Maria sat in the Guildmaster's office, knees pressed together with her fists against them. She let out a long, tired sigh. “That's about what happened.”

Odalf maintained a poised position seated at his desk across from Maria. He leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed and brow furrowed. Throughout Maria's retelling of events, he remained silent. His stoic expression made it difficult to gauge his thoughts. In the little time she’d known him, she’d come to perceive him as a man made of stone. With time she thought she could read him just a bit. It hadn’t worked. Seemed like he was angry, disappointed, confused, and lost all at the same time. Odalf grumbled.

“The map was concealed within the cube. We just lost it,” said Maria.

“It was a trap. Plain and simple.” Odalf pushed himself away from the desk and pulled a bottle from one of his cabinets. With a resounding thud, he placed ale on the desk. “I thought it felt too easy.”

Maria narrowed her eyes. It wasn't easy at all. Odalf's remark may have been a metaphor, but what she had endured was undeniably the most challenging thing in her life. She had never felt more in danger than in that moment.

“He used us to get it for him, the lazy bastard,” said Odalf.

“I don’t get it. He was strong. Stronger than Eardwulf. Why didn’t he just kill the elemental himself?”

“Maybe he’s a coward? Or perhaps he enjoys playing games with others? Regardless, what matters is that he used us like pawns.” Odalf sighed. “You said he was behind the Shadow Jesters?”

“That’s what he said. He never used any though, so I don’t really know if he was being truthful there. He was truthful about everything else, though. No dancing around it, so maybe he was behind it.”

A knock came from the door.

Odalf sighed again and dropped his head. “Come in.”

Silori stepped into the office. “Sorry to intrude, sir.”

“It’s quite alright,” Odalf said.

Maria launched from her chair. “How is he?”

Silori looked at the girl and frowned. “Eardwulf’s alright…”

“He would say that,” Odalf said.

“Can we see him?” Maria asked.

“He’s actually sent me to retrieve you,” Silori explained.

“He wants to see me?”

Silori nodded. “You were the first person he asked to see after he awoke.”

Odalf grumbled. “You’re dismissed for now. Go see him. We can discuss more of this later.”

“Thank you, sir.” Maria hurried out of the room past Silori. She went down into the guild hall. The medical room was through a door by the receptionist's desk. As she entered, she found herself in a spacious, rectangular chamber adorned with rows of beds and navy blue privacy curtains that rustled from the gentle breeze blowing in through an open window. Walking down the central aisle, Maria eventually reached Eardwulf. He sat upright, propped against the headboard, appearing visibly weary. It was one of the only times Maria had seen him with his hair unbraided and hanging down past his shoulders.

“Hey,” Maria said awkwardly.

“Maria,” Eardwulf said, “How are you feeling?”

“Better than you from the looks of it.”

Eardwulf chuckled softly. His voice was hoarse and weak. The sheets covered his lower torso, but it was clear to see the dip in the fabric where his leg once was. “I can’t argue with you there.”

“Does it still hurt?”

“I imagine it will for some time. But I’m alive. That's what matters. Better to lose a leg than my life.”

“That's one way to see it,” Maria chuckled.

“They said you carried me here.”

“Chariot and Tanalia helped me. We took you back to the horse, and rode the rest of the way.”

“Hmm. Some good allies you made back there. I’m grateful they weren’t after the map. We would’ve been at each other's throats otherwise.”

Maria scoffed. “As if they weren’t already.” She fell quiet. Maria wasn’t too sure what she should say. Hell, she hadn’t completely processed everything that had happened. She nearly died several times. By some miracle of god, she was still breathing. She made it out unscathed, but her master had not. Could she have done something to prevent this? She had thought healing potions fully healed someone. That was wrong. They merely kept someone alive. If a limb was lost, there was no healing from that. Good thing to keep in mind. Even in a world with magic potions, she wasn’t completely invulnerable to permanent injuries.

Eardwulf rubbed the stub of his leg, wincing. “I hate to say it, but I think my adventuring days are over.”

