Chapter 35: What's in the Bag?
The mansion was empty when Ben returned, only the maids were present. Ben looked at the City Lord's panel.
City 01
City Lord: Bennett
Population: 232,747
Military Strength: 21
Economic Strength: 34
There was only a slight improvement to the economy and not much else.
'Looks like I have a long ways to go.' Ben let out a light sigh.
Ben took out a small piece of jade out of his storage.
Communication Jade
Ben had seen these in the system's store and bought two for him and Deke. He was going to by more but they were very expensive. They allowed two people to communicate with each other over long distances, basically fancy ass walkie talkies.
They haven't been able to find the range limit of the jade yet. Sending his Internal Energy into the jade, 'Deke can you send someone to tell James to come to the mansion?'
The reply was immediate, 'Yes.'
Ben placed the jade back into his storage. Ben told a maid to guide James into his the hall when he arrived. Ben sat in a chair and waited for James to arrive, while he waited he looked at his stats panel.
Bennett- Lvl 55
Class: Beast Warrior
Bloodline: Mekata Eyes
Elements: Lightning Seed & Dark Seed
Vitality (VIT): 110
Strength (STR): 167
Dexterity (DEX): 168
Agility (AGI): 223
Intelligence (INT): 25
Wisdom (WIS): 25
Unassigned Attribute Points: 50
Skills-
Inherited Skill- Nature's Child
Advanced Sword Mastery- Dual (2/10)
Beginner Hand to Hand Combat (5/10)
Soul Beast
Beast Telepathy
Beast Imitation
Ben was surprised that he had gained 5 levels in one day. Ava and him killed many beast and monsters but they were mostly lower level and not very challenging. Duke must be on a killing spree. Ben brought up his stats.
Duke- Lvl 56
Demonic Blood Wolf
Vitality (VIT): 85
Strength (STR): 188
Dexterity (DEX): 171
Agility (AGI): 212
Intelligence (INT): 9
Loyalty- 100%
Skills-
Blood Lust
Soul Beast
Ben was impressed with Duke's progress and he was curious about what Duke was facing that let him level up so quickly. Both of Ben's soul beast leveled up very quickly today. Ava alone gained 20 levels in just one day. Ben found this strange, both his soul beasts and him seemed to level quicker than before. Not only that, Ben gained five more free attributes points.
Thinking about it, Ben connected it all to Ava. It all happened after contracted her as a soul beast. Hearing a knock on the door Ben pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind.
"Come in." Ben called out.
A pretty maid walked in with James closely behind her. He was wearing his casual clothes, jeans and t shirt.
"Thank you Anne." Ben dismissed the maid, "Have a seat please James. How's the recruiting going?"
"Good so far. Still need to train and pick the elites but lots of applicants." James reported.
Ben smiled, "Good good. I have some good news for you."
"Oh? What's that?" James knew this City Lord of his wasn't simple and wouldn't ask him here simply for a report after only a day.
"I met a pack of wolves today while hunting. You may have guessed it but I am able to communicate with beasts, well intelligent beasts. This wolf pack is willing to help your division to scout the surrounding area." Ben quickly explained to James.
James didn't respond right away and just stared at Ben. "... you got me a wolf pack?"
"Yes. The pack leader will meet you at the front gates in two days. Spread the word, no one is to attack any red wolves north west of the city. They are our allies." Ben said seriously.
"How will I communicate with them?" James asked.
"... fuck." Ben muttered to himself. He completely forgot that normal people can't talk to animals.
"We had a ranger apply today with a special class called Beast Master Ranger that can understand sort of communicate with beasts through feelings not words. He will have to translate for me but it should work." James quickly said, trying to avoid an awkward moment.
"Thank god." Ben let out a sigh of relief. He didn't think about this during his meeting with Eve.
"Another thing, try to make friends with the wolves. My hopes are for them to become mounts or even partners for your division. So make sure your people aren't assholes." Ben warned James, he wanted the rangers to befriend the wolves so they could become tamed beast for the rangers.
"Will do." James gave a quick nod and headed out of the room.
Ben was starting to really like this guy. He spoke the right amount and wasn't arrogant or conceited.
Ben sold the rest of the beast corpses he killed today to the system. Though he didn't want to be hypocritical, he needed the gold to pay for things. He didn't want to use the cities money for himself, in the future the four divisions will take up for most of the funding.
Ben still needed to start an education system for younger kids and other facilities but he didn't have enough time or money at the moment. He needed his city to become strong. Strong enough to defend from any threats and he believed the army would become that strength.
After meeting with James, Ben walked through the mansion looking for his family. He asked a couple of the maids if they had seen them, "They left earlier this afternoon mast and have not returned since." she replied respectfully.
'Huh, where the hell are they?' Ben thought as wondered what everyone was doing.
