Silence lingered throughout the newly completed headquarters.
Even after the brilliant construction had finished, none of them immediately stepped forward.
The white quartz mansion stood proudly atop the island like an ancient palace reborn.
Its towering windows reflected the calm waters of the hidden lake, while the surrounding gardens gently swayed beneath the mountain breeze. The newly formed bridge stretched elegantly across the water, connecting the headquarters to the grassy shoreline where everyone still stood frozen.
"...It's real..."
Ramos whispered.
His voice echoed softly across the lake.
Silla slowly reached out and touched the smooth railing of the bridge.
It was cool.
Solid.
Perfectly crafted.
"This isn't an illusion..."
Kiraya smiled faintly.
"No..."
"It really belongs to us."
Rio stepped onto the bridge first.
"Come on."
"We've only finished building the headquarters."
"Now we have to make it functional."
The group quickly followed.
Each step echoed against the polished quartz as they crossed the bridge together.
The closer they came...
The larger the mansion became.
Its enormous double doors towered above them, engraved with intricate carvings of mountains, rivers, and dragons intertwined with flowering vines.
Ryota let out a low whistle.
"I knew guild headquarters were big..."
"...but not this big."
Rio smiled.
"This isn't an ordinary headquarters."
"This location unlocks one of the highest construction grades available within the first ten floors."
She pushed the doors open.
The massive entrance hall unfolded before them.
Everyone instinctively stopped walking.
The interior was just as breathtaking as the exterior.
White quartz pillars extended toward a ceiling nearly four stories high.
Sunlight streamed through enormous stained-glass windows, painting colorful reflections across the polished stone floor.
A grand staircase curved gracefully toward the upper levels.
Elegant balconies overlooked the central hall.
Decorative chandeliers floated in midair, glowing softly through magic rather than flame.
The entire building carried an atmosphere somewhere between a royal palace and an academy.
Silla slowly turned in circles.
"...It's enormous..."
Hinabi nodded in agreement.
"There are dozens of rooms..."
"And that's only the first floor."
Kiraya looked upward.
"The upper floors..."
"...those must be living quarters."
Rio nodded.
"Private rooms."
"Meeting halls."
"Training facilities."
"Storage."
"Everything a guild needs."
Even Sayanaki couldn't help looking around.
"...Not bad."
Ryota laughed.
"That's surprisingly high praise coming from you."
"I've seen worse."
Sayanaki shrugged.
"I've also seen better."
She paused.
"...But not at level twelve."
Rio chuckled before walking toward the far end of the hall.
There stood a large reception counter carved entirely from white quartz.
Behind it floated a translucent guild interface only visible to the Guild Master.
Rio placed her hand upon the counter.
Immediately—
A brilliant screen appeared before her.
Guild Management
Guild Level: 1
Guild Headquarters: Active
Members: 7
Construction Rank: Hidden Zone Bonus Applied
Available Functions:
• Recruit NPC Personnel
• Guild Storage
• Internal Teleportation
• Guild Permissions
• Headquarters Defense
Ryota walked beside her.
"What are you planning?"
Rio answered without taking her eyes off the screen.
"Hiring our first official combat force."
Everyone blinked.
"...Combat force?"
Ramos repeated.
Rio nodded.
"A headquarters this valuable won't stay hidden forever."
"When someone eventually discovers this place..."
"...they'll have to fight more than just us."
She opened another menu.
NPC Recruitment
Combat Swordsman — 5 Copper
Combat Archer — 4 Copper
Combat Healer — 8 Copper
Combat Crusader — 10 Copper
Ryota immediately frowned.
"...Those are expensive."
Rio nodded.
"Very."
She opened the guild treasury.
Current Funds:
748 Copper Coins
Silla gasped.
"...You're really going to spend all of that?"
Rio smiled.
"Money exists to solve problems."
She selected the first option.
Combat Swordsman
Quantity:
40
The total appeared instantly.
200 Copper
She pressed confirm.
White particles erupted from the reception desk.
One after another...
Armored figures materialized inside the hall.
