MM - Chapter 223 - FUTURE FOUNDATIONS

The mountain air bit at Raine’s skin, crisp and unrelenting, yet failed to overcome his Resistance enough to cause actual discomfort. He closed out of his interface, heart pounding at the short series of notifications that had drawn his attention from their conversation.

[Regional System Announcement: Congratulations Astra Infernum for being the first Traveler guild to construct an official Guild Hall]

[World System Announcement: Congratulations Astra Infernum for being the first Traveler guild to construct an official Guild Hall]

[World first achievement for first Traveler guild to construct an official Guild Hall: Premium Barracks Summoning Ticket]

[Premium Barracks: This rare construction can house a maximum of 2,500 soldiers. Reduces the negative affliction recovery time of residents by 25%. Additionally grants a bonus 25% efficacy to command skills applied to residents]

Raine whistled appreciatively. Premium buildings were essentially a critical crafting success. They were exceedingly rare, and only the most wealthy guilds of the past had more than a handful, even after thirty years. His fists clenched as he surveyed the weary column of regulars stretching into the distance, wondering which would be strong enough to earn access to the building's incredible bonuses. A 25% increase in command skills effectiveness was nothing to scoff at. They were among the few percentage-based attribute buffs, making them amazing at any level.

With the completion of the guild hall came multiple tasks that required his immediate attention, none of which could be accomplished in the mountains. As much as he desired to watch the flickering sparks of potential in his people bloom into a raging inferno, it was time to go. Besides, overly coddling them would damage their path.

He turned to Celeste, voice steady amid the distant echoes of shuffling feet. “Crimson, lead them through the mountains. I’ll return before you exit the passes.”

Celeste’s gaze flicked to the horizon, where the path twisted between jagged peaks. She swallowed hard, the phantom of past failures darkening her thoughts. “Understood.”

Raine's hand dropped on her shoulder, offering what comfort he could. Their breaths were visible in the chill air; misted fog intermingling. “Take your time advancing. Get plenty of rest, and go out of your way to kill beasts. We’ll need levels and equipment to face what’s coming. Expect Damian’s people to pressure you into moving faster. They’ll want you off balance, scared, vulnerable. Don’t give them what they want.”

For the first time, Celeste didn’t pull away from his touch. Her fingers nervously drummed against her thigh as she slowly exhaled, vapor curling away from her lips. “I can handle that. We’ll farm every beast in sight if it means we’re ready.”

Pamalaiha shifted her weight, eyes narrowing as she scanned the surrounding slopes for hidden threats. “What about me?”

Raine released Celeste and met the ninja’s gaze. “The mountains are too easy for you, and the beast populations too thin. I’ll show you to a better leveling spot before leaving for Silverlight.”

Celeste tilted her head, brow furrowing in curiosity. “Is that why you're leaving, the achievement? What did you get? I only saw the announcement.”

Raine offered her a secretive smile as he shook his head lightly. “You’ll see soon enough. Focus on the path ahead.”

Celeste huffed, spinning on her heel to rejoin the front of the column. She waved a dismissive hand over her shoulder. “Fine. Be that way. I’ll take care of our people, so go have your fun without me!”

Raine watched her leap into the air toward the front of the column. She was gone in seconds, leaving behind a tiny void of affection nestled into his chest. A frown dominated his features as he realized how little he liked the idea of not taking her with him. He crooked a finger, prompting Pamalaiha to follow. She fell in behind him, footfalls silent, presence blending into the background. Upon their approach, Fizgore gave Raine a quizzical look. 

The dark-skinned man looked every inch a fashion model more likely to be found on the cover of a vodzine than a mountain path. “Do you have need of this humble one, brother?”

Raine smirked. “I do. Your particular talents will be perfect for what I have in mind. Meet me in the Crafter’s District in Silverlight. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Crafting… Me? Brother… please tell me you would not put Zhang’s hat on this one’s head?” Fizgore eyed the mountain pass ahead, clearly wishing to continue the outdoor adventure rather than brave the troubles of a hammer and anvil.

Raine chuckled, knowing well Fizgore’s aversion to building things with his hands. “Don’t worry; it’s not what you’re thinking.” 

The mischievous twinkle in his eyes convinced the large Defender, who nodded. “As you say, brother. This one will meet you soon.” Fizgore withdrew a Return Stone and left first.

They found Mel soon enough. Raine waited patiently while she finished healing a man's grotesquely twisted leg. "Follow." She surveyed the remaining injured, and realizing there were plenty of healers capable of doing her job, she nodded.

