Staring at the empty group chat window, I didn't have to wait long before the first message came through from Pharmacist.
[Pharmacist: First off, Nexus and I would like to recruit you two to our guild, "Infinite Evolution."]
I couldn't help but chuckle when I read it. Direct, efficient, and completely lacking in any kind of polite buildup, it was exactly how Pharmacist handled things. When I'd approached him earlier, I'd spent half the conversation carefully laying the groundwork, explaining, convincing. He, on the other hand, went straight for the jugular. No hesitation. No wasted words. Honestly, it suited him perfectly.
[Pharmacist: Do you two have an understanding of the guild system?]
Almost instantly, a reply came through.
[Stardust: Yeah, Nova explained it in the chat earlier. It's all anyone's been talking about lately. Everyone's begging him to let them join his guild.]
[Stardust: Even worse, he called his guild "The Absolute Beings." Nova truly is arrogant.]
I let out a small laugh under my breath. That name fit Nova far too well. Arrogant, self-assured, and constantly desperate to remind everyone else that he was above them. But even I had to admit, the man wasn't weak. If half the chat was already trying to join him, that said plenty about his influence.
A few seconds later, another message appeared.
[Cosmos: I also have an understanding of the guild system.]
I leaned back in my chair, glancing at the flickering projection of the chat window. "The Absolute Beings," huh? It was almost too on-the-nose, but it fit him. If he really was gathering that many followers already, then Infinite Evolution needed to act quickly. The early stages of the guild system would determine everything, influence, power, even how other gods viewed us.
Seeing the lull in conversation, I decided it was time to step in.
[Nexus: Since you both already understand how guilds work, I'll be direct. Are you two willing to join our guild?]
My message was short, clear, and intentional. No point in drawing things out when they already knew what was being offered.
Pharmacist followed up almost immediately, reinforcing the approach but adding his own calculated twist.
[Pharmacist: Before you decide, know that we're willing to offer an artifact to each of you if you join. But there are conditions.]
[Pharmacist: First, you must have an A-rank talent or higher. Second, you'll need to tell Nexus and me what your talent does.]
[Pharmacist: So, are you two interested?]
Reading his messages, I couldn't help but feel a quiet satisfaction. He was doing exactly what I'd hoped, presenting things with confidence, structure, and authority. The way he played off my words made it clear I'd chosen the right person as my vice leader.
For a while, the chat stayed silent. Then, finally, new messages appeared.
[Cosmos: Before we answer, can you tell us what the artifacts actually do?]
[Stardust: I agree with Cosmos.]
I had expected that question. Of course they would want details, no god would agree to anything blindly. Without hesitation, I pulled up the system menu and sent a screenshot of the artifact I was offering.
[Nexus: This is the artifact I'm offering.]
[Name: Ring of Divine Heal (D)]
[Effect: Once per day, the user can heal a life form on their planet.]
[Note 1: The healing effect can restore any being to peak health, provided they are still alive.]
[Note 2: The lifeform will instinctively know that they were saved by a higher being and will automatically know the name of the one who saved them.]
The glowing text shimmered across the chat window as they read. It was a powerful artifact, not one that increased strength directly, but something that could build faith, loyalty, and reputation on their worlds.
Before either of them could reply, another screenshot appeared right below mine, sent by Pharmacist.
[Pharmacist: This is mine.]
[Name: Ring of Insight (D)]
[Effect: Once per day, the user can cause a lifeform on their planet to enter a state of enlightenment for one hour. During this time, their Intelligence will be tripled, and new ideas will continuously form in their mind.]
[Note 1: This effect causes no damage to the mind or spirit of the lifeform.]
[Note 2: The lifeform will instinctively know they were aided by a higher being and will automatically know the name of the one who helped them.]
Even I had to admit, his artifact was impressive. Knowledge, innovation, invention, those were long-term advantages that could shape a civilization's growth.
I was still rereading the artifact's details when a new message suddenly appeared.
[Cosmos: I'm willing to join and share my talent information, as long as I can have the Ring of Insight.]
I raised an eyebrow. That was fast. His eagerness spoke volumes, the artifact must have resonated with him on some deep level. Maybe his talent had something to do with intellect or technology. Either way, it was interesting.
Pharmacist and I didn't respond immediately. We both knew better than to rush. Instead, we waited patiently for Stardust's reply.
A full minute passed before it came.
[Stardust: I'm fine with taking the Ring of Divine Heal.]
I smiled faintly at that. Two successful recruits, or nearly so, in a single conversation. It was going even better than expected.
Pharmacist responded next, his tone perfectly composed.
[Pharmacist: Excellent. But before we finalize anything, we'll need you both to share your talent information. Would you prefer to do this in a separate chat, or are you comfortable doing it here?]
The responses came almost simultaneously.
[Cosmos: Separately.]
[Stardust: Separately.]
[Pharmacist: Understood.]
And just like that, the group chat dissolved into a cloud of fading light as Pharamcist disbanded it.
I exhaled slowly, watching the chat vanish. So far, everything was going smoothly, smoother than I'd expected, honestly. We had secured interest from two capable gods, and both seemed willing to share information once things were made official.
I turned my gaze toward Pharmacist. He was standing nearby, his hand raised slightly as he swiped through the air, his eyes flicking across invisible menus. His expression was focused, serious, the same look he wore during the competition when he analyzed an opponent's move.
Looking up at me, he asked, "Who should we talk to first?"
I thought about it for a moment. Both candidates were valuable, but Cosmos had reacted immediately to the Ring of Insight, almost emotionally. That kind of eagerness intreged me, so if I had to chose I'd like to talk to him first.
"Let's talk to Cosmos first," I said finally. "I'm curious why he seemed so eager for that ring of yours."
Pharmacist gave a small smirk. "Same here."
He made a few quick gestures in the air, fingers gliding with precision. A faint shimmer rippled before my eyes, the telltale glow of a system notification appearing once more.
[You have been invited to a group chat by the god Pharmacist.]
[Do you accept? Y/N]
Without hesitation, I reached forward and pressed [Yes].