Solmere's Adventurers Guild had seen many parties return.
Victorious ones.
Broken ones.
Drunk ones.
But never one like this.
The heavy doors opened before they even reached the steps.
Out strode the Guild Master himself—broad-shouldered, furred, and imposing. His mane of dark auburn hair framed a face that blended leonine sharpness with lupine discipline. Gold eyes assessed everything in seconds.
Behind him stood guild officials and the familiar slime receptionist, who was visibly quivering with excitement.
"We've been expecting you," the Guild Master announced.
Then he added deliberately:
"The Vixens."
Jax stepped down first from the carriage, taking no offense. If anything, he seemed pleased.
Recognition for his team meant more than recognition for himself.
He extended his hand.
"We've brought a significant load of Mana Bulbs for extraction. Should we unload here, or would you prefer a secured transfer somewhere else?"
The Guild Master blinked.
The reports hadn't mentioned a man.
Only four women. Shadow beasts. A record-breaking clear.
The slime receptionist leaned close and whispered.
"The party name is actually Jax and the Vixens, sir."
The Guild Master's golden eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Ah.
So this was the man causing waves through merchant circles. The one the Slave Guild had grumbled about during festival funding disputes. The one local businesses seemed eager to align with.
"I am Guild Master Kaelor Fangmere," he said at last, gripping Jax's hand firmly. His claws were trimmed immaculately. "This hall will suffice. We have transport gates and laborers prepared."
Jax nodded once.
He opened the rear of the caravan—and then the dimensional access within.
Kaelor followed him inside.
And stopped.
Rows.
Layered racks upon racks.
Mana Bulbs organized by size, potency, preservation state.
Stored with professional warehouse precision.
Kaelor's jaw nearly dropped.
The slime receptionist—Miriella, though most simply called her "Miri"—literally liquefied.
Her clothes fell flat to the floor before reforming moments later, back in her clothes.
"This… this would cover guild requisitions of multiple guild branches for two years," she breathed.
Kaelor walked the rows slowly.
"It exceeds the contracted amount," he said quietly.
Guild Master Kaelor Fangmere stood frozen in the dimensional warehouse space, golden eyes wide.
The light from the bulbs reflected against the polished obsidian floor and danced across his leonine features.
Kaelor walked forward, running a claw gently over a rack. Perfectly preserved. No bruising. No mana leakage.
"And you harvested these while clearing the Crystal Caves in record time?" he asked.
Jax folded his arms casually.
"We were efficient."
That was all he said.
Kaelor looked at him again.
Now he understood.
The reports had focused on the Vixens.
But this man—
This man was the axis everything revolved around.
Kaelor turned.
"You have surpassed mission requirements. Payment for the base contract will be processed immediately. The remaining excess—" he paused, calculating, "—will require treasury authorization. Allow us several days to secure the full funds."
Jax extended his hand again.
"I trust a Guild Master of your reputation to honor his word."
Kaelor clasped it firmly.
"Good."
Then his tone shifted.
"If you would accompany me to my office… there are additional matters to discuss."
Jax expected this.
"Lead the way."
Kaelor Fangmere's office was less an office and more a hunter's sanctum.
Mounted beast heads lined the walls—meticulously preserved trophies from decades of campaigns.
Not crude decorations.
Each one labeled. Cataloged.
Bookshelves stood organized along the back wall—tomes on monster theory, mana theory, and battle tactics. Even ledgers were arranged in labeled bins.
Jax noticed immediately.
Order.
Precision.
The opposite of Eldrich's chaotic genius laboratory.
This was the lair of a disciplined predator.
Chairs were rearranged hastily when guards realized Jax required a fifth seat.
They had expected only four.
Jax sat in the center.
The Vixens sat beside him, their chairs subtly angled half a step behind his.
Kaelor studied him carefully.
"You accepted an A-Rank dungeon mission as an E-Rank party," Kaelor began. "Without guild authorization."
Jax tilted his head slightly.
"We accepted a Mana Bulb contract," he replied calmly. "The cave happened to be nearby."
A faint smile tugged at Kaelor's lips.
"And you broke a continental record in the process."
The room grew still.
Kaelor picked up a pen and rolled it between his claws—a small tell of tension.
"We have policies," he continued. "We do not reward parties that exceed their rank parameters. It protects members from reckless ambition."
Behind Jax, the Vixens remained silent—but they watched with fascination.
Jax nodded immediately.
"That policy is correct."
Kaelor blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"You can't build a guild on dead adventurers," Jax said evenly. "We have no intention of claiming dungeon rewards under E-Rank banner."
Now Kaelor truly looked intrigued.
"Yet," he said carefully, "we know you completed the raid. Set a record. Harvested beyond expectation."
He leaned forward.
"As Guild Master, I can re-evaluate your status."
The Vixens shifted subtly.
Jax smiled.
"I'd be happy to show you my rank."
Llandra stepped forward instinctively, but Jax lifted a hand gently to stop her.
His eyes never left Kaelor's.
The system interface appeared.
Experience Level: One
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Kaelor's golden eyes widened.
"That is impossible."
Jax shrugged lightly.
"You said it yourself. Evaluations can be wrong."
Kaelor leaned back slowly.
"You," he murmured, "are a riddle."
Jax's smile deepened.
"Wrapped in a mystery," he said casually, "inside an enigma."
Kaelor hadn't heard the phrase before.
But he liked it.
A slow grin spread across his muzzle.
"Perhaps," he said, "drinks would aid this discussion."
Nyxian perked up immediately.
"Yes."
Jax accepted the drink, eyes calm.
The real game had just begun.