Raine scooped Pamalaiha into his arms without warning, the motion fluid and effortless. She didn’t resist or make a sound as he leaped from the ground, propelling them higher and higher. Mel was right behind. The air rushed past with a newfound sharpness, and Pamalaiha nestled against him, her silence a comfortable weight as they soared toward the nearest peak. Snow swirled around the three of them, wind howling like a looming beast.

He set her down gently on the frozen summit, the crunch of ice underfoot loud in their ears. Raine once more marveled at how good it felt to move. The last round of tempering had turned his body into a finely tuned instrument. Every minute movement and sense was amplified to heights he'd never experienced in the past. Just existing was intoxicating, a glimpse of the power grandmasters wielded without effort.

Pamalaiha steadied herself, Mel landing beside her. They gazed up at him, amber and ice-blue eyes reflecting the stark white landscape. The ninja's strong accent was amplified by the husky whisper in which it was delivered. “How do we proceed?”

Raine heard her double meanings loud and clear. Instead of giving her the answer she craved, he opened a trade and transferred two Lesser Gromglenn Skydrifters to each of them. “Give me access to your maps.”

He didn't miss the flick of Mel's finger that prompted Pamalaiha to lean toward him, closing the distance until their chests nearly touched. Her hand rose hesitantly, resting on his arm as she navigated her interface with the other. “Like this?”

He ignored the way her eyes shone beneath thick lashes, and the shared warmth seeping through the cold. "You have to share it first for me to see." Raine guided her through the steps without pulling away.

With deft movements, he marked several spots on her map, then Mel's, who was doing her best not to break into giggles. “Vandarkin, take the drifter to each of these mountains and climb the towers at their summits. They will each reveal more of your map and earn you an extra skill point, which you'll spend on Pierce. The valley you’ll be leveling in is somewhere around here.” He circled a small area tucked deep within the mountains at the edge of the central highlands.

Pamalaiha studied the map, her fingers tracing the circled region. She glanced up, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “You spoke of challenges? Will they truly be greater than last night? I have not been pushed so hard in years.”

[Should I thank him again for agreeing to my new contract? For the rest of my life, I am beholden to none but this man before me.] Just from the light touch of her fingers on his strong arm, Pamalaiha’s heart felt as though it would beat itself out of her chest at any moment. [Am I doing this right? Should I back away first? Mel… help!]

Mel was oblivious to the doctor’s internal struggles and bone-deep nervousness. She smiled approvingly, nodding with overbearing enthusiasm shining in her eyes.

Rain didn’t answer Pamalaiha’s questions right away, voice dropping to emphasize the danger. “You’ll know you’re in the right place when the nearest peaks are carved in the shape of faces. Land at the edge and slowly work your way deeper. The enemies range from 10 at the outskirts to 25 at the center. They’ll be perfect to push you to level 15.”

Hopefully, she doesn’t die too many times before realizing how dangerous that place is. 

Raine’s concerned gaze and thoughts broadened her smile. “Thank you for worrying about me. I will not disappoint you.”

“I know you won't. Here.” He traded her three complete sets of gear that would allow her to keep up with the rapidly increasing dangers of the valley.

Turning to Mel, he activated a Return Stone, the countdown beginning as his eyes roamed over her. "You're on scouting duty. Stay alert. Range through this entire area and update your map with the exact location of every pass." He highlighted a massive section of the mountains, voice serious. "We need to know every detail of the terrain. Keep Celeste updated on any ambushes you spot. Use the clouds to stay out of sight."

Just before vanishing, he bent low, lifting Mel's chin into a tender kiss. Then, he was gone, leaving them to the howling winds.

Mel groaned at the sudden loss of his warmth. Pamalaiha matched her melancholy, sighing into the empty air. “As you command, my one and only Master.”

"Yeah, what she said."

As Raine flew across the sky in a flash of light, his thoughts as well turned to the moment he accepted Pamalaiha’s contract. The tension in her shoulders bled away the second I signed. Why? Why is she so confident in being bound to me for life? Her contract is even more restricting than Mel’s… How did I earn her trust so easily? Not complaining, just wish I knew how it happened.

He found no answers in the short seconds his flight took.

- Silverlight City -

Dazzling lights formed into the sweeping spires and tall, white plaster buildings of the Silvergate capital. Bustling streets unfolded before Raine, the rising sun casting delicate shadows across vendors hawking wares to passing crowds. People thronged everywhere, mostly Vaaterrans, their voices a cacophony of haggling and laughter. Raine moved swiftly through the press, enhanced senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the air, always questing for danger.

He reached the Crafters' Hall and immediately spotted Fizgore amid a desperate throng loitering on the central stairs. The big man scratched his clean-shaven neck, observing the impoverished crafters shouting pleas for investment. Their eyes were hollow from facing a future that felt beyond bleak. The expansion had shattered their progress even more thoroughly than the beast farmers slain by every Vaaterran with a blade.

