The visit with Akara was very profitable. Apart from the different happenings of what was going on currently around, Dustin had even learned about the new ranking system in place. Apparently, it was something that even the people of the land could access to know how good a certain adventurer was, maybe before hiring them for a job. This was also how Akara and Elva were able to know of it, as they explained.
Dustin also got information on some factions that had risen in his absence. These factions were called guilds, and knowing what these guilds were, he wasn't really interested in joining any of them, so he didn't really pay too much attention.
Since at the moment, every adventurer had left the town, it was mainly filled with the locals, and only a few of the adventurers were left. There wasn't much to do either, as there had been a massive reduction in reasonable quests. What was left on the quests tab were requests to be completed by the locals, like hunting some random wild animal, not even a beast. Something easily accomplished by a low ranked adventurer. Not like Dustin himself was in any condition to be fighting anything, so he just left everything and returned home.
..
Inside Akara's office, a familiar figure could be seen standing just before her working table facing the door, and Akara herself was kneeling before this figure of a person. It was weird to see the city lord kneeling before another person in her own city, so it was quite evident this person was of higher authority.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"My dear Akara, you called me today, even though it is not yet time to file in any report. What is the matter." The male voice asked sweetly, unlike how a superior would normally do. "Come on, stand and have a seat."
Akara followed and took the visitor's seat, while the male figure took the her's, the city lord's seat.
"As you must have noticed, someone new has entered the town." Akara started.
"No, I didn't notice anything. Is this person you talk about of any importance? Is the person the reason for this meeting?" The man asked, as he parted his shoulder long hair to the side. The man had a beautiful face, unlike that of a typical man, and his voice was also soft.
"Well, the one you asked me to keep an eye on years ago, Dustin, he returned yesterday." Akara reported.
"..." "Really? So he actually succeeded in finding a way out of that place?"
'What place is he talking about? He knows something of his disappearance after all.' Akara said in her mind as she thought.
"I know what you are thinking. Actually, that year-" The man went on to explain everything to Akara, and after he was done with the explanation, they carried on with their discussion.
..
Dustin who was oblivious to whatever was going in in some people's closed doors just took a casual walk home. He had decided to stay in the town until he was completely recovered. Though he was walking around, he was pretty out of it. The special crack he used to get back had done quite the number on his body, and even he was unsure when he would recover fully. Dustin was going to be in the town for maybe two weeks, or it could be two months, it all depended on his body, though he didn't believe it would take too long.
.
Just like that, a week went by, and Dustin was still doing very well with the amount of points he had. Another thing he tried doing was using the cores he had gathered ever since, but to his dismay, they had become useless. He must have used at least two hundred, but he didn't even notice the slightest difference in his strength. Seeing as he also had the system to keep progress, he could clearly see that the cores had zero effects on him.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm'Looks like I've become too strong for this to be of any use now.' Dustin thought to himself. He had been keeping the cores so that when he was finally going to use it, he would get a huge power boost all at once, but as it would seem, his plan wasn't the best.
'I need to find a way to become stronger, mainly the level. I need to raise it up to hundred, there's still that.' He said, as he glanced over the title section.
"Akara would know something." Dustin concluded something in his mind before getting up.
After a week of recuperating, Dustin had gotten way better than he estimated. At that rate, he might be well and back to a hundred percent before thirty days were up.
He took a walk into the town and headed for the town's hall. On the way, he saw the girl who saved him some days back, but she seemed to be busy with something, so Dustin didn't bother her and just went his way. He had not seen her ever since, but he was sure there would be another opportunity for him to show his thanks. He didn't mind just leaving it as is, but then again Dustin felt like that was something that came with the demonic trait, and he didn't want to let some trait or ability control him to that extent.
Getting to Akara's office, Dustin knocked, and was allowed in. Seeing Dustin coming in, Akara was quite surprised ever so slightly, as she was not expecting his visit. "Dustin, why have you come to me this fine afternoon?" She asked, her ever serious and beautiful face showing a bit of interest.
"Well, I would like to get some information about.. certain things, or should I say, locations."
Dustin went on to explain to Akara what he wanted, and it was fairly simple really. As his level was still very low, Dustin wanted to go to a place where he would be able to hunt powerful beasts and monsters. The stronger the monster, the better for him. When he was back to a hundred percent, he would just head there straight. For now, there wasn't really anything Dustin wanted to do as he had just comeback. The thing Eir asked him to do was left until he returned to earth, and he wasn't really too worried about the whole earth ending thing anymore. From what he was told, there were many people who could go against very powerful monsters and claim victory. With those guys around, the earth would surely be safe. After all, he wasn't some main character in some show. The world didn't revolve around him. (If only he knew)
After a brief debate, Akara finally agreed to share this information, knowing that Dustin could get it elsewhere anyway, so there was no need t be stingy with it. She only wished that he wouldn't rush and get himself killed all for the sake of power.
From everything Akara provided Dustin with, the most eye catching was the Land of The Dead, and the Forest of Evil. These two seemed to have much more powerful monsters and creatures inhabiting them, from what Akara said at least, so that was his destination when he was alright.