The next morning 24 people still wounded woke up in their main hall. Victor woke up early significantly earlier than everyone else. By the time Serena was up he was running equipped with a backpack of rocks. Groggy she made her way past the sleeping adventurers. Cawthorn sat on Victor's shoulder. “YOU CAN DO IT VICTOR! NEVER RELENT!” He panted before falling to his knees. “TAKE A BREAK THEN CONTINUE I BELIEVE IN YOU!”

  Serena walked up to him and crouched down. “I’m glad I got through to you yesterday.”

  Victor panted and Cawthorn repeated. “You reminded me of what I should be doing. If I focus on my failures, I’ll keep failing. So, I’m here to reach 100 strengths, 100 speed, and 100 endurances. If we are traveling, I’m doing this. If we aren’t I’m doing this. If there is any achievement, I can accomplish I will find a way to do that.”

  “What can you do though? I’ve got more speed than that and my strength and endurance are both at 100.” Serena asked.

  Victor pulled out Swordie. “I’ve not been using Swordie to his full effect. I’ve been really stupid.”

  “A foolish student that acknowledges his failing isn’t stupid. He’s foolish. I’m glad you’ve come to me for help.” Swordie cheerfully noted.

  “Swordie, what achievements that we could reasonably achieve would improve us? Preferably things that give 10 or more stat points.” Victor laid Swordie out in front of her still panting.

  “Yes, Sir Victor.” Swordie brought up some achievements.

  Achievements

  Achievement Combat Trained: Train with a mentor at least 10 levels higher than you for 90 days. Gain 20 Stat points.

  Achievement Advanced Combat Training: Train with a mentor at least 10 levels higher than you for 1 year. Gain 50 Stat points.

  Achievement Weapon Master: Gain mastery over at least 4 different weapons in different classes. Gain 10 Stat points.

  Achievement Weapon Virtuoso: Gain mastery over at least 8 different weapons in different classes. Gain 20 Stat points.

  Achievement Big Damage: Deal 1,000,000 damage lifetime. Gain 50 Stat points.

  Achievement Destroy it all: Deal 10,000,000 damage lifetime. Gain 100 Stat points.

  Achievement Isolation: Isolate yourself for 3 days in a magic-rich environment. Gain 50 Willpower.

  “There are many more achievements sir but these are the easiest and largest stat point gain achievements that you could likely accomplish without serious combat or danger,” Swordie noted.

  Victor put Swordie away and Cawthorn translated. “I know we need to make money but after we go to the necropolis, we should take a break for a month and train everyone. Brice could use it too. I’m only just now realizing that the achievement system effectively lets you gain almost as much power as the leveling system if you set yourself to it. Elves build their whole society around it I bet. So do devils.”

  Serena shocked asked. “Wait he thinks we can deal a 1,000,000 damage? Let alone 10,000,000!?”

  Swordie commented. “Get a sack and beat it. Hit a rock with a hammer. Cut down trees. Make a post and hit it. It will take days but it’s a huge number of points for your level. More importantly, while I am unsure about you Serena Victor has already nearly hit the first milestone with only about 7,000 damage to go.”

  Victor slapped his head. “OF COURSE! I was tier 10 and fought someone I might as well have killed over and over if he didn’t regenerate. After I finish with my strength training in about 10 more minutes I’m going to try and reach that achievement.”

  Serena's eyes widened. “I also fought him. How do you know?” She snatched Swordie. “How much damage do I have left to go for that achievement?”

  Swordie searched for a moment before answering. “About 31,000 damage.”

  “That’s not too bad. We could both have that before we arrive at the necropolis.” She put Swordie back as Victor stood up.

  “I have to finish exercising then I’ll be in.” Victor started running around the building again.

  “YOU CAN DO IT MY MAGE! WE’LL BE THE STRONGEST DUO IN ALL OF VERDAN!” Cawthorn screeched.

  “Will be? We already are Cawthorn.” Victor panted added.

  “WE ARE THE STRONGEST DUO IN ALL OF VERDAN!” Cawthorn cheered as they rounded the corner.

  Serena walked back into Emilie, Forala, and Jenora. Emilie groaned to Forala. “I’ve barely had a break I need to rest.”

  Forala shook her head. “Keep doing what you can. The rest of them still need help. Besides between everyone you’ve been paid incredibly well.”

  Emilie and Jenora went back to healing. Serena walked up for Forala. “Is he alright?”

  “He seems to be taking it rather well. He’s decided to focus on gaining stat points through achievements. Swordie is helping him.” She turned to the wounded still waking up. “What about them? Most people we brought needed healing, but everyone here has broken bones or missing limbs.”

  “We can’t help them forever. I’ll take them to the church or their guild later.” Forala replied.

  “I’ll help with that when you get around to it.” Serena nodded as Brice approached them.

  “Hi, so yesterday was crazy!” Brice nodded.

  Forala glared at him. “Yes. It was.”

  He stuttered. “What I mean is it was tragic. Horrible.”

  Serena looked at him. “Don’t worry she’s furious because she wanted to kill him. She feels cheated.”

  Brice carefully broached a question to Serena. “Where is Victor?”

