Defense specialization and new elements.

Sorry.

I’m a little late.

I added descriptions to the guildmaster’s section and the money section based on feedback.

Maple logs in for the first time in three days and waits for Sally in the plaza.

After a while, Sally arrives.

“Sorry, did you wait long?”

“No, not really. What should we do today?”

"Hmm… Well, how much do you know about what’s happened in these past three days?"

"What? I know nothing. I’ve been avoiding the game entirely."

Maple has no idea what has occurred within the game over the past three days.

She did not log in, nor did she allow herself to be exposed to any game information.

"Then I’ll explain it step by step."

"Okay, please do."

"First, a new skill has been added: the great shield. It’s designed to counter piercing attacks."

"Oh!"

Maple feels genuine delight.

Sally said the method of acquisition was also known to the administrators.

Maple would look into the skill later. Sally continued speaking.

“This is important… while Maple wasn’t around, an event, or rather… a new element? Anyway, it’s been added.”

“A new element?”

“A golden insect called a ‘Luminous Moth’ now appears somewhere in the field.”

Sally said various types of insects appeared in the field, and defeating them guaranteed a drop of the ‘Proof of Luminous Moth.’

“What is the proof for?”

“It’s needed to purchase the new feature, the ‘Guild Home.’”

“A Guild… Home?”

“This town has plenty of buildings you can’t enter, right?”

“Yeah.”

Maple glanced around. Several such buildings were already visible.

Most of the vast town consisted of buildings that could not be entered.

Everything except shops run by NPCs and forges rented by players from NPCs fell under this category.

"One certificate allows purchase of one such building. The rank of Guild Home obtainable varies by insect type."

"Hmm, I see. That makes sense."

Sally explained the benefits of a Guild Home, namely stat increases. Then she began speaking about the number of Lightflies.

"There is a limit to the number of Lightflies... only as many as there are buildings."

"Really!?!"

"The administrators plan to gradually increase the number of buildings, though."

That would not affect the current count of Lightflies.

Maple had missed her chance.

"T-then let's hurry and look for one!"

Maple wished to experience a Guild Home firsthand.

If she failed to obtain one now, she did not know when she would again.

They could not linger here indefinitely.

"Maple."

"What... what is it?"

Sally swiftly manipulated the blue screen, pulling an item from her inventory.

"I already took it. I thought you'd want it."

"O-oh! Thank you!"

"Just... this only grants the right to purchase a Guild Home. You'll still need gold to buy it."

"How much... is it?"

"Five million gold."

"F-five million!? What?"

Maple checked her current funds.

She had rarely needed money, and had never thought to save.

Her current balance was only fifty thousand gold, and a little more.

"Then... let's go earn some money! I want a Guild Home as soon as possible."

Maple began walking toward the outskirts of Town.

"Maple."

"What... what is it?"

Sally pulled up her status screen, stepping closer to Maple.

She tapped a section with her finger, showing it to Maple.

On Sally’s funds display, one five followed by six zeros.

"Already prepared, this much."

"Y-you’re amazing! Sally’s amazing!"

"hehehe… keep praising me~"

She had earned this sum not through tricks or shortcuts, but simply by gathering and selling drop items for three full days straight.

After a moment of praise from Maple, Sally spoke again.

Sally said she would head toward the house she could afford, and Maple agreed.

Maple followed behind Sally, who knew the way.

"Money… I’ll return it later."

"Um… it’s fine, really. I don’t need it that much. If you really want to repay me, something that fits me would be better."

"Got it, I’ll look for something!"

"Whenever you like."

At the edge of the Town, Sally stopped walking.

It would be inconvenient to reach the central plaza or the NPC shops from here.

This area, perhaps.

You've walked far enough.

The proof I acquired is of low rank… A higher rank proof would buy me a home in the center of town, at the Guild Home.

That is more than enough just to have it in my hands!

Maple did not concern herself with the size of the Guildhome.

It was natural to think so, given Maple’s nature and thought.

Maple walks for a time until she finds a single 【Guildhome】.

Here… might do.

Deep within a road without footfall.

The Guildhome existed in quiet seclusion, its presence marked by an air of hidden refuge.

Certainly, Maple would like it.

Is this place acceptable?

Yes, it should do.

Sally drew forth the [Proof of the Light Insect] and pressed it against the door.

The alley was filled with white light. The door creaked open slowly.

They enter the interior.

—Quite spacious, then.

The interior was confirmed at a glance. Wooden furniture in calm hues dominated the space.

At the far end of the room, a blue panel was set into the wall. Inputting information there allowed registration of guild members.

Sally had stepped down, yielding the guildmaster position to Maple.

Sally had said she would pause her role as guildmaster for now.

“This is still the lowest rank. Guild members… can be registered up to fifty.”

“There is also a second floor… but will it hold that many?”

“Perhaps not comfortably. The limit is reached. Might we invite someone? If we do not act soon, everyone else will join other guilds.”

“…I’ll ask Kasumi and Kanade.”

“I expected as much. That seems good.”

Maple sent messages to the two.

Minutes later, replies arrived from both.

Fortunately, neither had yet joined another guild.

And she had accepted Maple’s invitation without hesitation.

“Got it! Sally! I’m heading to the square for a bit!”

“Be careful.”

Maple burst through the door and ran out.

Maple arrived at the square.

The two sat on the edge of the central fountain. They noticed her and approached.

After Kanade and Kasumi introduced themselves, Maple began to speak.

“Thank you both. I’m happy.”

“I’m glad you invited me.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

They exchanged thanks and began to walk.

At that moment.

“Hm? That person…”

Maple stared at the figure. The figure noticed and approached.

“Ah, event rush, huh?”

“Crom! It’s been a while!”

The figure was Crom.

Maple had only met him once, atop the snowy peak.

“How was the event, Maple? You followed us into that snowfield after we did?”

That, of course, referred to the nest of the monstrous bird.

"Strong, yes! I barely managed to overcome it."

Crom had expected Maple to have defeated it. Hearing it from her own lips, however, brought renewed astonishment.

Yes. She had defeated it.

"Such strength would grant her entrance to any guild without question. Though some have conditions... still..."

"Guild... right! Would you like to join my guild, Crom? If you have no other plans, that is."

Crom had been part of a party with Maple during the second event. She had assumed it impossible.

She had not sent a message. But now that they had met, she decided to speak with him first.

"Are you certain? If Maple wishes it, I would gladly join."

Crom said the party from the previous event had been temporary.

That meant, for now, Crom was free.

Then, Maple took Crom with her and the four of them headed toward the 【Guild Home】.

"Welcome back!"

"Back already? Oh, you brought Crom too?"

"Accidentally met him. He said he’d join!"

"Then let’s register everyone."

The three new arrivals each entered their details into the blue panel located at the back of the room.

"By the way… we should decide on a guild name."

"Let Maple decide. She’s the guildmaster, after all."

"I agree."

"Same here."

Four voices urged Maple to think.

After a pause, Maple entered a name into the panel.

【Maple Tree】

This guild, named by Maple, would operate as a small group.

Later, it would be known as 【Foreign Demon Realm】 or 【Demon World】, but that was still far off.

The system of this guild.

It might even handle real money.

Please don’t worry about that.

Please. Please.