Chapter 20: The Start of the Guild – Multiple Perspectives

Marcus's POV

The grand doors of the newly completed guild hall swung open, inviting a flood of eager citizens and adventurers. Marcus stood at the entrance, watching the crowd with a calm exterior, though his mind was busy analyzing the strength and potential of everyone inside.

The guild had been organized meticulously, and Marcus knew that this project could bring a new era of prosperity to his Grand Duchy. However, the adventurers were a mixed group, ranging from eager novices to seasoned veterans. Most of them were Tier 0, with a few on the verge of Tier 1, and only a rare few veterans at mid to high Tier 1. None had surpassed Tier 1, and Marcus couldn't help but wonder if any of them would make it to the higher ranks.

The tier system was strict. Reaching Tier 1 meant they had crossed Level 100, but going further—from Level 101 to 200—would allow someone to break into Tier 2. Tier 3 was a significant leap, spanning Levels 201 to 400, with each level requiring exponential growth in power. Only a select few in the world had ever made it to Tier 4, which spanned Levels 401 to 700. The real legends, like the Elf King, were in Tier 5, above Level 700. The Elf King himself was currently the strongest known being on the continent, sitting at Level 800, making him a high Tier 5 adept. No one had ever been recorded to have reached beyond Level 999.

As Marcus reviewed the system in his mind, he noticed the adventurers inspecting the quest boards, divided based on tiers. His focus remained on ensuring the safety of those accepting quests—new recruits should not be taking on quests beyond their level, especially when the guild was still in its early days.

Standing nearby, Selene's presence ensured that anyone thinking of breaking the rules was kept in line. Marcus trusted her completely, especially since she was a mid-Tier 3 Sentinel at Level 260—far stronger than most of the people in the room. Her power alone would keep any troublemakers at bay.

Selene's POV

The guild hall buzzed with excitement. New adventurers lined up to register, while others huddled around the quest boards, discussing the tasks they hoped to tackle. For most, this was a new start—a chance to earn coin and respect. But for Selene, this was just another day ensuring the guild ran smoothly.

Selene leaned against one of the tall stone columns, arms crossed, observing the chaos unfold with sharp, calculating eyes. At Level 260, a mid-Tier 3 Sentinel, her presence alone was enough to keep most troublemakers in line. She sighed, barely suppressing a smirk at the sight of eager, overconfident adventurers.

Some might wonder why someone of her caliber—powerful enough to command an army—was stationed in a guild hall, of all places. It wasn't for lack of ambition. She could be out hunting monsters or leading her own mercenary company. But the truth was more personal. The Aurelius family had taken her in when she was a child, and though she could have pursued greater glory, she owed her loyalty to them. The young Duke, Marcus Aurelius, had tasked her with overseeing the guild. And when Marcus asked something of you, you didn't refuse. Besides, there was something about keeping an eye on the growth of this new generation that appealed to her.

As she scanned the room, her attention fixed on a group of adventurers near the quest board. Their levels were clearly displayed above their heads—an essential feature of the guild's essentia crystals. The crystals allowed guild administrators like her to quickly assess a person's power, ensuring no one overreached their abilities.

The group she had noticed were around Level 50, solidly mid-Tier 1. They didn't seem like troublemakers at first glance, but their eyes were trained on a Tier 2 quest, one they were absolutely not prepared for.

Selene moved with silent grace, weaving her way through the crowd. The burly man in the group—probably their leader—was about to grab the scroll. She caught his wrist just in time.

"That quest's not for you," Selene said, her tone neutral but commanding.

The man scowled at her. He was big, brawny, and most likely used to intimidating others with his size. But Selene wasn't fazed. She'd dealt with far stronger men than him.

"And who's going to stop me? You?" he sneered, clearly unaware of who he was dealing with.

She allowed a fraction of her Level 260 aura to pulse out, just enough to send a chill down his spine. His bravado faded almost instantly, and he backed away, hands raised in mock surrender. The other adventurers in his group exchanged nervous glances, not wanting to challenge her authority.

"This guild isn't a free-for-all," she continued, her voice calm but laced with steel. "Pick a quest within your level, or you'll be removed from the board altogether. Am I clear?"

The man muttered something under his breath, but he didn't dare argue further. They shuffled off, wisely choosing a Tier 1 quest instead.

