Moments later, a heavy-set dwarf with graying hair and a commanding presence emerged from a side door. His armor—a mix of polished mithril and dark leather—was well-worn but meticulously maintained. His eyes, keen and calculating, immediately fixed on Sael and his companions.
“So you’re the group that cleared out the mines for us. And now you're back with more good news no doubt.” he said, his voice deep and steady. “Follow me.”
The guild master led them into a private office. The room was lined with shelves filled with ledgers, trophies from hunts, and maps of the surrounding regions. A large stone desk sat in the center, its surface covered in stacks of parchment and a glowing mana lamp.
“Let’s see those cards,” he said, holding out his hand.
Sael, Rhea, and Lyra handed over their old registration cards. The guild master inspected them closely, his brow furrowing as he read the details.
“Thunder drakes and crystal elementals in one day? Impressive. Most Iron Ranks wouldn’t have dared tackle one of those quests, let alone both. You’ve more than earned your promotion.”
He reached into a drawer and pulled out blank silver-rimmed cards. “You’ll need to update your information for your new rank. Start with you,” he said, handing Sael a quill and the first card.
Sael sat at the desk, carefully filling out the updated fields. He added new details about his abilities, including his proficiency with crafting and ancient technology. He also included a note about his exosuit, which had proven invaluable during their recent quests. For class designation, he wrote “Tactician-Crafter,” feeling it best represented his unique skill set.
When he finished, he passed the card back to the guild master, who examined it with interest. “Crafting and ancient tech, huh? Not something we see often. You’ve got a rare skill set, Sael. Make sure you use it wisely.”
Rhea and Lyra quickly updated their cards as well, noting their recent combat achievements and unique talents. Once all three cards were complete, the guild master stamped them with an official seal, imbuing each with a faint glow of magic that signified their new rank.
“Welcome to Silver Rank,” he said, handing the cards back. “There's a lot of new resources for you to utilize, and I'm sure you'll be looking for new challenges.”
With their promotions finalized, Sael leaned forward. “Speaking of that. We’ve heard rumors about an ancient tree titan stirring in the woods. What can you tell us about it?”
The guild master’s expression turned serious. “The tree titan is a force of nature, both literally and figuratively. It’s ancient, massive, and deeply tied to the forest’s mana flow. Taking it down would be an incredible challenge, even for seasoned Silvers. But it’s not impossible—with the right strategy and enough preparation, you might stand a chance.”
Rhea’s ears perked up. “And what about the ancient guardian beast and the ruins of the old city?”
The guild master leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “The guardian beast… that’s a different story. Unlike the tree titan, it’s more of a protector, endlessly serving it's mission. The creature stands upright, its carapace as tough as steel and its hide resistant to most weapons. It’s said to have an almost unsettling intelligence, capable of strategizing and adapting mid-battle. Those who’ve faced it and lived to tell the tale describe it as a towering figure, like a blend of beast and machine, with glowing mana veins running through its body.”
“And the ruins themselves?” Sael asked, his interest piqued.
“The ruins are a treasure trove for those interested in ancient technology. Artifacts, old machinery, mana-infused tools—it’s all there. But the guardian beast doesn’t take kindly to intruders. If you’re planning to go, you’ll need to be prepared for a fight unlike any you’ve faced before.”
Sael nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. The ruins could hold the key to understanding the book and advancing his crafting skills. But the thought of facing the guardian beast sent a shiver down his spine.
“Thank you for the information,” Sael said, standing. “We’ll take it into account as we plan our next steps.”
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The guild master gave a curt nod. “Stay sharp out there. The path you’re walking isn’t for the faint of heart.”
As they left the office, their new Silver Rank cards tucked safely away, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead would be dangerous, but the potential rewards—both material and personal—were worth the risk.
After their successful quests, the group returned to the bustling crafting guild in Darathyr. The spacious workshop was abuzz with activity as usual: sparks flew as blacksmiths ground blades, enchanters weaving runes into artifacts and gear. Sael’s mentor, Master Kaelen, was waiting near a workstation in the back.
The feline beastfolk, made his way over to greet Sael. His eyes gleaming topaz as he greeted Sael with a smirk, his leather apron bristling with tools. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”
“We’ve got some materials from thunder drakes,” Sael replied, laying the shimmering scales and talons on the table.
Kaelen examined them, his sharp claws tracing the edges. “Good haul, but you’ll need a few extras to get the most out of these. We have a lot of extra materials available for crafters that’ll help—if you’ve got the coin.”
