Chapter 22

A few days later...

<I thought this would be an easy task.>

[It should have been. After all most of the beasts had died out in the recent beast tide.]

<Then where in the world did that monster come from?>

[That I too had no idea about.]

<We should go and inform the guild about this.>

[Yes, as the beast tide defeated many believed that there would be no beasts in the surroundings. Many started venturing past the safety areas into the depths of the forest.]

[Anyhow you were lucky to have escaped from the beast.]

<Yes, I know. For a moment I thought that I was done for. If not for its clumsiness I would have been a goner.>

<Ah, we are nearing the town. I should go first to the guild and later to the alchemy shop.>

[Seriously, how long would you pretend that you are learning about herbs?]

<What are you insinuating? I am learning about them, so when I am hunting out in the forest, I can forage some if I come across any valuable herbs.>

[Right, it didn't have anything to do with Tara.]

<Of course it does. I know she got a crush on me for saving her during the beast tide but it is just a crush. What I need is for her to fall in love with me, so she would agree to my harem plans.>

[Oh yes, your harem. Are you sure the reason why you are working so hard to gain her favor?]

<Indeed, what else could it be?>

[Nothing, leave it. What about that receptionist girl from the guild?]

<You mean Natasha, I don't think that she would be one of my women.>

[You are so confident.]

<Yeah, I have eyes you know. I may be dumb in certain aspects but this is my field of expertise. Though I would fail sometimes, that isn't the entire point. She is giving me signals from the start day.>

[So when are you going to close the deal?]

<Soon. Now let's go see her.>

[Wait, what are you doing to do now?]

<I am not talking about that. I meant the information about beasts.>

[Okay.]

---

Inside the guild...

"Hey Alex, you are late than I thought," Natasha spoke when she saw Alex walking into the guild.

Alex smiled at the girl who was head over heels for him. At least for Tara, he had saved her during battle. However, it is not the case here. He is regarded as a young hero who played a major role in saving the town and that explains this infatuation.

She isn't the only girl acting like that. There are a few whom he met in the last few days but Alex decided against it. He didn't want to offend them, so maintained a friendly manner. However, he flirted with Natasha whenever he can.

Natasha is different as she had recently awakened magic. As she lacked resources and fighting isn't her forte, she joined the guild as a worker. Even her magic element is in tune with her. She had awakened the light element, which is better for healing and fighting undead creatures.

Alex decided that though she is of light element, she can achieve greatness when she reaches higher stages. She could heal people, which in turn would help in gaining a reputation from commoners and nobles alike.

This would help him a lot, as people would know that she is his woman and had to respect him too. They need to make connections with him to have a good impression of her.

The only problem here is finding the necessary resources for her to grow.

Every element has some specific resources needed in order to grow. Though common resources are useful, there is a limit to them. Specific resources as the name imply that they are specific to a certain element.

In order to better understand the element they awakened, they need those element resources. This would increase their power level and chances to reach the upper stages.

For now, it won't be a problem as she is still 1-star, the problem rises when she is at 4-star. This is a level at which one requires the element resources. That is a problem for the future, so he decided to deal with it in the future.

"Hello Natasha," he scratched his head before explaining about his encounter to Natasha.

"Oh my god, how can that be here? After a beast tide, there won't be any beasts in the nearby vicinity for months."

"I know, I was surprised too, and almost lost my life there. I was lucky to survive and return here."

Natasha for a minute forgot about her fantasy boy and was in deep thought before saying, "Please fill in the details of your encounter. You can omit other details on how survived if you want. I need this to be sent to upper management."

Alex nodded as he agreed with her. No one knows how many more such beasts still roam the forest. Many adventurers who aren't aware would lose their lives.

"No worry, I'll also fill in how I escaped though only on a brief summary."

Natasha smiled and nodded.

Though Alex wanted to let people know of the danger, he wasn't a fool to let others know of his secrets.

---

Guild, Upper level...

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, we are. This isn't the only one that was reported. There are two more. We already verified the two but this third one, though there seemed a battle, there isn't any conclusion on where the beast went."

"What do you mean?"

"The first two beasts we have tracked but not the third one. It vanished into mid-air."

"The boy said that he escaped, or did he omit the detail that he killed it and salvaged the body."

"It's possible. No one knows his origin. He could have a space storage device with him. As far I know it is the only thing that can make a dead beast disappear."

"There is a chance that there is something else."

"What else could it be?"

"Space mage."

"Wait, Are you saying that he is a space mage?"

"Maybe or someone else. We won't know for sure for now."

"Hmm, whatever the case the boy could become an invaluable resource of the guild. Monitor him but don't intervene. We don't know his origins nor his capabilities, so it's better not to poke the bear."

Everyone nodded in agreement.