Cynthia smiled.
It was a small smile at first, almost hesitant, as though she wasn't entirely sure she was allowed to feel happy yet. Her eyes lowered toward the guild emblem displayed in the corner of her interface, the symbol of the guild she had only just joined.
[Guild: Crowned Era]
She stared at those words for several seconds.
For the first time since she had been removed from Oblivion Pledge, Cynthia felt as though she actually had something to look forward to whenever she opened Evermount.
She wasn't logging in simply because she had nothing else to do.
She wasn't logging in because she was desperately searching for another guild that might tolerate the enormous amount of materials and resources her experiments consumed.
She wasn't logging in while wondering whether her latest idea would fail, whether another experiment would be dismissed as wasteful, or whether the time and resources she poured into her work were ultimately meaningless.
She had a place now.
She had a purpose.
More importantly, she had found a guild that wanted her.
People who believed in her.
Cynthia's fingers hovered over the guild emblem for a moment before she smiled again.
"...Crowned Era."
Rio noticed the change in her expression.
"So?"
Cynthia looked up.
For a moment, she seemed to search for the right words. Then she gave a small nod.
"I think..." She paused, her voice quieter than usual. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
Ryota smiled.
"Good."
Rio's expression softened as she looked at Cynthia.
"Then let's make sure tomorrow gives you a reason to keep looking forward to it."
Cynthia's eyes widened slightly.
The words were simple, but they carried a weight she hadn't expected. After everything that had happened with Oblivion Pledge, she had grown accustomed to questioning whether she still had a future in Evermount.
Now someone was telling her that tomorrow could be something worth anticipating.
She slowly nodded.
"Yeah."
For the first time in several days, there was certainty in her voice.
The three of them eventually finished their drinks and rose from the table. Before Cynthia could even reach for her wallet, Rio had already paid the bill.
Cynthia immediately protested.
"Rio, you don't have to—"
"It's fine."
"But—"
"You just joined our guild."
Rio calmly placed the coins on the counter before looking back at Cynthia.
"Consider it your first guild benefit."
Ryota couldn't help laughing.
"You're already spoiling the new member."
Rio gave him a sidelong glance.
"You're one to talk."
"Fair."
Cynthia laughed softly at their exchange.
The three of them left the restaurant together.
The warm evening air greeted them the moment they stepped outside. The village was still lively despite the approaching night. Players moved between shops and inns, some returning from quests while others gathered around stalls and restaurants. NPC merchants were beginning to prepare their evening stands, and lanterns had started illuminating the stone streets with a warm golden glow.
Beyond the buildings, Dragon's Peak remained visible against the distant horizon.
The enormous mountain range looked almost peaceful from this distance. Its jagged peaks were silhouetted against the darkening sky, making it difficult to imagine the monsters, dungeons, and dangers waiting somewhere beyond those mountains.
Cynthia walked between Rio and Ryota for several minutes in comfortable silence.
Eventually, curiosity won.
"So..."
Rio glanced toward her.
"Where are we going?"
"Back to the guild headquarters."
"The headquarters?"
Rio nodded.
"Crowned Era's headquarters."
Cynthia looked surprised.
"You have one already?"
Ryota laughed.
"That's putting it mildly."
Rio gave him a brief glance before looking back at Cynthia.
"You'll understand when you see it."
Cynthia's curiosity only grew.
"Where is it?"
"Floor Three."
Cynthia stopped walking.
"...Floor Three?"
Rio nodded.
"Yes."
Cynthia stared at her as though she had misheard.
"But we're on Floor One."
"Exactly."
Rio opened her guild menu. A translucent interface appeared in front of her, displaying the various functions available to Crowned Era members.
Cynthia watched with interest as Rio selected the guild home function.
Ryota opened his menu as well.
Cynthia hesitated for only a moment before following them.
Their guild interfaces synchronized with the nearby teleportation crystal.
A massive blue crystal stood in the center of the village plaza, its surface shimmering beneath the warm glow of the evening lanterns. Runes of light slowly moved across its surface as the system recognized the guild teleportation request.
Rio approached first.
Ryota followed beside her.
Cynthia remained slightly behind them, still trying to understand how they could possibly teleport from Floor One to a headquarters located on Floor Three.
