As he shuffled into his room, the morning light began to stream through the open space in Alex’s office wall. Small beams of light were created as the dust stirred in lazy swirls as he kicked at the singed edge of the carpet.

Near the door was the temporary desk that Edwin had ordered for him, the day after the sun elf attack. It wasn’t anything special compared to the large, beautiful wooden desk that had been in the office, but it was enough to take meetings at.

Using his Strength-enhanced muscles, Alex easily hefted it into place. Though as he stepped back to look at it, he wasn’t sure if it was in the right spot.

“Do I center it on the wall? Or the hole in the wall?” Alex scratched his head and decided to go with the hole in the wall. He casually lifted the heavy wooden standing desk and shifted it two feet to the right. “Everything alright with the materials, Edwin?” Alex called over his shoulder.

The butler took a step forward from his place near the empty bookshelves. “Excellent, Master Moore,” he said. “We’ve nearly completed the inventory you requested for supplies. Some of the gear will arrive later today. I was able to get a line on an item from your body tempering ritual, and two for the list Samuel gave me for his own.”

Alex nodded, relieved at the idea he’d been able to find anything. “Good, keep trying to make progress on that if you can.”

“Indeed. However, I have four of the consumable skill manuals that you requested. The others are either print manuals, or we will need to continue searching for them.”

“You got the three big ones?” Alex asked, turning around with excitement.

Edwin nodded. “At substantial cost, but you stressed the importance of obtaining them. The fourth is the one you wanted for Valtherion.”

“Amazing. Thank you, Edwin.” Alex stowed the manuals in his spatial ring, but was surprised to note that only one fit before he felt a mental resistance to accepting the others. With a shrug, he moved to place the other three in the pouch at his side.

Edwin adjusted the cuffs of his jacket. “Now, about your upcoming journey into the Rift. You mentioned that you’d be gone for one month. Am I to assume I will not see you between now and then?”

Alex thought about it before shaking his head. “I’d like for you to come and meet me at the halfway point. Two weeks. For us, in the Rift, it will have felt like four months. We could use a brief break then. I’d like you to have some updates for me then on how things are progressing and if you’re able to get any additional resources or books from the list.”

“As you wish,” Edwin said with a nod. “I’ll also be setting up accommodations for the new hires you decide on today.”

“Yes, please do. I want you to go ahead and get any of those nearby properties we were looking at. They might drop more in price, but if they’re not completely abandoned by this point, I’d be surprised. Just make sure we do whatever we need to own them legally. I don’t want anything to pop up and cause us issues down the road.”

“Very well, sir.”

“What about the Grants? Were you able to speak with them before everything happened this morning?”

“Not yet, sir. But I know that they have been planning the Greenhouse Project, even before this plan to return to the Rift. I’ll ensure they receive the support necessary to begin their plans,” Edwin assured. “Oh, and I have begun looking for candidates to apprentice with me. Would you like to look at the choices?”

“No, that’s your choice. You do your job well and take it seriously. I trust your judgement. Just make sure they’re willing to awaken and that they’re prepared to handle your standards.”

Edwin’s mustache twitched, and his eyes seemed to shine. “Very well, sir. I believe our first hires are arriving downstairs. If I may…?”

Alex nodded for him to let the guests in, and it only took a few minutes for the door to reopen and reveal John Riley. He was tall and striking, and even though he was normally full of confidence, he seemed to look around wide-eyed. Behind him came Ian. The archer was more laid-back and seemed interested in everything around him, but not in awe of it.

“John! Ian! It’s good to see you guys,” Alex said as he stepped forward and clasped their hands.

“This is your house?” John asked in surprise. “I didn’t realize…”

Alex waved him away. “It’s a recent change. I lived in an apartment in Hoboken for the last few years. Come on, take a seat.”

They both sat, and Ian looked around quietly. John was the first to speak up. “Speaking of everything changing recently… what happened with the Guild?”

Alex leaned against the temporary desk. “Well, that’s part of why I wanted to talk to you guys. So much has happened lately… I guess you guys know some of the beef between Rylan and me? Well…” Alex spent the next twenty minutes giving them the abridged version of what had happened between Rylan and his group. From there, he described the sun elves’ attack, and when he was able to easily point at the hole still in the wall behind him, even Ian’s nonchalant attitude turned to surprise. He skipped over most details of the Hunters Association and the mission to fight the elves, but did tell them that he fought Rylan and that he was able to at least divert the result of the Rift. He wrapped up the story by telling them about the Continental-Locked Event and how he planned to get his team ready for the threat.