Each wore polished silver armor with blue cloaks draped behind them.
Every swordsman carried an identical longsword and tower shield.
Forty soldiers appeared in neat formation before simultaneously kneeling.
"Awaiting orders, Guild Master."
The synchronized voices echoed throughout the mansion.
Ramos nearly jumped.
"...Forty..."
"...Just like that..."
Rio continued.
She selected the second option.
Combat Healer
Quantity:
20
Cost:
160 Copper.
Again—
Twenty figures appeared.
Each wore elegant white robes decorated with blue embroidery.
Wooden staffs rested in their hands while healing crystals floated gently around their waists.
Every healer bowed gracefully.
"We await your command."
Kiraya slowly looked toward Rio.
"...You really aren't holding back..."
Rio merely smiled.
Next—
Combat Archer
Quantity:
30
Cost:
120 Copper.
Thirty archers appeared carrying longbows crafted from pale ash wood.
Quivers filled with arrows rested upon their backs.
They immediately formed ranks behind the swordsmen.
Finally—
Rio selected the final class.
Combat Crusader
Quantity:
20
Cost:
200 Copper.
Golden light illuminated the reception hall.
Twenty heavily armored warriors emerged carrying enormous shields and war hammers.
Unlike the swordsmen...
These Crusaders radiated an overwhelming defensive presence.
The marble floor itself trembled slightly beneath their footsteps.
When the final purchase completed...
The treasury updated.
Remaining Funds: 68 Copper Coins
Silence followed.
Ramos stared blankly at the number.
"...You..."
"...You just spent almost everything."
Rio nodded.
"Exactly."
She wasn't finished.
Another menu appeared.
NPC Command Structure
Assign Squads
Assign Captains
Assign Authority
Rio immediately began organizing them.
She spoke aloud as she worked.
"Each combat squad will consist of eleven members."
Her fingers moved across the interface.
"Four swordsmen."
"Three archers."
"Two healers."
"Two crusaders."
The interface rapidly reorganized the newly recruited soldiers.
Almost instantly, the ninety NPCs divided themselves into clearly structured formations.
The precision was astonishing.
Kiraya folded her arms.
"...Balanced."
Rio nodded.
"They'll be able to patrol independently."
"Each squad can defend against raids while also providing support to civilians."
Hinabi smiled.
"You've already planned all this..."
Rio gave a small nod.
"Long before we even reached Floor Three."
She opened one final menu.
Guild Authority
Guild Master
Draconis
Officer
Elite
Member
Recruit
NPC Command Access
Ryota watched curiously.
"What now?"
Rio answered simply.
"I'm deciding who gets to command them."
She adjusted several permissions.
Ryota.
Rank 10: Draconis
Sayanaki.
Rank 9
Kiraya.
Rank 8.
Officer.
Hinabi.
Rank 8.
Officer.
Finally...
She changed one important setting.
NPC Command Authorization
Minimum Required Rank:
8
Confirm?
YES
The system chimed softly.
Immediately...
All ninety NPCs turned simultaneously.
Their gazes shifted away from Rio.
Instead...
They respectfully bowed toward Ryota.
Toward Kiraya.
Toward Hinabi.
Toward Sayanaki.
The captain of the swordsmen stepped forward.
He knelt before the four of them.
"By Guild Master's decree..."
"From this day onward..."
"We shall obey your commands as though they were her own."
Ryota blinked.
"...Wait..."
"...Me?"
Rio laughed.
"You're Rank Ten."
"They'll listen to you."
Sayanaki smirked.
"I never thought I'd end up commanding an army."
Kiraya looked around the hall.
Ninety disciplined soldiers stood silently awaiting orders.
She slowly exhaled.
"...Crowned Era..."
"...already has its own military."
Rio closed the guild interface.
She turned toward everyone.
The enormous headquarters behind her no longer felt empty.
It was alive.
Filled with allies.
Filled with purpose.
She smiled.
"This is only the beginning."
"One day..."
She looked toward the stained-glass windows overlooking the hidden valley.
"...this headquarters will become a legacy in Evermount."
And for the first time...
