The Manaverse

South Western Penthouse

Granite City

The next day was another day for a meeting, much to Jut's annoyance. However, he needed to see his idea through to the end. This time, it wasn't going to be a meeting between the fighters of the Radiant Crusaders. Instead, it was a very different meeting. One with new and familiar people feeling awkward around one another for completely different reasons.

Jut had looked into the variety of crafting skills the System had given the people of the Earth. He knew just the person to ask, too. Thanks to Derrick's natural public relations skills, Jut had learned there were a limited number. He wasn't sure if it was because they were only Stone Rank, or if there was simply only a few. They were: Smithing, Leather Working, Tailoring, Cooking, Alchemy, Building, and Enchanting.

Of course, there were skills that helped gather materials for each of the crafting skills. Such as: Mining, Skinning, Botany, Herblism, Logging, Quarrying and Essence Gathering.

Having learned all of this, Jut invited Derrick, Crimson, Diggy, Joy, Brick, Magatha, Wendy and Truman to meet in Diggy's Penthouse. Isabelle had passed, asking to leave off for a healing day in the Safe Zone's tents. The only two not Stone Rank were Wendy and Magatha.

"Uh, buddy. This is starting to feel familiar. What's this about?" Diggy asked, looking at the eclectic mix. He was sitting at one head of the table, across from Jut.

Everyone had arrived at the appointed time just after lunch. While the table was more crowded with seven people instead of five, it was still not full. Jut hoped to change that in the future.

"I don't mind coming all the way up here for you boys, but I have to agree in wanting to know what you are up to. I don't want to leave the kids alone for too long." Magatha said sweetly.

The rest of the group asked something similar all at once and it took Jut holding his hands out to everyone for them to quiet down.

"Of course. Of course. I'll just spit it out." Jut said, resisting a smile at their annoyance that matched his own. It's not like they have anything else to do during lock down anyway. "Yesterday, we created a combat team for hunting monsters and clearing the dungeon. Today, I want to expand the Radiant Crusaders into more of a Guild rather than a team."

Diggy, Crimson and, to Jut's surprise, Truman were already grinning. Everyone else was looking confused and waiting for an explanation. Jut didn't let his answer linger unsaid for more than a moment.

"I am looking to build a network of crafters, gatherers and administrators to jump-start an economy for our new group." Jut gestured to the current Crusaders. "If given the option, I would prefer to pass the loot from monsters we kill on to someone I know could use them to grow in strength then sell the resulting products for coin instead of selling the materials directly to the shop."

Derrick had always been quick on the up take and spoke up. "This is about the crafting skills and gathering skills you asked about. So, you brought us here because we can use those skills for your group of fighters?"

"That makes sense for us, but why are Ms. Magatha and Wendy here?" Brick asked, seeming to pick up on the idea too.

Both Magatha and Wendy nodded in mutual confusion.

"That is a good question. I don't have any crafting or gathering Skills." Magatha added.

"Simple. Ms. Magatha, you are here as our first pro bono client. I want to have the crafters use their Skills to fix up your orphanage as practice and for leveling up." Jut said. "Derrick is a Builder. Diggy is doing leather work. Joy is a seamstress. We have two smiths and a cook." He pointed to himself, Brick and Crimson in turn. "And an Enchanter." Jut pointed to Truman then Wendy. "And an Alchemist. With Isabelle, that makes two of those as well. A crew like this can do a lot."

The non-gamers still looked confused. Derrick looked like he had the idea, but was just listening.

"We hunters will gather materials, and escort the non-combat focused people around to gather materials, and instead of selling the materials and loot to the Safe Zone directly, we have our group of crafters..." Jut trailed off to gesture to the entire group "process the materials into goods that will sell for more. We divide the profits and the fighters will get first choice of the weapons as they are crafted for a small discount."

Derrick had begun to nod, the image coming to him. He could open a business like he had before. One where he could help those in need and make a comfortable profit in the process. All the while, Jut was offering him backing to do just that. In fact, it had been talking with Derrick while the man was using his Skill Orbs that gave him the idea in the first place.

Joy and Crimson were also liking the idea. They were talking quietly about it between themselves.

Diggy only said "I am in" with an approving nod.

Brick nodded too, reiterating his agreement. "I am totally in."

Wendy and Magatha were both sitting quietly. It was the Orphanage matron that spoke up first.

"I don't know, Jut. I can't afford anything like that. We are barely getting by as it." Magtha said. She couldn't quite meet Jut's gaze.

The reason Jut insisted Derrick be there played out without Jut having to say anything.

Derrick's large hand sat gently on Magatha's shoulder. "It's the communities responsibility to take care of any orphaned children. Even if the rest of the folks who agree to this proposal refuse to do their work for you pro bono, I will fund it." He gave Magatha a gentle and kind smile to underline his point. "It is the least we can do to repay you for the burden you have willing taken on all by yourself."

Jut took that opportunity to brake in. "It's not something that will be funded. The Radiant Crusaders will require participation in the freshly dubbed "Orphanage Project" or the offer for membership will be withdrawn." He looked at everyone with a look that, while kind, was serious and allowing for no argument. He continued as to avoid any miscommunication and any doubts they may have had. "Mark my words. This fledgling Guild will be powerful and people will want to join up. We won't be accepting just anyone either."

