Chapter 40: The Birth of Vulcanus Guild

Creating a guild was simple.

A quick internet search made it clear.

Register a Hunter guild in the system and officially file with the Hunter Association.

I successfully created the Vulcanus Guild in the system, named after myself.

The problem came next.

To establish a guild, the guild master or a representative must visit the Hunter Association in person.

But I couldn’t leave my house, could I?

My grand plan for a guild hit a wall right away.

After a moment of frustration, I thought—

“Should I make a call?”

A name came to mind.

Back when I first awakened as a blacksmith.

The buyer of my first SS-grade weapon, Blazing Ember, who left me a message.

• Nam Bora-ssi, hello.
  
• Sorry for the late reply.
  
• Aside from the consulting you mentioned, I have a new proposal. Are you available?
  

Nam Bora.

She introduced herself as a coordinator.

Not a guild coordinator, but a forge specialist, it seemed.

Does it matter?

Better to entrust this to someone I’d at least contacted once than a stranger.

Her reply came faster than expected.

• Vulcanus-nim, hello.
  
• Thank you so much for replying.
  
• I’m available anytime.
  
• If possible, could we talk via system call?
  

System call.

Not messaging or chatting, but a phone-like function through the system.

I knew it existed but avoided it, feeling uneasy about voice communication.

Now, I had to step up.

I couldn’t keep hiding behind messages.

But first—

• Yes. But could we draft a contract first?

I needed a confidentiality agreement.

Contract.

Not just a paper-and-signature deal.

A tip I learned from a realtor recently.

A system contract, binding the contractor’s existence.

With this—

“Party B cannot disclose Party A’s identity. That should do it.”

Even if my info leaked accidentally, Nam Bora couldn’t spill it.

She seemed to accept the contract readily.

After signing—

I used the system call for the first time.

“Can you hear me?”

• Yes, I hear you. It’s an honor. Speaking with the mysterious blacksmith, the rising star of the industry, Vulcanus-nim.

“No, it’s not that big a deal…”

• So, what’s this about? I thought you rejected my proposal since you didn’t reply.

“Oh, I didn’t feel the forge needed consulting. But I’m contacting you because—”

• Because?

“I’d like consulting for the guild I created.”

• …Guild?

A brief silence.

She hadn’t expected this proposal.

The silence dragged, and I wondered if I should speak first.

Thankfully, she broke it.

• Vulcanus Guild. You made it today.

“Yes. If you act as the guild’s representative, I’ll entrust forge consulting to you as well.”

Another silence.

Knowing it was sudden, I added—

“If you need time to think, take as long as—”

• No. I’ll do it.

“Really?”

• Yes. My dream is to work with the best. I didn’t expect it’d be a guild instead of a forge, but if it’s you, Vulcanus-nim…

Her quick decision—

• Yes, I think I can trust you.

Allowed Vulcanus Guild to register with the Hunter Association immediately.

• Vulcanus-nim, what do you think drives a guild’s growth?

“Drive? Hmm…”

After registering the Vulcanus Guild with the Hunter Association.

She asked me.

Growth drive.

I pondered before answering.

How did Korea’s top five guilds become what they are?

Thinking of their commonalities, I found an answer.

“Rankers?”

• Exactly. That’s one driver.

Cheongung, Cheon Seung-heon, master of Changcheon Guild.

Cheongryong, Lee Ga-eul, master of Mir Guild.

Most top five guilds had rankers.

For Changcheon, the guild master’s status heavily influenced the guild’s standing.

• But other factors are needed.
  
• A guild with ample funds for support or connections in the Association for easier Gate assignments.
  
• That’s how guilds grow, how the top five reached their place.
  

Her words made me nod.

Royal Guild, among the top five, grew with generous support from Korea’s largest corporation, Choi Kang Enterprises.

Similarly, Noblesse’s guild master is known for close ties with the Hunter Association.

• So, what’s our growth driver?

“Hmm…”

• Without a unique driver, even creating a guild won’t lead to proper growth.
  
• Recruiting and growing members will be tough. What’s your plan to grow the guild?
  

Vulcanus Guild’s driver.

The answer was simple.

“Equipment.”

• Exactly.

Equipment.