Rio placed her hand against the crystal and looked back at Cynthia.
"Ready?"
Cynthia nodded.
"Ready."
The crystal immediately illuminated.
Blue light spread across the ground beneath their feet, forming a circular magic formation that surrounded all three of them.
A system notification appeared in front of Cynthia.
[Guild Home Teleportation Initiated.]
The world disappeared.
When Cynthia opened her eyes again, she couldn't speak.
For several seconds, she simply stood there.
The first thing she noticed was the silence.
It wasn't the empty silence of an abandoned building or an unused dungeon.
It was peaceful.
It was the kind of silence that existed inside a place that belonged to someone.
Cynthia slowly looked around.
Her eyes widened.
They were standing inside an enormous stone hall.
The architecture was far beyond anything she had expected from a guild headquarters. Massive pillars rose toward a vaulted ceiling, while elegant crystal lights illuminated the hall from above. Dark stone walls were decorated with intricate silver and gold accents, and enormous banners bearing Crowned Era's emblem hung between the pillars.
But the architecture wasn't what shocked Cynthia the most.
It was the activity.
NPC guards were patrolling the halls.
They weren't simple decorative NPCs standing beside doors.
These were actual combat-capable guards.
They moved in organized patrols, checking corridors, entrances, and important sections of the headquarters with disciplined precision. Other NPC staff members moved through the hall carrying supplies, documents, and equipment.
Cynthia slowly turned in place.
"...This is..."
Ryota smiled.
"Yeah."
Cynthia looked directly at Rio.
"You never told me your headquarters was like this."
Rio shrugged.
"You didn't ask."
"Rio!"
Cynthia stared around again.
The headquarters was enormous.
The rooms were spacious, the furniture elegant without feeling unnecessarily extravagant, and every section seemed to have been designed with a specific purpose.
There were meeting rooms.
Rest areas.
Storage facilities.
Training areas.
Living quarters.
Administrative offices.
Everything was carefully organized.
And yet, despite its size and grandeur, the headquarters didn't feel cold or impersonal.
It felt like a genuine home.
Cynthia slowly walked forward, her eyes moving from one detail to another. The polished floors reflected the crystal lighting above them. The furniture looked expensive but practical. Reinforced stone walls surrounded the hallways, and even the NPC guards carried equipment that looked far beyond what an ordinary guild would provide.
Cynthia swallowed.
"This..."
She looked around once more.
"...This is really Crowned Era?"
Rio nodded.
"Yes."
"But..."
Cynthia hesitated.
"This is better than Oblivion Pledge's headquarters."
Ryota laughed.
"Much better."
Cynthia's expression remained genuinely stunned.
Oblivion Pledge had been one of the larger guilds on the lower floors. Its headquarters had been expensive, well furnished, and filled with crafting facilities and resource storage.
But this place was something else entirely.
Now Cynthia finally understood why Rio had spoken so casually about Crowned Era being an Apex guild.
This wasn't simply an ambitious guild headquarters.
It was a headquarters built for the future.
A place designed to support an organization that intended to continue climbing through Evermount's floors.
Cynthia quietly whispered,
"...So this is what an Apex guild looks like."
Rio smiled.
"Pretty much."
Before Cynthia could say anything else, a familiar voice came from one of the nearby corridors.
"Rio!"
Rio turned.
Silla approached them with a bright smile.
"Welcome back!"
She stopped when she noticed Cynthia standing beside Rio and Ryota. Curiosity immediately appeared on her face.
Rio smiled.
"Silla."
She gestured toward Cynthia.
"This is Cynthia."
Then she introduced the receptionist to her new guild member.
"Cynthia, this is Silla, our receptionist."
Silla immediately gave Cynthia a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you!"
Cynthia quickly bowed.
"Nice to meet you too."
Silla looked toward Rio, then back at Cynthia.
"Is she the new member?"
Rio nodded.
"Yes."
Silla's smile became even brighter.
"Welcome to Crowned Era, Cynthia."
Cynthia smiled.
"Thank you."
Rio then casually added,
"Starting today, Cynthia will be our head crafter."
Cynthia blinked.
"...Head crafter?"
Rio nodded.
"And I'm promoting her to Rank Four."
Cynthia froze.
