Armipotent

TEAA belonged to the Tang Empire, a division that focused on alchemy, making and improving potions, healing potions, regeneration potions, or even antidotes. TEAA was famous because of its high-quality potions and even the people from the United Sovereign knew TEAA. Not just The Joes, but the other mercenary teams knew TEAA.

They got their supply from TEAA, not coming to the Tang Empire directly, but acquiring the goods through the middle man, the merchant. Even USF was using the potions from TEAA.

TEAA was the reason why the United Sovereigns put their focus on their support class workers. John, Cody, and Sam were surprised to hear Kate was wearing the TEAA coat, escorted by Tarrior. It meant she was an asset to be protected.

Amy met Kate inside the Dimensional Tower City, where the Tarrior allowed Kate to move freely. They had a long talk as Kate told Amy what she had experienced in the Tang Empire and how she got into the core team of the TEAA, becoming part of the Research and Development team despite her nationality.

That was when Amy found out that the Tang Empire was more developed and a better place to settle down. Of course, the rumor was true as well with a little bit of exaggerration.

"The biggest drawback would be the harsh punishment. If we join the Tang Empire, don't ever think of getting quick money by selling insider information outside. You will be hunted down by TEID or our people called them the empire hunting dogs."

Amy shared what she heard from Kate, "They discovered five spies that joined the Adventure Guild. The five spies managed to escape from the Tang Empire, returning to The North Federation. The next day, Kate found a picture of five heads, speared in the execution ground, the five spies. TEID spread the picture to all divisions, a warning for them all. That's the terrifying thing about the Tang Empire, but I don't think we need to worry about it. We go there to settle down, to live in a better place with better facilities and better treatment. We don't need to worry about being hunted by TEID."

John, Cody, and Sam exchanged glances. It was followed with silence for a moment until Sam spoke out.

"I think I will join USF instead. We can watch our people from above, John. As long as you secure a better contract, you can watch and protect them from your position," Sam disagreed with Amy and voiced his thoughts, "We don't know that Kate might be brainwashed by the empire."

Sam and John then looked toward Cody. They wanted to hear Cody's opinion on the matter.

"I need more information before I can make a decision," Cody shook his head, locking his gaze at Amy, "I believe you have more information."

"I do, but not much. Kate told me about The Adventurer Guild. Most people like us who come from Europe, Africa, and other factions tend to join the guild instead of the empire's official force. There will be less restraint and less strict rules, but we don't get to enjoy the same privilege like Tarrior," Amy added.

"What kind of privilege?" Sam inquired further.

"House, salary, free weapon they can get from the empire's armory, free potions, and Tarrior was given three chances to re-roll the talent for free. After the three re-rolls, the Tarrior could still reroll, but they must pay from their own pocket for the future talent reroll. There's this thing called academy as well, the new recruit can enter the academy and be taught by the experts to gain a skill without a scroll skill. There's more that I don't remember because I don't really pay attention. My focus is the Adventurer Guild, not Tarrior," Amy recalled everything she could remember.

"But you can't leave the empire once you join the Tarrior. We will be executed by TEID if we leave, right?" Sam stated the obvious.

Amy rolled her eyes at her friend, "Like most factions do. Do you think USF would let a general join another faction, Sam? Come on, Sam. That's normal, even before the game or now. What do you expect from them? Let the people they put resources into join their enemy?

"What about the guild?" Cody ignored Sam.

"I don't know anything about the guild because Kate has to leave before she can explain it to me. However, Kate promises to give me a tour after her work inside the tower is done. She will introduce us to someone she knows about the Adventurer Guild."

"Are you insane?" Sam slammed the table and raised his voice, catching everyone's attention.

"Calm down, Sam," John tried to calm the angry friend.

"She is going to kill all of us, John! Once we enter the Tang Empire's territory, we will not be able to leave anymore. They will force us to join them or they will kill us! We can't go to the Tang Empire for a f*cking stupid tour!" Sam bristled, could not believe that Amy would suggest something like this.

"As I said, this is a gamble, Sam. It's a gamble that I am willing to take. I am not forcing you to join me. It's just another option for you, for John, and for Cody. If you don't want to join me, then it's fine. There's no need to be angry. If we split, I want us to split up on good terms, Sam. We are friends who have gone through so many things, after all," Amy shook her head, not angry at Sam's attitude toward her.

She knew her friend, a patriotic but also loyal to his friends. If not for them, Sam might have joined USF a long time ago, but he was loyal, staying with them, and helping them despite their circumstances. She could not get mad at her friend, but she hoped he could understand her decision as well.

"But is it true that we will be forced to join the empire if we go there?" John asked for confirmation.

"No, at least that was what Kate told me," Amy shook her head, "However, we have to sign an NDA contract that we will not share what we know about the empire with anyone else. There are more specific things in the contract like the map or location is one of them. We can leave, but we must remember the NDA. We can confirm it with The Merchant too if it's true or not."

The Merchant was a group, the middle man they used to get the goods from the Tang Empire, such as high-quality weapons and potions. John acquired the Ancient Rank Spear from the Tang Empire through The Merchant.

"Alright, I will ask The Merchant. You tell Kate that we are ready for the tour anytime!" John made the decision.

Sam wanted to protest, but Cody was not on his side, "I agree with John. It's better to see it with my own eyes, not just from any rumor."

Despite his doubt and distrust toward the Tang Empire, Sam decided to join the trip to the Tang Empire's Capital.

*** ***

The Joes gathered early in the morning. They gave their team members a day off as they decided to scout the Tang Empire. They agreed to meet Kate in front of the teleportation site.

"Are we really doing this, guys?" Sam still tried to persuade his friends but it was futile. His friends had made the decision.

"Amy! I am here, Amy!"

They heard the female voice, calling their friend. John, Cody, and Sam immediately looked for the voice and found Kate.

Kate was high for a woman, more than 180 cm for sure, taller than Sam and Cody. She had long wavy brown hair, her eyes were brown as well, and her skin was milky white smooth.

"Is that really Kate?" as usual, Cody was blunt and blurted out.

Not that they were surprised because this Kate was different from what they remembered. The Kate they knew had messy, disorganized hair. Her clothes were creased, and dirty with soil, and sometimes she was smelly for not taking a bath for days. On top of that, her trademark was gone, her panda eyes, the result of not sleeping for days or even weeks.

"I also didn't recognize her at first until he called me and told me who she was. Keep your mouth shut, okay, Cody? She is our guide, and I hope you don't piss her off," After saying that, Amy rushed toward her friend. They hugged for a while.

"Is that why Amy is dressing for today?" John asked in a whisper. No one answered him because they arrived in front of Kate.

"Hello, Kate. I hope you still remember us," Sam was the first one to speak. His tone was warm and enthusiastic, leaving John and Cody speechless. This was the same person who was not willing and tried to persuade them not to go to the Tang Empire.

John and Cody exchanged glances before letting out a chuckle at the same time. They had a tacit agreement to be their friend's wingman during the trip.