I continued to question Violet.
"By the way, what exactly is this 'Machinery Production' skill? It seems different from the 'Invention' skill that can be used in combat."
"Oh, that's a production skill. It grants the ability to create mechanical items," she explained.
Is it simply the skill to create machines? I hadn't really thought much about production, but machinery engineers are indeed in the production field. From what I hear, this skill is quite crucial.
"That's probably a core skill for a machinery engineer. Manufacturing machines is a specialized profession; even the best alchemists can't pull it off."
"Oh, really…"
After all, it would be a problem if other jobs could easily create similar machines. It seems the game balance is solid. Random selection didn't pose any issues at all.
As I was receiving a lecture from Violet, Ivy chimed in on the conversation.
"Every job has its own specialties. I'm a tailor, and sewing is my forte."
"I see. What skills do you have?"
"[Sewing], [Magical Stitch], [Keen Eye], [Production Efficiency Up], and [Production Quality Up]."
It's a well-rounded production-focused skill set. It makes sense that one should choose skills based on what they want to do. Reflecting calmly, it's clear that random selection wasn't the best choice.
To steer the conversation back, I posed another question to Violet.
"What's the difference between my [Production Success Rate Up] and Ivy's [Production Efficiency Up]?"
"I expected you to ask that. [Production Success Rate Up] is a skill that supports the creation of Ivyt-themed items, which are prone to failure, while [Production Efficiency Up] allows you to quickly produce large quantities of Ivy-themed items. In other words, you excel at crafting extraordinary items, while Little Ivy specializes in mass production."
From the very start of skill selection, my fate in Deepguard has been sealed. With this choice, my path as a mass producer has effectively come to an end. Instead, I might become one of those shady individuals who sell ultra-rare Ivy items at exorbitant prices.
"Still, Ivy, it seems you also have almost no combat skills. Since 'Magical Cross' consumes cloth gear, you're in the same boat as me—you can't use skills at the beginning either."
Without cloth gear, it's no surprise that skills can't be activated. However, she had one way to use a skill.
"Oh, if you want to see it, I can show you. I can use the fabric of this outfit as material…"
"Stop."
"Please don't."
My serious interjection, joined by Violet, made it clear that she might actually go through with it.
"Don't worry! Even without equipment, I somehow end up wrapped in white fabric that isn't even revealing!"
"Just because of that, using initial gear as material immediately seems questionable..."
As we bantered back and forth like a comedy duo, we made our way toward the city of Epinal.
The shape of the town was already beginning to materialize on the horizon. Just a little more—let's push through this field with determination, I thought to myself. After navigating through a hellscape of slimes and goblins, we finally arrived at Epinal. I was so close to leveling up to level 3, but we got here just in time. Well, to be honest, I felt a tinge of disappointment about that.
We passed through a makeshift, shabby gate and ventured deeper into the town. What unfolded before us was a breathtaking scene.
"Welcome to the town of Epinal. It might look plain, but it's rich in greenery and has all the essentials," Ivy said.
Both of us stood, mouths agape, gazing at the bustling streets filled with people. The architecture resembled medieval Europe, yet scattered throughout were electric lamps and factories emitting black smoke, remnants of the Industrial Revolution. Such a collage of eras in one place was something one would never encounter in reality.
But what astonished us most was the clothing of the people. It was typical to see armor and robes, yet even the townsfolk, the NPCs, wore outfits that seemed utterly out of place. Not a single person was dressed ordinarily.
"Is this… a cosplay event?"
"Now, now, you're dressed just as oddly," Ivy shot back.
Upon reflection, my outfit was indeed far from conventional. Unlike the others, at least my attire wouldn't raise too many eyebrows in reality.
Now that we had arrived in the town, I felt the purpose of sticking with Ivy and Violet fading. Just as a pang of regret hit me about parting ways, Violet turned to us and spoke.
"So, what will you two do now? Questing? Hunting? Crafting? Or perhaps unexpectedly, completing a collection?"
Before I could respond, Ivy jumped in to answer her question.
"I really want to create cute clothing. My goal is to open a shop and become a tailor in a small town."
"If you open a store in production, you'll face relentless pressure from many people to produce. It can be overwhelmingly tough, you know?"
"I'm prepared for that."
I was genuinely impressed that she wasn't just playing games aimlessly; she had a clear purpose.
But I had my own goals that matched hers in intensity.
"Lenny, what about you?"
What would I do? The answer was obvious—there was only one thing I needed to focus on.
"I'm looking for someone. That's my only goal."
"That's a first for a player... what's your name?"
There was no point in sharing my real name. Instead, I told her the name I had in this world, which I had heard from her.
"I'm Eldon."
"Wait... Eldon?!"
"You know him?!"
Her surprise was enormous. It seemed Eldon was quite a well-known figure in this world.
"Well, of course! He's a top-tier player! Ranked first in overall, strategy, and defeat rankings! He's the champion of this world!"
"Was he really that impressive here too..."