Fizgore noticed him and broke into a wide grin. He clapped Raine on the shoulder. “Brother, you move like the wind itself.”

Raine returned the greeting. “Thanks for waiting. So, what do you think?”

Fizgore pursed his lips. “I think a tiger does not leave its stripes behind lightly.”

Catching his meaning, Raine snorted. “Not you. Them.” He swept an arm wide, encompassing the crafters. The recipes they had begun to master only a day ago were now nigh-impossible to complete. After repeated failures, they had exhausted their materials and the funds to purchase more. Hence, the shouting and pleading for anyone willing to bankroll their efforts. 

Even unlocking a crafting class was an expensive challenge, leaving them with little in the way of fallback funds. Adding pressure was the exchange store and its ability to provide someone with a life of comfort for just a few gold was slipping further away with each failure. They were destitute, unable to complete anywhere near enough products to break even. And the final blow: raising prices for their previously unsold successes was unfeasible due to an influx of Vaaterran goods flooding the market.

Fizgore’s gaze followed the gesture. He nodded slowly. “They are like birds pecking at seeds while the hawk circles.”

Raine’s grin was predatory, matching his friend’s intent. Fizgore was spot on. Right now, when these crafters were at their most desperate, was the perfect chance to strike.

He hooked an arm in Fizgore's, leading them up the wide stairs to the hall's entrance. “Exactly. I need your charm, brother. The update hit these crafters hard. They're broke and unwilling to hunt for materials by hand after getting a taste of success. But it just so happens that I am in dire need of their services. Scribes, Engineers, Armor, Weapon, and Metal Smiths; Alchemists, Builders, Tailors, Tanners, Woodworkers, Cooks, Masons, Gemcutters; I need them all. Astra needs them all.”

Fizgore shook his head sadly. “Why explain to me? How am I to convince these people when I do not understand them? I'm no crafter—more hammer than chisel.”

Raine paused at the hall's arched doors. “Because you're the most likable person I know. Tell them we can provide jobs for anyone willing to work hard. Don't oversell; say success rates might be low, but I require them regardless. Gather ten of each profession if possible; double up on engineers and scribes. Then, lead them to the guild hall.”

Fizgore grinned at the compliment, bowing dramatically. “Well, I might not agree that I’m the most suitable for the job, but even a blunt axe fells the tree with enough swings—I'll round them up.”

Raine left Fizgore with a pouch of gold heavy enough to sway the skeptical, then hoofed it the ten blocks to his freshly completed guild hall. Just before arriving, his path crossed the auction house. Regret twisted in his gut. Both charges of the priceless earrings he’d been given by Mrs. Stonewhall had been spent saving Princess Selena. He owed the auction house's master a debt, one that had the potential to unravel many of his plans if the man came calling at the wrong time.

The sight of his guild hall instantly doused any lingering concern. The structure was magnificent, a proud edifice of white marble veined with silver. No fancy towers adorned it, but its sturdy form commanded the respect of the many eyes who stopped to stare. Each sweeping curve of its three domed roofs caught the morning light like glistening crowns, clearly shaped by masterful hands. Arched windows glowed with inner warmth, and the entrance bore Astra's emblem—a star encircled by a gate of blazing flames. 

Behind it, a block away, the city’s colosseum loomed—a fifteen-story behemoth of stone tiers and arches, distant roars echoing from within.

Raine paused at the gated entrance, the crowd murmuring that the guards weren’t stopping him like they'd done to everyone else. He barely heard them. His chest swelled with emotion.

He'd risen from a bound slave with no future, to leaving a mark etched into the very foundation of the Silvergate Kingdom. And the journey had only just begun. He walked through the gates, feeling like he was stepping into a whole new future.

Garrick, the burly Vaaterran responsible for the beautiful building, peeled away from a group of engineers. He bowed deeply, gesturing widely. “Lord Alaric, the primary construction is complete. Only a few minor touches remain. Feel free to move your people in at any time. I hope you will grant me the honor of guiding you through your new residence.”

“Master Builder, it would be my honor.” Raine followed, his steps echoing on polished floors. 

The tour began in the grand foyer, vaulted ceilings painted with murals of proud Silvergate knights clashing against demons and celestials. Garrick led him down the first wing’s hallway into a barracks fit for hundreds—sleeping quarters aplenty, training halls with padded floors, and a vast dining area scented with fresh wood. The west wing housed areas for commerce, administration, and a massive board for visiting Vaaterrans to post quests. Upstairs, officers' quarters overlooked a rear garden, and the top floor held Raine's suite—a sprawling space with panoramic views and a private study lined with empty bookshelves.

