The Outskirts Guild
The first light of dawn barely touched the treetops when Kael and Lysar finally emerged from the Outer Ring forest. Every muscle in Kael's body ached, but the System hummed with energy, confirming stat increases and unlocked skills from the previous night's trials. Survival was only the first step; now the real test awaited.
Lysar paused at the edge of the forest, glancing at the distant city walls. The city of Grayshield rose in the horizon, stone towers streaked with banners and the faint glow of magical wards. Merchants were already opening their stalls, and hunters trained openly in the plaza.
"This is where I belong?" Kael asked quietly, the weight of the past nights pressing on him.
Lysar smirked. "Belong? Not yet. You'll get there—but first, you need a guild. It's the only way to survive longer than a week here."
Kael's gaze swept over the walls. Guilds in Grayshield were more than just clubs—they were power bases. Strong fighters, mages, and hunters trained and lived together. They monopolized resources, controlled beasts, and determined who survived and who was crushed.
> [System Notification: Guild affiliation recommended. Survival probability increases by 25% upon joining a recognized guild.]
Kael's mind processed the data. Joining a guild meant rules, obligations, and politics—but also protection, opportunities, and access to higher-level beasts. The System pulsed in agreement, highlighting potential benefits.
They entered the city through a bustling gate, where guards checked travelers for weapons and identification. Lysar walked confidently, Kael following quietly, drawing curious glances. Rumors of the "Null Ashborne" had already begun circulating among the city folk.
"Keep your head down," Lysar murmured. "Not everyone here likes the idea of a newcomer surviving the Outer Ring, let alone a Null."
As they approached the Outskirts Guild Hall, Kael noticed the building's size. Stone walls reinforced with iron, banners embroidered with a roaring wolf—the guild emblem—fluttered in the morning wind. Hunters and trainees moved within the courtyard, sparring, strategizing, and preparing for daily hunts.
At the entrance, a middle-aged man with a weathered face and piercing eyes stepped forward. His armor was polished but scarred from battle, and his presence demanded attention.
"You must be Lysar," he said, his gaze shifting to Kael. "And… this is the infamous Null Ashborne?"
Kael straightened, despite the lingering fatigue. "I survive," he said simply.
The man's eyes narrowed, studying him for a long moment. "Survive, yes… but can you fight? Can you earn your place among us?"
Lysar chuckled. "That's what I wanted to see. If he can last through the Outer Ring nights with me, he's worth a closer look."
The guild master—Thoren Valdus—raised an eyebrow. "Fine. We'll test him. Tomorrow. Prepare yourself, boy. You'll be entering the beginner's trial arena."
Kael's heart thumped. Trials. He had survived forests and packs, but the guild arena was different. It was structured, dangerous, and watched by eyes that would not forgive mistakes.
> [System Notification: Guild Trial Detected. Difficulty Level: Medium]
[Potential Reward: Equipment, Rank Points, System Experience Bonus]
As they walked through the guild hall, Kael observed everything—the sparring floors, the armory, the charts of beast sightings. The place was alive with energy, ambition, and danger.
Lysar leaned close. "Guilds are survival, Kael. Friends today may be rivals tomorrow. Choose carefully who you trust—and never underestimate anyone."
Kael nodded, absorbing every detail. The System pulsed again, reminding him that everything was measurable, analyzable, and trainable.
> [New Quest Available: Survive the Guild Trial]
For the first time since his rebirth, Kael Ashborne felt the vastness of the world before him—and the thrill of stepping into it fully.
The city of Grayshield wasn't just a place to survive—it was a place to grow, to challenge fate, and to rewrite the story of a Null who should never have existed.