NOVEL NEXT Chapter 192: Buying Land.
Arriving inside the bustling streets of Caldera, Arthur took a brief detour into a narrow alleyway, away from the prying eyes of adventurers and merchants. He reached into his inventory and pulled out the Golden Guild Token.
The token gleamed in his palm—golden edges
Golden Guild Token: You are able to build a Gold-Rank Guild within any land you own.Further information will be provided once the guild has been built.
Arthur's fingers traced the edges of the token, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Finally, it's time to put this to use."
His mind flickered back to when he first obtained the token—right after the monster horde event in the village.
"If I can set up a Gold-Rank Guild here… the influence, the connections, the reputation—it'll skyrocket."
But first, he needed land.
"And land in Caldera… isn't going to come cheap." He sighed, already feeling his metaphorical wallet cry out in pain.
Arthur checked his coin balance.
[Coins:] Gold: 88,113 | Silver: 25 | Bronze: 76
His eyes flickered over the numbers.
'Almost 880 million dollars… I'm basically a billionaire.'
But even with that staggering amount, buying land inside Caldera—the most influential city in the kingdom—would drain a sizable chunk.
"Still… it'll be worth it."
The Golden Guild Token wasn't just for any guild—it was for a Gold-Rank Guild.
"Time to find where I could buy some land," Arthur muttered, slipping the token back into his inventory.
...
Arthur headed to the inn, the same one he had first visited when he arrived in the City of Caldera.
The warm scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air as he stepped inside. Laughter echoed from a group of adventurers huddled around a table, dice clattering across wooden surfaces. The bartender stood in his usual spot, wiping down mugs with a rag.
As Arthur approached the counter, the bartender glanced up, he did not recognise Arthur as he was wearing the face of his second identity, Azarel.
"Hey again!" The bartender's voice boomed with cheer. "Do you want a drink or…?"
Arthur shook his head. "I want information."
The bartender's smile didn't falter. "What do you need?"
Arthur leaned slightly on the counter. "Where would someone go to buy land in Caldera?"
The bartender's brow lifted, his hands pausing mid-wipe. "Buy land?" He set the mug down and crossed his arms, giving Arthur a more focused look. "That's not a question I get every day."
Arthur nodded. "I figured. But I need land. Preferably for building something."
The bartender rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, it's not as simple as walking into a shop and tossing gold on the counter. Buying land in Caldera... it's tricky. You don't just need gold—and a lot of it—you also need power and reputation. The more prime the location, the more political strings you'll have to pull."
Arthur sighed inwardly. He had expected as much.
"What's the easiest way to get it done?"
The bartender leaned in, lowering his voice. "Two ways. First, the straightforward route—post a mission on the guild boards. Advertise that you're looking to buy land, and sellers will come crawling out of the woodwork. Prices will be... negotiable, but expect them to gouge you, especially if they sense desperation. Oh, and by the way. The land will be of low quality, and most likely at the outskirts of the city, near the walls. So it won't be a good location."
Arthur's face remained impassive. "And the second way?"
"Connections," the bartender said with a smirk. "If you've got powerful friends—or you know someone who owes you a favor—you might land a deal that doesn't bleed your coin pouch dry. A lot of land here is controlled by the Four Elite Families and the Royal Family. Without ties to them? Well, let's just say the first option might be your only shot."
Arthur mulled it over. Both options had their pros and cons. He didn't like the idea of drawing attention by posting a public mission, but relying on Lucas Ashencroft or another elite figure meant owing favors—favors that could come back to bite him.
The bartender noticed his silence and chuckled. "You're not the first to try, kid. And most give up before they even get close."
Arthur met his gaze, his voice calm but firm. "Alright."
Arthur reached into his pouch and dropped a few silver coins onto the counter as payment for the information. The bartender's eyes gleamed, but just as Arthur turned to leave, the man rubbed his thumb and index finger together in the universal sign for more.
Arthur smirked and tossed a couple more coins onto the table.
"Pleasure doing business," the bartender said with a wink.
Arthur left the inn, stepping back into the crowded streets of Caldera.
"So... post a mission or use connections?"
Arthur weighed the options again.
He could always approach Lucas Ashencroft and ask for help, and he felt like Lucas would be willing to help if he didn't ask for something exaggerated.
After all, Lucas had already extended a favor when he gave Arthur Loki's Mask. So, they still had some sort of deal when it came to the mission.
But using that connection now would mean being in his debt—and with a man like Lucas, that was dangerous.
"I'll try the guild mission first. Keep my options open."
He turned towards the Gilderhaven Guild, even from this distance, the massive insignia of the soaring hawk glinted against the sunlight, perched proudly above the grand double doors.
'Let's get this over with.'
He strode through the bustling entrance.
Arthur made his way towards the front counter, where a guild receptionist, a woman in her late twenties with sharp green eyes managed an endless stream of adventurers.
Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her hands flew deftly over a crystal tablet, processing forms.
Arthur approached but noticed someone already at the counter.
A bulky adventurer covered in mud and grime. The man was arguing over a failed escort mission, his voice raised in frustration.
"It wasn't my fault! The damn client ran straight into the goblin ambush! How was I supposed to protect him if he—"
"Guild policy is clear," the woman cut in, her tone neutral but firm. "Client safety is a priority. If they die, the mission fails and you are investigated before persecution. This is to prevent adventurers from killing the client and stealing their items, you are not a newbie and you know this policy. If you are in the clear after the investigation you will only be fined slightly due to failing the mission."
"But... if you are in any way, shape or form involved in his death. You will be held accountable."
The adventurer groaned and stormed off, mumbling curses under his breath. Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire
The receptionist sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before looking up at Arthur. Her professional mask slipped back into place instantly.
"Next."
Arthur stepped forward. "I want to issue a mission."
Her fingers hovered over the crystal tablet. "Type of mission?"
"I'm looking to buy land. Preferably in a good location."
She didn't flinch at the request. "Duration limit?"
Arthur thought for a moment. "Two days."
"And the reward?"
"Negotiable, based on the land's quality and location."