The enhancement settled into his bones, muscles, and nervous system. Not a dramatic transformation, but a decent one.
Faster reflexes. Stronger strikes. Greater endurance.
It's Time to head out.
Arthur stood, dismissing his interface.
It was time to inspect his new domain.
"Formicia, we're moving." He turned to address both spiders. "The old headquarters returns to Lucas."
The spider queen chittered acknowledgment, beginning the careful process of dismantling her web-throne. Each strand dissolved at her touch, leaving no trace of arachnid habitation.
Can't return a borrowed space covered in spider silk.
Within minutes, the room appeared exactly as they'd found it. Clean. Empty. Ready for its previous owner.
Arthur exited the building with both spiders flanking him. Formicia's elegant frame drew immediate attention from passing players.
Walking through Caldera's main thoroughfares with Formicia had become routine. The spider queen's beast certification allowed her presence in civilian areas, though few players appreciated sharing space with an eight-legged predator.
Arthur wore Azarel's face, maintaining his established identity while moving through the city. Players recognised his status as a fellow player but couldn't link him to Fateless.
The reactions began immediately.
"Holy," whispered a Level 12 warrior, pressing himself against a building wall. "What kind of beast is that?"
His companion, a nervous mage, clutched her staff with white knuckles. "Look at those eyes. Eight of them. All watching us."
Formicia's aura radiated predatory menace despite her peaceful demeanour. Her carapace alone sent shivers down their spine. Mandibles clicked softly as she moved, a sound that made the nearby players flinch instinctively.
"How long has this player been in the city?" A newly-arrived player stared with undisguised terror. "I just got here today, and this is the level I have to compete with?"
Competition. Always about competition.
Word spread through the crowd like ripples in disturbed water. People emerged from shops and taverns, drawn by curiosity and spectacle.
"That's no ordinary beast."
"Look at the way it moves. Intelligent. Trained."
"Who is that player? I've never seen him before."
Arthur maintained his casual pace, allowing the crowd to grow. Formicia matched his rhythm with grace.
Behind them, a growing procession formed. Players maintain a respectful distance while satisfying their curiosity about this mysterious figure and his terrifying companion.
The new guild headquarters appeared in the middle of the plaza—six stories of architectural magnificence rising from Caldera's central plaza. Not quite matching the platinum guilds' opulent displays, but impressive enough to grab attention.
The name blazed across the building's facade in large letters. Below it, the guild's emblem—a black flag.
Arthur paused before the entrance, allowing his followers to appreciate the sight. Whispered conversations erupted behind him.
"That's the new guild. The one from the global announcement."
"Power Guild. First player organization to achieve recognition."
"Who do you think that player is? Guild member? Guild leader?"
The main entrance opened at Arthur's approach. Marble steps led to massive doors carved with intricate patterns.
Formicia ascended beside him, her legs clicking against polished stone. The sound echoed through the plaza, announcing their arrival to anyone within hearing distance.
Formicia has quite a dramatic entrance, but it's fitting for the occasion.
The doors swung inward, revealing the guild's interior in all its carefully designed glory.
Arthur stepped into a reception area that redefined the concept of grandeur. Marble floors stretched endlessly, and above, on the ceiling, hung crystal chandeliers. Premium hardwood panelling covered the walls, each piece selected for both beauty and symbolic meaning.
Impressive. Very impressive.
The ceiling soared high, creating a sense of space that dwarfed most buildings in Caldera.
Sunlight filtered through glass windows.
Along the left wall, a quest board dominated the space, easily ten feet tall and covered with missions available exclusively to Power Guild members. Even from this distance, Arthur could see the rank indicators.
F-rank quests, all the way to C-Rank.
Daily quest generation already in action.
On the right was a wall specific to guild members' ranking; the wall had nothing on it yet, as Arthur had yet to enable the function.
Motivation through competition. That's pretty good. Maybe we could create some reward for the top ten rankers, this would drive people to get stronger and get those rewards. Maybe some items, rare for the top 9 and very rare for the highest. I have an abundance of items anyway, so it wouldn't be a problem to supply my guild members.
Behind the reception desk—itself a masterwork of carved marble and inlaid precious metals—Arthur spotted the entrance to the administrative areas.
This place has proper infrastructure, which will be essential for long-term operations.
Formicia chittered appreciatively, her eight eyes cataloguing every detail. "Master, this space pleases me."
"It should." Arthur's smile held satisfaction and anticipation. "This is just the beginning."
He approached the central staircase—a spiral of white marble and gold inlay that curved gracefully toward the upper floors. Each step bore carved runes that pulsed with protective enchantments. The runes were invisible, however, as the guild owner, Arthur, could see things in the building that others couldn't.
The security measures. Good.
The second floor revealed training facilities that exceeded Arthur's expectations. Combat arenas with changeable terrain.
The guild was becoming a place that the Players did not need to leave. They could practise their skills there to improve their efficiency, they could practise combat and much more in the second floor.
Everything a growing organisation requires.
The third floor housed specialised workshops. Alchemy laboratories with pristine equipment. Enchanting stations, a smithy that would make a Forger weep with envy.
'I will have to start using this workshop myself.' Arthur thought with a smile on his face.
The guild was accounting for every kind of player that would join, whether a combatant or a non-combatant.
The fourth floor surprised him. It was a small library, it contained some fundamental books about the history of Caldera, it also contained some other useful information about the beasts surrounding the city and their weaknesses.
Knowledge accumulation. The true foundation of power. This will also help players tackle stronger beasts by knowing their weaknesses.