Selene exhaled quietly, watching them retreat. She wasn't here to bully rookies. But she wouldn't allow reckless behavior to ruin Marcus's vision for the guild. This place wasn't just about giving adventurers a place to earn coin—it was about building a stronger Duchy. If they failed here, the entire region would feel the consequences.

As the group walked away, she found herself thinking back to Marcus. The young Duke was resourceful, always full of ideas that pushed the boundaries of what was possible. He'd already tackled the food shortage with the creation of the greenhouse project, and now he was working on building a sustainable economy through the guild. For someone who wasn't yet awakened, his strategic mind was sharp—almost too sharp.

A commotion on the far side of the hall caught her attention. Another group of adventurers was arguing over the reward distribution from a recently completed quest. Selene straightened her posture, preparing to intervene when a lower-level administrator, a Level 80 Arcanist, stepped in. He handled the situation well, de-escalating the tension before it could escalate into a brawl.

Selene relaxed slightly, impressed by his quick thinking. Maybe this guild idea would work out after all.

She thought back to her decision to stay. She had been tempted, once, to leave and pursue a life of battle. But now, watching the adventurers who filed in daily, seeing the guild Marcus had envisioned begin to take shape, she realized she didn't mind the simpler work. It had its own kind of satisfaction—ensuring that things ran smoothly, that the adventurers grew stronger, that Marcus's plans for the future weren't derailed by a few foolish mistakes.

Still, she missed the thrill of real combat sometimes. She chuckled to herself. "Maybe someday," she thought.

Just as she was about to return to her post, a messenger entered the hall. He headed straight for her. "Lady Selene, Duke Aurelius requests your presence in the council room. "

She nodded, already anticipating the next challenge. Whatever it was, she'd handle it, just like she always did.

Alistair's POV

In his office, Alistair, the guild's chief administrator, sat reviewing reports. At Level 120, a low-Tier 2 Arcanist, his power lay in magic theory and support rather than physical strength. But his talent for management and strategy was unrivaled, and the guild's organization was largely his doing.

He could see the potential of the guild, but there were already issues cropping up. Some adventurers were eager to skip ahead, while others were underpaid for their efforts. Alistair quickly made notes to adjust the reward structures for certain quests, ensuring that the payments matched the risks.

Selene's report about a few adventurers testing the boundaries reached his desk, and he sighed. "It was to be expected," he muttered to himself. People always pushed limits, especially in a world where power was everything.

Just as he made a note to adjust the quest guidelines, Selene herself walked into the room, giving him an update on the situation. "They won't be a problem anymore," she said, her sharp gaze softening slightly.

Alistair nodded. "Good. We can't have people rushing headfirst into death."

Ellie's POV

Ellie peeked out from her hiding spot behind the staircase, her eyes wide with curiosity. She wasn't officially part of the guild yet—she was too young, after all—but she loved watching everything unfold. The adventurers were like heroes from the stories Marcus used to read to her, and she imagined herself one day standing among them.

"Big brother is working so hard," she thought, her eyes softening as she spotted Marcus at the other end of the hall. "I'm going to grow up strong and protect him, just like he's protecting me now."

Ellie had no magic yet—she wouldn't awaken until she turned 18, just like everyone else—but she dreamed of the day she could help her brother in more than just spirit. "Maybe I'll be Tier 3 one day," she thought, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "Or even Tier 5, like the heroes in the stories!"

But deep down, she knew that for now, her brother was the one carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and she had to be strong for him.

Gavin's POV

Gavin stood at the guild's front desk, his easy grin putting the new adventurers at ease. At Level 150, a mid-Tier 1 Elementalist, he wasn't the strongest person in the room, but he was one of the most approachable. His job was to welcome the new recruits and guide them through the process of picking their first quests.

"Alright, listen up!" Gavin said, addressing a group of bright-eyed novices. "If you're new to the guild, we've got some basic quests for you. Don't go picking something too hard, or you'll regret it."

He handed a group of low-level adventurers a simple herb-gathering quest. "This one's good for beginners," he explained. "But don't wander too far, or you might run into wolves. Even a Level 5 can get in trouble if you're not careful."

The adventurers took the quest, looking both excited and nervous.

Gavin chuckled as they left, but his expression turned serious for a moment. He'd seen too many overconfident adventurers rush into danger, thinking they could handle more than they were ready for. But the guild's system was designed to help them grow, not rush into death.