Items made by me, who’s already climbed to Korea’s 3rd-ranked forge.

That’s the Vulcanus Guild’s driver and strength.

• As the guild’s representative, I’d like to request equipment for new members.

“New members…”

• For now, just one of each type for promotion.

“Let’s make them now. Start preparing the rest.”

• Got it.

No time to waste.

To grow the guild fast, we had to showcase its strengths quickly.

“Equipment for new members, right?”

I considered recruiting strong members first, but Nam Bora thought differently.

Starting with strong members makes it hard to establish the guild’s framework and manage them.

Strong members should come after the guild’s foundation is set, she said.

With that in mind—

[Using Production Skill.]

I decided to make equipment for new members.

I referenced a game for the types.

The equipment classification from Castle & Fighter.

“Brings back memories.”

Armor divided into cloth, leather, light, medium, and heavy.

Weapons included daggers, longswords, greatswords, bows, spears, and more.

For new members, I’d keep it simple but make it scream Vulcanus Guild.

First—

[Please select the shape of the item to craft.]

“Medium armor.”

I started with armor.

It didn’t matter what came first, but this seemed best for adding a “symbol.”

[Please specify the details of the medium armor’s shape.]

I drew the shape from Castle & Fighter after a while.

Adding Vulcanus’ symbol—

A volcano pattern, inspired by Hephaestus, the god of volcanoes.

[Please choose the material for the medium armor.]

Materials were plentiful.

Recent Mine hauls filled a whole room.

After adding the materials—

[Crafting begins.]

I started crafting.

Clang!

My hammering felt light.

I’d been pushing for high-level gear, but now making Level 1 equipment was easy.

With Ember heating the materials, hammering was effortless.

Back then, even Level 1 gear took effort.

Now, light taps sent progress soaring.

Thanks to that—

[Crafting is complete.]

[‘Vulcanus’ Medium Armor’ has been obtained.]

The first piece was done in no time.

[Vulcanus’ Armor for New Members]

Type: Armor

Grade: SS

Restriction: Level 1 or higher, Vulcanus Guild member

Description: Armor crafted by Hephaestus’ descendant for their soldiers.

Defense: 100

Abilities:

1. Newcomer – All stats increase by 5.
   
2. Growth – Experience gain speed increases by 20%.
   
3. Volcano – Slightly increases defense; all stats increase the longer the battle lasts.
   
4. Member of Vulcanus – Stats of abilities increase with each equipped item bearing the ‘Vulcanus’ name.
   

“This should do.”

Overall, it’s black, resembling a volcano.

Accented with red, evoking volcanic lava, and the volcano pattern, our guild’s symbol, etched in red.

For Level 1 armor, the defense was solid, and—

“Experience boost options are pretty rare, I hear.”

Experience boost.

Even major guilds have few items with it.

Plus, a solid stat boost and scaling with more Vulcanus gear.

Perfect.

Most importantly—

“The equip restriction is key.”

Restriction: Vulcanus Guild member.

That’s the core.

These items can only be equipped by guild members.

It aids recruitment and makes leaving harder since they can’t use the gear outside.

This was Nam Bora’s idea.

Next—

[Crafting is complete.]

[‘Vulcanus’ Cloth Armor’ has been obtained.]

[Crafting is complete.]

[‘Vulcanus’ Leather Armor’ has been obtained.]

I kept making guild items.

So-called guild-shared items.

Anyone in the guild could use them.

Once I finished the new member gear, Nam Bora would promote the Vulcanus Guild with them.

I’d need more armor for unknown numbers, but—

“First, make display pieces.”

[Crafting is complete.]

[‘Vulcanus’ Dagger’ has been obtained.]

[Crafting is complete.]

[‘Vulcanus’ Longsword’ has been obtained.]

I made one of each type, planning to increase numbers as needed.

Items piled up.

Mostly S~SS-grade.

Mass-produced with basic materials, no SSS-grade items emerged, but—

Not bad.

After hammering all day—

[Crafting is complete.]

[‘Vulcanus’ Staff’ has been obtained.]

I completed one of each guild-exclusive item.

I uploaded them all to the guild page.

Now, one thing remained.

Waiting for people’s reactions.