The air outside the Emberhearth Inn was crisp, and the skies over Emberpoint were tinged with silver. Morning fog rolled down from the mountains as Kael and Riven made their way back to the Ashbreaker Guild Hall, their gear cleaned, health restored, and coin purses heavier.
The guild hall doors opened with a creak of steel hinges. Inside, the place buzzed with activity—hunters swapping stories, smiths appraising loot, and quest boards glowing with arcane script.
Grumm met them near the mission board, arms crossed.
"You survived the Rift. Impressive," he grunted. "But Tier III ain't earned till you bleed for the guild. Take on the Trials. Complete five missions. Show us you're not just lucky."
Kael smirked, gripping his dual swords. "Let's see what the board has for us."
Ashbreaker Guild – Trial Missions (Tier II Pathline)
Trial I: Hunt – The Splitfang Ravager
Location: Whisperpine Cliffs
Status: [Accepted]
Target: Lv 17 Elite Beast
Reward: 500C, EXP, Loot
Trial II: Escort – Emberpoint Miner Crew
Location: Emberpoint Ridge Route
Status: Available
Threats: Bandits, wild elementals
Reward: 400C, EXP, Ashbreaker Favor
Trial III: Ruin Sweep – Forgotten Tower Cells
Location: South Wastes
Status: Available
Threats: Undead, Arcane Wards
Reward: 600C, EXP, Crafting Mat Box
Trial IV: Defense – Merchant Supply Caravan
Location: Emberpoint Outskirts
Status: Available
Threats: Riftspawn Raiders
Reward: 350C, Bonus Loot Chest, EXP
Trial V: Guild Duel – Show of Skill
Location: Guild Arena
Status: Optional
Reward: EXP, Reputation Points, Bonus Skill Token
Riven scanned the board. "Let's grab three. Ravager first. Then the escort and ruins. That should push us past level 17 easy."
Grumm nodded. "Good plan. Take these."
He handed them two Guild-Bound Crest Tokens—they'd mark the mission progress in their menus and auto-track EXP gains.
[Mission Accepted: Ashbreaker Trials I, II, III]
Objectives added to map. Rewards pending.
Tier III Unlock Progress: 1 / 5
Back outside, Kael checked his blades. "One beast, one escort, and one dungeon run?"
Riven flicked her dagger. "Let's call it a warm-up."
They set off toward Whisperpine Cliffs, the fog parting as the cliffs loomed ahead—sharp, jagged rocks and pine trees twisted by wind and magic. Somewhere in that tangle, the Splitfang Ravager was waiting… and so was their next step toward power.