"Let's get down to business then." Ramia hummed some time later, finally properly recovered after the bombshell of a revelation. yet, despite his words just a few moments earlier, he could not suppress his curiosity as he asked "Can you do that with other elixirs of this grade as well?"

  "Elixirs, potions, unique equipment. Anything really, though I have little to no reason to care for anything but the elixirs. All the gear my guild will be using will be custom made by me, passed off quite often as dungeon finds and the like. And no, my guild will be quality over quantity with insanely rare, if any new additions to our ranks. Now, back to the reason you are here."

  "I will keep this in mind if I hear words of other types of elixirs surfacing anywhere. But yes, let's get down to business." Ramia cleared his throat and took a few sips from the wonderfully tasting tea before him, smacked his lips in contentment for a few times before proceeding on.

  "The news about your rings of deconstruction have spread with incredible speed, resulting in numerous organizations sending their people to look into it further. As you no doubt understand, those rings can be used for numerous, both legal and desirable, as well as illegal and despicable tasks. If words on the street is to be believed, the assassin guilds in particular are salivating over the idea of getting their paws on such items. And while in and of itself it would not be the end of the world, the laws and numerous powerful individuals present would serve as a countermeasure against one another, this increase in strong individuals present will inevitably provide additional openings for those working from the shadows. And worse still is that from what i have gathered, you are one of only few possible sources among the latest arrival of gifted's. We do have a small buffer in the form of the mercenary, since he has not been seen together, or even interacting with your group and was the origin of the item. That and the fact that the sales of it are done through me. And I will shamelessly admit that I am indeed one of the few people around that cannot be pushed and prodded as those groups would like to."

  "Just who has such a big stick to keep so many greedy and arrogant fools in check?" Jack asked, now more than just a little bit curious.

  "My brother is what one would call a battle maniac of extreme proportions. He also happens to be one of the few, level nineties around and still in good health. Does that satiate your curiosity?" Ramia explained and asked with a light smile.

  "Is he a junkie for levels as well? Or just in love with a proper and challenging slugfest?"

  "The latter, though he would never refuse the chance to level up a bit more. Who would, right?"

  "Well then, I suppose you can offer him my services once I reach the point I can comfortably craft tier 5 gear. I somehow doubt there is an abundance of level seventy five and above epic gear with the attributes he needs the most."

  "I will certainly pass on the message. My brother will no doubt appreciate the gesture."

  "So, with the threat known about, what do you want from me? I doubt all you wanted was to warn me." Jack asked, returning to the topic at hand.

  "Yes. I believe we need to make an obvious separation between you and the merc. If possible, him leaving the town would be the best, disappearing into the wilds for who knows how long."

  "I will need a few days to set it up I suppose. That and I need to make sure he leaves as though his job was complete- whatever that might have been."

  "You have a target in mind?" Ramia asked.

  "Yes, will do a small purge on the gangs in the slums. The place is long overdue for a small spring cleaning."

  "Hmm. I will go over my own information and contact you later. if we want to make it look like a contract, we will need an appropriate target. I think some of those gangs had friends in other nearby cities."

  "You do that. I will wait for the details then."

  They discussed for a short while longer before Ramia departed, a smile tugging on his lips and a pair of snacks in his hands as he boarded his carriage, humming something about the new path towards a spicier and better world, all while he is swimming in coin.

  'A solid smoke screen our joint venture has become.' Jack smiled as the carriage slowly disappeared from his sight, leaving him all on his own for another few hours at the very least, unless of course he decided to join the farming squad as they kept on doing their thing.

  "Oh? A level up. Nice." Jack hummed as he noticed the new notification. It was clear that not only his own kids were working hard, but the weapons purchased by Anastiela were also seeing plenty of use.

  ------------------------------

  "Sigh." Vernon Kass exhaled heavily as he slumped back in his office chair, the large pile of documents barely reduced after more than an hour of near non stop working. with the remaining ones still seemingly towering over him like some school bullies, smirking and humiliating him for his weakness. As the saying went- when it rains, it pours.

  "Could they not wait another week or so at the very least?" he complained in half whisper as he rubbed his tired eyes. "We just barely dealt with that damn monster tide and now half of the powers that just left and more than half of the underworld are sending their people in at the barest smell of blood. Curse them all." Vernon was no fool. He understood well enough the allure not only of an item like the ring of deconstruction, but also what it's creator could possibly represent. Just imagine what else could a mind that the ring came from could conjure? Then imagine said mind at your organizations fingertips. The only good news so far he had received after the confirmation of the end of the monster tide was that the items origin, and in extension the man who carried it, were linked directly to the merchant Ramia and that in turn meant that no obvious and blatant attempts to squeeze the man will be committed. Hell, no one will even dare to actually approach the merchant with anything but polite and generous offers for the information on the creator. Vernon doubted anyone expected to actually succeed in such efforts either- the old merchant had a nose for business and profit like nothing he had ever heard off, so if his attempts, backed by the near endless coffers of free city alliance, failed, what hope did others have?

