“Now then, we’ve got the wall around our entire guild territory. The land is officially registered under the guild name, and we’ve unlocked the territorial bonuses.”
Samuel sounded satisfied. Cassis’s mother looked even more so.
“The bonuses are impressive,” she said calmly. “It’s a pity we can only choose one.”
Cassis nodded, arms crossed as he reread the guild system interface.
Then his mother surprised him.
“I’d really like all of them, if possible. Do you think we could unlock additional bonuses if we acquire more territory? Or perhaps establish multiple territories?”
That… was a good question.
Cassis paused.
In the other timeline, guilds hadn’t exactly been collaborative. Information had been hoarded like treasure. He only knew about the combat buff because its effects had been obvious in large-scale battles.
But now that he was looking at the full list, he couldn’t help but wonder:
Were they all idiots?
Why had nearly every major guild chosen the combat enhancement?
He exhaled slowly and focused on the system window.
Guild Territory Bonus — Choose One:
- Unified Front (Combat Buff)
+15% damage and defence when fighting in a party containing at least one guild member.
A respectable number. In the other timeline, it had been noticeable. Entire raid squads had revolved around maximizing that bonus.
But respectable didn’t mean optimal.
- Shared Growth (Experience Buff)
+20% experience gain when in a party with a guild member.
This explained the explosive level spikes certain guilds had achieved early on.
And yet…
Cassis’ gaze hardened slightly.
With the second wave approaching, rapid levelling was not necessarily a blessing. It would just increase the levels or even ranks of the monsters spawned near them when the wave came.
And anyway, levelling too fast destabilized skill foundations. People overextended. They chased numbers instead of mastery. He had seen what that led to.
No. Speed was not what they needed.
- Hands of the Hearth (Crafting Buff)
? 5% chance to increase item rank when crafted within guild territory.
? +10% profession experience gain within guild territory.
There it was.
The correct choice.
A 15% combat increase was powerful, but temporary. Replaceable. Conditional.
But a higher-ranked weapon?
Better armor?
Those stacked. Permanently.
And profession levels were far harder to raise than combat classes.
Grinding monsters was simple. Repetition, risk, stamina.
But professions required creativity. Variation. Understanding materials from different angles. True craftsmanship.
That was why most crafters in the other timeline had plateaued around level 60 or 70. Not because they lacked effort, but because they lacked perspective.
A 10% bonus there? That was long-term dominance.
And the 5% rank increase…
Cassis almost smiled.
Five percent sounded small. But over hundreds, thousands of items? That was how legendary equipment began.
Still, he did not want to decide alone. That was why he, his mother, and Samuel were here. Arianna should have been here.
His gaze drifted briefly toward the window. But she wasn’t in the right state for strategic planning. He was already relieved she had gone to Joseph that morning to continue the mana-farming experiment. That meant she was at least trying.
He would give her a few days. Then he would ask her opinion. Because she would get better. Wouldn’t she?
A hand touched his arm, gently patting him. When Cassis looked up, he found his mother watching him with quiet concern.
He gave her a small, reassuring smile. Arianna would be alright. There was no other option.
As if she had followed his thoughts step by step, his mother said softly, “We’ll make the decision about the buffs together with her. I’ll give her two more days.”
Then she added even softer, “Don’t worry. I’ve already told everyone what to do. We’ll take care of her.”
That did not relieve his worry.
It transformed it.
What exactly had his mother done?
He did not ask.
He knew better than to inquire about her plans. They were usually intricate, far-reaching, and headache-inducing. This time, Arianna was clearly her target. And if anyone questioned him, he could truthfully say he had no idea what was going on.
He nodded instead. That was the correct response.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She smiled warmly. “You’re getting wiser by the day.”
Samuel gave him a solemn nod of approval before continuing his report.
“The second wall around the city will need more time. Convincing the local government was easy enough. A few other earth mages have expressed interest in helping, but they’re still too low-levelled. For now, Marcus and Irene are the only ones building.”
Cassis felt a flicker of relief. Making Samuel responsible for negotiations had been the right decision. In the other timeline, conflicts between guilds and governments had drained precious resources that should have gone toward survival.
His mother smiled. “Great. I knew Derrick was a sensible man.”
Cassis rolled his eyes.