John whistled. “So you’re saying you had something to do with triggering that event we all got?”

“He doesn’t know the half of it.” Alex ignored the spirit, but he continued to prod. “Tell him you’re the Integration Champion. Go on. These guys should know, especially if you’re trying to bring them under your command.”

Alex cleared his throat. “What matters is what comes next. What are your plans?”

John and Ian glanced at each other. “Honestly? We’re still figuring it out,” Ian admitted. “Things are looking grim for the Guild after hearing that the branches were getting trussed up.”

“I have a proposition. Like I said, I want my team to be ready for this event, and part of that is going to be getting this place in order and getting a larger team to help us. I want to bring you guys on as protection for the property while I’m away with my team. For now, it’s just the two of you, but as it expands a bit, I think ideally, each of you would be in charge of your own team. You could rotate shifts every few days. During your off days, you could take your teams and be free to delve in Rifts, level up, whatever you want.”

John raised his eyebrows. “Bring us on? Like a job?”

“That’s the catch. I’m burning through funds fast, and with the economy how it is…” Alex gestured in the general direction of the Safe Zone. “While not completely worthless, the normal dollar feels like it’s becoming worth a lot less. But I can offer knowledge, training, and housing on the property instead. We’ve collected a ton of information from the Guild, plus what I’ve learned myself.”

“Knowledge doesn’t feed people,” Ian said cautiously.

“No, but it can keep people alive and can help them grow stronger,” Alex countered. “I’ve got plans for generating income soon, but for now, survival and strength are more valuable than cash.”

There was a short pause where they shared another look, then John answered for them both. “We’re in. When can we move over?”

“The sooner the better. We’re leaving to train tomorrow. Edwin will help you guys get settled in. For now, get access to some of the print manuals we have and work on filling out your skill slots and training around the property. Protect it while we’re gone. When we get back, in a few weeks, I’ll be able to give you both a break and hopefully a bit of a bonus.”

“Already said we’re in! Don’t need to keep selling us on the idea. We’ll start moving our stuff over here tomorrow,” John said with a huge grin.

Ian just smiled as if perfectly content.

Relief washed through Alex as well. He scanned them both and saw their levels. It made sense that they were both at the same level, since they’d been together from the beginning. John was still a spear-focused build, and Ian was leaning further into the archer archetype. Both men were Level 22, and Alex looked forward to seeing where they were able to go with some focused support.

I have my own team to focus on first. These two should be more than enough to watch the house and staff while we’re gone.

“Well, tomorrow is perfect. Edwin will show you the house later. There are rooms for you guys at the other end of the hall upstairs. We’re also working on getting some more property, so we can work something more permanent out when we get back.”

As they shook on it, Alex felt the first concrete part of his plan falling into place.

The three of them talked for a while longer before they were interrupted by tires on the gravel driveway. When Alex looked over his shoulder and saw Craig Hume step out of his old pickup truck and a large bloodhound hop out after him, Alex smiled and finished out the conversation.

“If you guys get here in the morning tomorrow, I’ll chat with you then. Otherwise, Edwin will help with what you need to get set up,” he said to the two as they stepped from the office. They were met by Edwin, who brought in the next interviewee.

“Craig Hume is here to see you, sir,” Edwin announced. “With his companion.”

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Craig entered with smooth movements and assessed the room. His well-worn clothes seemed so out of place in the expensive mansion. While the fact seemed to bother him, his bonded companion didn’t have the same issues. The bloodhound padded into the space alongside Craig and stopped to sniff at the carpet with interest.

“Good to see you both again,” Alex said as he extended a hand. “Thanks for making the trip on such short notice.”

Craig’s grip was firm and calloused. “Interesting setup you have here.”

“Working on getting it back to where it was,” Alex chuckled as he scratched his head and glanced at the wall. “Listen, I wanted to thank you for the help tracking the sun elves. If you want to take a seat, I can give you a bit of an update on the situation.”

The tracker raised a hand. “I don’t need the details. Based on that event that appeared soon after, I can make some assumptions.” He gave Alex a pointed look.

Alex nodded and then both took seats. “Fair enough. I asked you here because I’m working on getting my team stronger. Part of that is setting up a support network, and I want to do that here, at the house. I’m getting several of the neighboring properties and have big plans to cultivate the land and expand to make us self-sustainable. I could use someone with your skills and experience.”

Craig was already shaking his head as Alex finished. “I’m not one to chase the Rifts and seek power.”

