The Guilds and the Strategic Choice

Leaving the workshop, Yanaki stood at a bustling intersection. From here, she could see the two opposing structures that dominated Aethelgard's skyline. On one side, the soaring tower of the Gear Guild, a masterpiece of precision and order. On the other, the colossal factory complex of the Steam Guild, its smokestacks constantly spewing white steam, a symbol of relentless industrial power.

Both places likely held information about the [Ancient Energy Cores]. But which should she visit first?

"Elara, can you find out more about these two guilds?" Yanaki asked.

The Spirit of Memory closed her eyes. With her ability, she could sift through the flows of information, the public conversations, the rumors of the city without being detected. A moment later, she opened her eyes and summarized.

"The Gear Guild are perfectionists," Elara said. "They worship precision, sustainable technology, and ancient knowledge. They are very conservative and distrust outsiders. Their Brass Library is said to hold the most valuable schematics, but it's protected with extreme prejudice."

"The Steam Guild, on the other hand, is the opposite," she continued. "They believe in raw power, explosive innovation, and constantly experimenting with new things. Their technology is very powerful, but often unstable and dangerous. However, they are much more open to outsiders, as long as that person can prove their worth or bring them some benefit."

Yanaki analyzed the information. The Brass Library of the Gear Guild was the most likely place to contain the information she needed, but as a newcomer, gaining entry would be nearly impossible. In contrast, the Steam Guild, though seemingly more chaotic, presented an opportunity. They valued worth and benefit—that was something she could demonstrate.

"We'll go to the Great Workshop of the Steam Guild," she decided. It was the path with a higher probability of success at her current stage.

They traveled to the industrial sector of the city. The atmosphere here was completely different, loud and bustling. The sound of hammers striking metal, machines screeching, and steam hissing was everywhere. The Great Workshop was a massive factory complex, and its main entrance was a giant hangar door where players and automatons were constantly coming and going.

As they approached, a player in heavy-duty mechanical armor, with a crest of a piston and a steam cloud on his chest, stopped them.

"Halt!" he said, his voice gruff. "The Great Workshop is no place for tourists. State your business."

Yanaki calmly stepped forward. "I am a crafter. I heard the Steam Guild always welcomes those with skill." She took out the [Upgraded Power Mace] she had just made for Volt.

The guard took it and examined it. He didn't seem overly impressed. "E-Rank. Not bad for a newcomer. But we have dozens of crafters like you here."

He pointed a thumb towards a small, four-legged, smoking machine that had been abandoned in a corner of the yard. "See that 'Steam Flea' over there? Its pressure regulation circuit is busted. If you can fix it in 10 minutes, I'll let you see the foreman."

An impromptu test.

Yanaki didn't flinch. "Deal."

She walked over to the broken machine. [Appraisal]! The system quickly analyzed and pointed out the faulty components. With her newly purchased tool kit, Yanaki got to work. Her fingers moved with speed and precision, dismantling old pipes, replacing faulty valves, and soldering broken circuits. Volt stood beside her, occasionally letting out a soft "beep," as if offering a technical suggestion that only Yanaki could understand through their link.

She finished the job with only a minute left on the clock. She hit the ignition button.

Hiss... hiss... RUMBLE!

The Steam Flea shuddered, then its engine started to run, letting out a steady stream of steam. It was perfectly repaired.

The guard's eyes widened in astonishment. He had seen many newcomers try and fail. Repairing a complex pressure regulation circuit in such a short time required a very high level of understanding and skill.

He looked at Yanaki with an entirely new expression. His gruffness vanished, replaced by a look of respect.

"Alright, kid. You've proven yourself." He waved her on. "Follow me. The foreman will want to talk to you."

Yanaki smiled. The first door to infiltrating one of Aethelgard's greatest powers had been opened, not with force, but with her own talent and intelligence.