Construction Mage - Chapter 59: Start

AN: Cleaned up a bit of the earlier chapters to clarify that Clay only told them vague ideas about the guild, and only revealed the details in the last two chapters here. Thank you for letting me know, and feel free to message me if any of you spot anything else unclear.

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Having finally told his companions all the details of his plans and struggles, Clay felt like a rock had been lifted off his chest. He adjusted his posture as he let his silent audience ruminate on their thoughts.

“You know, this idea isn’t half bad, but I think you know where the problem lies,” Sylphira said as she shook the freshly rinsed bowl to fling off the water. “As you have heard, there are some real nasty characters among some of the more eccentric Delvers. They won’t just submit to some guild just because it is backed by the local lord.”

“Yes, which is why I’m stuck where I am,” Clay replied with a wry smile. “Without the prince’s name, it only gets worse.”

“Yes, that’s all true, but the problem isn’t actually as big as you think.”

The dark-haired mage flashed a mischievous grin. The three men around her waited in anticipation for her to continue, only to be met with silence.

“What? Just say it already,” Clay urged.

Sylphira maintained her grin and said nothing.

“Not this again,” Dorgan said in a low huff. “She does this occasionally when she thinks she’s smarter than she really is. Won’t say a thing, waiting for us to take a guess at what she has in mind.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” Clay replied with a frown. “It’s because I want ideas on how to proceed that I’m consulting you two.”

“Well, for the moment, let me give it a try, then,” the oldest man in the group suggested. “Hmm, if you want people to comply with stuffy rules, you’ll need a reason for them to do so. The whip is off the table, so that leaves rewards. What most Delvers want are better equipment and skills. You won’t be able to get that without being a top Delver yourself, so that leaves you with—um, finding recipes and having the skill to craft powerful gear. What do you think, Ms. Know-it-all Noble?”

Sylphira’s expression didn’t even shift a single centimeter, as her attention remained on Clay.

“Well, can’t say I didn’t try,” Dorgan shrugged before turning to Malik. “Lad, why don’t you give it a go?”

“Umm, what? I don’t anyth—” 

“You’ve worked in the enclosure for some time, right? You may have a perspective we old-timers don’t.”

“Umm, then maybe Madam Sylphira is thinking about—using trade as leverage? The prices around the market vary from stall to stall, so Sir Clay’s plan to standardize the prices can be used to convince others to join. Maybe limiting these discounted prices to only members of the guild?”

Again, no response. Every gaze then settled on the last person.

“Fine, I’ll take a shot at it,” Clay grumbled. “You think it isn’t that big of a problem because I have you guys? You may not be the prince, but having some veteran Delvers’ endorsement can go a long way. It will only get so far, though.”

As soon as he was done, Sylphira slow-clapped before taking a swig from her water bag.

“Not bad. None of you are entirely off the mark, which is surprising,” she said as she looked over to Dorgan. “Clay, your initial plan sounds detailed enough and covers all the bases. However, I think you’re all blinded by instant success. The guild is like a business, something you can grow. No one said you need to instantly start off with the highest level of prestige. That can be earned slowly. Why don’t you implement exactly what you had outlined, but on a smaller scale? We can be among the guild’s first members, and you can slowly recruit those who want to join. In time, others will follow suit if it really turns out to be as beneficial as you say.”

“That—”

Clay was at a loss for words. What Sylphira said resonated with him. So far, his image of an Adventurers’ Guild had been tainted by what he had seen from various forms of media. In most of these instances, the main character or player arrives in a world with a well-established guild system already, so his image of the guild always consisted of a huge organization. He blindly thought all Delvers would have to be part of it from day one, and only outcasts wouldn’t join. 

He was wrong. It should be the other way around. 

“You’re right,” he finally admitted, letting out a sigh that vented his frustration at his own short-sighted tunnel vision.

