Chapter 39. Sounds

'Am I going crazy?' I kept asking myself.

For the past few days, I keep on hearing a voice. Two of them actually, both in my head constantly screaming. Arguing.

They both say different things, contradicting each other as I go on with my daily life. Sometimes quite, like a tiny whisper otherwise loud, deafening.

One urging me to be cruel, merciless, emotionless like a demon.

The other coercing me to be kind, merciful, sympathetic like a human.

I kept on walking with no destination in sight.

I looked back to find an endless valley that followed my every step.

I could only walk forward, having no place to return to.

I was lost.

"Garry start spreading the word that we will move soon."

It was a few days after the 'test' that I called Garry. We had some more refugees this morning and there was almost no space left.

"We are almost ready with the blueprint, a few final touches and then we can explain and confirm them with you. Are we really in that much of a rush?"

"The more people that gather at one place the higher the chance of a monster attack, more so if they don't have a place to live in a loiter around. There's almost no place left.

Finalize the layout of the inner city so that we can start building it as soon as possible."

"I'll look into it. When do we move to start setting up the camps?" Garry asked.

"Tomorrow. We move everyone three days later, make sure everyone hears of it by then."

Garry nodded and went back to get his tasks over with. Due to bringing such a big project and sharing it with the other crafters, he was now being considered as their representative.

Which was fine for me. The person who I had in mind for the leader of the city, had to be informed of his position but I believed he would do just fine. Although he was a bit young.

The word slowly started to spread around that day itself. Another problem made itself as I observed the people during my free time. There was the free distribution of food to prevent panic for now,

But after a proper order was established, there would be a lack of currency. A currency that would have enough value to work, or be accepted by the people.

That was an issue that would not produce difficulties for now but in the coming future. I would need to ask others what they used as a currency while they were in the trial.

It was time for us to set off to the forest. Arthur, Luke, and Lucy were all level fifteen and were currently maxing their skills. If there was a stray monster they could fight it together.

I did take them out for leveling up once in a while and still to get that bonus experience for that perfect body or something. I did not know if that made a big difference or not, but it should help in the later run.

I think.

There wasn't anyone capable of defeating those three in the camp so I could leave them to protect others if it was necessary. After finishing this last thing we could move on to the forest.

"Garry announce that we'll be leaving to clear up the forest. It will be a good leveling chance as I will kill the strong monsters, leaving the weak as they do me no good. Those who wish to tag along can do so."

"I will do that, but many are scared of you. I don't think they trust you enough to...." Garry said the last part softly as he looked at the audience.

"They won't be able to get stronger if they hide and only come out if they are hundred percent safe. They will just be a background character in someone else grand story."

"Even so we could try," Garry said.

"The location we think would be perfect is one with a water source nearby. We would not have to worry about the water later and we also get animals to hunt if they come near the source."

"That is indeed a good idea but it cannot be too deep into the forest unless we figure out what lays in there," I said after hearing Garry talk about ideal locations.

"I also wanted to ask something regarding the inner city. Where should we place the barracks? They cannot be placed too close to any of the large buildings and the town center has houses of high ranking officials nearby." Garry asked.

"Hmm, I completely forgot about that. What do you suggest?"

"Placing the Barracks in the inner city might be a little risky because if the army decides to revolt they can cause chaos right in the center of the city. I suggest that instead of placing them inside the city, construct a training ground nearby, outside the city."

"Let's go ahead with that, I find no reason to deny."

"Can you check this blueprint? Ask me anything you don't understand and I'll try my best to explain." Garry asked me to. We had already reached the forest and were finding a good location as Garry suggested earlier.

"Halt! Take a break, get hydrated and prepare yourselves. We will go a little bit deeper to find a good location. If we don't find it in an hour, we return and try again tomorrow! Understood?" I looked around asked.

There were six other people who decided to follow us, excluding the crafters, after Garry made that announcement. Some of them nodded while others replied with a simple "Yes."

"This place might work. No, it is perfect!" One of the crafters exclaimed.

We could see a lake at some distance. We stood on a small flat hill, small as in its elevation. I would like to call it a plateau but if you had good eyesight you could actually see what a real plateau would be in the distance.

"Ray, this might be the perfect location. We have enough space to build the entire city and enough to expand it later." Garry was excited you could hear it in his voice.

"We even have a water source nearby. Should we finalize this?" I asked Garry and the others. Everyone agreed and started to set up tents nearby. As we found a location we would stay here for the night.

Clean the surrounding monsters so it's safe even if there is a lot of noise and let the crafters do their work.

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