Kanae stepped into the chamber, her gaze sweeping over the space as Akari knelt beside Kenzo, checking him over.
"You barely have a scratch on you," Kanae noted, folding her arms.
Kenzo gave a short nod. "Trust me, I was surprised too. At first, I thought the simulation was weaker, so I took off my jacket to get comfortable."
He peeled off the jacket and handed it to Kanae, who accepted it with a slight frown. "But the moment I did, I felt... off. Weaker. Whatever boosts it was giving me, they dropped almost instantly."
Akari shrugged from where she crouched. "So it's enchanted clothing. Big deal. There are tons of armor pieces and trinkets that give stat boosts."
"Yeah, but not like this," Kenzo replied, more firmly. "Not to this extent. This kind of boost is borderline absurd."
Kanae frowned, thoughtful. "That makes sense, I suppose." She turned her attention toward her sister. "Another one of your mysterious powers, Kaede?"
Kaede rubbed the back of her neck, averting her gaze. "I mean... maybe? I honestly don't know how half of this works. I really did get in the dungeon."
Kanae narrowed her eyes. "Actually, now that I think about it, you gave me that set of clothes to hand out to the others, but there was nothing in there for me. And now, knowing what we know… why's that?"
Kaede smiled sheepishly. "Because yours is different. I kept it separate." A flash of light pulsed as she summoned a few glowing items into her arms.
---
Radiant Clawblade
Type: Sword
Attack: 450
Speed: +30%
Special Ability – Magic Siphon: Absorbs 10% of the enemy's magical energy with each strike, replenishing either mana or stamina depending on the attack type.
Effect: Deals an extra 25% magic damage against magical beings or creatures. Can dispel active buffs on hit.
Radiant Ring
Type: Accessory – Ring
Effect: Grants resistance to decay and time-based effects. Increases the wearer's resistance to status conditions like slow, freeze, and rot by 40%.
Special Ability – Temporal Shift: Temporarily accelerates the wearer's personal time flow, allowing 100% evasion of all attacks for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 1 hour
Lightning Rune
Type: Skill Stone
Effect: [Random]
Kanae blinked, surprised, as Kaede handed her a sleek katana, a radiant silver ring, and a glowing rune etched with lightning motifs.
"These are for me?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
Kaede nodded. "Yeah. I was planning to get you a full armor set too, but for now, I figured you'd appreciate the essentials."
Kanae gave a soft sigh, examining the blade. "You really don't have to. Honestly, it'd be better to save this kind of stuff for your Maple Tree members."
"But you're going to be a member in a few months," Kaede replied simply.
Kanae opened her mouth to argue, but Akari leapt forward, eyes locked on the shimmering ring. "Okay, okay, if Kanae doesn't want it, I totally do. That ring is amazing."
Before she could reach it, Kanae stepped protectively between them, snatching the items closer. "On second thought, I don't mind holding on to them after all."
Kaede beamed. "Yay! I'll try and get you some armor too."
"But seriously, sis," Kanae said, slipping the ring onto her finger. Her eyes widened slightly as a subtle surge of energy pulsed through her. "You should really start thinking about appointing a Vice Guild Master. Even if it's just temporary. That way, you're not handing out gifts to every person you meet."
"Hey!" Akari huffed, placing a protective hand over Kaede's shoulder. "Leave my Sugar Momma alone."
Kanae raised an eyebrow, slowly drawing the newly gifted katana from its sheath. "I should really test out my new sword." The temperature in the room dipped sharply as cold air rippled around the blade.
Shnnnng!
Akari paused mid-step, her smirk fading. "You're no fun." She turned on her heel and strolled out of the chamber.
Kaede giggled under her breath before stepping closer to her sister. "But, uh, I already gave those hunters the clothes. Even if they're not officially part of Maple Tree yet, I can't exactly go back and ask for them."
"You won't have to," Kanae replied with a smirk.
Kaede tilted her head. "Why not?"
---
The midday sun cast a soft glow over the city of Musashino. Reiko Ochako stood confidently in front of a large building, microphone in hand. The walls behind her were painted a soothing teal, with ivy-like greenery tracing across the stone, giving the building a warm and inviting presence.
"This is Reiko Ochako, reporting for T.J.N, live from the city of Musashino, where a new Guild has officially opened its doors."
Behind her, a sizable group of individuals stood in front of the guild building's entrance. Though diverse in appearance and weaponry, blades, spears, bows, even a hammer or two, they all had one thing in common, their outfits. Each of them wore matching sets of blue-furred gear, distinct in design and quality, clearly not standard-issue equipment.
"According to my sources," Reiko continued, glancing at the crowd with a professional smile, "the people gathered here are Hunters already queued up to register for membership." She paused, pressing a hand to the earpiece in her ear as a new update came through.
Her eyes lit up, and she turned back to the camera. "I've just received confirmation, this building is now the headquarters of the newly recognized Maple Tree Guild, founded by none other than Japan's twenty-second S-Rank Hunter, Kaede Tawata!"
As the camera panned to the entrance, the large doors creaked open. Kaede's head popped out, her eyes scanning the street, only to widen in alarm as she saw the sea of familiar blue-clad Hunters staring back at her.
She yelped, ducking back inside with a startled squeak.
Reiko immediately surged forward, microphone still clutched in her hand. "Come on, Shoji! We're the first media outlet on-site—l, this is our chance to get the scoop directly from her!"
