The Second Life of Adam Cosmos

CHAPTER 90 Interlude: Celestial Shadows and Hao Wei



While Adam's activity was the trending topic in the official World of Pangea forums, another topic was gaining momentum on NewTube.

[NewTube Video: Official Announcement of New Guild Formation, the Celestial Shadows]

Title: Dark Sun and Magick Maidens Unite to Form Celestial Shadows!

850K Likes | 1.2M Views

The screen fades from black to reveal a striking new banner- a blend of dark and celestial colors, merging shadows with shimmering light. Bold letters spell out:

"Official Announcement: Dark Sun and Magick Maidens Unite!"

A calm, confident voice begins to speak over the visuals of the two former guilds' banners, which slowly dissolve into the new emblem of a half-shadowed moon crossed by a radiant sun—a symbol of the new guild:

"There is no more Dark Sun...

There is no more Magick Maidens..."

The voice pauses dramatically, allowing the weight of the words to sink in. Then, it continues:

"Today marks the beginning of a new era. The Dark Sun and Magick Maidens have officially united to form a single, formidable guild known as... Celestial Shadows."

The screen shifts to a montage of in-game footage featuring members of both guilds fighting side by side, showcasing their unique skills and synergy. The footage transitions to a group of players standing together under the new guild banner.

"While most guilds and countless teams of independent players race to complete the Troll Hunting Quest, the newly formed Celestial Shadows are focused on something else entirely- a path beyond the ordinary, a destiny yet to be written."

A close-up shot reveals the newly appointed guild master, Olivia Moon, flanked by the vice guild master, Tim Benar. Both stand confidently, a new era clearly unfolding around them.

"With Olivia Moon leading as Guild Master and Tim Benar as her second-in-command, the Celestial Shadows aim to redefine their future, breaking from past traditions and forging new alliances."

The video transitions to the live comment feed below the announcement:

Comments:

LionheartGamer:

Why did Ty-B step down as guild master?

2.1K Likes

MidnightMage22:

And why isn’t he even the vice guild leader?

1.8K Likes

ShadowHunter4:

C'mon, everyone knows Tyler was just running Dark Sun for the money! Now that it’s gone, he’s free!

3.4K Likes

GuildMasterJay:

Yep, he’s been waiting for this. No guild politics means more time to grind.

5.2K Likes

TheRealWizard:

This move could make Tyler #1 real quick. Watch out!

4.7K Likes

RangerRick56:

The only reason he isn’t #1 already is because of all the guild drama. Now, there’s nothing in his way!

3.9K Likes

WitchyWanda:

Olivia and Tim will do great, but Ty-B's about to unleash some serious skills now!

2.5K Likes

ArcaneArcher33:

Lol, nothing’s stopping Tyler now—time to shine, man!

1.6K Likes

LaughingGoblin:

Wait, are we talking about Tyler Bevin or Tyler Evergreen here? I can’t keep up with all these Tylers!

3.0K Likes

The screen cuts back to a final image of the Celestial Shadows guild banner, with the words:

"A New Dawn Rises... Prepare for the Shadows."

The video ends, fading to black as the comments continue to scroll, buzzing with excitement and speculation about the future of this newly unified guild and the now-unleashed potential of Tyler Bevin.

And shortly after the announcement was uploaded, a new video was added after just an hour.

[NewTube Video: Celestial Shadows Official Announcement]

Title: Celestial Shadows Takes a New Path: No Troll Hunting Quest!

530K Likes | 890K Views

The video opens with Olivia Moon, the new guild master of Celestial Shadows, standing confidently beside her vice-guild master, Tim Benar.

Olivia is wearing a set of elegant mage robes that cover her from neck to toe but are distinctly form-fitting, accentuating her well-endowed figure. The robes are adorned with intricate arcane symbols that glow faintly, giving an impression of power and grace. Her long, flowing hair is tied back, revealing a face that many viewers recognize from her days as a gaming show host. The camera captures her poised stance, a blend of beauty and authority.

Next to her, Tim Benar stands tall in medium-heavy armor, a sword and shield slung over his back. The armor gleams in the light, looking sturdy but not overly bulky, making him appear as a classic warrior. His expression is serious and focused, a perfect counterbalance to Olivia's confident smile. Together, they present the image of a stereotypical warrior and mage duo, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.

