The King Receives His Allowance

Denva walked throughout a large portion of the entire District, marking all the spots that he would like to visit for more information.

He then saw a certain whom he found familiar. He was a burly man that looked to be in his forties with an unkempt beard and deep set hazel coloured eyes. Denva walked over to the man and wore an amiable smile.

"Johnn," he said.

The man turned to him and wore a grin as he went up to him and gave Denva a bear hug.

"Hahaha! Boy, you have the nerve to not pay me a visit for all this time? And here I considered you a son," the man said.

"Who says a son can't flake on his father once in a while," said Denva as he lightly punched the man on the shoulder.

"Here you are acting all mature again. Give me a break," the man said he ruffled Denva's hair. "I assume this is isn't a casual visit?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you have some work for me," said Denva.

"Haha! I thought you said manual labour was such a bore. A waste of your World Essence," said the man as he raised his brow.

"If it was, I wouldn't be here right now," said Denva.

Johnn looked at Denva for a while before nodding and patting Denva's shoulder with an immense force.

Denva almost fell down under the pressure.

"Sure. We have a few jobs available. Most of them require physical strength and the pay is decent...for a kid like you," said Johnn.

"Alright then. I'm in," said Denva. As he focused on Johnn, he could feel a steady flow of World Essence.

"Good. Meet me at the corner of Henra and Old Tess at 8am tomorrow," said Johnn with a grin. "Glad to see you again, kid."

"You'll be seeing me a lot for the next month," said Denva.

Denva had always been good at creating relationships. He had met Johnn some time ago when he was looking for a part time job. With the accumulation of World Essence within him, he had become stronger, making manual labour a lot easier for him than most.

People like Denva and Johnn were the few who could conduct World Essence within themselves to strengthen their bodies. The rarity of these kinds of people was one in ten thousand.

The two parted and Denva walked over to a scene he wanted to visit a few days later.

It was the site of the destruction by the World Titan. Naturally, people steered clear of it as there was nothing one would venture closer to it for.

The feeling that Denva got when he stared at the scene unsettled him.

World Titans.

In this world, humans did not know the mystery behind these creatures, but he did. They were not some random monsters that just appeared to cause destruction. The source of their existence was beyond what these mortals could handle.

Denva felt the Realm Essence coming from the site and began wondering.

'Beginning my cultivation with World Essence will ensure that my path is harder than it should be,' he thought.

There were still many unanswered questions that he had mulled over as he travelled through the streets.

When Freidris escaped from the terror brought on by his enemies on his home, he had aimed to hide within a Realm where he could strengthen himself again and later seek vengeance, but to his surprise, his soul found its way into the Mortis space.

This was certainly not his doing, meaning someone was behind it. He would have pinned it on Edmarch but it was impossible for him to do that. This was the work of an expert with a higher realm of power than him before he lost his cultivation.

'I'll be coming back here soon,' he thought.

Afterwards, he headed home.

He had visited all the places he wanted and now, he needed one thing to begin the course of his plans.

Money.

A few jobs as a start would do, but as an individual who knew what people could do to escape harsh reality, he had found a place to earn more money quickly, as long as he began his integration (cultivation).

By the time Denva reached home, it was almost sundown. As he opened the door, a streaking figure ran up to him and almost knocked him over.

"You're late again!" a sweet voice yelled at him.

It was Charlie.

She had been waiting for her brother to return home again.

"I'm not late today, Chubs," said Denva as he picked up the pouting blob.

"Yes you are! I'll only accept three spoons of your food for my forgiveness," said Charlie with her little head raised.

"Is that right?" said Denva as he walked with her to the couch and sat down.

"Hello son. How was school?" asked Synthina as she came from her bedroom.

Denva who had been stretching Charlie's cheeks until they were reddening while she tried to escape, turned and replied.

"It was alright," he said. "Is dad home yet?"

"Yes. He was waiting for you," said Synthina as she leaned over to Denva. "He said something about you two needing to have the talk."

"Yes. He did something about that yesterday," said Denva. "Might as well see him now."

Denva stood and set down the panting Charlie.

*

Denva and Benedan sat down in Denva's room. Benedan looked a lot better than yesterday, his eyes looking a tad bit more focused.

"You still want to be a Seeker right?" asked Benedan.

"Yes," replied Denva.

"I never was a fighter. It surprises me why you are one despite me being your regular dad," said Benedan. "This job has a lot of challenges ahead. Not just fighting huge monsters."

"I know. But if I succeed, you won't have to be so constrained. This time, it is for my family. For you,  mom and Charlie," said Denva with a stern look.

Benedan held his face.

"This world has gotten so bad that even children are forced to aid their parents. It doesn't sit well with anyone who has children, son," he said as he looked at Denva. "I would have preferred you to do it for yourself. Not because you need to make a name for your family."

"It's just how it is. I'm an adult now dad. I can contribute to the family and to the world," said Denva.

Benedan gave a short laugh.

"I would love to say my one pep talk with you last night has borne fruit but I see something else is motivating you," he said as he reached into his pocket.

Benedan pulled out a few notes and handed them to Denva.

"This is 800 nots. It's all I can give you for now. You will be participating in the Selection. I wish I knew what exactly you need to pass, but I hope you can get some of the things you need with this."

Denva took the money.

'A timely investment,' he thought.

"Thank you, dad. I'll use it wisely," said Denva as he resisted the bodily urge to hug his father.

Benedan gave him a smile.

"I know you will," he said.