Maria frowned. “Wait… what? Really? You can’t just get a peg leg and go back out there?”

“Oh, I could… But I’m old. I’ve had my fair share of adventures. I’ve seen the world through the eyes of a nomad, done battles with giants, and even fought alongside legends like Hargrim the Enchanter. Between everything, I would say I’ve done it all.”

Maria bawled her fists, digging her nails into her palms. She had failed the quest. They had been close to succeeding, so close that the very item they needed was within their grasp. The Ringleader had used them to get the map and nearly killed her master. He wouldn’t get away with it. “I’ll get that map back.”

“You’ll what?” Eardwulf asked after a momentary pause.

“I’ll get it back. I’ll find him and I’ll get the map back for you!”

“Maria, you don’t have to–”

“I want to.”

“The Ringleader’s strong… stronger than I had suspected. If he truly was one of Moldark’s subordinates, then you’re no true match for him.”

“I will be! He’s not invincible. You still hit him. I can train, level up, and get better equipment and spells. I’ll find him, and avenge you.”

“Maria, it's not worth it.”

“Not worth it? He has a map to the greatest treasure this world has ever known. How is that not worth it?”

“You know very little of Moldark’s subordinates. They are not to be trifled with. He had many known subordinates, but the strongest he kept in the shadows. I have come face to face with a few of them, and never before have I been able to defeat one. I nearly lost my life another time defending myself from one. They’re powerful, Maria. If the Ringleader is a subordinate like he said he is, then he is someone to avoid. For the guild's sake, it’s wiser to send more experienced adventurers.”

“I’m not letting him get away! I’m getting that map back and avenging you!”

Eardwulf stared quietly at Maria for a moment. Eventually, he gave her a small smile. “There it is.”

“What?”

“Determination.”

Maria tilted her head slightly. “What?”

“Why did you come to this guild?” Eardwulf asked.

“For… adventure?”

“That’s why most people come to the guild. Why did you come here?”

Maria pursed her lips. Why did she come to this guild? The answer was simple enough, but she wasn’t sure if it was the answer her master wanted to hear. “I don’t know much about this world, but I want to learn more. I want to see it. I want to help people. I just… I want to do something with my life.”

“And I’m sure you will one day. But here, as an apprentice, you won't get much done. So, I’ll be promoting you to Craftsman.”

“We didn’t bring the map back though. Wasn’t that the whole point? If I brought back the map, I’d be promoted.”

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“That was the point of the quest, yes. For you, the point was showing me your capability. You’re not perfect. No one is. But you showed strength and courage. Even now you’re standing here and saying you want to fight even after you saw what that man was capable of. That takes bravery and determination. That’s what drives an adventurer.”

A blush crept up on Maria’s cheeks. She glanced away, trying to hold back an awkward smile.

“The Ringleader is strong… if you’re going to take him down, you need to level up. Hone your skills as an adventurer. Even in the face of a beast strong enough to kill you with the flick of its finger, you still fought.”

“I mean… I didn’t have much of a choice.”

“Even so, you did. I have faith that one day you’ll best the Ringleader. How long till that day, I am uncertain. It may be years from now, long after he finds the treasure, if he ever does. But I know you’ll be able to defeat him.”

“I am. I’ll avenge you.”

“I’m sure you will,” Eardwulf said and opened his menu.

Maria stood back and watched as he opened another submenu. A moment later, the guild's emblem appeared in the empty black box beside her health and mana bars. A notification popped up in her vision.

Guild Promotion: Apprentice >> Bronze Craftsman.

Maria couldn’t help but smile. Her chest started to glow. Pinned to her cloak was the guild's crest, now displayed for all to see her bronze rank.

Eardwulf has left the party.

Eardwulf’s health bar vanished from the upper right-hand corner of her screen. Maria looked back at him, confused.