"Rank Four?!"
Silla's eyes widened for a moment before she smiled brightly.
"Congratulations!"
"W-Wait, isn't that too high?"
Cynthia immediately became flustered.
Rio shook her head.
"No."
She looked at Cynthia seriously.
"You're responsible for our crafting department. Rank Four is appropriate."
Cynthia stared at her guild interface.
[Cynthia — Rank 4]
Her eyes softened.
She had joined only moments ago.
And already, Rio was trusting her with an important position.
Cynthia quietly nodded.
"...I'll do my best."
Rio smiled.
"I know."
Then she turned toward the hallway.
"Come on."
Cynthia looked at her.
"Where are we going?"
"There's something I want to show you."
They walked deeper into the headquarters.
The farther they went, the quieter the halls became. The rooms also grew larger, and the facilities appeared increasingly specialized.
Eventually, Rio stopped in front of a massive set of double doors.
She pushed them open.
Cynthia stepped inside.
And froze.
The room was enormous.
It was far larger than any workshop she had ever been given access to.
Blacksmithing stations lined one side of the room. Crafting tables occupied another. Several enchanting stations stood beneath crystal lamps, their surfaces covered with intricate magical markings. Furnaces, anvils, workbenches, alchemy stations, material-processing equipment, weapon-maintenance tools, and armor-crafting stations filled the workshop.
Everything a professional crafter could possibly need was already there.
Cynthia slowly walked inside.
"...This is..."
Her voice failed her.
Rio smiled.
"This is your workshop."
Cynthia turned toward her.
"...Mine?"
"Yours."
Rio gestured toward the entire room.
"You'll be the one managing it."
Cynthia stared.
The workshop was beautiful.
Not merely functional.
The walls themselves had been decorated with elegant patterns carved directly into the stone. The craftsmanship of the room was impressive enough that Cynthia found herself instinctively examining the construction rather than simply admiring its appearance.
Along both sides of the workshop were enormous storage structures built directly into the walls.
Each one resembled a large magical cabinet, with crystal markings surrounding every compartment.
Cynthia approached one.
"What are these?"
"Guild storage units."
Rio walked over beside her.
"Each unit can hold around eight hundred items."
Cynthia's eyes widened.
"Eight hundred?"
Rio nodded.
"And there are twelve units on each side."
Cynthia slowly turned toward the walls.
There were dozens of them.
Her mind struggled to process the sheer amount of storage.
"That's..."
Ryota whistled.
"A lot."
Cynthia laughed nervously.
"That's an understatement."
Rio walked toward one of the storage units.
"But there's something more important about them."
Cynthia followed.
Rio placed her hand against the interface.
A system window appeared.
[Guild Storage System]
Rio continued explaining.
"These units aren't just storage."
Cynthia's curiosity immediately returned.
"They're connected to the guild's dungeon reward system."
"Oh?"
"When a guild completes a dungeon or raid, the system separates the rewards into two categories."
Rio raised one finger.
"Personal rewards."
Then another.
"And Guild Clear Rewards."
Cynthia nodded slowly.
Rio continued.
"Personal rewards belong to the individual players who earned them. Things like skill books, dungeon weapons, rare materials, special items, and a larger amount of copper."
Cynthia nodded.
"Those stay with the player."
"Exactly."
Rio then explained the second category.
"But Guild Clear Rewards are different."
"Everyone participating in the raid receives the standard clear rewards. Common materials, basic drops, and resources normally generated by the dungeon."
Ryota joined the explanation.
"So if ten people clear a dungeon, all ten get their own clear rewards."
Cynthia nodded.
"Right."
"But Crowned Era gets something extra," Rio said.
She pointed toward the storage units.
"The guild storage automatically receives its Guild Clear Reward."
Cynthia's eyes widened.
"So..."
She looked around the workshop.
"Every dungeon we clear contributes materials directly to this vault."
Rio nodded.
"Exactly."
Cynthia slowly looked at the storage units again.
They suddenly seemed completely different.
This wasn't merely a collection of storage cabinets.
It was the foundation of an enormous crafting operation.
Every dungeon Crowned Era cleared would contribute resources.
Every raid would increase the guild's material reserves.
Every future floor would expand the possibilities.
