Reincarnated With The Degenerate System-Chapter 223: Strongest Raid Team

News spread fast, thanks to my army of internet trolls working overtime.

They flooded every platform with tags like #DEGENGUILD1, #ZERODEATHS, and #HANDSOMEGUILDMASTER.

The last one had been a personal request, and the team was more than happy to post it, especially with the extra bonus waiting for them.

They didn’t stop there. Phoenix and Nebula took the hit next.

Old clips, failed runs, excuses from past interviews—all dragged back into the spotlight. Comparisons filled the feeds. What they couldn’t clear, the Degen Guild finished cleanly.

Frankly, I held no bad blood against them. Unfortunately, I needed a strong example to show just how difficult clearing a dungeon was—something that not even two of the biggest guilds combined could pull off.

"Keep pushing those posts," I said. "And don’t forget the rumors."

"Spread word that Dark Rock had been pressuring me for a while. Make it sound dramatic."

"Bring up the fire at the Mercer Building. Point out how the timing lined up too well with Dark Rock hostile takeover. Let readers draw their own conclusions. Add that I’m rebuilding my family name from the ashes."

I didn’t hold back. None of it came from official channels. These were just comments from regular users, buried among thousands of others.

Next, I checked the stock market. As expected, it barely took a hit.

That was fine.

The goal wasn’t damage yet. I only wanted the idea to stay in people’s minds, to sink in and grow on its own. The real fatal strike would come later.

"Guild Master. It’s time," my assistant spoke.

I took my coat and stood up. Without another word, I headed out to my next appointment.

Cameras flashed as I walked onto the stage. Light burned my eyes for a second before I adjusted.

Rows of reporters filled the hall, voices buzzing. This wasn’t just local coverage. The broadcast reached several regions.

I took my seat and rested both hands on the table.

Silence followed.

Then I leaned toward the microphone.

"Thank you all for coming here. I’m glad to announce that we cleared the Fifteenth Floor with zero casualties. An achievement worth celebrating."

Screens behind me displayed the images of my guild entering the tower.

"Every piece of gear and every tool my guild carried cost a fortune," I said, giving them time to absorb it. "Others criticized me for wasting money. But money can be earned back. A lost life is gone forever."

Reporters blinked, caught off guard by the blunt honesty.

One journalist in the front row spoke.

"Are you saying the other guilds are cheaping out on their members? That’s why so many of them die during raids?"

What a twisted way to ask a question. This guy was practically putting words in my mouth to tear down other guilds. Damn... I should hire competent men like him on my payroll.

Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to throw shade at the other guilds, I had to hold back. Hayes was watching, and it wouldn’t look good if I deliberately started a fire with the others.

Timing was everything—this wasn’t the moment to burn bridges, even if the urge was there.

"Well, it’s not that simple. Many factors decide success or failure. We were just better prepared than most."

The same journalist smiled.

"Are you saying that if other guilds spent more on their members—like you do, using your own money instead of making them pay—it would improve their chances of surviving, right?"

Another tricky question. What an expert in baiting.

"Well, mathematically speaking. A man riding in a car has a far higher chance of surviving a crash than someone on a motorcycle."

The reporters gave me a knowing smile.

I knew exactly how this would be spun. By the end of this, headlines would probably read something like: ’Ace Mercer calls out other guilds for putting members’ lives at risk for profit.’

More questions followed, rapid and relentless, bouncing from one reporter to the next.

I listened but only paused to consider the good ones—those sharp, well-angled questions that cut close to the truth or gave me room to make a statement.

"Guild Master, I heard rumors that you now have more than four S-Ranks. Is that true?"

"As long as the Association hasn’t officially awarded S-Rank status to my members, they’re still A-Ranks." I paused, letting the silence stretch, then gave a calm, confident smile.

"But I’ll also say this—my members are the cream of the crop. Being promoted only a matter of time, especially since I invest heavily to give them the best training and supplements money can buy."

Wasting no time, the reporter asked another question.

