Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 220 : Guild Benefits

Arriving at the estate, Arthur pushed open the massive oak doors.

"What do you think?" he asked Formicia as she squeezed through the entrance.

The spider queen's blue eyes surveyed the main hall, mandibles clicking softly.

Her thoughts reached him.

'Sturdy foundation.'

Arthur nodded, already mentally placing guild functions in different areas.

He paused, a practical concern surfacing. "Where will you stay?"

Formicia tilted her head, considering the question.

'Where would master prefer?'

"Wherever you're comfortable," Arthur replied. "Find a spot that suits you. You can go anywhere in the estate when you're awake."

The spider queen moved from room to room, testing floors and ceilings, until she finally returned to Arthur.

'Where will master primarily reside?'

"Top floor."

'I wish to stay there as well,' Formicia declared.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "The top floor? With me?"

The massive arachnid somehow managed to look sheepish, her front legs fidgeting slightly.

'For optimal protection of master.'

Arthur couldn't help but smile. For all her deadly power and intelligence, there was something endearing about the queen's straightforward loyalty.

"You realize how large you are? You'll take up half the space."

'I can fold very compactly,' she insisted, demonstrating by tucking her legs beneath her body.

'I can also provide warmth during cold nights,' she offered. 'And ceiling webs for security.'

Arthur shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Alright. Top floor it is"

Formicia's satisfaction radiated through their mental link, her posture straightening with pride.

'Thank you, master.'

"Just don't eat any guild members," Arthur added.

'Unless instructed,' Formicia amended.

Arthur couldn't argue with that logic.

...

Arthur took out the golden guild token and stared at it for a second.

"It's time. Let's see what this token does."

He channeled a small amount of mana into the metal disc, watching as it began to glow with golden light.

[Guild Token Activated] [Requirements met!]

[Power Guild has been created!]

[Power Members will receive the following benefits:]

[ -> +10% Experience Gain ]

[ -> 0.01% Experience Gain for every member that joins]

[ -> Shared Skill Enhancement: All members can access guild skill library, temporarily borrowing one skill per day from any fellow member. The skills could be burrowed for free or for a price set by the owner of the skill]

[ -> Infinite Storage Room: Privileged members will have the ability to use the universal storage room. The room will be unique to their characters and they will be able to access it from anywhere]

Arthur's jaw dropped.

"What?"

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He read the notification again, certain he'd misunderstood.

Shared Skill Enhancement? That was... impossible.

Skills were personal, unique, tied to one's soul matrix. The ability to borrow skills from other players? Even temporarily?

"This changes everything," he whispered.

Most guilds offered basic benefits, such as discounts with affiliated merchants.

But this? This was game-breaking.

With one hundred members, that would be an 11% experience boost for everyone. With a thousand? 20%. And the skill sharing...

Arthur's mind raced with possibilities.

Healing skills for dungeons.

Stealth for infiltration missions.

Rare utility skills that only one person might possess are now available to the entire guild on rotation.

No wonder guilds were so powerful in this world. Power was now literal power.

'There is no guild that has such functions in Caldera. It seems they are called platinum by the people, not because they had a platinum token.'

As Arthur read the guild token's functions, he failed to notice what was happening outside. A brilliant column of light erupted from the estate, shooting skyward.

Pure white at its core, fading to midnight black at the edges—the perfect visual representation of the guild's chosen banner.

The light pierced the clouds, visible from every corner of Caldera City.

...

Ashencroft Manor

Sauron Ashencroft stood at his study window, wine glass frozen halfway to his lips.

"What in the seven hells?"

The pillar of light dominated the skyline, emanating from the eastern district.

His aide rushed in without knocking. "My lord—"

"I can see it, Farrin." Sauron set down his glass. "Location?"

"The old Wintersmith property, sir. It's been purchased recently."

Sauron's eyes narrowed. "By whom?"

"A new guild, my lord. Called... Power."

The glass shattered in Sauron's grip. Blood and wine mingled on the hardwood floor.

"Find Lucas," he ordered. "Now."

...

Draketower Fortress

General Raemund Draketower was in the middle of a strategy meeting when the light appeared.

"Continue," he told his captains, not breaking stride in his briefing.

But his second-in-command couldn't maintain focus. "Sir, you might want to—"

"I said continue," Raemund snapped.

The captains exchanged nervous glances.

Raemund sighed and finally turned toward the window. The pillar of light stood like a sentinel over the city.

"Ancient magic," he muttered. "Guild formation?"

"Yes, sir. A new one—Power."

Raemund moved to the window, weathered hands clasped behind his back. "The archives mention such a sign. Once, maybe twice in recorded history."

"Your orders, sir?"

