Chapter 17: Chaos in Town of Ash

Right now, Kuro and Zhen are back to Lily's Mirage with the same hostess greeting them.

However, Zhen doesn't know if it's because he cultivated in the inn but she somehow gave him a mysterious aura now.

Well, Zhen didn't get a chance to ponder more when Kuro kept pushing him to hurry up and order.

This time Zhen ordered 5 dishes that are the cheapest.

Even though Zhen said it's the cheapest, the price has amounted to 35 gold when he calculates it in his head.

'Contracting Kuro is my biggest mistake as he is here to squeeze me dry.'

Zhen wants to know if he was the one who boarded a pirate ship when he eyes Kuro sitting down, eagerly waiting for food to arrive.

Breakfast and Lunch are already 60 gold coins wasted. Not to mention the fact that Zhen spent 20 more gold for a Yozu herb to impress my future mother-in-law. 80 gold coins gone like a poof.

'I need to work hard if I want to survive.'

Zhen really wants to thank a goddess because he has a lovely Sara, cooking food for him and not asking for money.

Little did Zhen know that the inn may be popular but they only charge silver coins.

Can't blame him as Zhen thought gold is the only currency since he hasn't witnessed a bronze and silver coin at all.

Without knowing this information, Zhen thought to himself.

'No more eating in Lily's Mirage if it means going broke to see if I can meet with this Lily person.'

While Zhen is worrying about being broke, chaos is happening everywhere.

From the City Lord to the guards as they have been informed by the adventure guild of a sighting of a black mage appearance in Forest of Trove.

They are now on the highest alert and they are required to investigate without alerting the civilians.

If the news of a black mage is here then the civilians would go into a panic.

It would create chaos in the town and basically inform the black mage that they know what they're doing with a loud microphone.

To prevent this situation from happening, the guards are ordered to do their duty as normal but they have to work extra hard in case a black mage infiltrates the town.

Anyone that seems suspicious or unable to identify themselves is to be brought to a room before being clear of suspicion.

Nobody found this weird as the guard has always been doing their duty like that, just not this much since usually, they would pull one person out of 30 people.

While the guard is unable to relax their tension....in the management meeting where all the top authority is gathered.

"THOSE DAMN BLACK MAGE DARES TO PLOT IN OUR TOWN!"

"OUTRAGEOUS!"

Multiple people were in outrage and yelled aloud before a voice interrupted them.

"Calm down!"

The City Lord, Jason Flare from the renowned Flare Family spoke slowly to calm the people down.

Jason continued, "If there is really a sighting of a black mage then what we need to do is calm down so we can think properly. Right now, the adventure guild informed us of an adventurer telling this news and based on the identity of this person, her credibility should be enough."

"But how do we know her credibility is enough. What if that person is a black mage in disguise or that person is working for them."

A middle-aged wearing noble clothes spoke after hearing the City Lord's words.

"Because that person is the daughter of John Ruiz. Is that enough reason to prove that she is credible for you to erase your suspicion?" Jason Flare replied without any change of emotion.

A silence occurred when they heard the name "John Ruiz" as they know more about him than the public.

To the public, he is simply a Gold-rank adventure who did multiple deeds that have high influence and reputation.

Everyone here is an intelligent old fool and knows he has a much more secret identity.

This is why even though their grandson and son who liked his daughter, Sara, did not allow them to go overboard with their action.

Only Arlo Sheng has his brainless son that oversteps his boundary but was saved by a youngster as he got beaten up before John intervenes.

Otherwise, with everyone knowing Situ's next action, John would most likely break every inch of his limbs before letting him go.

"Well, now we know the person informing the adventure guild is Sara then this news should most likely be true. We will have to make a plan to stop whatever they're planning before we become another town of ruins." Peter Lar spoke after a moment of silence.

Peter also has the same calm mind as the City Lord with his family being only a little bit less influential compared to the Flare family.

Therefore, everyone nodded at his word and started to discuss the counterplan.

Nobody here wants the Town of Ash to become another town of ruins despite them usually fighting for more power.

Town of ruins is the term used to describe a town that is raided by magical beasts due to the black mages.

As everyone in the management meeting continued their action to prevent the black mage's scheme.

Zhen is walking out of Lily's Mirage with a crying expression while clenching his brown bag.

"Just this morning, the brown bag was heavy like a truck and now, in the afternoon, the weight becomes so light that you don't even feel it."

Zhen is exaggerating but Kuro lets him vent as he feels a little guilty for eating so many.

Kuro patted his back to console him but that was his mistake as Zhen stared at him like a naked woman on public display.

A chilled start to run down on Kuro's body as he has an ominous feeling about this stare.

His instinct was correct as Zhen starts to speak with a smile yet not a smile.

"Kuro, why don't you hunt like 5-10 Likra so we can earn more gold. I mean, after all, you ate most of the money away and I can't feed you with an empty wallet."

Kuro feels tears coming out of his eye as 5-10 Likra will definitely kill him.

Although he managed to kill one Likra, it still took him some time as they will struggle hard to stay alive.

In addition, there are some Likra that are in the Peak-Rank 3 and I only got lucky with a Mid-Rank 3.

Seeing his depressed expression, Zhen stops teasing him and tells Kuro that he's joking.

Why would he order Kuro to hunt in the forest when he knows there is some hidden current going on?

Kuro thanks his Master for mercy and that he will try to eat less.

Zhen wouldn't believe it even if there's a knife on his neck.

'Eat less? What a joke!'

After a moment of thinking, Zhen told Kuro to follow him.

As for the destination, it is the Holy Library where they contained multiple types of information.

'It's about time to increase my knowledge of this world. Being a frog in the well does not give me a good feeling.'

Zhen hates to be always kept in the dark and needs to ask everyone for the information.

If one day, he was alone with no one to ask for, it'll be a disaster for him so he wants to be knowledgeable of the basics at the very least.

'Come to think of it, I never knew why I was able to speak and read the language here.'

Zhen tried to brainstorm for a bit before brushing it aside. After all, there are so many miracles and unimaginable stuff happening here.

Not caring much, Zhen tries to recall the location of the Holy Library from their current position.

Remembering where it was, Zhen and Kuro continue their walk to the Holy Library with the town that seems calm on the surface but a fierce storm is incoming.