

It seemed too personal to Kieran. Although he'd be the owner of it, Kieran wanted a name that invoked a certain feeling— a name grander than the sum or merely a select few parts.

In this aspect, Harbingers were somewhat lacking.

It didn't specify what they'd bring—Peace? Chaos? Conflict? Resolution? All of these options had to be considered and couldn't be overlooked.

Besides, Kieran somewhat recalled there being a guild with a name similar to that. Confusion was something he wanted to avoid, as he was sure a guild like that possessed its fair share of enemies.

Not to mention, it was kind of an unspoken rule that one should never take the name of a guild that was already established in previous VRMMORPGs.

When Kieran suddenly fell silent, Sammy looked at him, somewhat concerned that something may have gone wrong. "Is there something wrong, Lord Aatrox?"

"Nothing in particular. You could say I'm stumped for a name. Since I know it's permanent, I'm experiencing a bit of an… impasse or brain fog? I guess you could say that," Kieran answered.

"Ah, that's understandable. I've heard many stories where a person struggled to come up with a name all because they wanted it to be super… imposing. Sometimes, the name is right in front of you, but your anxiety makes it difficult to see," Sammy replied, her expression becoming weird and almost sentimental.

After a brief silence, she spoke, "My father was like that. Unfortunately, may his soul rest in absolute paradise; he died attempting to make his name great before coming up with a guild name."

Listening to the story of Sammy's father, Kieran arched his brow and nodded faintly. "So he died without ever having started to etch his legacy in stone?"

"Correct. Sometimes you shouldn't overthink it. You should let your experiences thus far speak for themselves. I'm sure there's a name to your legacy buried within," Sammy answered, her expression becoming half supportive and half sad.

'A name buried within my experiences thus far. For such a petite and admittedly young girl, Sammy is exceptionally bright. This is definitely sound advice,' Kieran mused, rubbing his chin pensively.

Falling silent again, Kieran contemplated everything up till this very moment—everything!

The first thing he considered was his death, involving a scheme by what should have been his backers, his supporters.

The next consideration was the relationships he was forging with Altair, Bastion, Nemean, and the others, which could become a blood bond in Kieran's point of view.

Lastly, there was his class's potential and future, as well as its place in Xenith—the meaning of its place in Xenith.

All of these were considered almost instantly, leading Kieran to lift his head with a meaningful expression. The name that had previously stumped him… left his tongue with ease.

"The name of this official guild will be… Sanguis Requiem," Kieran announced, his gaze clear and focused.

From his point of view, the name was perfect. Sanguis, which was an odd but relatively familiar word to him, represented more than just the power of a True Berserker—a Blood Fiend.

Sanguis characterized the adhesive that would be known as blood bonds.

While challenging to construct, the bonds were a strong attachment that Kieran couldn't denounce. It was his class's founding principle—the connection was everything.

Without an internal tie, his power was inaccessible.

Hence, Kieran felt like there was a lesson in it all.

Like it was an indispensable tool that had to be present within the guild's interpersonal ecosystem.

On the other hand, Requiem was a passing allusion to his lost past—the death of his former self.

Kieran's current views were different from the day of his rebirth.

Previously driven solely by vengeance, which wasn't much of a feasible drive in the long term, Kieran now looked for something more fulfilling that could carry him further when he felt spent—answers.

However, when put together, Sanguis Requiem meant something else altogether.

Understanding that a slew of challenges was cut out for him, the guild's name represented how Kieran felt on the matter.

In a voice that only he could hear, Kieran muttered the meaning of the name briefly. 'On a path rife with the blood of defeated enemies, let the conquered and fallen's bloody souls sing a hymn drowning in lament.'

Meanwhile, Sammy stared at Kieran, at a loss for words briefly. "I've… never heard such a name before. But considering the grand adventure that I believe Lord Aatrox has in store, I think the uniqueness of it all is very fitting!"

"I think so as well. Though, by the time the meaning of it is understood, it'll be too late for the competition," Kieran said.

