The Harvester

"So, there's something like this for Guilds too, huh?" Rakna commented as he entered a storeroom inside the Pavilion's private section, following Ensis. It reminded him of the Pavilion Shop's vast stock where he had first met Kaelith.

"It's not exactly the same as what you're thinking," the old warrior said from next to him. As always, he stood straight like an arrow, contrary to his age, and kept his eyes closed. "This is the exclusive treasury of the guild. Everything here is brought in by the members. Submitting items rewards you Guild Points relative to their worth, with which you can buy others."

"I see. You have your own little market," the therian commented as he walked around to check the many items. Crystal Sight shone faintly as he scanned everything and Pronos stuck his heads out of the scarf to admire everything. Armors, weapons, skill cards and books, Wilden eggs, materials, ores, potions, money… There was practically everything one could think of.

"You can take any one thing from here for free," Ensis said as he let him explore. "It is the reward I owe you as well as your welcoming gift."

As soon as he said that, a System notification popped up in Rakna's vision.

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Guild Quest – Wild Boss Subjugation has been completed.

Rewards have been defined by Credo.

Choose any item contained within The Throne of Glory's treasury.

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"I see. Simple enough, but equally valuable," the therian said as he deliberated what would actually be useful to him. Armor and weapons were not important. Especially with Allegro and Sonata only needing him to feed items he could create himself with magic.

Accessories were tempting though. He only had his Spatial Ring and the Necromancer's Rule at an acceptable tier for him. Just the latter gave 10% additional Magic Attack other than the increase in mana regeneration and his two undead-related skills. Having more of those wouldn't hurt.

On the other hand, he had no need for ores, pets, or money. Aside from that, there were also a few Random Item Boxes, proficiency cards, recovery items, and the infamously rare utility items…

"Hm?" Rakna halted his gaze at a peculiar object. It was a luminous steel prism contained inside a glass case. It had four sides and was run through by white lines. One thing he noticed however was that hidden under those white lines, a complex magic matrix spanned the whole object.

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Designation: Item/Material/Consumable

Name: Eínai Star

Rarity: Exotic

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Description:

An ageless piece of technology crafted by unknown alchemists and scientists in order to create the perfect artificial golem-automaton known as 'Ark-Mk1' to save ??? from the ???. It is one of the building blocks for a minor supportive harness meant to encase a Star Gem; a power core born from the compression and refining of an entire Star System into the size of a gem.

This Eínai Star is one of the three created for the sole purpose of assisting the connection between the Star Gem and the body of the golem into a unified mecha-organism. Made with over a thousand different materials and ingredients, including the legendary ore known as Dead Star Tears, an Eínai Star is more than capable of individually being one of the greatest energetic catalysts in Existence.

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To use it, one can either craft a greater whole with it or employ the matrixial protocols inlaid into it. The latter option will have the Eínai Star link itself to an object, living being, or a conceptual force. The Eínai Star will subsequently become an embodiment of the linked entity and if consumed by either a living or non-living organism, will grant that embodiment as strength, by fusing with the physical matter of the consumer.

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Note: The System shall assist with the process. It is possible to feed the Eínai Star with an item of any sort and turn it into a Skill once consumed by a Host, Local, or Wilden.

Important Note: This is an Item made with scientific, alchemical, magical, and experiential production methods. The complexity of its making equates to the complexity of its usage. The System does not guarantee success or safety, only stability.

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This wasn't the only Exotic Item in this treasury, and there were even more Gold Rarity ones lying around. Additionally, an Exotic Item was not necessarily better, but Rakna immediately made up his mind when he read its description.

Not only was there no other item that triggered his instincts as much as this one did, but the nature of it was immensely compatible with him. Whether it be the star or alchemical aspects. And even more importantly, he did possess an Item he found great potential in turning into a skill.

"I want this one," Rakna pointed at the prism and Ensis opened one eye to look at it.

"…it's one of the few objects in here that have redacted writing," the warrior remarked. "There is also no need to solicit me; your reward has no restrictions, so take it. Nevertheless, I must ask, are you able to see more than we can about its origins?"

The therian glanced back at him and hummed as Crystal Sight shimmered silently. He had already peered into the question marks of the description. If the System wanted to hide something or had no way to extract that particular information, it didn't mean he couldn't do it.