Of course she knew the mayor. And of course she called him by his first name.
Samuel deadpanned, “Yes, very reasonable. He agreed immediately once he heard you were one of the guild masters.”
His mother shrugged, grinning. “We went to high school together. Ran the student council. He knows how I handle business.”
Wonderful.
Cassis reminded himself, again, not to underestimate middle-aged people and their networks. Especially not his mother. His father, he suspected, did not possess nearly the same level of strategic social influence.
Samuel moved on.
“Next point. Mr. and Mrs. Yukimura would like to speak with Cassis about raising livestock within the territory. I believe there’s a suitable plot of land near their house. We’d just need to clear the ruins that are still there.”
Cassis blinked in surprise. He hadn’t taken Mr. and Mrs. Yukimura for livestock farmers.
His mother smiled. “Oh, that makes perfect sense. Akemi and Kenji grew up in the countryside. Chickens, cows, pigs, they’ve raised all of it. They only moved here because it became too expensive to maintain their farm. That was when they settled down with their daughter, Yuki.”
Her smile softened.
Yuki had died during the first wave.
She had left behind her husband, Minato, and their young daughter, Hana.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Cassis remembered Yuki well. She had been three years older than him but had still played with him when they were children. She had been kind.
It was often the kind ones who died first.
He exhaled slowly and turned back to Samuel.
“I’ll speak with them after the meeting. We’ll need to plan carefully. Some livestock might mutate. They’ll have to be strong enough to deal with that possibility.”
Samuel nodded. “Minato has joined one of our combat teams. He’s still raiding dungeons with Camden and Liam. I believe he can handle it.”
Cassis approved of that. Not everyone was meant to be a fighter. But Minato had watched monsters kill his wife, and instead of breaking, he had chosen to grow stronger.
Most likely for his daughter’s sake.
His mother added, “You should also inform Gabe Gilleaux about their plans. He was a butcher before the system. He’s already obtained the Butcher profession. Livestock will eventually need processing.”
“That makes sense,” Cassis agreed.
Samuel continued, scanning his notes. “Next topic: new professions within the guild. Danielle has obtained the Administrator profession.”
His mother beamed with pride.
Cassis nodded in approval. That profession would be invaluable. “Congrats, mom.”
“And Thomas Smith has acquired the Blacksmith profession.”
Cassis looked up sharply. “Thomas? Janice’s younger brother? He’s fifteen.”
Samuel snickered. “Yes. The boy was ecstatic when he reported it.”
“How did he manage that?”
Samuel outright laughed. “Thomas had been watching online videos about traditional blacksmithing. Then he convinced Irene to help him build a primitive forge. He got Taliah to supply controlled fire, and he started melting down some of my old knives.”
Samuel’s eyes twitched slightly at the mention of his knives.
Cassis hoped Thomas hadn’t been scolded too harshly.
“After that,” Samuel continued, “he forged an arrowhead for Janice. And just like that, profession unlocked.”
Cassis stared at him.
Had it really been that simple?
Or had the system rewarded Thomas’ initiative and creativity?
His mother smiled brightly. “That’s wonderful. He’ll need to learn more now, of course. But we finally have a blacksmith. I know you’ve been hoping for one, Cassis.”
Yes.
He had.
Though he had envisioned someone older. Broader. Covered in soot and muscle.
Thomas looked more like a sleep-deprived honours student than a master of the forge. Still he was responsible, intelligent and motivated. He wasn’t the worst choice for their blacksmith. And maybe his creativity and drive would gain him more than old experience would.
Cassis shook his head faintly. He would congratulate the boy personally. And then he would inspect that forge.
Lunch with Arianna was quiet. Not strained. Not uncomfortable. Just… careful.
Cassis chose his words with the precision of someone walking across thin ice. He finally saw her smile again, small, muted, but real. That alone was worth the silence.
Afterward, she went to see Irene. He headed toward the Yukimuras.
The elderly couple received him warmly. They explained their plans. There were no details yet, but with his agreement they wanted to start soon.
Cassis was happy they were going to get more of what they needed to be a self-sustaining community. He hadn’t forgotten how civilization had been destroyed by the waves and the shortages worldwide.
But he told them that they needed to consider the possibility of mutation.
