GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Chapter 4.1: Profiling

Clara, who had been listening silently, finally spoke. Her voice was low and thoughtful. "Perhaps they were driven to extinction," she suggested. "Or perhaps they retreated to some hidden place, far from the eyes of men."

Vel seized on this idea, a flicker of hope igniting within him. "Hidden?" he asked, renewed curiosity filling his expression. "Where? Where would they hide?"

Clara simply shrugged, her expression unchanged. "That is the mystery, is it not?"

He watched them finish the food he had brought. Honka devoured the roasted vegetables while Bestiel picked at his portion with polite comments. Mora ate steadily, her gaze scanning the surroundings.

Clara lingered at the fire's edge, relaxed yet alert. Vel approached, stopping at a respectful distance.

"How are you going to stop the monsters?" Vel asked, pointing toward the gate. "The scary hole where they come from - how do you make it go away?" He tilted his head with genuine curiosity.

"We're going to assess the situation," Bestiel replied, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Determine the best way to proceed."

"Assess?" Vel repeated, tilting his head slightly.

"It means we'll take a closer look," Mora explained, giving him a small smile. "See what kind of energy the portal is emitting, try to determine its stability."

"And then we'll close it," Honka added, cracking his knuckles. "Simple as that."

Clara remained silent, her gaze flickering towards the direction of the portal.

"How will you close them?" Vel asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

"By going inside, lad!" Honka declared, flexing his arms. "We find whatever core of the portal that maintains its existence, then we sever it." Honka explained with an air of practiced expertise, as if he'd done this countless times.

Mora and Bestiel listened closely, nodding occasionally in agreement with Honka's explanation. Clara, on the other hand, subtly shifted her weight, as if preparing to move, her gaze still fixed on the distant gate, a hint of impatience in her eyes.

They seem to know what they're doing. That's good, Vel thought, observing their exchange. He needed to get back to his original objective.

"What are those?" Vel asked, pointing at the cards displayed by Bestiel, Honka, and Mora. "They look shiny."

Bestiel smiled and held his card up. "This is my Adventurer's Card," he explained.

Honka puffed out his chest and displayed his own. "A fine Gold Rank card, at that!"

Mora winked and showed hers as well. "It shows we're registered with the Guild."

"Can I see them?" Vel asked, leaning forward with curiosity. "They look really cool!"

Bestiel and Mora shared hesitant looks, uncertainty flickering across their faces.

"Well..." Bestiel rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose there's no harm. Though I must warn you, my achievements are quite modest compared to others."