Although Ray was excited that he would finally meet the man called Lenny steel. He was slightly confused. When he asked Slyvia about the author she stated that Lenny steel was treated like a madman writing about exaggerated tails. Was there a difference in opinion or had Kelberg just become that desperate?
"How will Lenny steel help us with this task?" Ray asked
"It wasn't my decision but someone claimed that he was an expert," Lilly explained, "The man is meant to know about all sorts of things such as magical beasts and magical equipment. Just like the metal hammer the man used. Kelberg has decided to create an investigation team with me as the lead. A member each from the large guilds and finally I want to invite you guys."
Originally Ray wanted to find out about the Dragon hammer on his own, for fear that others might try taking it but the truth was Ray didn't know much about the hammer and the only lead he had disappeared. Slyvia was still struggling to decode the journals and this Lenny Steel might have some answers Ray was looking for.
"Alright, I agree for now," Ray said as held out his hand.
Lilly smiled and shook Ray's hand.
After spending the night at Lilly's place, Ray had slowly made a full recovery and could move once again. He thought back to the underground cellar and the immense power the Demon man held. At the time, Ray's power seemed to be equal to the men but he had a feeling it was slowly growing.
Although Ray was busy hunting the man down, Ray also needed to get stronger himself. He sent out a message to Slyvia and the other members of the Red wings to inform him if they found any advanced tier beast. Now that Ray had unlocked his teleportation skill, Ray would be able to teleport to their location and the next day teleport back to the city of Kelberg.
The most surprising thing to Ray though, was Slyiva's reaction when he told her he was going to meet Lenny Steel.
"What did you say? But how is that possible?" Slyvia said. "How is he still alive, Lenny steel wrote those books about the Dragon knights around 50 years ago, and his book before those about the magical beast were 50 years before that, he must be over a hundred years old."
Although it was possible to slow down the aging process with Ki, Ki was relatively a new concept to humans, and there weren't many who knew how to use it properly for years.
"Don't worry too much Slyvia," Ray said, "I'll keep you updated as much as I can."
Everyone was told by Lilly to gather at the tavern where Gary and Jack had held their arm wrestling match against Berg by noon. Lilly was the first to arrive with her trusted guard Berg.
When Ray entered the tavern with Jack and Gary, they spotted Lilly sitting on a long table at the back. The group went over to join her and Lilly noticed something different about Ray.
"Did you dye your hair?" Lilly asked.
Ray had decided to keep most of his appearance the same, while transforming his hair from red to black and covering up his arms.
"Yeah, less attention this way," Ray replied.
The two groups remained in silence as they waited for the others to arrive. Finally, a blonde boy in shining armour had arrived. It was Ark from one of the top guilds in Kelberg called Flying Angel.
Before sitting down on the bench, Ark made sure to wipe his seat and place a cloth down. Lilly introduced Ark to the others, however, When Gary put his hand out for a shake, Ark refused but quickly explained it was for hygiene reason and nothing personal. Although Gary felt like it was very personal.
Then another man arrived and sat down with the group. It was a black man named Keke who had several piercings on his body and tattoos covering his entire arms. On his back, he had two curved half-moon like swords. Keke was part of the other top guild in the city named BoroBoro.
As Keke was being introduced to the group, he noticed the tag's around Ray and the other's necks and all of them being red.
"Are sure their people are going to be any help? They will only slow us down." Keke said.
Keke and Ark both wore Green tags which indicated they were C rank, which meant they were better than most adventures out there and could take on an advanced tier beast on their own.
"This is my task force and I hope that you would respect them as you would respect me," Lilly said and Keke immediately went silent.
"This girl is kinda fierce," Jack whispered to Gary.
"Yeah isn't it great," Gary replied.
Finally, the last person had arrived and that was Lenny Steel himself. Lenny looked like a wise old giant. He stood 7 feet tall and had to bend slightly to make it through the doorway. His face had a beard that had specks of grey hair but the man didn't look a day over 40.
"This isn't exactly the best place to hold a meeting is it?" Lenny said as he sat at the table.
"Don't worry about that," Lilly said as she brought out her wand and started to cast a spell.
Suddenly, the noise around the tavern stopped and a sphere-like shape could be seen around them. "Only our voices can be heard while we remain in the bubble."
"Wind magic I see." Lenny said. "impressive."
"As you all know we are here to recapture the Demon man, not only has his strength grown from last time but it seems we have found out some new information," Lilly explained. "The man seems to be working for the shadow plague, but we do not know why he has come to Kelberg or even if he is still here. That's why the mayor has called the very best people to find and bring him back."
Keke started to laugh at Lilly's last words and looked over at Ray and the others.
"I don't know why you're struggling so much." Lenny said, "the demon man already told you he is a part of the shadow plague, right? And what is there goal? To rid the land of the Divine being of course. So all we need to do is go see the Divine being."