And Cynthia would be responsible for turning those resources into equipment.
Rio continued.
"The personal rewards have a higher chance of containing rare items. The Guild Clear Rewards aren't designed for that. They're mostly common materials."
Cynthia listened carefully.
"Things we can use for crafting, repairs, upgrades, and general guild operations."
Cynthia nodded slowly.
"So this is basically..."
She looked around the workshop.
"The guild vault."
Rio smiled.
"Exactly."
Cynthia stared at the storage units.
For the first time, she truly understood what Rio had given her.
Rio hadn't simply offered Cynthia a job.
She had given her access to an entire infrastructure.
Resources.
Equipment.
A dedicated workshop.
A massive storage system.
A guild that would continuously generate materials.
And, perhaps most importantly, the freedom to experiment.
Cynthia's chest tightened.
"...You really mean it."
Rio looked at her.
"What?"
"You really want me to work here."
Rio smiled.
"Of course."
Cynthia looked down.
Her hands slowly clenched at her sides.
She couldn't take this kindness for granted.
Not after everything that had happened.
Rio and Ryota had believed in her when everyone else had decided she wasn't worth the expense.
She had to prove they hadn't made a mistake.
She had to work harder than she ever had before.
Not because Rio demanded it.
Because Cynthia wanted to.
She wanted to make something worthy of this place.
Something worthy of the trust they had given her.
Cynthia took a deep breath.
There was still one thing bothering her.
"Rio."
Rio turned.
"Hm?"
Cynthia hesitated, her cheeks becoming slightly red.
"There is something I want to ask you."
Rio and Ryota exchanged a brief glance before turning their attention back to her.
"Go ahead," Rio said.
Cynthia nervously rubbed her fingers together.
"Is it possible..."
She paused.
"If it's okay..."
Rio waited patiently.
Cynthia took another breath.
"...Could I use some of the guild's materials to craft common weapons and armor for the market?"
Ryota blinked.
Rio tilted her head.
"For the market?"
Cynthia nodded quickly.
"Yes."
Ryota leaned forward slightly.
"What for?"
Cynthia looked embarrassed.
"Well..."
She lowered her eyes.
"I might not look like it..."
A nervous laugh escaped her.
"...but I'm still a student."
Rio's expression softened.
Cynthia continued.
"Evermount is one of the few ways I have to pay for my tuition and daily expenses."
She looked toward the crafting stations.
"I was wondering if I could use some of the guild's materials to craft basic weapons and armor."
"Then sell them through the market."
"I'd give most of the copper back to Crowned Era."
She quickly raised both hands.
"Maybe I'd only take ten percent of the total earnings."
"The other ninety percent would go to the guild."
Cynthia immediately added,
"But if you don't want me to, I won't."
She looked increasingly embarrassed as she continued.
"I already have so much because of everything you've given me. I know I'm asking for a lot. I don't want to be selfish."
Her voice became quieter.
"I don't want to use guild resources just to benefit myself."
She lowered her head.
"I'm already grateful that you let me join."
Her fingers tightened.
"So if you think it's too much..."
She bowed slightly.
"...I understand."
Rio stared at her.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Cynthia's heart began pounding.
Maybe she had asked for too much.
Maybe she had misunderstood Rio's kindness.
Maybe she had crossed a line by asking to use guild resources for her own income.
"I see."
Rio finally spoke.
Cynthia immediately looked up.
Rio's expression was unreadable.
"I'm sorry."
"I shouldn't have—"
Rio suddenly laughed.
"Silly."
Cynthia froze.
Rio smiled.
"You won't be able to earn anything decent with ten percent."
Cynthia blinked.
"...What?"
Rio folded her arms.
"Make it ninety-five percent for you."
Cynthia's eyes widened.
"And five percent for Crowned Era."
"Rio!"
Cynthia immediately waved both hands.
"No!"
"That's too low!"
Rio raised an eyebrow.
Cynthia continued hurriedly.
"The materials belong to the guild."
"You've already helped me enough."
"You gave me a workshop."
"You gave me a position."
"You gave me a place in the guild."
"Now you want to let me keep ninety-five percent?"
She shook her head firmly.
"That's too much."
"You should earn the majority."
Rio smiled.
Ryota immediately looked away.