Through the window, Garrick pointed out the warehouse, an almost forgettable structure hidden behind the main building. Raine nodded; the solidly built, squat structure grounded his ambitions further. He sat at the study’s table, motioning Garrick to join. “Impressive work, Master Builder. But we’re only getting started. Next, I’d like a smithy, beast stables, and three empty foundations, configurable for summoning relics.”

Garrick's eyes widened, but he recovered with a nod. “Summoning? That’s quite rare. As you wish. What’s yer timeline ‘n budget?”

Raine dropped a sack of gold that shook the table with its girth. “Swift as possible. For the smithy and stables, standard grade is fine. As for the summoning foundations, standard will suffice for the first, but the last two, I won’t accept anything below the crown standard.” Garrick sputtered at the outrageous demand, but Raine pressed on, voice firm. “Three hundred thousand gold, in advance. The remainder will depend on how many attempts it takes to finish the foundations.”

Garrick scooped up the sack with a slow nod, weighing it in his hands. He stood, bowing. “I can’t make any promises on the timeline of those foundations. As you must know, the crown standard is more a matter of luck than skill. However, if the funds continue to flow, then eventually, it'll be done, my lord.”

Raine clapped him on the back, the impact making Garrick stumble forward—a not-so-subtle reminder that taking advantage of his ‘infinite’ funds would be a perilous mistake. “That’s what I wanted to hear. Prioritize the standard foundation first. End of the day, if possible.”

Garrick's lips tightened in a groan but he nodded. They stepped outside so Raine could point out where he wanted each foundation situated. Shortly after the builder departed for additional materials, Fizgore arrived with just over a hundred destitute crafters. Raine greeted them in the foyer, arms spread in a warm greeting. “Welcome to Astra Infernum’s guild hall! The very first Traveler-made hall in all of ZionLine.”

The intake of breaths was loud in the enclosed space. Fizgore’s eyes gleamed, roving appreciatively over every pristinely carved surface. Until that moment, many of the gathered souls had not realized it was possible to make such a grand impact on Vaateaire. A whole new world was opening before them, and ambitions blazed through once-hollow eyes.

Knowing the looks well, Raine stepped forward, pitching his voice to an irresistible draw. “Astra is hiring, and to those of you willing to join, I can promise that your days of suffering are a thing of the past. I myself am an Adept Engineer, already a third of the way to Master.”

Another round of gasps rippled through the crowd, skepticism mingling with avarice. A builder’s gruff voice carried through the vaulted space. “That’s not possible! I knew this had to be a scam!”

Raine held up a hand, his tone measured. “Think what you will. And of course, I can back up my claims with proof. I happen to have discovered the secret to raising Mastery quickly and efficiently. My technique works across every profession, and I’m willing to share it with all of you. For the price of a contract, you’ll gain infinite resources, the tricks of success, a stable income, and guaranteed advancement based on performance.”

Raine's words wove a vision of prosperity. “Imagine crafting without concern for where the next set of materials will come from, or if you’ll even be able to afford them. Endless resources turning failures into stepping stones and not destitution. Join Astra, and the future’s uncertainty will be a thing of the past. You’ve toiled in isolation, and found that path a dead end. You can be so much more. Your hammers can forge an empire, and your pens can script legends."

Murmurs spread, faces lighting with cautious interest, tapered by wariness. Each of them was waiting for the ‘but’ that hung heavy in the air. They could feel it ready to fall on them like a mountain, crushing what sounded too good to be true. The room soon fell silent, the crafters exchanging uneasy glances. 

Raine stood firm, hands behind his back as his gaze swept over them. “But… this is no charity; it is opportunity. Once you are shown the secrets of success, if you continue to fail, you will be cast aside. Additionally, each of those who join will sign a binding contract, and betrayal will be met with permanent exile from ZionLine.”

“What?”

“You’ve lost your damn mind, boy!”

“Waste of bloody time!”

Ninety percent of the crafters turned away, shouting curses as they filed out. Raine watched them go, his expression unchanging. He nodded to Fizgore, who sighed deeply. “As expected, brother. Shall I begin anew?”

Raine patted his shoulder, eyes dancing over the few who stayed. “Yes. Those willing to take a leap of faith and reap the rewards are the exception, not the rule.”

Fizgore dipped his chin. “It is as you say. A river does not carve the mountain in a day.”

As Fizgore departed, Raine bid the remaining crafters to follow. Together, they filed to the top-floor study where he pulled one document after another from his inventory, spreading them across the table. The crafters gasped upon realizing they were looking at original blueprints. 

They moved to crowd forward, needing to see for themselves, but he stood in their path, a sly grin dominating his features. “So, who’s ready to sign?”