“There’s no need for us to remain in a party. You’re an apprentice no longer… you’re an adventurer. Go out there and form your own party. Find people you can trust, people who will help you defeat the Ringleader. Allies are good to have in this world.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“And thank you for saving me,” Eardwulf smiled. A stuffed burlap sack materialized in his hand from an explosion of polygons and pixels. Something jingled inside. “I pity that you didn’t get much XP from that elemental, but I can offer this instead.”

Maria raised her eyebrow and reached out to take the sack. It was heavy, but the moment she added it to her inventory, she received another pop-up.

2000 Gold received.

Maria's eyes grew even wider. She watched as the number in the small rectangular box reserved for her currency grew bigger and bigger. “Wait… what?”

“You have little coin to your name. This should help you get started. Go purchase some new equipment. Prepare for the journey ahead. I suggest finding something better than that helmet.”

Maria paused for a moment, then felt her head. Her hand pressed against the cold steel of the iron helmet she had picked up off the Hallow brute. She blushed. “Oh, I forgot I was wearing it. Why didn’t anyone say anything?”

“No one’s going to question why an adventurer is wearing a helmet. It does look a tad ridiculous with your robes.”

Maria laughed. “Yeah, I guess it does. Thank you.”

Eardwulf smiled. “You’re welcome. Give yourself the day to rest and recover. You can start your quest tomorrow.”

“Alright, thank you,” Maria said again.

***

Maria stepped out into the guild hall and took in a breath of fresh air. The conversations echoing through the place made it far more lively.

All she had to do now was form a party.

Preferably with women. Beautiful women! Maria fantasized as she walked through the hall. Maybe she could form a party of women with big chests. That would be even better! In a corner of the guild hall, a group of mages with flowing robes and staffs huddled around a bard as he strummed his lute. A tantalizing array of smells wafted from the kitchen. Honeycakes, cloudberry pie, roasted pork, and the scent of ale. There were so many people here, and Maria was ashamed to say she didn't know any of them very well outside of Irra and her party members. She recognized a few adventurers. The knights donned in fancy armor with feathers sticking out between the plates and winged helmets with no practicality–but it looked cool. The mages with blue robes decorated with constellations that seemed to reflect in the sunlight. Rangers with tightly fastened leather armor. Those witches with the wide-brimmed hats Maria had always wanted to wear. Many of them were already in parties, though. It would come down to finding a group of adventures willing to take her in. She was only level 6, however. She could always wait a day and see if any other low-level Craftsmen would want to team up.

What to do? It was all happening so fast. Just the day before she was staring death in the face. Now she was finally a Craftsman!

“Miss Maria!” said a familiar voice.

She turned. Chariot was approaching. “Oh, hey. You’re still here? I figured you’d have left by now.”

“How does your master fare?” Chariot asked.

“He’s fine, just resting at the moment.”

Chariot breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the goddess.”

Maria chuckled. “You thought he was going to die that easily?”

“Our foe was quite powerful. One can never be too cautious.”

“Yeah. That guy did a number on all of us.”

“The knave must be brought to justice.”

Maria nodded in agreement. “I’ll be the one to do it.”

Chariot tilted her head. “You alone? Our combined strength barely scratched him.”

“I’ll get stronger. Master Eardwulf just promoted me to Craftsman. I can do quests under the guild now!”

“Congratulations!” Chariot smiled.

“Thanks!” Maria paused and glanced around. “Is Tanalia still here too?”

“The rascal fled just as your master was brought to the infirmary. She was grumbling about looking for the Ringleader. Honestly! She’ll find herself killed rushing into everything headfirst like a stubborn boar.”

“Ah. Well, thanks for helping me get Master Eardwulf back here safely. I can give you something for the troubles.”

“Monetary compensation is unnecessary. I have a different proposal.”

“What's that?”

“Let us form a party and pursue the Ringleader together.”

“You want to take him down too?”

“As I said, knaves must be brought to justice. He has attacked and killed the innocent. For the safety of others, he must be slain.”

Maria crossed her arms. “It has nothing to do with the map to the treasure?”

“That is a secondary priority. Scoundrels like him cannot continue to walk the land.”