Every member of Crowned Era truly believed it.
The headquarters gradually became quieter.
The synchronized footsteps of armored soldiers echoed throughout the white quartz corridors as the newly recruited NPCs dispersed to their assigned positions. Some marched toward the entrance, others inspected the surrounding grounds, while several remained stationed within the main hall awaiting further instructions.
The once-empty headquarters already felt alive.
Rio stood before the guild management interface one final time before closing it.
The floating window dissolved into countless blue particles.
She slowly turned around.
Before her stood nearly one hundred combat NPCs arranged in orderly formations.
Each one waited silently.
Each one awaited orders.
Rio smiled.
"Our headquarters finally has defenders."
Kiraya crossed her arms, admiring the disciplined formations.
"I still can't believe we recruited an entire military."
Ryota laughed.
"I don't think I've ever seen this many NPCs in one place before."
"They're expensive."
Rio folded her arms.
"And they're worth every coin."
She stepped forward until she stood directly before the assembled soldiers.
A new interface appeared.
Assign Commander
Select Squad Commander
Rio didn't hesitate.
She selected Kiraya's name.
A soft chime echoed throughout the headquarters.
Every swordsman.
Every archer.
Every crusader.
Every healer.
Immediately turned toward Kiraya.
Then—
They all knelt.
The captain of the first squad lowered his head.
"Raid Commander acknowledged."
"We await your orders."
Kiraya blinked several times.
"...Raid Commander?"
Rio nodded.
"You've earned it."
She smiled warmly.
"You're Crowned Era's Head of Raids."
"No one here is more qualified."
Kiraya scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"I wasn't expecting to command almost a hundred people this quickly."
Rio chuckled.
"You'll get used to it."
She opened another menu.
Guild Departments
Raid Division
Recruitment Division
Logistics
Crafting
Defense
Rio selected the Recruitment Division.
Without hesitation—
She assigned Hinabi.
A notification appeared.
Head of Recruitment & NPC Management
Assigned Successfully.
Hinabi blinked.
"...NPC Management?"
Rio nodded.
"Someone has to oversee supplies."
"Rotations."
"Training."
"Future recruitment."
"You've always had the patience for organizing people."
Hinabi smiled.
"I'll do my best."
Rio looked between both women.
"Kiraya."
"Hinabi."
"I have your first assignment."
Both immediately straightened.
Rio opened her inventory.
Golden particles floated upward.
A rolled parchment appeared in her hand.
She spread it open across the reception desk.
It displayed a familiar desert landscape.
Several locations had already been marked.
Ryota leaned closer.
"...That's Floor Two."
Rio nodded.
"A dungeon."
Kiraya immediately recognized the location.
"The Sand Serpent Catacombs?"
"Exactly."
Rio pointed toward the marked entrance.
"This dungeon isn't difficult."
"But it's perfect for training coordinated combat squads."
She looked directly at Kiraya.
"I want you to lead our first official raid."
Kiraya's eyes widened.
"...Me?"
Rio nodded.
"Yes."
Kiraya slowly smiled.
Then—
That smile grew wider.
Finally—
She laughed.
"...It's been so long."
Everyone looked toward her.
Kiraya lowered her gaze toward Lionheart resting at her side.
"...Dungeon raiding..."
"I actually missed it."
Memories surfaced.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with her former guild.
Leading charges.
Protecting teammates.
Breaking boss formations.
Everything.
"...Back when I was still with Eternity Lions..."
She quietly smiled to herself.
"...Those really were good days."
Rio watched her silently.
"I know."
Kiraya looked back toward Rio.
"I won't waste this opportunity."
"I promise."
Rio nodded.
"I know you won't."
Kiraya immediately turned toward Hinabi.
"So."
She smiled.
"Want to join me?"
Hinabi laughed.
"You seriously have to ask?"
"Of course."
"I'll make sure nobody dies because of poor organization."
Kiraya grinned.
"That's why I asked."
Rio reopened the squad interface.
Three of the four combat parties lit up.
Thirty-three NPCs stepped forward simultaneously.