  What Vernon would have to deal with however, were the no doubt expected increase in robberies and break-ins as the less lawful elements and mercenaries accompanying the rest as they try to smoke out whatever crafters are hiding within the city in hopes that one of them might be the mysterious new master. Hr sighed once again as his back departed from the comfortable incline of the chair and straightened out as he stretched his hand and grabbed a parchment and a quill, quickly penning a request.

  "George!" he called out and moments later a man in his early forties entered the room.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Did you call master?"

  "Yes. Send this to the nearest branch of the Alliance and summon my scribes. I will be stuck here for days otherwise and we both know we can't keep lady Itena waiting that long."

  "As you wish sir. Should we prepare a light dinner for your meeting with the lady?"

  "Just tea will be enough. She no doubt is here to once again ask for a loan or something equally boring. A meal will only give her the false assumption I am somewhat more open than usual to such things. Or worse still she might think her flirting is finally bringing results. Neither is desired."

  "As you wish, my lord." George bowed and stepped outside the room to fulfill his tasks.

  -------------------------

  The next few days were relatively calm for Jack and his group as the next annoyances to be were still on their way towards the town and he was waiting on Ramia to gather the information on the correct gangs in the slums to target, though as soon as Jack would have his hands on said info he would let the merc loose and then have him disappear for a long time, if not forever entirely. He was still mulling on that part of his future plans. He knew just how hard it would be to juggle two personas at the same time, especially with the lack of a spatial teleportation device- at least for now. It had to be noted that he had one such thing in mind, though once again the lack of the necessary amount of matter heavily limited his options.

  Kate and Mika were growing admirably as they were learning to utilize their classes to the utmost of their abilities. Mika had gained the class- Iron willed Justicar(epic), while kate's class was Iron willed Avenger(epic). Both were incredibly impressive, though not nearly as much as the two people who had gained their epic classes in the tutorial, one of which Jack believed to be the original regressor. It was only a matter of time until the two would meet, though more likely was the probability of the kids running into the guy first. Jack would slowly grow his guild to be, as well as his personal reputation as quite the skilled crafter, eventually no doubt drawing the regressor to him, whether to acquire some of the gear Jack made or to evaluate the new variable in this timeline he could not tell, but regardless, it would happen.

  As for the girls, their classes were quite the peculiar things. The Iron willed avenger was offensive class that focused on inflicting damage and tracking down individuals who had amassed negative 'karma'- a unique type of energy only Kate could sense that indicated how much unjust and evil deeds a certain person has committed. She did question why there was absolutely no reaction of her skill when it came to Jack, since no matter who, everyone else had at least a small amount of such energy around them. To the question Jack expressed a theory that the skills was limited to class rarity difference or perhaps the difference in spirit of the person she focuses on. If the gap is too large, her skill might not react at all. The added bonus of the class also provided her with a strong defence against mind attacks- be it fear, confusion or other similar skills.

  Mika's Iron willed Justicar was similar with it's powerful mental protection as they shared the 'Iron willed' part. Unlike the avenger, the justicar however focused on protection and strengthening allies, making her a powerful second tank for the party, ensuring they could proceed with more and more dangerous monster hunts. Of course, thanks to their constant hunts, as well as the bonus matter Jack was earning from the couple rings of deconstruction that had been 'rented' to Valkia's management so they could much more easily clean up the still lingering after effects of the monster tide, he was also quite busy with the obvious task. He had forged not only body armour for the two girls, but had managed to start filling out the rest of attack teams gear slots, starting the support roles. Jack did leave the accessories and the like for another time, since the group was sloly, but surely, closing in on level twenty as well and would need new gear once at that point, followed with yet another re-gearing at level twenty five when they would acquire their second tier classes, though that second gear replacement was still months of grinding away.