With his excellence in both academics and sports, there was no way he wouldn't excel in his favorite game. The fact that he possessed everything I lacked was maddening.
Yet, I still look down on him deep in my heart. A coward who avoids reality and escapes into the world of games. That perception never seems to fade.
And his misanthropy ends up tormenting me, too.
"You should really give up on that goal. He rarely comes down to the town. Rumor has it he's been holed up in the depths of the ultra-high-difficulty dungeon, John, completing bounty quests."
"A place like that... I could never reach it!"
"That's why I'm saying you should give up. By the time you catch up to Eldon, he'll probably have moved on to another game."
"But...!"
She's right. Regardless of whether he jumps to another game, there's no guarantee that Eldon will still exist in this world. In this unpredictable situation, I can't afford to dawdle.
However, I'm neither a recluse nor just a gamer. Can I really speed through this game alongside my high school life? No, it's impossible. The conditions are far too different between a player who can play twenty-four hours straight and someone like me.
"Still... I have to meet him! This is my redemption!"
"Wow, the self-deprecating you is raising your voice like that... It must be an incredibly important goal."
"It's undeniably important. If I can't achieve my purpose, then I have no reason to exist in this world. It was that significant."
Violet flashed a mischievous smile and tapped her chest.
"Very well... I'll help you achieve your goal!"
"...Huh?"
Her words were laden with meaning, and an unsettling feeling crept over me. What could she possibly do? I wouldn't know until I heard her out.
Faced with Violet's beaming grin, I was left in a whirlwind of confusion. I understood her words, but how to act on them was completely beyond me.
"I don't quite get it. What do you mean, you'll help me...?"
"Great question! This world, [Deepguard], has something called a guild system."
"A guild...?"
Now that I thought about it, when I logged in, a pair of players had mentioned wanting me to join a guild. I had been puzzled by the concept, unsure how to respond. Finally, the details were becoming clear.
"A guild is like a company," she explained. "Each guild receives requests for monster hunts and crafting items, and members collaborate to complete these tasks. It's primarily a space for exchanging information, but when necessary, we can form large parties to tackle major jobs."
"That's convenient. Is everyone registered?"
"Well, aside from a few oddballs, most people are in a guild."
This system offers nothing but advantages. Anyone refusing to join must really enjoy acting independently or have some hidden reason.
I'm certainly not one to become one of those eccentric players. If I have the chance, I definitely want to join a guild.
But which guild should I choose? Violet seemed to have an answer ready for that question.
"Each guild has a leader known as the Guild Master who manages the organization. Believe it or not, I actually happen to be a Guild Master myself."
"Wow, that's impressive!"
It seems she's quite skilled. Managing multiple guild members surely makes her more competent than the average player.
Violet extends a hand to us, inviting us to her guild.
"I see great potential in you, and I'd like to recruit you into my guild. I can help you achieve your goals."
Is this my lucky break? Becoming friendly with a Guild Master like her could be advantageous for our future endeavors.
Plus, this could serve as a way to repay Violet for her help. I found no reason to decline.
Still, I decided to check in with Ivy. If she refused, I might reconsider.
"Ivy, what are you going to do?"
"Of course, I'm joining! This way, we won't have to part ways!"
"Ah, I see how it is..."
It seems Ivy had already made up her mind. What was supposed to be just an escort to the town had turned into this unexpected outcome. Well, traveling and working on quests with her isn't such a bad idea.
"Alright, I'll join too."
"Decision made! Now, let's sign the contract..."
Violet handed a sheet of paper to me and Ivy. It was a contract; it seems these are necessary for guild registration.
There was nothing particularly complex written on it—just options for joining or not. This is a game, after all, and the basic choices boil down to 'yes' or 'no.'
Without hesitation, I chose 'yes.' At that, Violet smiled mischievously again.
"You're in, right?"
"Yes, I'm in."
"You've really joined, huh?"
"...joined?"
I had no regrets about joining her guild. After all, to achieve my goals, I needed to be part of some guild. Joining here didn't seem to pose any problem.
But then, her next words hit me like a slap.
"Alright! Let's all work hard together, the three of us!"
Huh? Three?
I must have misheard. Did she just say three...?
"...Three?"
"Yes, three!"
"With me and Ivy, that makes five of us..."
"No, no, the three of us here make a guild."
Facing this reality, the thought of traveling with Ivy and repaying Violet faded away. I turned my back on the two and tried to walk away.
"Goodbye."
"Wait!"
But Violet grabbed my arm, preventing my escape.
Did this person really invite us even though she has no other guild members?
"This isn't a guild! It's something very close to a guild!"
"It's a guild because I registered it! Even if it's just one person, it's a guild!"
"Were you running the guild alone before we came along? How sad!"
This was no longer a business; it was more like a hobby group. Violet was desperately trying to stop me.
"Please! If I don't gather five people by the deadline, the guild will disband!"
"When is the deadline?"
"In a week!"
"That's a tight deadline!"
On top of that, time was slipping away, and the future seemed uncertain. It felt increasingly like a mere club activity.