The meeting room was rarely used.
Lowlight owned the entire building, but most of their work happened inside Starfall. The physical headquarters existed more out of tradition than necessity, a glass-and steel skyscraper with their insignia near the top floors, proof that even a third-rate guild had real weight in the industry.
Still, Ren Veyr could count on one hand how many times he had stepped into this particular room.
It was reserved for serious matters only.
Contract signings. Sponsor negotiations. Decisions that couldn't be undone.
Which meant today wasn't routine.
It was final.
The long table was already half filled when he arrived. Core elders, raid leaders, logistics staff. Nobody was talking loudly. No jokes. No casual chatter.
Too quiet.
At the head of the table stood Elias Voss.
Five years ago, Voss had founded Lowlight with nothing but a handful of players and stubborn pride. Now they owned a skyscraper in one of the most competitive cities on the planet. Third-rate, officially but in Starfall, even third-rate meant thousands of active guilds below you.
They weren't small.
They weren't weak.
They were just… not corporate.
Ren had always liked that about them.
A few minutes later, the Helix Group delegation entered.
Suddenly, the door opened and three people entered without knocking, as if stepping into someone else's meeting was just another part of their day. Their movements were controlled and deliberate, the kind Ren only saw in trained fighters. He felt it immediately, they were stronger than him, which was rare in this city.
Helix don't build guilds.
They bought them.
The lead representative placed a tablet on the table and projected a contract above it.
"Thank you for meeting with us," she said. "Helix Group has reached an acquisition agreement with Lowlight. Upon signing, Lowlight will operate under Helix management. Members will receive standardised salaries, equipment support, and access to Helix resources."
The word hung in the air.
Acquisition.
Some people straightened in their seats.
Others exchanged glances.
Ren didn't look at the contract.
He looked at Elias.
"You already agreed," he said.
It wasn't a question.
Elias held his gaze for a second, then nodded. "…Yeah."
Something tight formed in Ren's chest.
Five years together, and this was how they found out.
No vote.
No discussion.
Just a decision.
"It's a good offer," Elias continued. "Guaranteed pay. Better sponsorships. Less pressure on operations. We've hit our ceiling alone, Ren. This lets everyone grow."
Ren leaned back in his chair. "So we're selling."
"It's not selling."
"It is," Ren said calmly. "You're transferring ownership. That's literally selling."
The Helix rep smiled politely. "We prefer the term partnership."
Ren didn't even glance at her. "Once we sign, we're employees. Not guild members."
Nobody answered.
He continued, voice steady. "Helix runs on efficiency. If someone underperforms, they're cut. If someone's replaceable, they're cut. You think they're keeping all of us?"
A few members shifted uncomfortably.
"But the salary is better," someone muttered. "Isn't that better?"
Ren shook his head.
Starfall wasn't just a game people logged into after work. Time inside moved at half speed. One hour there was thirty minutes outside. People spent decades of their lives inside it, building reputations, careers, entire identities.
Lowlight wasn't just a roster.
It was five years of fights, losses, and wins together.
Helix would turn that into spreadsheets.
"We're doing fine on our own," Ren said. "We have territory. Sponsors. This building. We're stable. Why trade independence for a paycheck?"
Elias exhaled slowly. "Because we can be more than 'fine.' I'm thinking long-term."
"So am I."
Silence filled the room.
For the first time in years, Ren realised they weren't standing on the same side anymore.
Elias had chosen security.
Ren still believed in control.
"The papers are ready," the Helix rep said gently. "We only need final confirmation."
Ren stared at the contract, then opened his guild interface.
Lowlight.
Five years.
Top swordsman. Core member. Hundreds of raids.
Too many memories to count.
Then he closed the window.
"I'm not signing anything," he said.
Elias frowned. "Ren-"
"If Lowlight wants to sell, that's your choice. But I'm not working under Helix."
"You're quitting?"
"I'm leaving before the sale goes through."
The room went still.
Ren stood, pushing his chair back quietly.
"I didn't join Lowlight to become someone's asset."
Without waiting for a reply, he walked out of the meeting room and toward the elevators, the city stretching endlessly beyond the glass.
Tomorrow, Starfall would still be there.
For the first time in five years, he'd be entering it alone.