---
Kaede slowly opened the door a second time, her eyes scanning the crowd gathered just beyond the threshold. A palpable sense of excitement and positivity radiated from the group, their expressions full of anticipation.
"Wow," she breathed, touched by the sight. "You all really showed up."
At the front of the group stood a dark-haired man Kaede recognized immediately, Nagi, the A-rank Hunter who had once tested the durability of the mushroom trees back in the dungeon. He offered a small smile.
"When we heard you were starting a guild," he said, "we came as soon as we could."
A green-haired girl stepped forward next, a bit more energetic. "We really enjoyed fighting alongside you, even if it wasn't for long. You helped us survive that S-Rank dungeon. And, um... I think you're really cute... gah!"
She winced as one of her companions elbowed her in the ribs.
"If you'll have us," she continued quickly, cheeks flushed, "we'd love to join Maple Tree."
Kaede's eyes welled up with tears, emotion rising in her chest. "I'm so glad you all came. I'm just... so very Hoppy."
She froze mid-sentence, realization dawning as her face turned crimson. A tiny puff of steam practically hissed from the top of her head.
A few chuckles bubbled from the group.
"Did she just say 'Hoppy'?"
"Our Guild Master is so cute."
"Kawaii..." murmured the green-haired girl dreamily, only to get elbowed again.
Kaede laughed softly, pushing the large doors open wider. "Come in, come in! Let's get you all registered."
One by one, the Hunters filed in, each one polite and smiling, their shared energy warm and hopeful.
As the last of the group entered, Kaede noticed a woman with wavy pink hair and a professional air stepping inside, followed by a brown-haired man carrying a camera.
Kaede blinked. "Uh... who are you guys?"
The woman raised her mic and flashed a practiced smile. "Reiko Ochako, T.J.N. News. Hope you don't mind, we're here to cover the story of Musashino's newest S-Rank-led guild."
Kaede blinked twice, caught off guard. "News? Wait, you're filming?"
Shoji gave a thumbs-up from behind the lens as the camera's red light blinked on. Reiko stepped closer, beaming. "Live, in fact. Japan's newest S-Rank Guild Master, Kaede Tawata of Maple Tree, right here in Musashino!"
Kaede stiffened slightly. "Uh… hi."
"Kaede-san," Reiko began smoothly, "you've made headlines over the past week, undergoing a reawakening, surviving and clearing an S-Rank dungeon, forming your own guild. How does it feel to be leading a guild now, especially one so quickly gaining power and attention?"
Kaede rubbed the back of her head, visibly flustered. "It's honestly really scary. I was just doing what I thought was right… and now I have a guild. With people. Who, uh… showed up."
Reiko chuckled at her modesty. "And what's the vision for Maple Tree? What makes your guild different?"
Kaede's expression grew more serious, her gaze drifting briefly to the new recruits chatting inside. "I want it to be a place where people feel safe. Where they grow strong together and don't have to worry about being used or thrown away. Whether they're C-Rank or S-Rank…" Her thoughts wandered back to the C Rank dungeon where it all started. "Everyone deserves to be treated like they matter."
Reiko's smile softened. "That's a beautiful message. Last question, what do you say to those watching who might want to join Maple Tree?"
Kaede paused for a moment, then straightened up and offered a small, smile.
"I say... if you're kind, if you care about others, and if you want to fight to protect, not just destroy, then maybe this is the place for you."
Reiko turned back to the camera. "You heard it..."
She was cut off as Kaede continued speaking, her voice calm but laced with a quiet intensity.
"However… if you're none of those things, if you're the kind of person who takes pleasure in bullying the weak, in hurting honest people who are just trying their best to make even the smallest difference in this world, then you'll find no mercy from Maple Tree."
Her gaze sharpened, eyes glinting with something far colder than her usual warmth.
"And if you ever try to hurt one of our own," she said, her voice dropping a register, "then you'll find no mercy from me."
A heavy silence followed. The air seemed to tighten, pressing down like invisible weights. A faint shimmer of energy coiled around Kaede, an aura not of rage, but of absolute resolve. It was the kind of presence only an S-Rank could possess.
Reiko stood frozen in place, her expression slack. Her pupils had dilated, her breath shallow. For a moment, she wasn't looking at a smiling, shy girl, but at a quiet storm held together by willpower and love. A hunter not to be underestimated.
Then Kaede smiled, and the feeling disappeared. Reiko shook as she turned to the camera. "W-well you heard it here first, folks. A new kind of guild, and maybe a new kind of future. This is Reiko Ochako, reporting live from Musashino. Back to you in the studio."
The camera light blinked off.
"You did great," Shoji said, giving Kaede a thumbs-up.
Kaede exhaled, eyes wide. "I think I forgot how to blink halfway through that…"
Reiko laughed, trying to calm her nerves, tucking the mic under her arm. "You'll get used to it. Trust me, your guild just made a lot of people smile." 'And made a lot more people mad' went unsaid.
Reiko looked around, noticing the other three people who were already in the building. The S Ranked Kenzo, Akari, and Kanae.
"Alright, I hope it's no problem, but I would like to take short interviews with everyone." She turned to Kaede. "Is that ok?"
Kaede looked around as well. "I guess it is."
Reiko couldn't have smiled any wider.