Kael struck a deal with a large supermarket three full trucks of groceries, stacked to the brim with canned goods, coffee, instant noodles, biscuits, and every essential he could think of.
On top of that, he ordered five thousand sacks of rice, and a hundred sacks each of salt and sugar.
It was an insane amount of supplies something you couldn't just casually buy overnight. But Kael knew the rules of the world: money makes things move. He slipped the store owner an extra sixty thousand dollars under the table.
The owner hesitated, but the bribe sealed the deal. "Alright. I'll take the risk," the man said. They agreed to deliver the supplies to Settlement 17 within three days.
Kael paid in full, adding that if this transaction went smoothly, he'd be buying more in the future. The owner was all too happy to agree.
"Do you know anyone who can provide a steady supply of construction materials?" Kael asked casually.
The man thought for a moment. "My cousin owns a big hardware and construction supply company."
One phone call later, Kael was buying enough to make city planners sweat. Over ten thousand sacks of reinforced cement each batch mixed with the ash of burned monsters, filled with mana, and a hundred times more durable than normal cement. He added steel fibers as thin as toothpicks, used in place of gravel to harden city walls in safe zones.
He didn't stop there hollow blocks and bricks for future housing, steel beams and wires, buckets of paint, and other essentials from Arnold's carefully prepared notes.
For power, he bought three mana crystal generators enough to fuel the entire construction site.
The bill was staggering.
35 million dollars for construction supplies
10 million for generators
3.4 million for food supplies
Then Kael moved to the next step construction.
He contacted five major companies, explaining his plan to build a new safe zone city deep in the wilderness, hundreds of kilometers from the current one. The risk was enormous but Kael made it tempting with an upfront promise of handsome pay and a 500,000-dollar incentive for a job well done, plus guaranteed future contracts.
The gamble worked. All five companies agreed.
A total of 1,800 workers would be dispatched laborers, engineers, and architects to bring Kael's vision to life.
The engineers polished his idea into something even grander: a circular city with three defensive walls.
First wall – Military and hunter base.
Second wall – Shopping and commercial district: churches, malls, bars, restaurants, and other services.
Third wall (innermost) – Residential zone for citizens, complete with schools, with the Kalza Guild HQ towering at the center.
Kael was thrilled with the design.
He paid 15 million to each construction company, and an extra 500,000 each to the ten engineers and architects.
With so many workers, they estimated the inner wall could be completed in just one month.
By the end of the day, Kael had spent:
129.9 million for construction
23.8 for new guild member.
153.7 million total in a single day.
His account balance dropped to 145 million money he'd need for future construction. And even that might not be enough, since the Philippines didn't have enough resources on hand to supply another city anytime soon.
He made a deal with Chinese business man over the phone,to buy remaining supplies,backed by other company the Chinese businessman agreed in a month from now supplies will be delivered.
Kael asked his guild member to go to his house and wait for him there Andrew process a immediate resignation from his job in the same day.
Kael made his way to the Black Fang Guild headquarters, the towering glass-and-steel building humming with activity.
Inside, he was greeted by a tall man with a sharp gaze the vice guild master himself.
"Well, if it isn't the potion guy," the man said with a grin. "Good afternoon. What brings you here? You just made a delivery last week. Planning to sell another batch already?"
Kael, still wearing his hoodie and face mask, shook his head slightly before pulling them off. His sharp features were now visible, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"I'm Kael Virel," he said. "F-rank farmer and the one who created the potion."
The man's eyes widened slightly before a spark of recognition lit them. "Ohhh… so you're that guy from Awakening Day. I remember now I saw you at Valencia University. You bumped into me on your graduation day. You're friends with those two new S-ranks, right?"
Kael gave a modest shrug. "You could say that. And… sorry, I can't really remember that moment."
The man chuckled. "Let me guess you're also the one who made the potion?"
Kael raised a brow. "Yeah, I am. How did you figure that out?"
"Hah! Nothing escapes my eyes," the vice guild master replied with a smirk. "The golden batch… there's no way you'd be useless. Turns out, you're the gold among gold."
