Rivalry

[Two Months Later]

The rumble of Jerry's car echoed down the winding road as he drove through the countryside, the faint silhouette of the newly restored guild coming into view on the horizon. In the passenger seat, Caleb leaned forward, practically buzzing with excitement.

"Man I am so excited, I hope Leo did a great job," Caleb asked, his voice filled with eager anticipation.

Jerry smirked, his hands steady on the wheel. "Knowing Leo? He's probably gone overboard. You'll see soon enough."

The car slowed as they neared a small town where Mia waited outside a quiet café. She leaned against the doorframe, her bow slung over her shoulder and her gear packed neatly at her feet. She glanced up as the car pulled to a stop, her expression neutral as always.

"About time ha…" she said, sliding into the back seat.

Jerry raised an eyebrow at her in the rearview mirror. "Don't act like you weren't counting down the minutes."

Mia rolled her eyes but didn't respond. Instead, she focused her gaze out the window as the car continued its journey, the quiet hum of the engine filling the silence.

When the guild finally came into view, all three of them fell silent.

The once-crumbling structure that had barely stood on its foundation two months ago now rose proudly against the horizon. The walls gleamed with polished stone, reinforced with dark wooden beams that added a sturdy yet elegant touch. Large arched windows dotted the upper floors, reflecting the late afternoon sunlight, while a grand set of double doors stood at the entrance, flanked by neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowers. Above the doors hung a massive banner bearing the guild's emblem: a sword crossed with a quill, symbolizing strength and strategy united.

"Whoa!"

Caleb whispered, his eyes wide as they pulled into the cobblestone driveway.

Jerry let out a low whistle. "He did it."

Even Mia, usually so composed, looked momentarily impressed. Her gaze hooked on the intricate details—the carvings on the wooden beams, the golden accents along the windows, the sheer scale of the transformation.

The three of them climbed out of the car, taking a moment to absorb the sight before making their way up the stone path to the entrance. Jerry pushed open the heavy double doors, and they stepped inside, their footsteps echoing in the vast, open space.

The interior was even more stunning than the exterior. The main hall stretched before them, its floors gleaming with polished wood. High above, a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystal facets casting a warm, golden glow. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting heroic battles, mythical creatures, and historic victories, each one a masterpiece in its own right.

To the right, a large lounge area was furnished with plush chairs and couches, arranged around a roaring stone fireplace. The mantle above the fireplace was adorned with artifacts—an intricately designed shield, a pair of daggers with glowing blades, and a small golden trophy that Caleb immediately recognized from one of their early victories.

To the left, a bar area stretched along the wall, its polished counter lined with stools. Shelves behind the bar were stocked with an impressive collection of drinks, from aged wines to sparkling potions.

"Okay, this is overkill" Caleb muttered, spinning slowly as he tried to take it all in.

Mia's eyes swept over the space, her expression unreadable. "It's... functional," she said finally, though her tone betrayed a hint of approval.

Jerry grinned. "Functional? This place is luxury."

They continued exploring, moving through the guild's various rooms and halls. The training area had been completely overhauled, now featuring reinforced walls, practice dummies of various shapes and sizes, and a set of weapon racks that gleamed with freshly forged swords, spears, and shields. Beyond that, the armory was stocked to the brim with gear, meticulously organized by type and rarity.

Upstairs, the private rooms had been transformed into cozy yet practical living spaces. Each room bore a nameplate etched in gold, ensuring everyone had their personalized retreat.

The meeting hall was the final stop on their tour. A long, rectangular table dominated the space, surrounded by high-backed chairs upholstered in rich leather. A detailed map of the surrounding region was spread across the table, with markers indicating key locations and potential gate sites.

As they returned to the main hall, a familiar figure stepped out from the bar area, wiping his hands on a towel.

Leo greeted them with his usual calm demeanor, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "So!" he said, spreading his arms wide "What do you all think?"

Caleb shook his head, still in awe. "This... doesn't even feel like the same place."

Jerry clapped Leo on the shoulder. "I've got to hand it to you, man. You went all out."

Mia crossed her arms, giving him a measured look. "You've done well" she admitted, her voice softer than usual.

'You all should thank my uncle, who gave me all his hidden cash' Leo imagined back the scene when his uncle revealed his family was rich

"How about we celebrate the opening with our first gate raid?" Leo suggested with a grin, his voice light but filled with excitement.

The group had gathered outside the guild hall, all their gear in place, ready for whatever lay beyond the gate, they sat in the car and moved to the location.

There was an energy in the air, like the anticipation of a new beginning. With Leo leading the way, they made their way toward the gate, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the faint hum of the portal's power.

As they approached, the atmosphere seemed to change, heavy with the weight of possibility. A group of adventurers stood nearby, exchanging quiet words, their eyes flicking toward Leo's group with curiosity.

Jerry, walking a bit ahead of the group, suddenly froze. His gaze locked on someone in the distance, and his expression darkened. "No way..." he muttered under his breath.

Leo followed Jerry's stare and saw a tall man standing off to the side, his posture cocky and confident. He wore the unmistakable colors of The Iron Claws guild. Jerry's change in mood didn't go unnoticed, and it didn't take Leo long to piece things together.

"You okay, Jerry?" Caleb asked, his voice laced with concern.

Jerry's fists clenched at his sides, and his jaw tightened. "That's Zane. The guy who beat me in high school, back when we were always competing. I've never gotten a chance to show him who's better."

Before Leo could respond, Zane spotted Jerry and swaggered over with a grin. "Well, well, look who it is. Noticing your reaction you're still holding onto that loss, huh? I thought you'd moved on by now."

Jerry's face flushed red, his body stiffening as he stepped forward, anger flashing in his eyes. "I've been waiting for this moment, Zane. Let's settle it once and for all."

Caleb quickly stepped between them, hands raised in a calming gesture. "Jerry, please, not now. We're here for the raid, not to hash out old grudges. Let it go."

But Jerry wasn't listening. His eyes still locked on Zane's, the fire of unresolved resentment burning hot. "I've had enough of him this fucker running his mouth!"

Before things could escalate further, a new voice cut through the tension.

"Is there a problem here?" The voice was low, calm, and carried an authority that immediately shifted the mood. The guild leader of The Iron Claws had stepped forward, his cold, calculating eyes scanning the situation.

Zane glanced up at his leader, then back at Jerry, his expression shifting from smug to cautious. The leader of The Iron Claws was tall and imposing, his dark blue cloak sweeping behind him. He exuded the confidence of someone who didn't need to prove himself, his gaze was sharp but not hostile.

Leo's eyes moved between Jerry, Zane, and the Iron Claws leader, sensing the rising tension. He stepped forward, hoping to defuse the situation. "Let's focus on the raid, okay? There's no need for this. We're all here for the same thing."

The leader of The Iron Claws gave Jerry a long, assessing look before nodding toward Zane. "Take your team and go to the gate. This doesn't concern us."

Zane scowled but didn't say anything more. He turned without another word, his guildmates following behind him in silence. The leader of The Iron Claws shot one last glance at Jerry before following his guild out of the area.

The tension in the air lingered for a moment, but Caleb's steadying presence seemed to help Jerry regain some composure.

"You good?" Leo asked, his voice softer now.

Jerry took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... that guy gets under my skin. Always..."

Leo nodded, understanding "It's all about timings. Let's make sure the raid is the only thing that matters today."

With that, the group shifted their focus back to the gate.