Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Because Kieran required a variety of Professions, he entered the limitations of his Union and put individual caps on each type of Profession he sought.

Contrary to everyone's expectations, Kieran allowed more gathering-type Professions than he did production, and there was a good reason for that.

If the number of production-type Professions overwhelmed the resource-gathering abilities of the Union, the Union's supply of resources would be rapidly exhausted, leaving Kieran to look into more expensive alternatives.

Thus, to avoid that scenario, Kieran placed a greater focus on his ability to procure resources. But of course, Kieran left a reasonable number of spots to create an incredible production team.

After all, many of the ones present showed immense promise.

Nevertheless, many showed conflicted expressions while carefully reading through Kieran's terms.

For the most part, they were tempted by all of the benefits they could gain. However, when it came to the end of the contract, where the consequences were listed, everyone understood just how harsh Kieran could become.

Unlike the Chief-level contract, this mass-produced contract gave a base pay per the production group they fell into. As per the contract's breakdown, one could receive an S to F rating regarding their contribution to the Union's income.

Depending on their weekly and monthly ranking, they'd be given a set number of UCP, otherwise known as Union Contribution Points, which could be used in several different ways.

It could be placed inside the Union Treasury to exchange for in-game currency, which could be used however the player saw fit.

Members could also use a portion of their UCP to gain access to additional resources, including exclusive Godhand items, provided that the member in question possessed enough points.

The system Kieran designed was currently a shoddy version of the one implemented into the structure of high-level guilds in the past. Though, Kieran intended to make some reworks in the future and put a unique spin on it.

Unlike those guilds that had to share their rights to most resource areas, Kieran knew what he'd challenge and attempt to gain a monopoly over, so he could compile rewards accordingly.

All of a sudden, after discovering that not a single person had signed the contract thus far, he lifted his head and sighed.

"I'd hate to be that guy--but the clock is ticking. Once this opportunity passes, who knows when it will rise again. Those of you who are hesitant to sign, know this. This hesitance and doubt are not toward me."

As Kieran said this, most people furrowed their brows and gnashed their teeth.

Though Kieran didn't voice it directly, it was easy to understand what his words were insinuating.

These players were hesitant because they doubted themselves.

With Kieran's current accolades, there wasn't much doubt surrounding him. Because of the contract's wording, many players questioned whether they could abide by the terms.

Many people voiced that they wished to achieve great things, but when it came to toiling for those things, their efforts usually fell short, creating dissonance between their words and actions.

In this case, Kieran's contract didn't allow for a lapse in that drive. Though they'd be part of a large entity, they'd have to fend for themselves in the beginning to make ends meet.

Instilling this in his members would make it so that Kieran didn't have to police his members with overzealous strictness.

As he understood the benefits of allowing some freedom, Kieran's overall goal was to cultivate a force like Lord Veradin's, which moved by his creed without him having to utter as much as a word.

'It wasn't confirmed, but based on General Zieg's behavior, I'm guessing Lord Veradin's punishment wasn't light. After all, light punishment isn't enough to create such fine order,' Kieran thought.

Even if others viewed him as strict, unfair, and too controlling in the beginning, Kieran didn't mind. To realize his goals, Kieran would have to encounter this type of reaction.

Wanting to create such a force was one of Kieran's subconscious and conscious goals with deep-seated stimulus. During his time in Golden Brigade, Kieran had built a battalion, which he then built into a legion from the ground up.

Yet, in the end, even they betrayed him.

However, Kieran wasn't too livid about the matter as it happened as a result of his inability to lead.

All things considered, though, Kieran would have preferred if his cultivated forces had remained loyal to him till the bitter end.

'I guess my influence over them wasn't as great as I thought it to be,' Kieran mused, his gaze becoming melancholic and distant.

What appeared as a simple betrayal on the surface possessed many layers, which was why Kieran hated the Golden Brigade to his core.

One by one, they took everything from him, but it all stemmed from one act--holding his health hostage.

All of a sudden, as Kieran gazed into the distance, he lowered his focus to the incoming footsteps.

A young man with a large frame and a collection of hammers attached to his waist via a special belt approached Kieran. He possessed a head of wild dark yellow hair with hints of brown, and a pair of piercing brown eyes.