“No, sorry. That’s not what I’m saying. I want to bring you on as more of a groundskeeper. Almost like a security or management role. The two who were here before you are friends of mine, and I’m hoping that they’ll be the actual security. My plan is to have their attention focused here on the house while my team and I are gone, and I’d like someone with your experience to be able to range the rest of the property. You can keep an eye on things and be more independent.”

This proposal seemed to give Craig pause. “I’m not sure that I’m the joining type,” he said while scratching Duke’s ear. “I been trying hard to stay away from any of those organizations popping up, and that brother of yours is damn persistent.”

“I’m not building an organization here,” Alex clarified. “More like… gathering allies. You can think of it more like a job offer. Everyone maintains their independence, and I’d probably be willing to build you a cabin of your own on the property wherever you want.”

A knock interrupted them, and Sam poked his head in. His blonde hair fell down onto his forehead as he did so. “I heard—” He stopped when he spotted Duke, and his face lit up. “Hey, Duke!”

The bloodhound immediately trotted over to Sam and nuzzled his hand.

Alex and Craig both watched with a small smile as Sam knelt and gave the dog some attention. After a few moments, Alex spoke up. “If you’re interested, we can also talk about payment.”

Craig waved him off. “Money’s just paper if things keep goin’ this way. Safety and opportunity are good enough for me these days. As long as I have food on the table and a warm spot by the fire for Duke, I’m happy.”

“So you’ll consider it?”

Craig’s eyes drifted to Sam and Duke, then back to Alex. “I’ll think on it. Give me a few days.”

Alex nodded and felt another piece sliding into place. People with Craig’s skills would be invaluable moving forward.

Both of them left shortly after, and Craig promised to consider the offer. There was a good chunk of time between his appointment and the last two positions that Edwin had arranged. He didn’t want to waste it, so he grabbed a quick bite to eat from the kitchen and changed into something a bit nicer. John, Ian, and Craig knew Alex to an extent; the others were total strangers, and he wanted to make a good first impression.

Alex spent the extra time between the interviews training and theorizing different ways he could help his friends gain new skills while they were in the Rift.

As late afternoon rolled around, Edwin escorted a steady stream of candidates for the remaining two positions Alex wanted to fill. He tugged at the front brim of his hat before the first one entered and attempted to be a bit more serious despite the literal wizard’s hat that he was wearing.

For the driver position, Alex met with two veterans. The first, a former Marine named Alexander Rodriguez, who had close-cropped hair and a rigid posture. He spoke confidently about his driving experience, having worked with several high-profile personnel in the private sector since his time out of the military. Though qualified, something about his loud personality to “climb the ranks” and join Alex’s primary team seemed more opportunistic. He was being offered a specific position to fill, and Alex didn’t want to bring him on with the idea of moving out of that position anytime soon. Also, there couldn’t be a second Alex; he felt it would just be too weird.

The second candidate, Diane Foster, immediately impressed him. She was a former logistics specialist in her late thirties and carried herself with quiet confidence. Not sure where it had come from, but he’d been imagining a silent but deadly male driver all along. It took a bit of a shift to realize that Diane was the better choice and the personality he was looking for.

If Olivia is any indicator, Diane could still grow to be plenty deadly…

After Diane left, the interviews for the handyman position seemed to be set up similarly. Edwin picked two qualified people with differing personalities, allowing Alex to choose who he preferred.

The first person’s resume was impressive, but his discomfort with the mansion’s scale was obvious, and he said as much when Alex mentioned the future plans to expand the property. The second man was named Michael Strum, and he arrived dressed like he was ready to work. He was interested in the wall behind Alex as they spoke, which made him wonder if the older man would attempt to jump in and repair it on his own.

“I can fix just about anything,” he told Alex. “Been working with my hands since I was twelve. An’ I don’t need fancy powers to be useful, though I wouldn’t turn my nose up at the opportunity if it was smart.”

By late afternoon, Alex’s decisions were made, and Edwin assured him that he’d handle their onboarding while the team was in the Rift. Both Diane and Michael would start within the week.

He spun his chair around and looked out of the hole in the wall, and thought about the day. Even though it had been a full day, he’d gotten everything he needed done. The only person he hadn’t heard from was Evan. He’d sent the enchanter a text and offer to come over, hoping to broach the topic of a job offer, despite the cushy deal that he currently had at the Hunters Association.

There was nothing to be done about it now, though. Alex knew that there was no sense in rushing that sort of thing, especially not with a friend. Evan would always be approachable when they returned from the training rotation in the Rift.