The general's eyes hardened. "Get me everything we have on this 'Power Guild.'"

...

Gilderhaven Estate

Lady Seraphina Gilderhaven was enjoying tea in her garden when the servants began gasping and pointing.

She didn't bother looking up.

"If it's not bringing money or blood, I don't care," she said, stirring another sugar cube into her cup.

"But my lady," her steward insisted, "it's a Pillar of Guild Token."

The teacup clattered onto its saucer.

Seraphina turned, her serpentine eyes finding the column of light instantly.

"Impossible," she whispered.

"Kressler," she said sharply. "Get me my scryer crystal. And send for Blackthorn."

Her assassin would need to make inquiries. Immediately.

"Should we alert the other Houses?"

"They have eyes," she replied.

A new power was rising, and information would be the first currency exchanged.

...

Thornwyck Healing Halls

Arch-Healer Eldon Thornwyck was tending to his unique herbs when his apprentice entered the dark garden.

"Master Thornwyck," his apprentice said, voice trembling. "It's a guild manifestation."

"Don't be ridiculous. Those are extinct now. Otherwise, everyone would be creating guilds."

"See for yourself."

Irritated, Eldon left the room to check.

The pillar of light stole his breath.

If a true guild manifestation was occurring, it meant power on a scale not seen in generations. And power always led to conflict.

Which meant business for healers would soon be booming.

'I need to arrive there now. Those old foxes will be there too.'

...

Royal Palace

Princess Elara Ashborne paced her chambers, watching the pillar with undisguised fascination.

"What does it mean, Mentor?"

Her royal advisor, an aging scholar, consulted a dusty tome. "It's a true guild manifestation, Your Highness. Exceedingly rare."

"Should I attend? Father is away on diplomatic business..."

"The crown should be represented," the mentor agreed cautiously.

Elara was already pulling on her formal cloak. At seventeen, she almost always got to represent the royal family officially.

"This is perfect! I'll take the small honor guard."

"Your Highness, perhaps we should wait for—"

But Elara was already out the door, eyes bright with excitement.

A manifestation! In her lifetime!

History was unfolding, and she wouldn't miss it.

...

Academy of Mera

Lucas was grading papers when the light bathed his office in ghostly luminescence.

He jerked his head up, eyes widening.

"No," he whispered. "Already?"

He crossed to the window, watching the black-edged pillar with growing horror.

'He used the token... This is going to be trouble... I need to be there.'

Lucas didn't waste time grabbing his staff. He vaulted out the second-story window, flying towards the location.

His mind raced faster than his speed.

A manifestation meant the guild wasn't just registered—it was recognized by the world itself. The system had judged Power worthy of special attention.

The black edges of the light confirmed his worst fears.

'Let's hope that everything goes well.'

...

Back at the guild hall, Arthur stared at the notifications floating before him.

[Guild Manifestation recognized] [Power Guild has been granted Tier 2 Recognition] [All members will bear the Mark of Power]

"A mark?" Arthur muttered.

He checked his hand, finding a small black emblem embedded in his skin—not painful, not even raised, just... there. Like a birthmark that had always existed.

The doors burst open with a BANG!

Lucas stood in the doorway, chest heaving, blue hair disheveled. He'd clearly run the entire way.

"You used the token," he said, voice tight with urgency. "The four ancient families will arrive soon. You need to be careful with how you speak."

Arthur frowned. "Why would they—"

"Our only option is either the Draketower or the royalty," Lucas cut him off, already strategizing. "The Draketower patriarch values those who work hard. He rose from nothing himself."

He paced across the room, agitation clear in every step.

"The royals only want what's good for the country. Make sure you don't seem disrespectful."

Arthur's confusion deepened. "Lucas, what are you talking about?"

Lucas stopped pacing, staring at Arthur in disbelief. "I didn't expect you to use it straight away. Why would you do that?"

"Do what?" Arthur shook his head. "I just activated the guild token."

"Did you not see what you've done?"

"What have I done?"

Lucas grabbed his wrist. "Come. Let me show you."

He practically dragged Arthur outside.

The moment they stepped through the doors, Arthur froze.

A massive pillar of light shot up from their guild hall, piercing the clouds above. Pure white at its core with midnight black edges, it was visible from every corner of the city.

"..."

Arthur couldn't form words.

"A guild manifestation," Lucas explained, voice low. "It hasn't happened ever since the last platinum guild has appeared."

Arthur swallowed hard. "And the ancient families...?"

"Will all come to see who's powerful enough to trigger one."

Even as Lucas spoke, people were already gathering in the street. Pointing. Whispering. Some looked afraid, others excited.

"How long until they arrive?" Arthur asked.

A horn sounded in the distance.