“We have already discussed that,” Mr. Yukimura said, “Minato will guard the farm.”
Cassis nodded slowly. “That’s a start. But at least one guard must always be present. And Minato still needs time to level. He can’t stay stationed there permanently.”
Mrs. Yukimura exchanged a look with her husband.
“We’ll discuss it further,” she said gently. “Kenji has an idea.”
Cassis didn’t press. They were reserved people and deserved time to make their plans.
Then he went to see Thomas.
The primitive smithy stood in Samuel’s garden. It was… impressive.
Crude but functional. Stonework solid. Ventilation considered. The structure itself was made by Irene’s earth mana, but the layout, the logic behind it?
Thomas had directed it.
The smell, however, was unmistakable.
Samuel would lose his mind sooner or later.
“And you learned how to build this from online tutorials?” Cassis asked.
Thomas nodded proudly. “Yeah. There’s a whole community online trying to revive traditional crafts. I joined a channel that covered forge construction and beginner blacksmithing.”
He blushed slightly. “The fire part was difficult. Taliah helped with that.”
The fox. Cassis still wasn’t fully used to that fact, though he had probably warmed up to her quite a bit.
A monster, integrated into their guild.
In the other timeline, that would have been unthinkable.
Now it was simply… happening.
Just like a fifteen-year-old watching online tutorials, trying something bold, and unlocking a profession.
The system was strange. Or perhaps it rewarded intent.
Cassis turned serious.
“You understand this means hard work. Long hours. Study. Responsibility. Can you handle that?”
Thomas met his gaze steadily. The shy teenager vanished for a moment, revealing the man he would one day become.
“I’m sure. This is what I want to do. And it’s the only way I can really contribute.”
His confidence flickered.
“I’m not good at fighting.”
That was true.
His brother Michael had the instincts for combat. Thomas didn’t.
But that wasn’t a flaw.
“That’s alright,” Cassis said calmly. “You thought about what you could offer. Then you acted. If you continue like this, you’ll become one of the most important people in this guild.”
Was that too much pressure? Perhaps.
But Thomas wanted a role. A purpose. And purpose was survival.
Thomas beamed. “I’ll learn everything I can. Samuel ordered books for me. And more scrap metal to practice with.”
He winced slightly at that last part.
So he had been scolded for the knives.
Cassis chuckled.
Then a loud, panicked—
“Meaow!”
Cassis turned sharply.
Anne was running across the yard.
“Sphinx! Don’t run! We can’t let anyone see you!”
Too late.
Cassis reacted immediately, sprinting forward and scooping up the small orange cat.
It hissed violently, claws lashing out. The scratches stung. He used Body Reinforcement instinctively.
Was it already mutating?
Anne skidded to a stop in front of him, eyes wide with terror. Before he could speak, tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Walker. I’m sorry!”
She tried wiping them away, but more followed.
Cassis sighed inwardly.
He hated this.
“Anne. Stop crying,” he said gently.
The cat continued thrashing in his grip.
Thomas hurried over and wrapped his arms around his sister. She buried her face in his shirt, sobbing.
“Please… can I keep her?”
Cassis swallowed.
“You know it’s too dangerous. If it mutates, it could seriously hurt someone.”
Cats were already unpredictable.
Mutated cats?
They were born killers.
Sharp claws would become sharper, fangs longer, bodies larger. They were fast and silent predators. And so very cruel in the way the like to toy with their prey.
Anne looked up at him again, eyes red and shining.
“But Sphinx is the kindest kitty ever.”
Cassis would have loved to believe her, if the “kindest kitty ever” wasn’t currently trying to claw his eyes out.
“Anne,” he said patiently, “we’ve talked about this. No pets right now.”
She cried harder, but she didn’t argue.
And that made it worse.
For a brief moment, a cold thought crossed his mind. Should he just… deal with it? Away from the children. Make sure it didn’t return.
Then Thomas spoke.
“What if Helen helps monitor it? And maybe Taliah and Kael could too?”
Anne turned toward Cassis with fragile hope.
“Can I keep Sphinx?”
He exhaled slowly.
How could he explain that the adorable fluffball she loved could become a monster overnight?
His phone rang. Perfect timing.
“Thomas, can you get that? It’s probably important.”
Thomas retrieved the phone and put it on speaker.