He recognized that smile.
It was Rio's dangerous smile.
The one that meant the argument had already been decided.
He knew Cynthia had no chance.
Rio calmly explained,
"The market isn't a reliable source of income."
Cynthia quieted.
"Yes, weapons and armor are always in demand. But that demand changes."
Rio gestured toward the workshop.
"A player who buys beginner armor today may never buy another piece from you. They'll replace it when they reach a higher floor. Or they'll find better equipment. Or they'll learn to craft their own."
Cynthia listened carefully.
"Right now, basic weapons and armor would mostly be useful to players on Floors One and Two."
"What happens when those players reach Floor Three?"
Cynthia nodded slowly.
"They'll need stronger equipment."
"Exactly."
Rio continued.
"The market can make money, but it's not stable."
She looked directly at Cynthia.
"Crowned Era has other sources of income. We're currently stable."
Her voice softened.
"You need the money more than we do."
Cynthia's expression changed.
"But..."
She hesitated.
"I still don't want to take advantage of you."
Rio waited.
Cynthia struggled to explain the feeling that had been weighing on her.
"If everyone else is working hard, clearing dungeons, fighting monsters, taking risks..."
She shook her head.
"And I'm sitting here using their materials to make money for myself..."
Her expression tightened.
"That feels greedy."
She looked toward the floor.
"Selfish."
"Like I'm leeching off the guild."
Cynthia couldn't bring herself to look at Rio.
"I can't accept ninety-five percent."
Rio remained silent for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Fine."
Cynthia looked up.
Rio held up one finger.
"Seventy-five percent."
Cynthia blinked.
"Seventy-five?"
"Seventy-five percent of the profits go to you."
Rio raised another finger.
"Twenty-five percent goes to Crowned Era."
Her smile became firmer.
"That's my final offer."
Cynthia stared at her.
"And if you say no..."
Rio shrugged.
"...I won't let you use our guild materials."
Cynthia immediately understood.
There was no negotiation.
She looked toward Ryota.
"Ryota..."
He sighed before smiling.
"I have no issue with it."
Cynthia stared at him.
"In fact, I think it's a good ratio."
Ryota shrugged.
"You should probably stop trying to fight Rio on this."
He glanced toward Rio.
"She gets stubborn when she's helping someone."
Rio immediately looked at him.
"I'm not stubborn."
Ryota laughed.
"Sure."
Cynthia couldn't help smiling at their exchange.
She looked back at Rio.
"...Seventy-five and twenty-five."
Rio nodded.
"Seventy-five and twenty-five."
Cynthia sighed.
There was no winning against her.
"Alright."
She gave a small bow.
"Thank you."
A part of her still felt guilty.
The percentage was generous, far more generous than she had expected.
But Cynthia silently made a decision.
If Rio was willing to give her this much trust, then she would repay it with work.
She would experiment.
She would create.
She would learn.
She would improve.
And whenever Rio asked her to make something important, Cynthia would give it everything she had.
Rio smiled.
"Good."
She looked around the workshop.
"Then there's only one thing left."
Cynthia looked at her.
"What?"
"Start working."
Cynthia blinked.
"Already?"
Rio nodded.
"Use the workshop. Try the equipment. Check the storage system. Get familiar with everything."
Then her voice softened.
"You don't need to make anything important today. Just get used to the place."
Cynthia looked around again.
The enormous workshop.
The countless crafting stations.
The storage vaults.
The materials.
The equipment.
Her workshop.
Her new guild.
Her new home.
A smile slowly returned to her face.
This time, it wasn't uncertain.
It wasn't fragile.
It was genuine.
Cynthia walked toward the nearest crafting station, her eyes already beginning to wander across the tools and equipment arranged around it.
She paused before reaching the station.
Then she looked back at Rio and Ryota.
"Thank you."
Rio smiled.
"Welcome to Crowned Era, Cynthia."
Ryota raised a fist.
"Let's see what you can make."
Cynthia laughed softly.
For the first time since she had entered Evermount, she wasn't afraid of tomorrow.
She was looking forward to it.
And somewhere inside the enormous headquarters of Crowned Era, the guild had gained something far more valuable than another member.
It had gained a crafter who had finally been given the chance to prove what she could become.