  Their first foray in to the wilderness of the world had been both a curse and a blessing at the same time. The cruel nature of the world forced upon their minds once again had caused them to double down on their own survival instincts, desire to live and hatred towards all creatures of vile nature. It was this iron will of theirs that helped them to adapt to the nature of their new lives. If Kaede, Kenji and the rest of the base combat group was to be believed- something Jack had little problems with- the two girls were diving head first into their encounters, dispatching the monsters with swiftness and almost savage efficiency. No monster was shown mercy as their weapons reaped lives where they could, though not for a moment did they forget that there was a group of people with them as they incorporated their actions into the tactics of the whole party, strengthening both the offensive and defensive might of the group.

  It was around this time that Jack was pleasantly surprised by his farmer squad as well as the very first home grown crystal karias had matured and were offered up to him. They might be considered nigh useless, if admittedly pretty plants, but their rarity class was still at least semi legendary, at least as far as his appraisal was concerned. That was just it, wasn't it? Technically, there were a few such plants that held such high rarity rank though were basically useless due to no crafter having appropriate recipes to use said plants in, for unlike metals, it was incredibly difficult to find ways in which a plant could be combined with others for positive and desirable outcome.

  "Magnificent work." Jack smiled as he received the plants, promptly deconstructing them for a large influx of matter into his special storage dimension.

  "Anything in particular you would like me to make? I have acquired the the substantial amount of matter from this." he added a moment later with a pleased smile on his face.

  "Thanks for the offer boss, but aside from the equipment you have already made for us, there is little we need for actually performing our duties. Aside from a better garden with specialied enviroment- something like custom made and maintained greenhouses, so feel free to use it all as you see fit. It is us who should be asking the same question to you." Alonso spoke for the group, content smiles adorning their faces. "We have not only be taken under your wing and protection, but also found ourselves a place were we can work with a piece and mind and knowing that we are appreciated for said work."

  "You are already doing more than I could have hoped to ask in a similar timeframe, so whatever you do, don't beat yourselves over what you yourselves might consider a lackluster return of the kindness received. Work smart, not hard and love what you are doing. That's all I ask. But, since you offered, I do have just the thing in mind I can use the matter just acquired to help move some of my plans further along." Jack replied, a small smile creeping on his face at the end as though his mind was already drifting off to only places he could reach.

  "Right. I have an important announcement to make during supper, so wait for it. Not to worry though, it's good news." he added as he headed out.

  -------------------

  "Now that we are all more or less stuffed, it's time I spoke of the aforementioned important news." Jack began as the last of the forks were placed on their respective trays and the last few mouths were finalizing their chewing of the last few bites.

  "We have been working for a few weeks already on our respective goals and tasks. Be it pushing yourselves harder as you explored the forest, or be it hard work on farming and ensuring we have plenty of tasty vegetables to add to our meals, the results are obvious. I would even dare to go out and say that we have been doing what a proper guild, albeit new and small one, would be, once again reinforcing my belief we are ready to take that next step. Yes, and as unbelievable as it might seem, I have been studying as well, coming to the conclusion that is is about time we make things official." he explained, earning more and more interested gazes from his team.

  "Does this mean what I think it does?" Izumi asked with a slight smile on her face.

  "Yes. Tomorrow I will head out and register the formation of a new, albeit small and without open recruitment, guild. That however brings us to the most important question. What should we be called? Past. Present. Future. The name we chose should, in theory, symbolize something connected with all three, for only a fool ignores the lessons of the past, lives only in the present and does not think of the future. And I do believe we are no fools here. So, any suggestions?"

  A moment of silence took over the dining hall as the group stared at Jack, only to be replaced with laughter, followed by another and then another until everyone was laughing. The laughter died down a few moments later and once it did so, Izumi could not help but sigh with contentment and smile as she commented.

  "And here I thought we were about to receive some sort of a grand name, only to be swept off my feet. You are a sly one Jack."

  Jack Raja(?)

  Age- 27

  Species- human(?)

  Level- 21

  Class- Twin aspect of Creation and Destruction(EX)

  Stats unassigned: +11

  Attributes:

  Strength- 24 (14+7+3)

  Vitality- 23 (12+8+3)

  Dexterity- 21 (15+6)

  Intelligence-7

  Spirit- Spirit- 25 (20+5)

  Skills- Wisdom of Creation and destruction(EX), Choice of the creator(EX), Eyes of procurer(EX), Matter storage(EX), Arukain language(C), Spark of inspiration(EX).

  Spells- none.

  Titles(unlocked): The real Monster, Big Game Hunter, The brilliant rookie, The insane Solo. Monster debugger.The actor. Executioner. Survivor. Pioneer, Record breaker.The new champion supreme.

  Gear: amulet +2 vit: weapon- Gundao+3 str. Rings- spatial storage, vit +