Joy and Crimson only nodded at his words, not bothering to join the conversation. Brick and Diggy had started their own conversation with Derrick on the matter. Derrick was speaking animatedly and enthusiastically as he always did when it came to community service.

"What makes you so confident in your assumptions? You see pretty average to me." Once Wendy started, she just kept going. "I don't even know why I was invited. You already have an alchemist and this sounds mighty close to competition for the Safe Zone. I-"

Jut was going to argue, bringing up how good the people he had invited were and that they would lead the group to greatness, not him, but he didn't get the chance.

It was, to Jut's surprise, Derrick who cut her off. "All 'Guilds' or groups will be valuable. At least the ones that will have a purpose past making money. And I know Jut and Diggy well. They will make a great organization. I, for one, want to join their mission. If you don't, I am sure everyone here will respect that. However, if you aren't interested, maybe you should go?" His tone was polite, but it was a look that would instantly make anyone who didn't want to stay leave in a hurry.

Jut repressed a grin when Wendy responded the way he figured she would. She got up and fumbled around as she collected anything of hers to take with her, not looking at anyone. He knew it was her reluctance to leave that made her fumble, not fear of Derrick. While domineering when he needed to be, the man was just too likable. Jut's next words made her freeze.

"Wendy. Forgive my assumption, but do you even have the opportunity for advancement at the casino?"

Wendy looked up. His words had an impact, her hand clenching before she straightened up. She looked a bit bothered. "I don't see how that's relevant..."

"It's relevant because of why I asked you here." Jut said. "I want an administrator for the group. Someone who can help direct us, keep up organized, and be our public face. At least, the face seen by those in charge of the Safe Zone. Are you interested?"

"Me?" Wendy asked, putting her hand on her own chest is surprise. "You want me to do it?"

"Are you saying you can't?" Jut asked, his voice carrying the hint of a challenge.

"Well..." Wendy sat down slowly. "I'm not saying that. I might need to understand what the job entails a bit more... "

Jut grinned widely before standing up. "Let's have a quick tour of the facilities for our possible new members and we can discuss finer details after that. We have a while in lock down still, but I want to get the ball rolling as soon as we are able."

The group spent the rest of the afternoon discussing and arranging exactly who would do what, when and how, with a bit of negotiation on prices and exchange rates. When all was finally agreed to, it was well into late afternoon with everyone ready to eat.

Jut, Diggy, and Brick all moved to Diggy's patio to do just that after everyone else took their leave.

"I am so glad that's over." Jut complained to his teammates. "I am so peopled out for the next few days." He added before taking a bite of his well cooked Monster meat.

"I didn't expect Wendy to be so... aggressive in her negotiations. How did she get it so we fighters only get a five percent reduction in cost when purchasing new weapons?" Brick asked, sounding flummoxed.

"And a ten percent mark up on all goods traded in? We'll almost make more money selling our stuff to the Safe Zone through the shop." Diggy added.

Jut nodded and smiled before taking another bite of food. After he swallowed he spoke again. "That's exactly why I chose her. We will need an administrator with some teeth. And not just to stand up to outsiders. We will need someone who will put us in our place as needed too. I have a feeling being a monster hunter will inflate a lot of egos."

"So, Jut. Is a Guild even real? I mean, we all know of the Adventurers' Guild that will open just before the lock down ends, but are personal Guilds a thing, too?" Diggy asked curiously.

Jut shrugged, still picking at his food. When his mouth was clear he answered. "Not that i am aware of. But, I am sure there is something. Worst case scenario, we just form a rather large team and call ourselves a Guild." He finished with a shrug.

The other two shrugged as well. Brick stood and took his dishes inside. Diggy was not far behind him.

Jut rose and stood at the edge of the building. He looked down over the Safe Zone. Despite the trauma, death, and complete societal collapse, he actually felt excited. He was giddy and nervous for what was to come.

While Jut did hate all the killing and loss they had suffered, and were likely to suffer more of, he also knew they would survive. Humans were adaptable and resourceful, if nothing else, and it was unlikely they would be eradicated so easily. He would be one of those that would thrive. He would make sure of it. Now if he could only find Dan. It had started to feel like the man was avoiding him.

Jut shrugged to himself and turned. He would ask around again soon. As he made his way back inside, Diggy spoke out.

"What now, Jut?"

He looked from Brick to Diggy and grinned. "Who's up for a dungeon dive?"

The return grins he got were just as large as his was.

"Time for payback, baby." Brick said, pounding his fists together.

"Hold up. Aren't we running the dungeon tomorrow...with the girls? Don't you think they will be pissed we went without them?" Diggy asked, his excitement fading a bit.

"I mentioned that before we can go as a team, everyone needs to at least attempt the dungeon once, alone." Jut shrugged. "Joy should be there already and Isabelle said she would go after her shift and after her Mana recharges, so I doubt they will be too upset."

Jut lead their group down to the dungeon entrance after they took the animals out for a potty run. He was not going to make the same mistake again. This time, he wanted to clear the damn thing.