“Edwin,” Alex called, as the butler appeared in the doorway behind him. “I need you to prioritize those material requests for the body tempering rituals. Sam’s and mine both, please. Whatever you can find while we’re gone, too. Since the manual is from the Celestial Rift, I’m hoping that we can get some materials there as well, but it can’t hurt to keep looking here.”

Edwin nodded. “Of course, sir.”

Footsteps could be heard down the soft runner carpet of the hallway. Sarah appeared first, clutching a folder, and Mark followed behind her. His broad frame filled the doorway, and seeing him stand directly behind Sarah made him look huge.

“Got the paperwork from the Association,” Sarah said as she pulled the papers from the folder. “NDAs for everyone. It’s pretty standard stuff with a few special clauses for Rift security.”

Alex took the papers and flipped through the dense legalese. “Anything I should be worried about?”

“Nothing that serious. We get to remain independent contractors. They just want written confirmation that we won’t share information about the Rift and whatever they’re building inside.”

“The town? Yeah, the director played it off as something small and temporary, but I’m guessing it’ll be a bit more than that… as long as we’re able to split off from them and do our own thing, I’m happy.”

Mark leaned against the empty bookshelves and crossed his arms. “I’m pretty much done with the training outline.”

“And?”

Mark grinned. “[Running]? Seriously? Did you make that a requirement for the team just to spite me? You know I hate cardio.”

Alex signed the paper and couldn’t keep the smile from his face. “No, but I knew you’d hate it. I want to keep the team efficient, and I have a feeling that a skill like that is going to be pretty crucial as the world keeps developing. I’ve heard that out west, sections of the highway are already hard to get through with abandoned vehicles or Rift Breaks.”

“If you say so.” Mark shook his head, and his expression sobered. “The rest looks solid, though. I’ve got offensive and survival training. I put the mana control exercises you asked for at the start. We’ll be busy.”

Sarah pulled out her phone. “I’ll text Sam to come sign his papers. Where is he anyway?”

“Probably in the kitchen with Gabby,” Alex glanced at his pocket watch. “We’re going to leave early tomorrow. Make sure you guys are packed tonight. Here… while I have you two. Edwin was able to get these.” Alex removed two consumable manuals from his spatial pouch and then passed them off to his two friends.

“Flare Break,” Sarah read aloud.

“Unyielding.” Mark flipped through the first pages of the book.

“Go ahead and use them, and let’s look at the screens to make sure they fit you. Mark, yours is pretty spot on. So is Sam’s for what he has going on with nature. Sarah, you’re a bit harder to pick for. This one might generally be better for an archer, but if you’re a support and using a bow, this could still be a pretty good fit.”

They both nodded and consumed the skill manuals and read through the windows before sharing them with Alex.

While Alex looked through the skills with them, Sam came up and signed his papers. Alex also gave him his CC break skill manual and had him consume it. Val followed Sam up the stairs and seemed to feel left out as most of the team was in the room. He sent Alex a few thoughts about missing Olivia, and Alex distracted him by asking the small dragon to consume his skill manual.

The skill Alex had gotten for Val was by far the cheapest of the consumable manuals. Where most people were focused on combat pursuits, many of the non-combat manuals were cheap and plentiful. That wasn’t to say that there weren’t plenty of people interested in other pursuits, but that the price range of such skills was hard to obtain without delving into Rifts, and those people did tend to lean toward combat.

Edwin was still on the hunt for a CC breaking skill for the little beast, though Alex was less worried about him with his natural magic resistance and the rest of the team there to support him. In the meantime, Alex hoped that the skill would serve as a temporary way for the little glutton to communicate better with the team and could be replaced later.

Sam read and shared his own skill window.

“Whoa, that’s awesome!” Sam said as he read through it. “These had to have cost a lot, right? Why did you spend the money for all of us?”

“I liked how they were doing some things with those advanced Hunter teams. I think we should all work on having pretty well-rounded builds when it comes to our skills. It’s why I wanted Mark to begin putting together that training plan, and I’ve been looking at skills for us all. From what Jonathan said, these are the hardest to gain without a pretty specific goal in mind. They buy them for most of the team members who don’t already have them, which is why they also gave me one.

“Of the skills I want everyone on the team to have, this is probably the most important. It can definitely save your life in a pinch, or turn a fight, like it did when Rylan first used it on me.” He felt conflicting emotions as he took in the team’s response. They were all quiet and determined. While he was happy that they were taking it seriously, the danger of the upcoming Rift took some of the excitement and fun out of getting a new and powerful skill.

Even Mark was quiet as he stared into the air in front of his face at the invisible System window.

Guess I don’t need to harp anymore on how difficult things will be. They seem to get it, at least.