Chapter 8 – A Guild of Their Own

The moment Arsonalt, Alec, and Roy stepped into Haven's Crest, the 20th-floor town, they could immediately sense the difference in atmosphere. Unlike the lower floors, where towns felt more like temporary shelters, this one was vibrant with life. Guild banners fluttered in the breeze, and the hum of conversation and commerce filled the air. Players moved through the streets, either rushing to complete quests or looking to recruit new members for their guilds.

As they walked through the bustling market square, the sound of advertisements echoed from all directions. Guilds were actively looking for skilled players to join their ranks. It was overwhelming to Arsonalt—so many guilds, yet none that felt trustworthy.

"Crimson Fangs need strong warriors! Join us for dungeon runs!"

"The Iron Wolves are recruiting! Only those with real battle experience need apply!"

"Join the Silver Arrow Guild! We offer exclusive quests and resources!"

Arsonalt ignored the shouts, his thoughts already turning inward. Alec, always vigilant, glanced around, but even his normally sharp eyes couldn't see a guild that felt right.

"I've been here before..." Arsonalt muttered. "The 20th floor. I joined a guild once, when I was still… figuring things out."

Alec tilted his head, curious. "A guild? What happened?"

Arsonalt frowned. "I was new. Thought joining one would make things easier. At first, it felt like home. They welcomed me, treated me like part of their team. But… it didn't take long to realize that they only wanted me around to carry their weight. They used me for my skills, then kicked me out when I wasn't useful anymore."

Alec's expression softened. "That sounds… rough."

"Yeah." Arsonalt's voice was distant for a moment, the memory lingering in his mind. "I fought for them, climbed through dungeons and boss fights until I made it to the 50th floor. But after all that, they tossed me aside like a tool when the next best thing came along."

Roy meowed, nuzzling Arsonalt's leg. Alec, ever perceptive, didn't press further. Instead, he gave Arsonalt a brief nod of understanding.

"That's why I can't trust any of them." Arsonalt continued. "No more guilds. This time, I'm doing things my way. We create a guild our own, from the ground up. One that values its members, where no one gets used."

Alec's lips curled into a small smile. "I like the sound of that."

A New Dream – The Path Forward

As they moved through Haven's Crest, the idea of creating their own guild seemed more and more feasible. But there were still obstacles.

To officially start a guild, they would need two critical things:

A Guild Token—this rare item could only be obtained by completing difficult quests or boss fights.Three recognized accomplishments—at least three major feats that would prove their worth.

"We can do this," Arsonalt said, his resolve hardening. "We'll earn the Token and the accomplishments."

Alec nodded, "The sooner we start, the better. But we need to be smart. No reckless moves."

Their first step was to take on some quests. They found one in the Adventurer Hall, a monster-hunting mission to deal with a group of orcs terrorizing nearby villages. It was a straightforward task—hunt, eliminate, collect the bounty.

As they prepared, they noticed a lone player, an archer, sharpening her arrows on a bench nearby. She had short-cropped blonde hair and a focused look in her piercing blue eyes. She was quiet but exuded a certain confidence.

The Orc Hunt – Teamwork in Action

The three of them ventured out toward the forest outskirts where the orcs were reported to be hiding. As they arrived, the smell of sweat and blood hung thick in the air. Arsonalt drew his daggers, and Alec readied his staff. Roy, as always, remained alert, his tail flicking nervously.

They found the orcs—a band of seven, wielding crude but powerful weapons. They were spread out, some sitting by a campfire while others kept watch.

Arsonalt crouched behind a bush, gesturing for Alec to prepare his shadow magic. He needed Alec's ability to keep them hidden while he closed the distance.

The plan was simple: Arsonalt would take the front, using his agility to move quickly and silently. Alec would create a distraction with his magic, while Roy would offer support by cursing the orcs' weapons, weakening them.

Before they could move, the archer—the same girl from earlier—stepped forward without hesitation, not bothering to consult them first. She nocked an arrow and aimed.

The first orc collapsed before anyone could react, an arrow through its skull. The others turned, enraged, but Emma's second arrow found its mark, cutting down another orc mid-swing.

Arsonalt smirked. "I guess we've got ourselves some backup."

Alec laughed. "She's good."

Together, they took down the remaining orcs with swift precision. Arsonalt struck with his daggers, Alec unleashed his shadow attacks, and Roy played his part by keeping the orcs' weapons cursed. Emma's perfect shots kept their enemies distracted and vulnerable.

Once the last orc fell, the group stood over the battlefield, breathing heavily but victorious.

"You're not bad," Emma said, nodding toward Arsonalt and Alec. "I've never seen anyone move like that."

Arsonalt wiped his blades clean and grinned. "Thanks. You're not bad yourself."

"I'll admit," Emma said, a slight smirk playing at the corner of her lips, "I've seen a lot of players around here, but none seem like they know what they're doing. I think I'll stick around with you guys."

Arsonalt raised an eyebrow. "Stick around? For what?"

Emma grinned. "I want to join your party. I've seen enough to know you'll be better than anything here."

Alec nodded approvingly. "We can always use someone with your skill."

Arsonalt chuckled. "Alright, it's settled then. Once we've got everything together, you'll be our first official recruit to our guild."

Emma raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Are you making a new guild?"

Arsonalt nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, that's the plan. We've got some ground to cover, but we'll get there."

Emma's face lit up, her confidence shining through. "Then I can't wait to join you guys." She gave a small laugh. "Honestly, most guilds out here feel like they're more about power and resources than anything else. But you? You seem like you're building something real. Something worth fighting for."

Arsonalt paused, his thoughts briefly drifting back to his past. His fingers brushed the hilt of his daggers, a reminder of everything he'd been through. "I won't make the same mistakes. This time, it's about the people we trust, not just the rewards. Everyone matters in this guild."

Emma gave him a sharp nod. "That's what I want. A place where I can grow, where I'm not just a number.

Her words rang true, and for the first time in a long while, Arsonalt felt like they might just make it—together.

The Road to a New Guild

With Emma now on their side, the trio felt more complete. They set off toward their next mission, determined to gather the resources needed for their guild. Arsonalt thought about his past, about how he'd once been abandoned by a guild that had only used him. But now, he was in control. He would build something strong, a family of players who could trust each other—something they'd never had in his first guild.

As they made their way through the tower, facing new dangers and completing quests, Arsonalt couldn't help but feel hopeful.

The climb was far from over, but this time, he wouldn't climb it alone.