  “He’s exercising outside. You should too. Even our priest exercises and she has been doing a lot better physically since she started doing it. Since each time you double your speed, you massively improve your reaction time.” She nodded at him.

  “I’ve been told mages don’t typically do that since that shouldn’t typically matter. Should I be doing that?” He asked Forala.

  Forala turned to him. “Is your Strength, Speed, and Endurance above 100?”

  Brice blinked. “No.”

  She leaned down to look him in the eyes. “Then get on it.”

  “Yes, guild leader.” He scrambled outside and started to lap with Victor only for Victor to pass him. Then pass him again before dropping his backpack and coming inside.

  The two of them reentered the building. Forala glared at both of them. “Get back out there.”

  Brice immediately went back outside. Victor commented. “Just dropping off my rocks.” They thudded to the ground and clattered to the floor. She heard. “Just getting my rocks off.”

  She pressed on the bridge of her nose with her eyes closed. “Victor just stop talking and get running.” Victor nodded with a smile.

  Jenora and Emilie approached her. “I can use my instant pure heal to help one of them an hour except for the 6 missing limbs but I insist they pay me at least 10% of what it would cost if I cast it normally. I helped a couple of them but I’m going to run with them. I’ll come back in every hour to sell it.”

  Forala nodded and patted her shoulder. “Good deeds are fine but I’m glad at least one of you has the good sense to make some money.”

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  Emilie thrust her thumb into her chest. “You can count on me to make money! I refuse to be poor.”

  Jenora chuckled and pulled her close. “That’s my girl.”

  “You know it!” She shot back.

  “Let’s get running.” Jenora walked toward the Door with Emilie and began running.

  Serena returned with a sigh. “I wish I could get more stats from exercising. I need to deal 31,000 damage to something breaking a rock is probably the best way to do this. Do we have a hammer?”

  Forala asked. “What are you talking about?”

  “Dealing 1,000,000 and 10,000,000 damage has, at least at our level huge stat bonuses attached. When I fought Zolvorn a while ago I nearly reached 1,000,000 damage. I just need to deal the 31,000 or so more damage according to Swordie to get the achievement.” Serena shifted her weight.

  “Really? I wonder if I already passed the 1,000,000-damage mark. That is good to know.” Forala looked out the window as the four of them passed by. “I’ll have to ask him about it.”

  “Do we have a hammer or anything I can use to hit a rock for a few hours?” She asked.

  “Don’t do that. Rocks don’t take much damage. It’s not that they have a huge amount of health. Chop trees for sure. They have a lot of health but if you cut through the trunk, you get credit for all their remaining health.” Forala replied.

  “Wait how do you know that?” Serena asked confused.

  “Father talked about treants in his diary and how much health they have because he had a way to burn health for magic. Earth elementals had normal health for their size and level.” Forala nodded.

  “What are you planning to do after we leave to go to the necropolis?” Serena continued to watch them for a few more moments.

  “To be honest when I thought about it, I realized there were three options. I could recruit more guild members. I ruled that out after talking to a few people and finding out they almost immediately hated me once they learned I am a half-breed. I could focus on making more money and donating most of it to the guild. This might be best for the guild but it’s worse for me. The last option I considered was going artifact hunting on my own but I don’t know where to look.” She sighed. “Even if I wanted to leave someone has to look after this building and let them talk to recruits. I wish I had a clearer answer as to the best way to handle this.”

  Irina bounced up to them. “Hi! I didn’t mean to ever drop but I couldn’t overhear you searching for someone to talk to new recruits! If you tell me what you want them to know I can manage this place while you are gone for an extra gold a day!”

  Forala chuckled and shook her head. “Victor.”

  Irina tilted her head confused. “What about him Guild Leader Forala?”

  She looked down. “Nothing. What you can let them know is the guild rules, if they are looking at us as a potential guild I will create documentation for them. If they want to see me or anyone else in the guild write down their information and let us know on return. I still want this place to get cleaned too while I am gone. I’d be happy to add a gold to your pay if you do that.”

  Irina pumped her fist. “Yes! I will be your secretary while you’re out of office. That’ll help me get back home much faster.”

  “Alright get back to cleaning we’ll need more rooms if we recruit more people.” Forala nodded as Irina ran off to a room on the second floor.

  “Beds should arrive today, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the halfling died yesterday.” Serena waffled.

  Forala nodded. “I wonder how many died yesterday. I know at least 10 or so died when they crashed into the square. I didn’t see the halfling. He might have left as soon as I gave him the order.”

  Almost as if in queue a halfling with bed frames on a cart arrived. Paul Mallon approached the door and knocked. “Miss Forala Medot it’s Paul Mallon. I’m here with the first delivery of beds.”

  She opened the door with Serena nearby. “Serena, could you assist me with the bed frames?”

  The halfling took off his hat. “There is the um matter of payment.” He held out his hat sheepishly. “Of course.” She dropped the amount they agreed upon in his hat.

  Almost elated the halfling put the pouch in an empty bag around his waist before putting his hat back on. “Thank you, ma’am! I will continue to make these for you every day until your order is fulfilled!”