And as a matter of fact, he had already done so. He stared at the description and watched the words being swept as if washed away by a river. The redacted words fell apart and his Sight began to read what lay beyond; the Original Language.

'To think I would find another relic like this so soon,' Rakna thought. 'A robotic golem built during the Lost Era to fight against the Enders… Clearly, some people tried to do something before Yahweh had to intervene. And this prism is just an infinitely small piece... I wonder how strong this 'Ark' was, or if it ever was completed.'

"{Perhaps we'll never know,}" Fray commented. "{And this is 'Mark One'. There might have been a second one after the prototype failed. Regardless… their Era ultimately ended.}"

The therian silently agreed and eventually took the Eínai Star, his Quest confirming his choice and unregistering it from the treasury. He held it in his hand for a short moment, sensing the incredibly precious materials it was made of.

"I know a bit," he eventually answered Ensis' question. "But there isn't much to say. Caer told you about Hans' story, no?" He inquired back and the guild leader's eyebrows rose.

"That Item comes from that 'Lost Era' then? Then the alleged automaton…"

"Yes. A failed hope to save its inhabitants it seems."

Ensis hummed to himself and closed his eyes. "I see. Well, do you wish to leave now or do you want to submit some items of your own? You could exchange for something else if you have enough."

Rakna smiled. "Well… I don't really have anything on hand, but I could conjure up some weapons with my magic. They're as permanent as any real object. But for now… I'm fine."

The old warrior snorted, acting as if the idea of exploiting the Guild Point system with magic-made weapons was merely amusing, and not ridiculously unfair. "As long as you don't bankrupt us," he jested and turned around to leave.

"Don't worry, I'll exchange you some good spells if it ever comes to it," Rakna followed him out with a chuckle.

* * *

"Oh, so you picked that pyramid thingy?" Tairen exclaimed as the whole guild sat in the Pavilion.

"Interesting choice," Tira commented. "I suppose you already have an idea of what to use it on?"

Rakna nodded. "I have a Utility Item that's incredibly versatile and useful. I would say it's quite a powerful one too since its power scales to me. But my skills and magic are usually far more optimal to use in most situations. Conversely, it's very in line with my transmutation powers."

"Wait, that Utility Item; you mean that one you got during the Tutorial?" Gray asked.

"Yes."

"Uh, I guess it does fit the whole thing about the Philosopher's Stone," the clown said. "If you learn it as a skill… it could evolve into something quite good. You'll do it now?"

"Nah, later."

Gray's eyes narrowed sullenly. "…you want to keep it a surprise, don't you? Haven't you had enough fun destroying our common sense already?"

"Not even close," the therian retorted shamelessly. "Anyway, I didn't stick around for that. There's something I want to show you," he changed topics and fished out one of his ongoing Quests; a very specific one. He swiftly applied it as a Guild Quest and Ensis' eyes shifted.

The old warrior immediately widened his eyes at the notification he received. He looked at Rakna for a short second before approving the Quest and sharing it with the entire guild.

"Holy--!" Varq stood up. "Where the hell did you get this kind of Quest?!"

Geisman leaned forward with a serious expression, scowling at the System window. "I have never seen this combination of classifications. A Hidden Dungeon, a Hidden Quest, and a World Raid Boss to top it off. And the title of Chintamani Lord…"

"There's something more important before that!" Varq shouted. "I can't be the only one seeing the SSS Difficulty Rating, right?! I've never seen that!"

"SSS?" Rakna raised his voice in confusion. "It's SS, for me."

"Huh?" The red-haired man blinked. "Wait… your rating is lower?"

"Well… that's the rating it gave me when I received it," the therian replied. "It hasn't changed since then. This is supposed to be a personal rating, right?"

"You're correct," Caer took over the conversation with a frown. "There are two types of Difficulty Ratings in the System, as you already know. The first is a general estimation, such as the ones used by the Pavilion, and the second is judged by the System based on your predisposition. This is quite obviously the second type but… mine is also showing SSS."

"I've heard that SS means close to impossible," Rakna raised an eyebrow. "So, the step above is just infeasible to do according to the System?"

"Pretty much," Lux nodded and turned toward Ensis. "Boss? What does it show for you?"

"…SS," the guild leader calmly answered.