“Alright, You got a deal.” Maria smiled. She hadn’t expected to form a party that quickly, but she wasn’t going to complain. Even though she didn’t fully know Chariot, Maria at least knew the knight was honorable. The journey would provide enough time to get to know her more.

Chariot smiled and extended her hand to shake. “We shall make a great team.”

“Wait…” Maria said, “Don’t we need to be in the same guild to be in a party?”

Chariot shook her head. “A party may be formed with people from various guilds, though guild-specific benefits only apply to members.”

“Oh, alright then.” Maria opened her menu and selected the Friends/Guild tab. A new pop-up window opened. Here, she could view her party, a list of friends, guild status, and any messages received. She sent an invitation to Chariot. Chariot’s health bar appeared where Eardwulf’s had been.

Chariot Crowhaven has joined the party.

In the party menu, Maria could also view some of her stats;

Name: Chariot Crowhaven

Lvl: 15

HP: 1042

MP: 37

Total Defense: 377

Total Attack: 43

“Oh,” Maria said. “I thought you’d be around the same level as me… wait a second!” Her jaw suddenly dropped. From her experience, each time she leveled up, her health and mana increased by a fixed amount. For health, it was 50, and for mana, it was 20. There was no way Chariot could have that much health from just being level 15. “How the hell are your stats this high?”

Chariot placed her hand on her breastplate. “My armor.”

“Oh, right. Master Eardwulf mentioned this to me a while back.”

“It gives me health and defense boosts. Each piece also boosts my attack a little.” Chariot opened her party menu and skimmed through Maria’s stats.

Name: Maria Marigold

Lvl: 7

HP: 400

MP: 80

Total Defense: 14

Total Attack: 5

“You’re quite lacking in equipment,” Chariot said. “More quests shall do you good. We can explore dungeons and towers for items as well.”

“Yeah, I need some better gear though. I might go shopping tomorrow. The stuff the guild gave me isn’t exactly stat heavy.”

Chariot chuckled. “Impressive how you managed to survive with stats like this. I barely survived the elemental.”

“Maybe I’m just lucky.”

“Pray to the Lunar Goddess your luck holds. We will need it.”

***

“Congratulations, dear,” Silori said, raising her wine glass.

Maria beamed a smile as she sipped at the fruity drink. She sat across the bed from Silori, a bottle of purple-colored wine sitting between them on the floor. It was the first night Maria would be permitted to sleep in a guild room. Just sitting on the sheets was enough to get her excited for a long night’s rest. It was going to feel so much better than sleeping on a pile of hay. However, a part of her knew that she wasn’t going to be sleeping tonight as much as she was hoping to, not with Silori in the room. Maria couldn’t pull her gaze away from the woman's cleavage popping out of her untied bodice. It would be so easy to just reach out and feel them up.

When Silori finished her glass, she set it aside. “So, now that you’re finally a Craftsman, what’s the first order of business?”

Maria finished her glass as well. She smiled. “Whatever I need to do for the special assignment.”

“Good for you. Some new gear is certainly in order. I can’t wait to see you out of those rags.”

“Mhm. I’m going to go find some new clothes tomorrow morning.”

Silori stared silently back at Maria. A sly smirk crossed her face, as her eyes narrowed playfully.

Maria grinned. “You know, I bet you would like to see me out of these rags.”

“I would.”

Maria crawled slowly over to Silori. “It’s not like you haven’t seen what’s under them before.”

Silori watched her, maintaining eye contact. She had such pretty eyes that Maria could get lost in them. She leaned in, and kissed Silori deeply, savoring the sweet taste. They tasted like wine. Maria wanted more of it. She closed her eyes. One kiss led to another. Then another. Her hunger was rising like the tide.

Silori robbed her of the pleasure and pulled away. It remained that way long enough that Maria opened her eyes to find her face inches from her own. Silori grabbed at the hem of Maria’s tunic and started lifting it.

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“Chapter 12.5 - Congratulations” is Exclusive to Patreon

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