It’s okay for it not to be exactly as I imagined. At least, in the beginning. The Adventurers’ Guild in my mind is a goal to work towards, not the initial step.

Grasping this new perspective, Clay couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“You’re so right,” he repeated once his laughing died down. “I should start small and create a track record first before worrying about getting all the Delvers in town. With that in mind, I would like to formally invite the three of you to become members of the guild. What do you say?”

“Why not?” Dorgan answered without skipping a beat. “As long as it really makes it easier for us while increasing our earnings, only a fool would say no!”

“What the big oaf said,” Sylphira added. “Don’t think this is just a favor to you as a friend. I really do hope this can benefit me as well, so you’d better deliver on what you promised.”

With that, the three of them turned to the only one who had yet to speak.

“Umm.” Malik nervously fidgeted around upon being stared at by three looming figures. “Yes? I don’t have a reason to say no. I’ll stick with you, sir, as long as you’ll have me.”

“Yes, of course. Until you can find a suitable party to join, you can stick around with me for now. In fact, that may be one of my first major milestones. Growing the guild large enough that you’ll be able to find a suitable party with other beginners!” Clay exclaimed.

“There’s no need to set your sights on only beginners,” Sylphira chimed in. “Lots of Delvers currently change parties depending on their goals. Only the true veterans, who were on the front lines during The Descent, remain stubborn, staying in the same party all the time.”

“Of course!” Dorgan nodded in agreement. “Bonds forged through blood and fire during the hour of need cannot be severed so easily. There’s no need to make a fuss about party composition for each floor. Trustworthy comrades are all you need! Cheers to this Adventurer’s Guild, then?”

“Cheers!” the group of four raised their waterskins in unison.

The atmosphere relaxed after that, with the group of friends exchanging banter as they moved on to less stressful topics.

By the time they restarted their journey, they happened to come across the beautiful white gazebo within an hour. The pure white structure stood in stark contrast to its surroundings, but it was undeniable that it was a reassuring sight for any sane Delver.

“We should take a break here as well before moving on to the first layer,” the experienced female mage proposed.

“A break?” Malik asked. “Aren’t we at the exit?”

“No. We can only enter directly onto the second layer. Exiting is another matter. In most dungeons, only special altars found on every third layer allow you to skip floors, up to where the next major altar is. The one on the surface is one such special altar.”

Her words caused Clay to do a double-take on the altar before him. He had thought the ones inside the dungeon were meant to be a miniature version of the one outside, since there were so many of them. It had fewer details, and the altar was simplified, with fewer runes decorating it. It was the first he had heard of the difference the altar could make. Nevertheless, it was safe to say his curiosity was piqued.

“So does that mean you can only skip to the third layer at best? You can’t go directly to the fourth or sixth?” he asked.

Sylphira gestured for the group to take a seat first before replying.

“Yes. The larger altar on the surface can only connect to the first, second, or third layer directly. Then, if we get to the end of the third, we can directly reach the fourth, fifth, or sixth, if a member of the party had reached those layers before by clearing the previous floor’s boss rooms. The return trip works the same way. The only difference being that you get teleported to the heart of the previous layer instead of the periphery, so you’ll have to work your way backwards.”

“That means you’ve fought the floor bosses of the third and sixth layer many times, then?”

“Not at all!” Dorgan refreshingly exclaimed. “Once you clear a boss room, you cannot challenge it again. That’s why the best we can do is bring you here, but not clear the first layer for you.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Tonight was destined to be a restless one for Clay. He had a lot of food for thought, and unfortunately, it didn’t end there.

“Oh, by the way,” the noblewoman mentioned. “If you’re looking to recruit more people once we return, I have a good lead for you. Plenty of Delvers have been asking around about the toilet that has mesmerized even the prince. In fact, some of our party members are interested as well. If you play your cards well, you can leverage the demand to your benefit.”

Just as I am about to start a new chapter in life, it all comes back to the toilet again, huh?

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