Sael agreed without hesitation. “Deal. Let me know how much I'll owe you when we're done.”
Kaelen chuckled. “Alright, let’s see what you can do. I’ll oversee and make sure you don’t set the guild on fire.”
With Kaelen watching, Sael got to work. The mentor occasionally chimed in with advice, adjusting components or pointing out potential flaws. His lithe form kept close, forcing Sael's focus, and the additional materials proved invaluable, allowing him to work and stay on task.
Sael carefully laid out the shimmering thunder drake scales they had harvested earlier. The scales were remarkably durable yet flexible, perfect for creating protective armor. With Alden’s enchanted leather providing a sturdy base, Sael worked meticulously, layering the scales over the leather to create a snug yet flexible fit. “Lyra, try this on,” he said, holding up the finished vest.
System Note: Lightning Scale Vest Crafted
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Description: A lightweight vest crafted from thunder drake scales. Provides excellent resistance to electrical attacks and moderate physical protection. When struck, it can discharge a small electrical shock to deter attackers.
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Crafting Bonus: Enhances agility slightly due to the lightweight material.
Lyra slipped it on, her eyes bright with excitement. The scales shimmered faintly, catching the light. “It’s perfect. It’s so light! And there's even room for my wings.”
“That’s the point,” Sael replied with a satisfied grin. “You’ll be protected without it slowing you down.”
Next, Sael turned his attention to upgrading Rhea’s opal claws. Using the talons of the thunder drakes, he designed a new pair of clawed gloves that incorporated the natural lightning affinity of the materials. Sael shaped the talons into curved, wicked blades and mounted them onto reinforced gauntlets.
System Note: Thunderclaw Gloves Crafted
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Description: A pair of gloves equipped with thunder drake talons. Each strike delivers a minor electrical discharge, enhancing damage against enemies vulnerable to lightning. Durable and razor-sharp.
Rhea eagerly slipped them on, flexing her fingers. Small arcs of electricity danced along the talons as she tested their sharpness on a piece of scrap metal, cutting through it effortlessly.
“These are amazing,” Rhea said, her tail wagging slightly. “I’ll make good use of them.”
Sael decided the Kitsune mask had outlived its usefulness. For Lyra and himself, he started to craft headbands using thunder drake scales and mana crystal shards. Sael delicately embedded the shards into the center of each headband, ensuring they were securely anchored. The shards would act as magical amplifiers, enhancing the wearer’s ability to channel spells.
System Note: 2x Thunder Drake Headband Crafted
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Description: A sleek headband made from thunder drake scales and enchanted mana crystal shards. Increases the efficiency of spellcasting by reducing mana consumption and slightly amplifies spell potency.
When Lyra placed hers on her head, her eyes widened as she felt the subtle magical amplification.
“This will make casting so much easier,” she said, her voice filled with wonder.
Sael placed the second headband on his own head and nodded. “It’s good, I can feel it too. These will come in handy.”
As Sael worked, Rhea approached, holding the thunder drake egg they had recovered. “Sael, can you make something to help me incubate this egg?” she asked, her ears perking up with hope.
Sael examined the egg carefully, noting the faint warmth emanating from it. “It’ll need consistent heat and a stable environment to hatch properly. Let me see what I can do.”
He gathered materials to create a small magical incubator, based off the design of his slime incubator. With his recent experience of all the rune and technology crafting he felt like it was possible to replicate. He made a design using enchanted wiring to regulate the temperature, with enchanted crystal fragments as a power source, and a little bit of leather to provide warmth and insulation. The incubator hummed softly as it activated, surrounding the egg in a gentle, golden glow.
System Note: Thunder Drake Egg Incubator Crafted
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Description: A portable incubator designed to nurture a thunder drake egg. Maintains optimal temperature and mana flow to ensure proper development. Requires a thunder drake egg to incubate.
“This should do the trick,” Sael said, handing the incubator to Rhea. “Keep it close, and the egg should hatch in time.”
Rhea beamed. “Thank you, Sael. I can’t wait to see what hatches from this.”
System Notification: Skills Increased!
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[Monster Crafting - Lv.3]
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[Rune Crafting -Lv.3]
Sael felt a surge of energy as the system acknowledged his progress. The new rank opened up countless possibilities for future crafting endeavors. He couldn’t help but smile as he looked at his companions, now better equipped for the challenges ahead.
“Let’s put these upgrades to the test soon,” Sael said. “We’re ready for whatever comes next.”