He laughed heartily, giving Kael a firm tap on the shoulder.
"Well… thanks," Kael replied simply.
"I've got three thousand potions with me," Kael continued. "It's an improved version of what I sold you before more potent. Each one now gives five hundred permanent mana. I'm selling them for eighty thousand dollars apiece. You can use them internally or auction them off. I just need the money quickly."
He paused for a moment before adding, "My only condition keep my identity anonymous. You can even claim your guild made them if you want."
The man's grin widened. "Five hundred mana per bottle? Are you serious? This will be huge. With something like this, we could attract strong hunters from all over the world to the Philippines. It'd boost the economy like crazy."
"I'll put them up for auction four bottles at a time. Starting bid: eighty thousand. Honestly, each one is a treasure." He leaned in slightly. "I'll get the Hunter Association to verify them immediately. Once they sell, expect the funds in your account."
But black fang guild expect 10 percent of commision this time since after all we will do all the work and to secure the items.
Ok fair enough you have a deal.
They firmly shake hands....
"By the way," Kael said casually, "I'm planning to start my own guild. Will Black Fang be willing to be my ally?"
"Oh?" Simeon raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Of course, I'll do my best to convince our guild leader. But remember an alliance should be between two equal parties. Equal grounds, equal worth."
Kael smiled faintly. "I'll keep that in mind."
"In that case," he continued, "I'd like to trouble you with something please introduce me to the Hunter Association so I can start the registration process for my guild."
"No problem," Simeon replied. "I'll have Rosie take you to the Association building it's right next door."
"Thanks, Simeon."
A moment later, Kael was escorted by a young woman named Rosie toward the massive Hunter Association headquarters.
Simeon watched him go, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This kid… he's grown stronger in such a short time."
From the shadows behind him, a deep voice spoke. "What do you think, guild master? Is partnering with Kael a good idea?"
A figure stepped out from the dim corridor it was the guild master himself. His lips curved into a faint smile. "Oh, yes. I think this will be very interesting. I doubt potions are the only mystery he's hiding. He probably has something even bigger up his sleeve."
The guild master's tone turned serious. "Keep watching him. And make sure… he never turns against humanity."
Inside the Hunter Association headquarters, Kael sat across from a middle-aged man in a neat suit. The man flipped through Kael's profile, his brows slowly rising.
"So… you want to start your own guild?" the interviewer asked, glancing at him over the papers.
"Yes," Kael replied without hesitation.
The man's lips twitched. "You do realize you're an F-rank hunter, right? Are you sure about this?"
Kael's tone was steady, his gaze unwavering. "I'm sure."
The interviewer sighed, clearly realizing there was no talking him out of it. "Alright then… The guild registration fee is five thousand dollars. You'll also need at least five members to qualify as a guild."
"I already have them."
"Good. Then listen carefully you'll be required to clear twenty C-rank dungeons within one year to be officially recognized as a registered guild. Fail, and your registration will be revoked."
He reached under the desk and placed a thick manual on the table. "Read this Guild Leader's Manual. Every rule and compliance guideline is in here. Ignore it at your own risk. The Association doesn't care about rank if you break regulations, your guild will be dissolved immediately."
Kael picked up the book without complaint.
"For your first year, you're exempt from hunting taxes," the man continued. "After that, you'll pay ten percent of your guild's total earnings to help fund the Association's operations."
"I agree."
"Good. Now " the man opened a small case and slid a sleek black card across the table " this is your guild's bank card. Works as both a debit and credit card. As a new guild, your maximum deposit limit is one hundred million, and your credit limit is one hundred thousand. If your debt goes unpaid, your guild registration will be canceled on the spot."
Kael took the card, slipping it into his pocket.
The man closed the file and extended his hand. "Congratulations. The Kalza Guild is now officially recognized as a new guild."
Kael shook his hand firmly. He already had the five members. Now, only one thing remained
clear twenty C-rank dungeons.