23 Entering the big stage (1/2)
Dustin was escorted by a pale and diaphoretic James out of the warehouse after finishing their conversation. He left behind his ant eggs, comfortably nestled inside the empty remains of a torn-apart create. He covered them in mucus, and left a heat stone in the center. Just like the other three, which were still attached to him, he left a receptacle to continue caring for them whilst he was away.
From the goods he stripped off the monsters, he would be able to craft quite a few pieces. Smaller armour pieces were generally best to make early on as they used less materials. Since the rate of failure was high until he could raise its skill level, it was best to make something cheap.
People would likely still purchase arm guards, leg guards, or helmets, as the benefits they brought still out-weighed human creations.
There were neat stacks of armoured scorpion plates, lizard hide, and hardened centipede carapace segments in his inventory now. The main offenders had been cleared out, finally relieving the stress of a full inventory from his list of worries.
Upon returning home, Dustin was surprised to find a new guest at his home, talking to his mother.
Sarah.
There was a moment of hesitation as she looked over at him walking in, where he thought she might recognize him.
”You must be Dustin.”
Dustin studied her face, relieved at the lack of recognition she showed. It seemed that she was unaware he was the cloaked figure she was so desperately trying to track down. He shook her hand and sat down on the couch, listening in to the women talk.
Sarah snuck glances over to Dustin periodically, trying to gauge a reaction from him. Since she wasn't here due to recognizing him, then he could only come up with one other reason why she might show up.
The news story. Dustin was hailed as a 'hero' on campus, despite the intense secrecy regarding any of the finer details. Sarah was an investigative journalist before anything else, and such an event happening with little to no media coverage was like a fresh piece of bait just begging for her to chomp on.
When Jean excused herself to visit the bathroom, Sarah turned straight to facing Dustin and smiled at him.
”So I hear you did something very brave.”
Dustin returned her fake smile and laid back against the couch, ready to engage in a verbal contest.
”I was just doing what I thought was right.”
”Really, please, tell me more. The entire event is just so juicy.”
”There's nothing really more to tell. I waved my sword around at some angry students threatening the teacher, and they ran off.”
”There has to be more though. Who were the students?”
Dustin tapped one finger on the couch as he effortlessly petered off his responses.
”I can't say.”
”Who was the teacher?”
”I can't say.”
”Why were you in the classroom?”
”I can't say.”
”What do you know about dungeons.”
Dustin opened his mouth to repeat the same phrase again, but stopped himself at the sudden question Sarah had thrown at him. He resumed his tapping, filling the silence that had invaded the room.
”I have heard about them from your news report. Dangerous areas that are out of this world, filled with deadly monsters and a strong leader that must be defeated to escape.”
Sarah looked deep within the boys eyes and did not see emotions like fear or curiosity when speaking about the dungeon. She saw hope.
Hope, and despair.
The two emotions were opposites, but co-existed in the deep gaze that Dustin possessed. He undoubtedly knew more about dungeons then she expected, but was unwilling to provide anything new.
”I'm glad you've seen my story as well. It's not as heroic as your own, but I feel the world is going to be seeing a lot of it soon.” Sarah stood up to leave, but froze as Dustin gave her some parting words.
”Maybe a little bit too much.”
Dustin maintained his calm demeanor as he walked the silent journalist to this door, bidding her goodbye.
”I've got to do some study now, thank you for coming over. It was a pleasure to meet you.” Dustin turned around, leaving her at the doorstep. She reached forward to grab his arm, but found Jean had run over to send her off, blocking her from seeing him anymore.
She sighed in frustration and left mostly empty-handed, except for the vague statement he had given her.
--------------------
As Sarah was walking away from Dustin's house, two men were live-streaming the footage of it from a camera across the road.
Jordan, still sitting in the same office, only filled with even more reports, was watching her leave intently. He had pulled out some older reports that sat on top of the usual ones, showing a picture of Dustins' face.
He knew about the dungeon being cleared inside the university, and how it had been covered up. Sarah was there no doubt to try and draw information from the boy about what really happened. Jordan quickly picked up the phone and pushed down on several numbers, waiting until a husky voice answered him.
”I want the boys house bugged from sewer to roof. Anything that is said, or done, inside, I want to know about. If Sarah approaches his house again, find a way to stop her.”
He slammed down the receiver irritably before the voice could answer. Jordan wasn't responsible for reviewing Dustin, but the boys involvement was highly suspicious.