Vegas rubbed his chin. "So, it's the same rating as Xiorra… I can understand the leader having such a rating compared to us. There's no one stronger in the System aside from Unsworth. But," he eyed the therian. "For you to have the same rating as him is strange."

"Not strange," Lilia suddenly said and everyone looked at her. "Counter."

"Oh, that would make sense," Rakna muttered and the stares turned to him, though it was more in disbelief this time; they couldn't believe how fast he could decipher the girl's intentions. "If there is something in that Hidden Dungeon to which I'm a counter, it would explain it. If we assume the biggest danger to be the Boss, then I might be its natural enemy somehow."

"This feels like some crazily dangerous Quest," Varq uttered. "Um, boss, this is the individual rating, right? If you issue the Quest with us as a party, what does it change to?"

Ensis was in the process of doing just that, so he had the answer quite fast, "S+"

Tairen whistled with a grin "Damn, it's still high. But as long as it's not impossible, I'm in! I wanted to ask the new kid for a spar, but it looks like he brought us something even better!"

"I might bring some of my own companions too, so it might be a bit lower than that," Rakna mused.

He wasn't keen on the idea of endangering anyone close to him, but having Lana, Cura, Kaelith, and Hans would make things much smoother. Add the recently joined Fiora as well, and it could greatly increase their chances. Instinctively, Rakna knew those five had the strength to handle this Quest.

"Wait a minute, we don't know the entry limit," Lux interjected. "You might not know this but the higher-level Dungeons usually have a limit of about 10 participants. Some even have requirements to enter; like levels, a specific skill, or an item. In fact, if you had tried, you would have noticed that no Dungeon in the entirety of the System accepts more than 25 people."

The therian's eyes widened slightly; he hadn't thought about that.

"Did you never get close to the Dungeon?" The fallen angel asked. "That's the only way to see how many people can get in at once and the entry conditions."

"I didn't… To be fair, I almost died by just looking at it from a distance. I barely managed to survive, much less approach it," Rakna furrowed his eyebrows.

"Svanya," Ensis suddenly called and the woman in question perked up from the corner of the room, looking at her guild leader's back. "Get the coordinates of this Dungeon from Rakna and check its entry requirements. See if you can sense the power of the Boss while you're at it."

Svanya replied in the positive with a System message, complying with the order.

"You might want to come with me for that," Rakna stated. "The way I got to that Dungeon was by forming a Gula from an Anchor Point. It's stupidly far out into the Fifth Plateau. Sorry to say that it's impractical to consider making a round trip over there."

"How many 'strings'?" Ensis asked, seemingly aware of Anchor Points' characteristics.

"86," the therian uttered, and the old warrior's expression twitched for the first time. "Higure said that the distance it covered could basically be calculated in light years."

Svanya visibly bristled at that. She certainly wasn't going to undertake that kind of trip. She wasn't even that talented in the speed department, special means aside.

"Fuck, no wonder this Dungeon was never found," Varq uttered in disbelief. "What kind of dumbass would even explore a Plateau for more than a few months? Even the System doesn't send you that far off when joining a new one. That Gula thing is a portal, right? Where did you find it?"

"In my house's basement," Rakna deadpanned and the guild fell silent.

Svanya gave him a blank stare. In context, he was essentially implying that the place he was going to lead her to was his basement. Only Gray chortled, fighting to hold back his laughter.

Ensis sighed. "All right… Svanya, you will accompany Rakna to his territory so that he can open the Gula for you," he instructed and then looked at their guild's exclusive introvert. "Lilia, you will also go with them and buff Svanya before she goes in, understood?"

The mauve-haired girl quietly nodded and Caer had an outrage, "What?! I object! My Lili will not go anywhere near some brat's basem—argh!" Merlina elbowed him and he instantly collapsed on the floor clutching his side.

The armored woman gave a thumb up to her daughter, who responded with the same gesture.

Ignoring the family's antics, Ensis continued, "When we get more details, we'll assess the risk and assemble a suitable Party. Depending on how dangerous we determine the Dungeon to be, I will reserve the initiative to conduct a vote to decide if we raid it or not. Understood?"

""Yes,"" the guild collectively acknowledged, unknowingly preparing for a succession of events that would soon be set in motion and affect the entire System.