For the next few days, while Randin was busy creating the beast gear for Noir, Ray decided it would be best for him to head out to the nearby hunting grounds. Although the knights hadn't found anything, there was still the chance that they might have missed something.

  Ray ventured to each area on a different day, the bug forest, then the swamp and so on. Although Ray didn't discover any advanced tier beasts, while Ray had gone to the swamp, he discovered many bones of dead beasts that had been left there. The swamp was also filled with a lot fewer beasts than before.

  "Is this caused by the same beast that was below Avrion I wonder?" Although there was no way to prove it, it had shown the same signs. Nearly every little bit of flesh was eaten clean of the beast, only leaving behind the bones.

  It seemed like maybe after the beast had eaten all the creatures below, it started to get hungry and decided to escape.

  After no luck with finding any more advanced tier beasts or anything higher, Ray decided to head back to Avrion. It wasn't all bad news though as Randin had announced that the beast gear for Noir had finally finished being made.

  When Ray had arrived at the blacksmith area, he was surprised by what he could see. Randin handed Ray over one of the claws he had made. The design looked just like his drawing and also had the black and red colour design he asked for. In fact, Randin even managed to put on the Red wings symbol on the side of the claw.

  But there was just one thing.

  "isn't this too small?" Ray asked lifting one of the metallic claws.

  Randin started to laugh.

  "Just you wait and see, this is special."

  The two of them headed to the outside training area and Ray proceeded to summon out Noir. Randin carried out all four of the claws bunched up between his arms and walked over towards her.

  "What is the little man thinking?" Ray thought.

  Randin then put one of the claws up to Noir's legs and the metallic claw started to glow. It then left his hand and started to form around Noir's leg. Randin did this for each leg until all four legs had been covered.

  "I bet you've never seen that before," Randin said with a smug smile on his face.

  "Is there a reason for this?" Ray asked.

  "It's quite simple actually and can even be done with human beast gear but for some reason, it looks like the humans have yet to discover this." Randin explained. "It requires one to mix in their own blood with the beast crystal before creating the equipment. Then when the user touches the specially designed equipment, it becomes a part of his own body and they can bring the equipment out and take it back in whenever they want to. The only downside to this is, once this process has been completed, only the users whose blood has been mixed In can be used."

  This was useful information for Ray and his party members, it would help them out significantly for fights in the future. There was no need for his army to lug around heavy suits of armour and there was also the element of surprise.

  The level of equipment they had wouldn't be shown until they needed to engage in combat, information like this was able to make a kingdom several times stronger, yet a little man like this had just told him this like it was no big deal.

  It was clear that Randin had a vast amount of knowledge that Ray would welcome into his team.

  "Well now that my job is done here, I guess it's time for me to continue on," Randin said as he walked off.

  "Wait!" Ray called out, "I want you to become part of the Redwings."

  Although Ray couldn't see it for Randin back was facing Ray but Randin had a smile on his face.

  "Oh, and why would I want to do that?" Randin asked.

  "In return for being the Red wings blacksmith, I will grant you any wish you desire. Do you want to go back to your continent or find your men?" Ray said, "I will be happy to help you on your search."

  Randin stood there still as if he was taking a moment to think things over but the truth was Randin had already made up his mind. He had asked to travel with Ray that day because he could see how impressive Avrion was. The only thing he wanted to know was what their leader was like.

  After meeting Ray and seeing him out in the desert, he thought he could trust this man to be his leader. Dwarfs had a tendency to only work for those who were stronger than themselves and Ray had proved that to him.

  "It's a deal then," Randin said as he walked over and shook Ray's hand.

  Randin was now a part of the Red wings so Ray decided to offer Randin a contract. Ray explained that Randin was able to decline this contract if he wanted to and still work as a blacksmith here but Randin was happy to sign the contract away.

  Before leaving the city and teleporting back to Kelberg city, Ray went to visit his favourite spot. The roof of the dorms. Looking over the edge Ray could see construction being done everywhere in the city.

  The city was developing fast now it opened its doors up to the other cities and towns, even a Kingdom run guildhall was being built so adventurers could come and go completing quests but with that came to its risk of people infiltrating the City but Ray would leave all those details to Slyvia and the others.

  Ray himself had other important matters to deal with. It was time for him to get ready for his duel with the Demon man.

  ****

  Special thanks to Oluwasegun_Rapheal_9042, DarkShadow_DS, Ekwuruke_Samuel, Ian_Spangler, RPG_KID, Tinyisa_noob, evenkeeledbookworm, Fenrir2040, Josie_Goodnight, and Ahmed_Ahmed_4609 for the gifts. They really help support the Author on their author journey you are the best.