Olivia steps forward, her voice steady and charismatic.

"Greetings to all our followers! As our first move as the newly formed Celestial Shadows, we are here to make an important announcement: we will not be pursuing the Troll Hunting Quest. Instead, our focus will shift to the unexplored lands beyond the Undead Regions. We will attempt the Eastern Route."

The camera then pans to Tim Benar, who takes a step forward, his voice filled with determination.

"Our team and our massive number of followers will do what we do best: exploring a vast area with our numbers. Together, we’ll uncover what lies hidden in those uncharted territories."

The camera returns to Olivia, her eyes shining with excitement.

"We will be revealing the relatively unknown lands beyond the Undead Regions. As many of you know, few have dared to cross the Grimnar Grasslands. Few have gone further, and nobody has ever made it through to see the orc territory. But we are confident that it will be us who will deliver this discovery to you, our dear followers!"

The video cuts to the live comment feed below, already buzzing with mixed reactions:

Comments:

DoubtfulDave:

Lol, sounds like they’re only doing this because they missed their chance with the noble rescue quest.

1.5K Likes

ShadowHunter4:

Nah, they’re just pivoting because they can’t compete with the other guilds. Nice try, though!

2.0K Likes

GuildMasterJay:

Ignore the naysayers! I'm excited for this new direction! Finally, a guild that's not just doing the same old troll hunt.

3.7K Likes

MagicChick:

Honestly, I’m tired of the troll-hunting videos. Every guild is doing it, and it’s getting stale. Go, Celestial Shadows!

3.1K Likes

WitchHunter17:

Props to Celestial Shadows for doing something different. This could be epic if they actually find a way through!

2.8K Likes

PlayerZer0:

I love this! Tired of watching the same troll quests over and over. Bring on the exploration!

3.3K Likes

3.5K Likes

TheRealWizard:

This move is genius. Let the other guilds waste time on trolls. Celestial Shadows is going for the real win!

LaughingGoblin:

Haters gonna hate, but I’m all for this! Bring on the adventure!

2.7K Likes

The video ends with the Celestial Shadows emblem glowing against a darkened background, the words "A New Dawn Rises... Discover the Unknown" fading into view.

The newly-formed Celestial Shadows Guild had gathered at the edge of the Grimnar Grasslands, the vast expanse stretching endlessly before them. The wind whipped through the tall, wild grasses, carrying with it the scent of adventure—and danger.

Guild members were already preparing for their first foray into uncharted territory. Some checked their gear, while others stood in small groups, excitedly murmuring. This wasn’t just any expedition; this was the start of something bigger. The grasslands had a reputation for being treacherous, and no guild had ever fully conquered its mysteries.

At the center of it all stood Olivia Moon, the newly appointed guild master. She raised her hand to address the gathered members, her voice cutting through the soft rustling of the wind.

“We didn’t unite just to be another guild chasing the same tired objectives,” she began. “The Troll Hunting Quest? Let the other guilds fight over that. We’re here for something greater.”

The Inner Circle stood close by, listening intently. Everyone knew what Olivia meant. While most of the world was focused on the Troll Hunting Quest, the Celestial Shadows had chosen a different path.

“The Grimnar Grasslands…” Olivia continued, her voice rising. “A place few have dared to explore, and none have fully conquered. We will grind here, grow stronger, and rise in the ranks. Soon enough, we’ll be among the top 100 players. Let the other guilds have their trolls. We’re here to make history.”

The members around her nodded, their confidence rising as Olivia spoke. The idea of exploring uncharted territories appealed to their sense of adventure—and ambition.

Vice Leader Tim Benar stepped forward, his expression sharp. “And there’s something else,” he said, his voice lowering slightly, making sure he had everyone’s attention. “Our scouts have reported that Adam, the man who stole the Noble Rescue Quest right out from under us, has been sighted in this very territory.”

A wave of fury rippled through the gathered guild members. Adam had outmaneuvered them at a crucial moment, and the bitterness of that defeat still stung. They had been so close to seizing that prestigious quest for themselves, only to see it slip away.

One of the members, Shadow Assassin Mike Gezeik, clenched his fists in frustration. “Why don’t we just put a bounty on him? Have every player in the region hunt him down?”

Tim gave a faint smile but remained silent, deferring to Olivia.