As Kieran looked at this individual, he gleaned some information. But when the young man simply stood there, motionless, Kieran arched his brow.

"I've read through your contract. It's not bad at all. In fact, it could be said to be one of the best employee contracts I've ever seen. Though, it can also be considered the most unusual. Lucky for you, Aatrox... I, Bernard Amur, like unusual," the young man, Bernard said.

A second later, he signed the contract, but Kieran was more confused by something besides the contract signing.

'Bernard Amur... isn't that... the Flameforge Bear?' Kieran thought, blinking repeatedly.

Aside from the Godhand Hammer, there was another well-reputed Forger, who hailed from the Northern Continent of Nelorias. Although his ability and fame were inferior to Hamon, the disparity wasn't that great.

Furthermore, it was only that way because Bernard stuck to forging one type of item--heavy weapons. If the weapon wasn't unbelievably massive, he wouldn't forge it.

This led to him naturally excelling in the craft of creating heavy weapons.

For this particular feat, many Berserkers and other heavy classes flocked to him. Adding that quirk, his appearance and wild forging method gained him the moniker of Flameforge Bear.

Being led by Bernard's example, many players quickly began to sign the contract. As a result, the number in Kieran's Union Interface rose like a slot machine's dials turning.

Of course, the ones who followed were the ones that were just as confident as Bernard. But they required someone to break the ice and take that first step, acting as the catalyst to everyone else's agreement.

As the signing continued, Kieran kept a note of how many of the players with the brightest glow joined. Thanks to Agatha's actions, his understanding of her glow increased exponentially.

Based on her explanation, Kieran viewed it as a generalization of their Focus. The closer they were to unlocking the attribute, the brighter the glow. Naturally, this led to Kieran asking what he looked like in her eyes.

But her answer left him baffled.

"Well, it's strange. At times, your light is so blinding it hurts. At others, there are instances wherein you're devoid of all signs of light and darkness. Just... blank," Agatha shrugged.

As he listened to her comment, Kieran began to wonder something. "When did this occur?"

"It began recently," Agatha said after recalling the change.

If it was recent, Kieran had some speculation about why his light had changed so drastically. 'Perhaps this light isn't related to the mind... or it could be. But if it's recent, I can't rule out the Archaic Verity Compendium or the fact I'm a Karmic Aberration.'

By the time Kieran finished listening to Agatha's comments, a notification appeared before Kieran.

〈System: The capacities of many portions of the «Godhand Consortium» has been reached. The 90% capacity utilization has been reached.〉

As soon as Kieran received this notification, a wave of groans and complaints resounded before him. Like he had said before, the given contracts would dissipate when the capacity was reached.

Those who continue to deliberate about signing the contract were left disgruntled when their indecisiveness robbed them of a great opportunity.

"For those that chose to sign, there will naturally be a signing bonus put in place. The amount will vary based on the amount of time it took for you to sign it."

This step was automated.

The time of creation and the time it was signed were all present on the Zenith Covenants he handed out.

"Wait... haaah?! What?!"

"That's cold! Why didn't you start with that information instead? Had I known there was a sweet bonus involved... I would have said fuck my skepticism!"

Needless to say, Kieran had a reason for withholding this information. If he disseminated this information too early on, all of the people who joined would be reward-incentivized.

They had to be willing to join of their own accord before they could be rewarded by him.

With the members of the Godhand Consortium now chosen, Kieran decided to hold off on inviting them back to the bazaar, despite there being a non-disclosure agreement active inside the contract.

A large number of players following behind him would naturally give away the location of his property. Thus, for the time being, Kieran decided it was best to have them disperse, calling upon them when needed.

At that time, their bonus would also be ready to be claimed.

'Exclusive work inside the bazaar will have to be limited for now. Until it's upgraded, it can only accommodate so many people at once. And... although it can accommodate the new Forgers, Tailors, and the like as I accounted for them... that'll have to wait.'

Afterward, while the new members of the Union dispersed, Kieran turned to Agatha. "We can begin."

"Good," Agatha replied, pressing her hand into the space behind her.

In response, another mystical portal opened up. After they stepped inside, everything returned to the way they were once more.

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