“Cassis,” his father’s voice came through, “can you come home for dinner? Arianna’s here too.”
Relief washed through him.
“Yeah. I’ll be right over.”
He had a temporary solution.
He looked down at Anne. “I need to think about this. I’ll take Sphinx with me and discuss it with the other adults. Alright?”
Anne’s tears hadn’t fully stopped.
“Please, Mr. Walker. Sphinx is my friend. She’d never hurt anyone.”
The cat hissed again, claws scraping against reinforced skin.
If he hadn’t been using Body Reinforcement, it would have drawn blood already.
“I’ll think about it,” he repeated.
And with a yowling, furious orange cat in his arms, Cassis headed towards his parents’ home.
His father was waiting in front of the house.
The moment he saw Cassis wrestling with the furious orange cat, he burst out laughing. “Son,” he said between chuckles, “I don’t think the cat likes you.”
No surprise there. Cassis had always been more of a dog person. Dogs weren’t total psychopaths. Even when they mutated, many still stayed loyal to their human pack.
Cats, on the other hand…
He adjusted his grip as Sphinx twisted violently in his arms. “I need to talk to you,” Cassis said seriously.
His father’s laughter faded immediately.
Cassis explained everything about Anne, the mutation risk, the claws that were already too sharp for comfort.
To his credit, his father listened carefully.
“I don’t think we can keep the kids from adopting pets much longer,” he said after a moment. “They see Taliah and Kael and all they register is fluffy creature equals nap companion.”
He eyed the cat critically.
“I understand your concern. But… don’t you think you might be a little too stressed about this small creature?”
If Cassis hadn’t seen what mutated cats could become, he would have agreed.
He said nothing.
His father sighed.
“Alright. Let’s put it in a secure room for now. Later your mother and I can figure out a long-term solution.”
Cassis nodded. That was reasonable.
And it was better to keep the situation from Arianna for the moment. Bleeding heart that she was, she would volunteer to raise it herself just so Anne could visit.
They had too much on their plates for that.
His father placed a bowl of water inside his mother’s office. Cassis stepped in, set the cat down, and quickly shut the door.
The repairs after the first wave had been thorough. No broken door, no way to escape.
Sphinx hissed and yowled for a while.
Then, gradually, silence.
Dinner was… enlightening.
He finally learned what his mother had done. She had told the entire guild to make Arianna sing.
Cassis stared at her. His mother was insane. But in a strangely effective way. And Arianna didn’t look angry.
So… apparently it worked.
She was laughing again. Still softer than before, still not fully herself, but warmer.
And when she sang a lullaby for the children…
Cassis had never heard anything like it. It wasn’t just music. It was safety.
The feeling wrapped around him like a forgotten memory, like being small again, tucked between his parents, where monsters didn’t exist and nothing could reach him.
Protected.
Untouchable.
For a moment, decades of tension loosened inside his chest. It was beautiful.
When they returned home, he opened his mouth to say something, but …
“I need some time alone,” Arianna said gently.
He swallowed whatever words he had prepared and nodded. “Of course.”
She went upstairs.
He tried to focus on what still needed to be done, then meditation, then which new weapon to try out.
But he couldn’t. Instead, he wanted to be with her.
An hour passed. Maybe she wanted company now. Maybe she didn’t want to ask.
He moved quietly upstairs. Then he heard it. The faint sound of a keyboard.
Hope flared in his chest. Until now, they had needed to coax her, practically force her, to play or sing.
Now she was doing it on her own. Maybe Dr. Makimovich had been right.
Cassis stopped in front of her office door. He didn’t want to interrupt. He was about to turn away when her voice rose.
Two short verses. They went straight through him.
Not loud. Not dramatic. Just raw.
And then…
The melody continued. But her voice broke on soft sobs.
Cassis slowly sank down until he was sitting on the floor, his back against the door.
His vision blurred. He blinked, swiped at his eyes.
His hand came away wet. He was crying.
He pressed a fist to his mouth, muffling the sound. He had no right to cry. Not when she was the one who had suffered. Not when she was the one carrying the weight of memories she was forced to bear. Not when it was his fault she was here at all.
But he couldn’t move. And he couldn’t stop.
So, he stayed there, on the other side of the door.
And listened to her song.