With the name decided upon, Sammy pulled out what seemed to be a scroll filled with a long list of names. After a cursory glance out of interest, Kieran found that this list named all of the lesser organizations present in Xenith.

Of course, names like the War Deity Council were nowhere to be found.

As stated before, the Adventurers' Guild didn't have the authority to mess with the affairs of the War Deity Council. At most, they could only ogle them from afar, marveling at their power, accomplishments, and glory.

Using a strange pen, which held some resemblances to the pen Kieran used to sign the Zenith Covenant, the name Sanguis Requiem gradually appeared on the scroll thanks to Sammy's careful strokes.

The moment the last stroke of the pen was completed, a strange energy dismantled the Official Guild Creation Order on the desk.

The material didn't vanish after being dismantled by this strange energy. Instead, it floated in the air roughly 40 centimeters above the desk.

"A crucible of Mana will forge a Guild Master Emblem that matches the intent of the guild's name. Place your hand on the crucible. Ah, it'll be painless, so don't worry. Just… focus," Sammy warned, remembering to emphasize the fact that the whole process should be painless.

Of course, Kieran wasn't a stranger to pain, so even mild discomfort was okay with him.

After acting per Sammy's instructions, placing his hand on the crucible of Mana and focusing, the Mark of the Maddened on his left palm suddenly reacted.

A trace amount of Argexes' Blood leaked from the seal Hekaina placed on it, soon fusing with the crucible of Mana.

The entire thing went haywire for a moment, yet there was no pain or discomfort. On the contrary, Kieran felt some pleasure when Argexes' Blood entered the fray.

At the same time, the dismantled emblem began taking on a new shape.

The base seemed like a human skull with some stark differences; Kieran surmised that it was perhaps some kind of royal demon's face? Atop that face was a regal and imposing crown seemingly crafted from the bones of dead individuals.

A ghastly and sinister intent was injected into the emblem when suddenly, the plain item took on a gradient of colors. The gradient included crimson, deep purple, black, white, dull gray, and finally, an unusual bluish color—like a flame of pure death!

However, the gradient blended well, seeming almost like a poorly mixed painter's palette with the intention of being so.

〈System: You have created the first player-led official guild: «Sanguis Requiem»!〉

〈System: Congratulations, you have gained the status of a Guild Master!〉

〈System: You have received the «Guild Master Emblem» of the guild: Sanguis Requiem.〉

〈System: Due to you becoming a Guild Master while also being a Platinum Ranked Adventurer, you have received Baron-level World Fame.〉

〈System: As a result of your feat, the official guild: «Sanguis Requiem» will automatically reach Lv.2.〉

〈System: The official guild's level has been adjusted again, thanks to your current identity. [Sanguis Requiem's Current Level: 3]〉

Reading the string of messages before his eyes, Kieran could only blink in abject horror.

Not only did he immediately become a person with Baron-level fame, but the newly created guild was instantly catapulted to Lv.3!

Although it wasn't necessarily a mind-boggling level, that saved at least a month's worth of work in terms of acquiring Guild EXP and Reputation.

Though this was all great, it wasn't the reason for Kieran's fright or stupor. What truly took him aback was the notification the game system sent to every player.

「«Xenith World Announcement»-

Congratulations to Guild Master Aatrox for being the first player to register an official guild. This official guild, Sanguis Requiem, is bound to be one of great success, but also of unfortunate peril. Use this remarkable figure as a goal—a grand milestone to strive toward. With the ample progress that is occurring, the Second Metamorphosis shall soon be upon us. Let the world continue to evolve, and your experiences continue to become more fulfilling.

Newly appointed Guild Master, you shall be handsomely rewarded for your accomplishments. 」

'Holy shit! What did the system just do? This is worse than its previous comment. It's almost as if the thing is becoming more cognizant of my actions… it's like it's sentient or something,' Kieran thought.

Kieran wasn't sure if a sentient game system existed in the past. Yet, he did know it started to formulate personal congratulations some years into the game.

But… this wasn't years!

It was no more than a month, several weeks at best.

〈System: You have received a special item.〉