Rebecca and Vanessa exchanged knowing glances as they understood Terry’s perspective. While their guilds had a more altruistic approach, they also realized the practicality of Terry’s thinking. They knew that they couldn’t help the entire world for free, and their resources were limited. By considering payment as a priority, Terry was likely thinking about the long-term sustainability of his guild and its ability to help others effectively.

They recognized that as the guild’s reputation and strength grew, more and more people would seek their assistance in times of crisis. However, Terry wouldn’t be able to aid everyone equally, and prioritizing those who could offer compensation would ensure that the guild had the necessary resources to continue its mission.

Rebecca and Vanessa understood that Terry’s ultimate goal was to build a strong guild capable of facing any challenges that may arise. By accepting payment for their services, they could invest in improving their equipment, training their members, and expanding their reach, ultimately allowing them to help more people in the long run.

While they both appreciated Terry’s pragmatic approach, they also believed in finding a balance between helping others and achieving their own goals. As guild masters, they wanted to make a positive impact on the world and help as many people as possible, even if they couldn’t help everyone.

"The core of the stone knights are magic stones of high quality; they can last for longer than regular ones," Louis said. "Aside from that, one of the Italian guilds has access to a dungeon where they father materials from Hippogriffs. They are pretty good materials. If you do a good job preventing casualties, I can negotiate with them to get some of those materials."

Terry’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Louis, feeling a sense of suspicion brewing inside him. He didn’t like how Louis seemed to be thinking along the same lines as him, particularly when it came to the idea of obtaining the ability to fly with the armor. The timing of Louis’ suggestion was just too convenient, and it left Terry feeling uneasy.

While Terry knew that the idea of the armor gaining flight capabilities was a logical progression, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Louis might have ulterior motives for suggesting it. The thought that Louis might be using the information he had gathered to influence Terry’s decisions and plans bothered him greatly.

Terry had learned to be cautious and wary of people like Louis, who seemed to have their own hidden agendas. He had encountered many opportunistic individuals in his life, and he was wary of being manipulated or used for someone else’s gain.

As the guild master, Terry needed to consider all possibilities and be vigilant in protecting his guild and its members. He wasn’t about to let someone like Louis take advantage of them or interfere with their goals.

"They are asking help from all of his neighbors, but no one wants to pick a fight with a super-powered alien," Louis added. "If you show the night of your armor, they might want to negotiate resources for some of their prototypes."

"I can get resources whenever I want; I don’t have to negotiate with them; it isn’t like laws only can stop me from entering those portals," Terry thought.

Terry’s head ached with conflicting thoughts and emotions. He felt torn between wanting to help those in need and not wanting to be manipulated by someone like Louis. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was falling into the same pattern as the guild masters who had come before him, acting in their own self-interests while disregarding the consequences for others.

He realized that he needed to break free from this cycle and make decisions based on his own principles and values. It wasn’t enough to simply reject Louis’ suggestion without an apparent reason; he needed to have a solid foundation for his choices and actions.

After some introspection, Terry resolved not to waste time dwelling on petty thoughts and suspicions. He understood that his guild had a responsibility to protect and support others. Still, he would do so on his own terms and with integrity. He wouldn’t be swayed by outside influences or be tempted to act against his better judgment.

Terry knew that he couldn’t control the actions of others, but he could control his own. He would stay true to his ideals, and if that meant helping those in need, he would do so, but not at the expense of his guild’s safety or well-being.

"We are going; pray that I won’t see you; otherwise, I will chase you and kick your ass to the moon," Terry declared.

"I suppose I will negotiate from the sidelines then," Louis said while forcing a smile. "The hunters are expecting the overlord’s attack in one week; I think it would be better for you to act based on that."

As the hologram disappeared, leaving Terry alone in the communication room, he let out a deep sigh of exhaustion. The weight of his responsibilities and the constant challenges they faced were starting to wear on him. He had known that the life of a hunter and guild master would be anything but peaceful, but lately, it felt like one crisis after another.

Running his hands through his hair, Terry tried to clear his mind and focus on the present. He knew he couldn’t let himself be consumed by doubt and frustration. There were still dungeons to be cleared, enemies to face, and mysteries to solve. He couldn’t afford to lose his focus now.

Terry stood up from his chair and walked to the window, looking out at the city below. The lights twinkled in the night, and for a moment, he allowed himself to just breathe and collect his thoughts.

He reminded himself that he had chosen this path willingly, and that meant he had to accept the challenges that came with it. As a guild master, he was responsible for protecting his guild members, his city, and, ultimately, the world. It was a daunting task, but it was one he had to face head-on.

"When are we going to depart?" Vanessa asked.

"I am going alone this time. You guys should stay here and watch the city since I have a bad feeling regarding this whole situation," Terry said.

Terry couldn’t help but find the situation highly unusual and suspicious. The appearance of an overlord so far away from their home territory, especially after they had just learned about the strange portal patterns, raised many questions. It seemed like there was a hidden hand at play, orchestrating events in a way that was advantageous to their enemies.

He pondered over the possibilities. Were the overlords somehow coordinating their attacks? Did they have a means of tracking their movements, or was it just a coincidence that an overlord appeared in Italy right after Terry’s guild had cleared a dungeon there? He couldn’t ignore the fact that Louis was involved in sharing this information, which made him even more skeptical about the whole situation.

Terry knew that they needed to be cautious and flexible in their approach. Playing it by ear and adapting to the changing circumstances seemed like the best course of action for now. They couldn’t let themselves be caught off guard, but at the same time, they couldn’t make hasty decisions based on incomplete information.

"I don’t think that this is a wise idea," Vanessa said while shaking her head. "I don’t know what to caress your ego, but your trait is very important for humanity now. I believe that it holds the key to closing all the portals. We can’t risk losing you."

"That is right; some of our members are already using the armor, so they can fend off most of the enemies," Rebecca added. "I doubt that the assassin will target regular guild members. Even if they do, someone else can use the armor."

"You are quite cold, aren’t you..." Terry furrowed his eyebrows.

Terry knew that he couldn’t do it all alone, and he had to acknowledge the strengths of his guild members. Vanessa and Rebecca were skilled in magic, and their abilities could be a significant asset in facing the challenges ahead. With that in mind, he decided to take their advice and let them prepare for future missions.

He approached Clark and explained the situation to him. He requested that the blacksmiths be ready to defend themselves if needed and that they should use the armor to its full potential in case of any emergencies. Terry also instructed Clark to have guards stationed at the blacksmiths’ workshop at all times, ensuring their safety and the safety of the valuable resources they possessed.

Having taken these precautions, Terry felt more at ease, knowing that he had made necessary arrangements to safeguard his guild’s assets. He also knew that he could rely on Clark’s expertise in managing the situation.

"Understood; thank you for your concern, guild master," Clark said. "Still, it seems that things are getting intense as they were thirty years ago."

"Tell me about it," Terry said.