NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Foundations of the Future
[Date: March 11, 2025 | Time: 8:45 PM | Location: Ankush's Room, Jadavpur, Kolkata]
As the tranquil glow of streetlights filtered softly through the half-open curtains, casting gentle shadows across the floor, Ankush sat quietly at his sturdy wooden desk. His room, familiar yet subtly transformed by his awakening, provided an odd comfort in this moment of introspection. Outside, the nighttime hum of Kolkata offered an ambient soundtrack to his racing thoughts, distant noises blending into a soothing lullaby that contrasted starkly with the chaos of his new reality.
His eyes lingered once again on the intricate golden token floating silently in front of him. The Guild Building Token radiated a quiet power that seemed almost otherworldly, its mana subtly humming in resonance with the air around him. Its potential was both exhilarating and daunting, presenting him with an unparalleled opportunity and an overwhelming responsibility.
Ankush activated his system interface, carefully reviewing the comprehensive details associated with establishing a guild city. His earlier excitement had now matured into a thoughtful curiosity, determined to fully grasp every facet of what lay ahead. Information cascaded into his view, illuminating both known requirements and tantalizing glimpses of future possibilities.
As his gaze settled on the requirements for prospective guild members, Ankush's brows furrowed slightly. The conditions were clear yet dauntingly severe:
Membership Maintenance Condition:
Once the guild city was established, all members would collectively bear responsibility for sustaining it. Each month, the guild had to meet specific conditions set by the system:
> Membership Initiation Condition:
> To maintain guild security and stability, all guild members combined must collectively eliminate either 1000 A+ ranked monsters or 100 S- ranked monsters per month. Failing to meet this condition would result in immediate guild dissolution by the universal system.
>
> Special note:
> Monsters defeated within guild-protected zones do not count toward this total.
Ankush exhaled slowly, appreciating the immense strategic implications behind this seemingly harsh condition. Rather than mere entry criteria, it placed continuous pressure on the entire guild to remain active and vigilant. It was clear that the guild was not merely a haven, but a battleground—a place built on constant vigilance, power, and cooperation. A thrill ran through his veins at the thought; this was precisely the challenge he needed to build something exceptional.
His eyes flicked downward, scanning other available details. The system provided a thorough description of guild infrastructure and its potential growth:
Guilds would initially start at Level 1, unlocking only basic structures. Every subsequent guild level upgrade would introduce powerful new facilities, technology, and strategic advantages. Ankush mentally absorbed the potential laid out before him, recognizing the magnitude of opportunities at higher guild tiers.
Notably intriguing was the description associated with a Level 8 guild upgrade:
Level 8 – Universal Auction House Access:
At Level 8, guilds gain the ability to construct a specialized auction house directly linked to the universal system. This would allow instant access to global markets, facilitating the exchange of mana stones, rare materials, artifacts, weapons, armor, and even blueprints across every nation. No country or corporation could interfere, as the universal system directly controlled transaction security, guaranteeing anonymity, transparency, and fairness.
Ankush leaned back, stunned by the sheer scope of possibilities. If he could reach this level, the influence of his guild would expand beyond local politics or national boundaries. A global auction house would become a nexus of power, influence, and unimaginable wealth. The very notion of competing directly against international guild monopolies sent excitement racing through his mind.
Further down, the system provided intriguing yet locked facilities, each adding another layer of ambition:
Guild Level 5: Mana Training Tower (locked) – Enables accelerated mana cultivation for guild members.
Guild Level 7: Elite Hunter Academy (locked) – Provides specialized training for members, drastically improving battle tactics and skills efficiency.
Guild Level 9: Dimensional Teleportation Portal (locked) – Permits guild members to travel instantly to any discovered teleportation points around the globe, greatly increasing strategic mobility.
Each locked structure teased Ankush's imagination, hinting at the vast potential hidden behind progressive growth. Yet, even these monumental benefits paled in comparison to one unique feature at the highest guild level:
Guild Level 10: Sovereign Domain (locked) – Establishes complete sovereignty over a significant region, creating a fully independent territory with the authority to issue unique citizenship and enforce its own laws. The guild would then become a nation-state in its own right, no longer bound by the conventional rules or influences of external governments.
Ankush paused, heart racing at the sheer scale of ambition represented by this possibility. Complete sovereignty meant absolute freedom—no longer confined by oppressive regulations from corporate or military guilds. He felt a deep yearning, a hunger he hadn't realized existed, awaken fully within him. Ankush wasn't merely aiming for survival or prosperity; he wanted true independence. He wanted to reshape the very foundation of human civilization itself.
Taking a deep breath, he dismissed the system panel temporarily, letting its radiant light fade softly into the darkness of his room. He leaned back, eyes drifting up to the ceiling, reflecting on the conversation earlier with his parents. Their hesitant support, their cautious approval—everything now rested on him making careful, deliberate choices.
Ankush rose from his seat, pacing restlessly in front of his bed. The magnitude of what he had undertaken began to settle heavily on his shoulders, but the weight felt strangely comforting. It wasn't fear or uncertainty that filled his heart, but clarity—a crystal-clear realization of purpose.
His thoughts drifted briefly to the masked face he now wore in public, the secretive figure he had become. His identity, hidden from the world, gave him breathing room. Tomorrow's first task was clear—he needed to find the perfect location, hidden deep in the uncharted jungles far beyond where even the bravest explorers ventured.
He stopped in front of the window, pulling the curtains aside slightly. Kolkata sprawled before him, a vibrant tapestry of lives, struggles, and ambitions, illuminated softly by countless streetlights and glowing mana-tech signs. For a moment, his reflection gazed back at him, determined and resolute.
"Tomorrow," Ankush murmured quietly, feeling a surge of quiet excitement, "the real work begins."
He finally stepped away from the window, moving back to the center of his room. Sleep called to him now, promising rest and renewed energy for the trials ahead. But first, one last glance at the Guild Building Token—hovering silently, as if patiently waiting for his command.
"I won't disappoint you," Ankush whispered softly, speaking to himself, or perhaps to the token itself. "I'll build something the world has never seen."
With that, he reached out, gently dismissing the token back into his inventory. He moved toward his bed, exhaustion finally settling over him. His eyes closed slowly as he lay down, his breathing steady and deep.
In mere moments, sleep claimed him—but not before a final thought echoed clearly in his mind, unshakable in its conviction.
He had found a path—one fraught with unimaginable risk, yet undeniably filled with promise.
Tomorrow, Ankush would take the first step toward freedom.