“We’re not going to start a vendetta, not yet,” Olivia said firmly, her gaze sweeping across the group. “Issuing a bounty on him now would only make us look desperate. And that’s not how we want to introduce the Celestial Shadows to the world. Our image is important.”

The guild members grumbled slightly, but Olivia’s presence was commanding. She was right—they couldn’t afford to look petty in front of the player base so soon after their official formation.

“We’ll upload more content,” Olivia continued. “Show the world that we’re focused on exploration, that we’re pushing boundaries. Let them see us as the guild that’s ahead of the game, not chasing after petty revenge.”

But then she paused, a small, almost predatory smile forming on her lips. “But don’t get me wrong… I haven’t forgotten what he did. I want my revenge as much as any of you.”

The guild members murmured their agreement, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

They had all heard of Adam’s impressive duels earlier that day—victories that only added to his growing reputation. But none of them were intimidated. They were Celestial Shadows now, united and stronger than ever.

“He’s skilled,” said Nicholas the Merc, a Spear Warrior, “but what can one player do against an entire guild?”

“We’ll corner him,” Tim added. “He can’t hide from us forever.”

With their confidence bolstered, the guild pressed forward, ready to chart the Grimnar Grasslands and uncover its secrets. The rest of the world could chase after trolls—Celestial Shadows had their sights set on something bigger. And when the time came, they would settle the score with Adam.

As the shadows of dusk stretched over the plains, the clock moved ever forward, with every player—Adam, Celestial Shadows, and the rest—hurtling toward the future.

***

While the rest of the Lorikan Server scrambled to secure the remaining Urgent Quests issued by the Imperatrix, one prominent guild stood out for its notable lack of interest: the Hao Wei Guild.

Although Hao Wei had dispatched a small team to participate in the Troll Hunt, it was clear to everyone that this was merely a token effort. Their true goal lay elsewhere. The guild’s leadership understood the importance of appearances, and participating in a high-profile event like the Troll Hunt helped avoid any potential demerits from the Fortress. However, for the guild as a whole, the grand chase for exclusive rewards was never their primary focus.

Since Hao Jun, the CEO of Hao Wei Global, had directly taken control of the guild’s strategy, their objectives had remained relatively unchanged. Rather than chasing after rare quests with unpredictable rewards, Hao Wei Guild concentrated on the mundane—but crucial—tasks issued by the Fortress. From cleaning duties and rat control quests to the creation of standard-grade potions for the use of Legionnaires, the Hao Wei Guild focused on the routine quests that many other prominent guilds would consider beneath them.

While young players in the guild initially questioned this direction, Hao Jun had a simple answer for them.

“Let the rest play Chess; we will play Go.”

He elaborated during one of the guild’s internal meetings, explaining his approach with the ancient board game metaphor. "While others focus on capturing the king—those rare, high-profile quests—we’ll spread across the board, securing as many smaller victories as possible. The cumulative effect will be far more powerful."

Indeed, Hao Wei Guild had quickly become a pillar of support for both the Fortress and the general player base. While Guild Wars and team skirmishes broke out across the server with alarming frequency, few dared to pick a fight with Hao Wei. The reason? Hao Wei had become the number one guild providing supplies and services to all players.

While most other guilds kept their guild stores closed to non-members, Hao Wei prided itself on offering high-quality goods to anyone willing to pay. Their influence had spread so widely that many players feared being banned from their guild store—cutting themselves off from essential supplies that only Hao Wei could deliver in such quantities.

Though Adam’s store, My Alchemical Romance, stood out for its exceptional quality—specializing in potions—Hao Wei boasted an entire squad of blacksmiths, enchanters, scribes, and all manner of crafting specialists, each contributing to a massive production capacity that no single individual could match. The scale of Hao Wei's crafting operations made them a one-stop shop for every player’s needs.

The guild's operations continued seamlessly, with Hao Jun taking a much-needed leave from the game to rest in the real world. Their methodical, pragmatic approach to the quests in World of Pangea remained unchanged—focused, relentless, and efficient.

Their quest management system could be best described as Operational Dominance: an approach where every resource, every quest, no matter how small, was carefully leveraged to maximize influence and control.

As other guilds fought for fame, Hao Wei was content to build their empire one quest at a time.


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