  Forala looked at him quizzically. “Is this the first time a client has ever paid you?”

  He looked startled. “Oh um. Yes ma’am.”

  She walked over to the bed frames and looked them over. “Well, your work looks good. We’ll have more business for you after you are done with the bed frames, but we’ll need to gather funds first.” Forala picked up 4 of the frames. “Can you get the other 1 Serena? You can go Paul Mallon get working on the rest.” The halfling cheerfully scampered off with his cart and mule.

  The two of them unloaded the cart and placed a frame in five of the rooms. A few of those recovering watched them in awe of Forala’s strength. A dwarf with a bandaged arm stood up and hobbled over to her. “Madams thank you for your hospitality. We are sorry to be a bother and are happy to pay for our time here.”

  She looked down at the wide dwarf standing just above her knees with a beard nearly as long as he was tall. “You’re welcome. My name is Forala Medot. Who are you?”

  The dwarf looked up having to step back to see her face beyond her chest. “My name is Havel Heavykeeper. My party returned to their inn after your priest healed them all. All 4 of us are dwarves and generally, humans are not keen to assist us unless we throw a coin at them first.”

  She crouched down to look at him at eye level. “I’m a half-drake. Our guild has very little tolerance for discrimination between races since our angelic knight doesn’t tolerate it.”

  His face leaned in almost as to say, ‘well then’ when he asked, “Angelic knight?”

  “His level isn’t even close to Lightbringer Luke, but his heart is.” Forala smiled.

  “Our group isn’t in a guild. I’ll just ask. How much in dues does your guild charge?” The dwarf scratched his beard.

  “I’ll give you a guild sheet. I wrote up a couple the other day, but I can just rewrite them.” She walked over grabbed some papers and walked back. “Here is a list of the rules we’ve got for our guild. The general gist is we don’t want to make much gold off of our members. We want our members to become powerful. Artifacts increase your survival rate and by cutting any guild or auction house commission we’ll have guild members end up 10% to 25% more powerful over time.”

  “Really now? Your guild will not force a guild tribute on artifacts?” His eyes seemed to open wide.

  “All artifacts will be auctioned for points which are gained when you deposit artifacts with the guild. The points system is explained in those papers I handed you.” She explained enthusiastically.

  “Interesting. You’ll have funding issues then, right?” He asked.

  She shrugged. “We don’t know yet. We’ll have to see how things play out. Our hope is to make a very small amount of gold needed to provide lodging in Wonora and possibly food and, hopefully, information on artifacts. The general goal is simple. I want the members of the Artifact Hunters Guild to be powerful. I want our weakest members to be able to singlehandedly stop catastrophes.”

  The dwarf looked at her stroking his beard. “Well. That does sound interesting. My party has always been seeking out the most ancient artifacts for money. Gold is pretty appealing to dwarves doncha know.” He elbowed her knowingly. “I think becoming more powerful might be up their alley if you’re going to be kind to dwarves. We don’t find many out here adventuring or artifact hunting far from home after all. I’ll ask them.”

  “We’re having rooms cleaned and furnished so for the moment we’re lacking space but tomorrow we’ll have beds for you,” Forala noted.

  “Oh, so your guild is brand new then.” Havel leaned forward.

  “Yes, we’ve not even been established for a month.” She noted. “I’m a bit worried about me as guild leader we’ll have trouble getting members.”

  “Well, I’ve never seen a guild with the specific goal of members being stronger especially since they can just leave. Most guilds strive for money so they can attract talent. Some have other goals like the Reapers Guild but almost all of them take a large chunk of gold to remain a part of. The general adventurer's guild from the state doesn’t charge dues it just posts the generic quests that the state wants finished and doing those pays so poorly we’ve gotten sick of it, but we don’t want to join the other guilds around here.” He rambled on.

  She put her hand up. “If you’d like to join, you’re welcome to join. We welcome anyone who can abide by the rules laid out in those forms.”

  “I’ll ask them, but it might be a while before we can depart again since my arm is broken.” He grimaced.

  “We have a priest who can cast pure healing.” She explained.

  “Yeah, I can’t afford that.” He shook his head.

  “She’ll offer you a huge discount. She has Instant Spellcasting .” Forala shifted her hips.

  “Really!? You shouldn’t tell people that.” The dwarf insisted. “There are many unsavory types who would take advantage of that knowledge.”

  “I will not repeat it again then. If you wish to pay her a smaller fee, I’m sure she’ll accommodate you.” She assured him.

  “Thank you. Where is she?” He asked curiously.

  “Exercising. Every member of this guild must exercise when not adventuring.” She made the rule up on the spot. “Unless your strength, speed, and endurance are over 100.”

  “That’s a steep ask for clerics and mages.” He noted.

  She countered firmly. “Every single stat point helps keep our members alive. If a member doesn’t wish to participate in exercise or achievement-based improvements during downtime our guild is not interested. The goal of the guild is to share knowledge, strength, and camaraderie to create a strong cohesive, and trustworthy family. I don’t want to see my new family die.”

  The dwarf waffled back and forth. “I’ll have to ask Glenda Goldgrip but my group might be interested in that offer. I hope they’ll consider it.”