"Benny were home!" Cathy yelled.
Walking into the hall, Ben saw his mom, Lily and Cloey with arms filled with bags.
'The apocalypse happened and yet my mom decides to go shopping. Typical.'
"Benny come help us with these bags. I'll take the groceries to the kitchen and start cooking." Cathy told Ben as she walked away to the kitchen.
Lily and Cloey threw their bags to Ben. "Take this to our room." Cloey giggled as she and Lily followed Cathy to the kitchen.
"City Lord my ass." Ben grumbled as he carried the bags to girls room.
Throwing the bags onto the bed some clothes fell out of the bag. Ben picked up the clothes to put it back in the bag.
Ben eyes widened as he saw what he had picked up, a lacey pink thong.
'Is this Cloeys? Please god let this be Cloeys.' Ben thoughts went wild as imagined Cloey wearing this thong.
Peaking into the bag, Ben saw a matching lace bra. Ben swallowed a mouthful of saliva, trying not to be a full fledge pervert. Ben was just about to put the thong back into the bag when he ducked out of instinct.
*Thwack!*
An icicle shattered across the wall and Ben turned in horror to see Cloey's red face filled with anger and embarrassment.
"I-it just fell out I swear." Ben stuttered, backing away in fear. The air was turning colder and colder in the room and frost was starting to form on the floor.
'Only one thing I can do.' Ben had to act fast.
"Ben…" Cloey started to say but was interrupted by Ben's lips on hers. Cloey's brain seemed to stop and the coldness retreated.
'Knew it.' Ben smiled, separating their lips. He looked at Cloey's shocked face, "I think you would look great in that by the way."
Ben smiled slyly as he used all of his 223 AGI stat and vanished out of the room. Cloey stood their stunned until her face turned bright red and she stomped her foot in anger.
Ben was strutting around the mansion, proud of himself for finally kissing Cloey. Though it wasn't as long as he would have liked, he finally broke that barrier between the two of them.
"Why are you so happy?"
Ben saw Lily staring at him from the doorway of the kitchen.
"Oh you know, family is alive, birds are chirping, sun is shining. The usual." Ben said cheerfully.
Lily's eyes narrowed in suspicious, "Where is Cloey? She said she was just going to the bathroom and she never came back."
Ben gave an innocent expression as he shrugged his shoulders, "How would I know?"
Lily scoffed as she went to check in on Cloey.
Grayson had returned to the mansion with Duke in tow. Grayson told Ben that the hunting party was a success and that no one got killed only injured. Almost everyone had achieved level 30 in the group. Apparently everyone was thankful for Duke's help as he was able to pin down some strong beast as the hunters killed them.
"Have you seen dad?" Ben asked his little brother.
"Apparently he went to apply for Colton's division today." Grayson put his hands up trying to calm Ben down, "I tried to talk him out of it but this was his decision. You know dad, changing his mind will be impossible."
"Supper is ready!" Cathy yelled.
Holding in his grievances, Ben and Grayson heading towards the dining room. Ben saw Cloey still red faced avoid eye contact and found Lily glaring at him. Ben gave a satisfied smirk and sat down next to Cloey on purpose.
Cloey avoided his eyes as her face continued to grow red. Lily sat on the other side, giving him a menacing glare. Ben let out a light chuckle as he started to dish up. His mom was a great cook and she was showing the new maids how to cook. Today they were eating beast meat that the hunters had brought back with potatoes and salad.
Ben quickly filled his plate up with food and sat back down. Filling a glass with some wine Ben went to dig in only to find his food cold.
Cloey gave a small smirk as she saw Ben's devastated face at his dilemma.
"Today I applied for Colton's division." Joe said when everyone took their seats. "I plan to be apart of the army and I don't want either of my sons to say anything about it." his tone took a stern edge as he eyed both of his boys.
Grayson immediately caved under his father's gaze but Ben held firm.
"Bullshit. You aren't joining the army." Ben was just as stern.
"I also joined Lilith's division, Ben." Cathy gently said.
"Like hell." Ben said harshly standing up. "You don't have to risk your lives so don't."
"I also joined Shenelle's division Ben." Grayson said quietly.
"Why!?" Ben yelled at his family. He couldn't understand why they had to risk their lives when they didn't have to.
"Why not!?" Joe roared at Ben. "Why can you be the only strong one allowed in the family!? Why do you have to take all the risk!?"
"Because I am stronger than all of you! Everyone in this city for a matter of fact! I will take the risk and protect my family so they don't have to!" Ben roared back.
"It's not your decision Ben." Cathy said softly. Grayson gave a light nod in agreement.
Ben looked at his family members stubborn faces before sitting down in defeat. "Fine but I am taking you out to train you myself." Ben said in defeat.
Cathy gave a sweet smile before saying, "Okay now everyone dig in!"
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