16 The Source

After entering through the large wooden gate embedded with Iron studs to improve the durability.

The sight of the city was truly to behold.

The sights of many temporary settlements and housing were built sprawled on by the dark lit skies.

Torches lined in any area that wasn't occupied to keep as a cautionary if there were to be a break in.

The nine month period they remained in Paska was all thought to be temporary and they would definitely regain back their city, but that was all proven wrong. The citizens numbered as well as a fraction to the original of nearly one tenth. Only a few hundred remain with the loss of many loved ones of families.

Injured mercenaries were near the entrance carrying swords and some crossbows. All numbers of forces were needed to protect the stronghold from harm so many soldiers that were most likely missing arms and legs were watching the walls.

He sympathized with them, as they were being overworked.

At the moment after sighing, a frail yet chubby old man with rings around his eyes and in fully white hair was prancing around towards Wesley and Ray.

He arrived shortly after catching a breather before pulling on the collar of Wesley, who was way taller than the man and the look of him reaching far for his collar was a sight to laugh at.

"Wesley! What are you doing? Do you think we have enough food to give to the rest?"

He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from the so called marathon he ran.

"Bah, don't worry, we're sitting ducks anyways, nothing like a few rations gonna do us good. And besides, he is the investigator and the so called hero to get us out of the situation, right?"

Both Ray and Wesley looked at each other, Wesley was an airhead for the least for the fact that Ray only said he was an investigator.

"I will do my best to solve the issue."

He cupped his hands together to which both sleeves of his robes touched to cover his hands.

He bowed his head as well.

Ray's original intent was just to do the investigation, but then realized the miracle that if any of the thing mentioned before happened, either it was a dungeon or an awakened monster, if he were to consume it, that would mean he would get exponential growth!

The man, looked at Ray flustered but kept to his own. He sighed and walked off after receiving that explanation.

Wesley who was near him was actually startled as well.

"Didn't think you would accept that easily, hehe."

He snickered and rubbed his growing beard.

"Come, you must be starving, lets go to the canteen."

The canteen was really close by since everything was concentrated at the entrance. Some families were huddled amongst each others as they ate dinner. Which was three military bread cut to size as well as some very thick soup stewed with potatoes and carrots. It looked like the sorry of a meal food he got from the Academy but he knew it was filling at the least.

They arrive near the kitchen and the chef who was overlooking the matter saw Wesley.

"Old chap, welcome! Eat your fill, and who is this?"

"The kid is, erm, what's your name?"

He forgot his name.

"Ray, my name is Ray."

"Ah, Ray, he is a newcomer and the investigator in charge solving our issue."

"Ah, that little twig is gonna be our heroes, tough luck!"

"I remembered that a team of Level 2 magicians and even a spellsword came by to only shake their heads!"

"Don't say that! Don't judge a book by its cover."

Wesley closed his eyes in delight and held a very wide smile.

Ray saw some familiarity with the smile but got over it.

"Well, get this kid some food, it took him awhile to get here so some food would be nice."

"Ah, fine, coming right up."

The smell of the kitchen aroused Wesley's stomach as a wild bear was growling from his stomach.

"Just in time for dinner!" He kept the same smile as he did before.

The chef busted the door open with his foot and came to Wesley's side passing all the plates around.

Mostly containing meat dishes.

"Your body is too frail, someone can kick you and you'll snap!"

The chef, who very similar to Wesley both had a laugh at the slim Ray but he didn't care much for it since it would be probably needed for the training he would do.

Ray grinned and began eating the dish.

The first bite was very good and mouth watering.

Even the steak at the academy couldn't compare to the succulent and non seasoned meat! This chef must be a veteran in cuisine!

Euphoria lasted until the last bite and he finished the plate of the overwhelming steak.

'This must be from a magic beast...'

He felt an aura coming from his stomach that it wasn't decaying like normal food. The mana residing in the flesh was staving him off the appetite he usually had.

He looked over to see Wesley, eating in large proportions and finished ten times the plates Ray did.

A burp as little can be was heard after chowing down on such vast amounts of food was seen that he wasn't getting started.

but he stood up and waved his hand.

"Come! Thanks for the food!"

Ray followed.

"Don't mention it!"

The chef shouted as they walked at large distances before reaching some corner of the city.

"Since your arrival, you must want to know about our situation?"

Ray only had information of the beginning of the issue and how it plagued nearby cities and many undead creatures and the occasional poison creature came out of somewhere.

Wesley started explaining everything that happened. how he was the new group to come south and the first appearance of monsters bade them to their calls. The fight was drawn out and many people died from the ignorance of the issue. Rumors spread first but many batted their eyes since this was a case which doesn't really happen in the south due to their navy protecting trade there.

The fat man that had a dashing appearance of that of a pig was actually the mayor of the estate and he was in charge for awhile after the incident but gave the role to Wesley thereafter. The chef was actually the personal chef of the mayor and so the food was satisfactory, the family that was eating before must've been silent on how good it was.

Wesley brought a drink to quench his thirst after relaying a year's worth of information on Ray.

Ray remained silent as he was thinking.

The rumors came from a town near them called Ordel so the destination of the source must be located their if it was not mobile.

Wesley explained that on their was an unimaginable frequency of monsters their and reinforced his thought that the source of monsters must be there.

He couldn't just charge in their head on, so he thought of a solution.

"Wesley, I have a favor, no....a job for you."

Wesley finished gulping down the last of his mead and looked down, curious of what Ray was proposing.