Three squad captains saluted.
Kiraya looked over the formation for each squad.
Four swordsmen.
Three archers.
Two healers.
Two crusaders.
Three complete squads.
Balanced.
Disciplined.
Ready.
Rio nodded.
"Take these three parties."
"The remaining squad stays here."
She looked toward the soldiers.
"Protect the headquarters."
"Protect this valley."
"Protect every civilian that enters these grounds."
Every remaining NPC placed a fist over their chest.
"As you command."
The guild teleport crystal standing proudly in the middle of the hall suddenly glowed.
White magical circles spread across the floor.
Kiraya rested Lionheart over her shoulder.
"Let's move."
Hinabi adjusted her robes.
The three combat squads marched behind them in perfect synchronization.
One after another—
They stepped onto the teleportation platform.
The crystal flared brilliantly.
A pillar of white light engulfed everyone.
Then—
They disappeared.
Silence returned.
The remaining NPCs immediately resumed patrol.
Some guarded the entrance.
Others walked along the hallways.
Several exited the headquarters entirely to patrol the hidden valley.
Watching them disperse...
Rio finally relaxed.
"Our headquarters can defend itself now."
Ryota nodded.
"Feels more like a real guild."
Rio smiled faintly.
"...Not yet."
"We're still missing something."
Ryota tilted his head.
"What?"
Rio reopened another interface.
This time—
It wasn't combat.
It was commerce.
Hundreds of listings immediately filled the screen.
Ryota leaned over her shoulder.
"...What are you looking for?"
Rio continued scrolling.
"Receptionist applications."
Sayanaki frowned.
"...Receptionist?"
Rio nodded.
"I promised someone something."
Sayanaki blinked.
Then suddenly remembered.
Back when Rio first recruited her...
Sayanaki had only agreed with one of the conditions.
"...The guild quest board."
Rio smiled.
"I said I'd eventually unlock player assassination requests."
"And I keep my promises."
Ryota immediately understood.
"The receptionist manages the guild quest counter."
"Exactly."
Rio continued scrolling.
Different NPC receptionists appeared one after another.
Merchant background.
Noble background.
Former adventurer.
Former guild employee.
Prices varied wildly.
Some cost thirty copper.
Others exceeded one hundred.
Rio quietly studied each listing.
"...Let's see..."
"Professional..."
"Friendly..."
"Experienced..."
Before she could continue—
A soft voice interrupted.
"...Lady Rio?"
Everyone turned.
Silla stood quietly near the reception counter.
She nervously clasped both hands together.
Rio blinked.
"Yes?"
Silla hesitated.
"...If..."
She took a small breath.
"...If you don't mind..."
"I'd like to volunteer."
The room became completely silent.
Ryota blinked.
"...Volunteer?"
Even Sayanaki raised an eyebrow.
Silla looked increasingly embarrassed beneath everyone's gaze.
"I..."
"I don't know how to fight."
She lowered her head.
"I'd only slow everyone down."
"But..."
She looked toward the beautiful reception desk standing at the center of the hall.
"I used to help my father with paperwork."
"I can organize things."
"I can welcome visitors."
"I can manage records."
"I..."
She smiled shyly.
"...I'd really like to become Crowned Era's receptionist."
Rio stared at her.
For several long seconds...
She said nothing.
Then—
A gentle smile appeared.
One that surprised even Sayanaki.
"...You'd really do that?"
Silla nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"I want to contribute."
"I don't want everyone protecting me forever."
"I want..."
"...to protect this place too."
Rio slowly closed the recruitment menu.
The floating listings disappeared.
She walked toward Silla.
Then gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I was about to spend our last savings."
She smiled warmly.
"But..."
"I think we've already found the perfect receptionist."
Silla's eyes widened.
"...Really?"
Rio nodded.
"Welcome to your first official position..."
She extended her hand.
"...Receptionist of Crowned Era."
Silla stared at Rio's outstretched hand.
Then, with trembling excitement...
She accepted it.
And for the first time since arriving in Evermount...
Silla truly felt like she had found a place where she belonged.