NOVEL NEXT Chapter 526: A new start
Hearing the ultimatum, those who had initially wanted to lie and claim they would fight just to avoid being expelled were confronted with a harsh reality check.
The shelter leader's new policy meant there was no middle ground—either commit to staying and accept that your turn to face dangerous combat would inevitably come, or leave with whatever dignity remained intact.
The choice forced everyone to confront what they were actually willing to risk for the security the shelter provided.
In the end, several people couldn't bear the prospect of mandatory combat training and eventual fighting assignments. Some expressed intentions to search for the mysterious man who had just left, hoping Arthur might accept them if they could find him again. Others planned to seek different shelters, reasoning that this couldn't be the only safe haven in the city.
Their logic wasn't entirely flawed—the area had been relatively quiet from demonic activity recently, suggesting the immediate threats might have moved elsewhere or been eliminated by other forces.
"Maybe we can find somewhere that doesn't require us to fight," one departing survivor said hopefully to one of his fellow friends that refused to leave.
The deparing survivor was trying to persuade his friend to come with him. It was human nature, difficult situations or decisions always appeared to be less stressful when other people were also in your predicament.
"There have to be other groups that need people for support roles instead of combat," another added, gathering their few possessions.
The shelter leader watched them leave with cold detachment, offering no words of farewell or attempts at persuasion.
His expression remained impassive as people he had lived alongside for two days walk out into an uncertain and dangerous world.
His friend's death had fundamentally changed his perspective on leadership responsibilities. Protecting people who refused to develop their own capabilities was ultimately futile—it only delayed inevitable tragedy while creating false security that could be shattered by any sufficiently powerful threat.
Those who remained would either grow stronger through necessity or perish through inadequacy. But at least they wouldn't die as helpless victims waiting for someone else to save them.
The shelter's population had been cut nearly in half, but those who stayed would finally begin the difficult process of becoming capable of protecting themselves.
Meanwhile, Arthur, Lisa, and Moon continued their journey toward the Power Guild, leaving behind a shelter full of people who would either learn to save themselves or perish waiting for someone else to solve their problems.
***
Inside the Power Guild headquarters, Arthur extended a guild invitation to Lisa through the system interface, watching as the notification materialized before her eyes.
Lisa accepted the guild invitation with obvious happiness, her expression brightening as she gained access to benefits she had only heard about in whispered conversations among other survivors.
Looking around the guild room where they stood, she was genuinely amazed by the architectural grandeur and magical enhancements that spoke to the organization's wealth and influence.
"It's fabulous," she breathed, taking in the crystal fixtures and enchanted stonework that made the space feel more like a palace than a simple headquarters.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Arthur's next words, which brought practical concerns back into focus.
"I will now take you to a village where you can begin your development," Arthur explained. "Your current benefits from guild membership, combined with the equipment I've provided, will help you grow stronger to the point where you'll be able to unlock a class at level 5 initially before continuing your journey to higher levels."
"Understood?" Arthur asked, ensuring her comprehension of the path ahead.
Lisa nodded her head with determination before remembering her young companion. "About Moon… is there any way he can join too?"
Arthur looked at the child standing quietly beside Lisa. Arthur would have rejected it had he seen certain traints that he didn't like.
But Moon was really well behaved, didn't speak out of order and was always observant. Which made Arthur think about the proposal.
"What's your talent and its rank?" Arthur asked Moon directly.
Moon straightened with obvious nervousness before responding. "My talent is… a C-rank talent. It's called Attack Speed. I can attack much faster than normal people."
Arthur looked at Moon with growing interest. A C-rank talent wasn't exceptional, but it wasn't worthless either. The ability to enhance attack speed could prove valuable with proper development and training. More importantly, the boy had shown loyalty to Lisa during difficult circumstances.
Why not add him, won't lose anything. Arthur decided in the end.
Arthur didn't bother checking for the child's loyalty through elaborate testing procedures. The fact that Moon had remained supportive of Lisa during their ordeal, and hadn't been expelled from the guild's protective systems upon entry, indicated no harmful intentions. Children rarely possessed the complex motivations that made adults dangerous allies.
Arthur sent a guild invitation to Moon, watching as the boy's expression brightened with pure happiness at being included in something so prestigious.
"Thank you, sir!" Moon exclaimed with genuine gratitude.
Arthur nodded with satisfaction before activating his spatial manipulation to transport both new members to their training location.
They materialized in Village #420, the familiar settlement where Arthur had first begun his journey in Armageddon. The peaceful atmosphere and helpful NPCs would provide ideal conditions for Lisa and Moon to begin their advancement safely.
"Ask around the village," Arthur instructed as he prepared to depart. "There are many natives here who will help with leveling strategies, training techniques, and general guidance for new players."
His expression grew more serious as he addressed crucial security concerns.
"Most importantly, hide your equipment unless absolutely necessary for combat," Arthur warned with emphasis on the dangers that valuable items could attract. "Don't let people see what you're carrying, or some might get the wrong idea and try to steal from you. This world is equally dangerous whether the threats come from humans or beasts."
Lisa nodded grimly, her recent experiences having already taught her harsh lessons about human nature when civilized constraints were removed. She wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
With the guild's infinite storage system now available to her, Lisa was able to store the rare equipment securely, keeping it hidden from casual observation while maintaining instant access when needed for survival situations.
The two newest Power Guild members were ready to begin their journey toward strength and self-sufficiency in a world that showed no mercy to the weak.
"Remember…you have one life." Arthur said in a low voice before he dissapeared