The trio made their way back through the winding corridors of the ancient ruins, their footsteps echoing against the sleek metallic floors. With the battle behind them, the air felt less tense, though the weight of their discoveries still hung between them. Sael carried a few salvaged components from the defeated mech, examining them as they walked.

  Emerging from the ruins, the cool night air greeted them, the ruins' towering structures casting long shadows under the moonlight. Their camp still sat undisturbed in the clearing, with the remains of the Guardian Beast scattered nearby.

  Sael wasted no time. Before they left, he needed to repair his Guardian Beast Suit. Sitting near the remnants of their campfire, he used his crafting skill, the leftover chitin plating, tendrils, and claws from the slain creature to reinforce the damaged sections. The cracks in the armor sealed, broken tendrils were replaced, and the plating was thickened where the mech’s strikes had done the most damage. As he worked, the system notification blinked before him, confirming the successful repairs.

  With that done, they packed up their camp. The portable tent shrank in on itself with a swift, smooth motion, folding into a compact form that easily fit into their supplies.

  They climbed into the tank, the engine rumbling to life as Rhea took the controls. The vehicle rumbled forward, leaving the ruins behind as they made their way back toward Darathyr.

  As they drove, Sael leaned back and exhaled. “So… I got another system quest.”

  Lyra looked up from her book, and Rhea flicked an ear in his direction. “Another one?” Rhea asked.

  “Yeah. This one’s about unlocking the power of ancient technology and restoring it to the people.”

  Lyra’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “That sounds... massive. What does it even mean? Are you supposed to repair everything in the ruins? Or does it mean creating new ancient tech from what we found?”

  Sael shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure yet. But the system wouldn’t give me this quest if there wasn’t something important about it. I think this is going to be a long-term goal.”

  Rhea smirked. “Well, at least it’s not another ‘go fight a giant monster’ quest.”

  Lyra raised an eyebrow. “Yet.”

  The three of them sat in comfortable silence as the tank continued its journey through the forest, heading toward whatever awaited them in Darathyr.

  The tank rumbled into Darathyr, drawing a few curious stares from townsfolk as it rolled through the streets. The trio made their way directly to the Adventurer’s Guild, where Guildmaster Doran greeted them with his usual booming voice and sharp eyes.

  "You’re back in one piece," Doran said, leaning against his desk with arms crossed. "I take it the ruins weren’t empty?"

  Sael nodded. "Not even close. We found advanced ancient tech, fought a guardian beast, and ran into a fully operational mech unit. Took it down, but it wasn’t easy."

  Doran let out a low whistle. "Sounds like a hell of a fight. I assume you cleared the place out?"

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  "For the most part," Rhea said. "No more hostiles, at least. But there's still a lot in there—tech, knowledge, things we don’t fully understand yet."

  Doran nodded approvingly. "Good work. That place has been locked away for who knows how long, and you managed to survive it. I’ll make sure the records are updated." He clapped Sael on the shoulder. "And you, you’ve been getting more than your fair share of these discoveries, haven’t you?"

  Sael chuckled. "It seems that way."

  With their report given, the conversation shifted. Sael cleared his throat. "Actually, there’s something else. I need a workspace—somewhere permanent. I need a place to figure out how this ancient tech works, and maybe even bring it back to life."

  Doran rubbed his chin. "Looking for a personal shop, huh? Good timing. There’s a building near the Crafting Guild that’s been sitting empty for a while. It’s close enough to get supplies from the crafters, but still private enough to work on… whatever it is you’re planning."

  Sael raised an eyebrow. "How much are we talking?"

  Doran smirked. "Let’s just say the guild has an interest in what you’re doing. We can work something out—a mix of coin and contribution to the guild’s knowledge. You keep doing what you’re doing, and we’ll call it even."

  Rhea’s tail flicked. "Sounds like a good deal to me."

  Lyra adjusted her glasses. "And it puts us in a prime spot for learning more about ancient technology."

  Sael nodded. "Alright. I’ll take it."

  Doran grinned. "Then it’s yours. I’ll have the paperwork handled. Go take a look—you’ll want to start setting up soon."

  With that, the trio left the guild and made their way to their new workshop, the beginning of a new chapter in Sael’s journey with ancient crafting.

  The new home stood tall and sturdy in the heart of Darathyr, a three-story structure with a blend of old-world charm and functional craftsmanship. The exterior was reinforced stone with dark wooden beams accenting the design, giving it a strong yet welcoming presence. Large windows lined the front, allowing natural light to filter into the rooms.

  The first floor was designed for practicality, featuring a spacious storefront with shelves and display cases ready to showcase Sael’s future creations. A sturdy wooden counter sat near the entrance, and behind it, a workbench for quick repairs or evaluations. Adjacent to the store was a modest kitchen and dining area, complete with a hearth for cooking and a small table where they could gather for meals.

  The second floor was Sael’s true domain—his crafting workshop. The open space had enough room to house workbenches, storage for materials, and a dedicated section for experimenting with ancient technology. Various tools and equipment would soon fill the area, along with whatever machinery he could restore from the ruins. This space would be the heart of his new endeavor.

  Finally, the third floor was where they would live. The layout was cozy but comfortable, with separate bedrooms for each of them and a shared living space where they could relax. A large window overlooked the city, offering a view of the bustling streets below.

  As they stood in their new home, the possibilities stretched before them.

  Sael gathered Rhea and Lyra in the shared living space on the third floor. The evening light filtered through the large window, casting a warm glow over the room as they sat together, discussing the future of their new home.

  “I think we should turn this place into a proper crafting shop,” Sael began, leaning forward with his hands resting on his knees. “We take commissions from people in town—repairs, custom weapons, gear, anything they need that we can make.”

  Lyra nodded, already intrigued by the idea. “That could work. You have the skills, and with the ancient tech you’re uncovering, we could offer things no one else has.” She smirked. “I can handle the storefront, talk to customers, negotiate prices, and keep track of requests.”

  Rhea, lounging with her tail flicking behind her, stretched and grinned. “Guess that leaves me with the housework, huh?” She nudged Sael playfully. “Not that I mind. I’ll keep things in order, make sure we’re all eating properly, and help out wherever you need me.”

  Sael smiled. “That sounds perfect. I’ll be focusing on the crafting, but I’ll help both of you whenever I can.”

  Lyra crossed her arms, looking thoughtful. “We should start spreading the word soon. Maybe ask the guildmaster to recommend us or put up some notices around town.”

  Sael nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Let’s get this place set up first, and then we’ll start taking commissions.”

  With their roles settled, the trio had taken the first step toward making their new home a thriving workshop.