"Does this mean the Degen Guild is ready to challenge the higher floors ahead of schedule?"

"We will see."

More questions piled up one after another.

Then came the question everyone wanted.

"Do you believe the current ranking system still makes sense after this clear? A lot of people in the city think your guild should be given Tier One status after just one raid, while others say you just got lucky."

"I believe results speak for themselves," I leaned back slightly. "I’m not in a rush to get Tier One status. Honestly, after this run, I think we deserve... Tier Zero."

"Tier Zero? That doesn’t exist," one reporter interjected, eyebrows raised.

"Exactly," I said with a small smile. "That’s why I want to create a new rank just for my guild. We’ve earned more recognition than the current ranking allows."

Almost everyone in the room thought I was pushing it. Murmurs ran through the reporters, some shaking their heads in disbelief.

Even Hayes looked visibly irate, jaw tight, eyes narrowing at my audacity.

Just as the tension reached its peak, the doors to the hall burst open.

A breathless association member ran in, waving a tablet.

"It’s just in! The Degen Guild... they conquered the Sixteenth Floor!"

Cameras tilted awkwardly. Mouths opened and closed, searching for words, but nothing came.

Watching it happen was easily the best part of this event.

Then it exploded.

People yelled questions, cameras clicked nonstop, and phones rang with updates.

"See. I told you we deserved a better rank."

My words set off a chain reaction, and now everyone knew that we had the strongest raid team in the city.

With our rising profile, I expected my enemies to start acting bolder—before my influence and power could grow any further. Things would get more exiting in the following days.

30 Minutes later.

The press conference finally wound down, the last flashes of cameras fading as reporters packed up

Now, I found myself sitting in front of Director Hayes again. I had been to his office so many times that I already remembered every detail—the polished desk, the leather chairs.

Nothing about this room surprised me anymore.

"Let’s talk about your guild ranking. Although what you pulled off is very impressive, we can’t award you Tier One status just yet."

I waited for him to continue.

"You need to reach certain milestones first to get there. For starters, your guild needs to clear at least ten floors in the double digits."

"Second," Hayes continued, "your guild needs to have at least 1,000 members."

It was manageable. I just needed to acquire more buildings to house that many members. A minor investment for a major step forward.

"Third, to maintain your status, your guild will need to clear at least ten floors per year. That should be easy, considering how strong your performance has been so far."

"Now, for the benefits," Hayes said, shifting his tone slightly. "Tier One status comes with additional privileges. Among them tax reduction."

I smiled. That I liked.

"Is that all?" I asked, not even bothering to hide my true motive.

"You will also have access to the Vault."

"The Vault?" I asked, leaning forward. "What exactly is in it? I... I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it before."

Hayes pressed his lips into a thin line.

"It’s an auction area run by the Association. Over the years, we’ve collected many rare treasures because the Association has the first right to purchase items from the Tower."

He spoke as if the Association’s work was noble, but in reality, they were just profiting from the efforts of the guilds—without taking any of the risks themselves.

I just smiled, letting him talk while I kept my thoughts to myself.

"When you get your Tier One status, you can earn what we call merit points—by completing favors for the Association or clearing floors. You can then use those points to bid on items in the Vault during auctions."

My eyes narrowed in interest. "Will Celestial items be available?"

"Guilds that find them usually keep them for themselves. But for other items, like armor and accessories, there’s usually a few selection you can bid on during the events." Hayes explained.

That was all the answer I needed. Human technology had its limits, so I could only rely on rare treasures to boost the combat abilities of my raid team.

"Thank you for telling me all of this, Director. I’ll see you again when my guild qualifies," I stood up.

"Is that it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you’d be angry that I’m not giving it to you right away."

I shook my head. "I’m not an unreasonable man, Director. I was joking earlier when I asked for a Tier Zero."

He studied me, clearly not convinced.

"But don’t worry," I added. "I’ll earn it the proper way."

The corner of his mouth twitched. He didn’t know whether to feel relieved or annoyed.

Neither reaction mattered to me.