《Scavenger's Ascension [Post-Apo, Steampunk LitRPG]》


 Chapter 1: Fateful Expedition

    "Move, you worthless rat!" Carson¡¯s angry voice sounded from somewhere behind me.


    I shut my eyes tightly, already knowing what would follow. And in the next moment came the whip, mercilessly connecting with my poor skin. I twitched, feeling the inevitable round of searing pain.


    Ah, how I hate that bastard... With a heavy sigh, I slowly opened my eyes and reluctantly resumed the slow march forward.


    The tunnel¡¯s jaws loomed before me, and the only thing separating me from the ever-present darkness was the tiny circle of light emanating from my old trusty lantern.


    It¡¯s fine, just a bunch of old bones, nothing to be afraid of¡­ I tried to convince myself, tightly clutching the small lamp in my trembling hand, straining my ears for any sound that might signal approaching danger.


    Drop¡­ drop¡­ drop¡­


    But no matter how much I tried, the only thing I could pick up was the annoying sound of dripping water, slowly driving me mad.


    Well, there are also those brutes behind me, but I would rather not think about them if I don''t have to.


    Taking a deep breath, I tried to suppress my growing anxiety, forcing myself to continue while watching the flickering flame cast long shadows across the tunnel''s rough walls.


    I was a so-called Scout for the expedition. However, such a noble title didn''t quite epitomize what I truly was - a bait, plain and simple.


    My purpose was also quite simple - when some harrowing abomination would inevitably ambush our small party, I would be its first snack, hopefully giving enough time for the others to get ready.


    Or, more likely, give them enough time to run away¡­ I chuckled to myself as so deep below, there weren''t many things a mere human could face and live to tell the tale.


    My only consolation was that with a bit of luck, any would-be monster would look up at my thin, scrawny figure and pass me up for a more juicy meal further back, but given where I ended up, I''m guessing my luck isn''t any good.


    However, so far, our group hasn''t stumbled upon anything too terrifying except a few mutated rats that named this horrid maze - The Ratways.


    It was a peculiar place¡ªan intricate labyrinth of tunnels dug deep underground. Nobody knew who built them or for what purpose, as they were here long before the Shelter.


    My eyes briefly moved across the countless claw marks and scorch burns¡ª evidence of past battles with the twisted creatures that now inhabited these abandoned corridors.


    I shuddered at the thought of what horrors might now dwell here, trying my best to suppress the growing fear. It was getting harder and harder the further we went, and since I had never been so deep into the Ratways before, my imagination was running wild.


    Yet, I had no other choice but to soldier on unless I wanted to experience the taste of Carson''s whip once again, and I had zero doubts that this sadistic excuse for a man would hesitate even for a second to use it.


    Still, the deeper we went, the bigger the chance of our luck running dry. Thus, holding my breath, I cautiously moved forward, painfully aware that each step could be my last.


    ***


    Damn it! I came to an abrupt stop, spotting what looked like another crossing further down the road.


    Those were the absolute worst since we could be easily ambushed from multiple sides. So, I quickly turned around, frantically signaling for the others to stop.


    Tension hung heavy as Carson, our presumed leader, cursed before taking out a fragile piece of ancient-looking paper from his front pocket with a clear annoyance on his ugly face.


    He then traced the faint lines with a finger, seeking the correct path. The others assembled around him, arguing in a low voice as everyone knew the gravity of choosing the wrong turn.


    Since nobody cared about my opinion, I moved to the side and decided to use this short respite to lean against the tunnel''s wall, loosening some of the pressure from my sore legs.


    Looking at the ragtag mix of thugs and scavengers, I couldn''t help but scoff. I still vividly remember the day when I borrowed the money from Rowan¡ªone of the most powerful gang leaders and the de facto ruler of the Shelter''s Outskirts.


    It was shortly after I finally became an adult, and they threw me out of the orphanage. Back then, I was still full of hopes and dreams about fighting the mighty monsters, awakening some amazing Ability, and becoming a real Hunter.


    In the Outskirts, there were very few opportunities for someone like me, yet despite everything, I still wanted to make a name for myself.


    But when my dreams inevitably clashed with the harsh reality, and I realized I couldn''t pay him back, I ended up like this, no better than a slave forever bound in servitude to the cruel whims of Rowan''s thugs.


    Not long ago, Rowan apparently got his hands on some old map showing a potential hidden depot left over by the Army from when the Shelter was first established, which resulted in this crazy foray into the depths.


    "How much further?" An old, seasoned scavenger whose name I didn''t bother to remember asked Carson in a rasping voice.


    Carson threw a quick glance across his shoulder before confidently answering. "We''re not far... It should be somewhere behind this fork."


    "Then what are we waiting for?" Another one chimed in, smiling crookedly.


    Soon, we were back on the move, me once again walking in the front, albeit reluctantly. I sneaked along the wall, praying that nothing jumped up at me from the darkness. Luckily, it seemed that all the saints stood with us on this day.


    We turned right, entering a straight, spacious corridor that spanned as far as the eye could see. I cautiously looked around, noting the thick layer of dust and grime everywhere, which made it more than clear that nobody had walked through there in a long, long time.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Carson''s mouth widened into a sly grin as he eagerly urged us forward. Then, a massive steel door slowly manifested before us. Holy¡­


    I looked ahead in awe, as, until now, I had not actually believed those wild tales of a hidden treasure trove one bit. But seeing the old gate with my own eyes, I couldn''t help but get giddy, hoping I could steal a few scraps for myself.


    There even was a rusty plate on the wall with a barely readable sign [Supply Depot C-12]


    Carson moved to the front and roughly pushed me aside. "We''re he..." He began eagerly exclaiming.


    But alas, he never got to finish his sentence, as an intense tremor ran through the tunnel right at that moment.


    The thugs¡¯ excited smiles froze on their lips, and we all tensed up. Another tremor followed the first one, and the whole place began violently shaking.


    "Earthquake! Run!" The old, seasoned scavenger shouted from behind.


    He didn¡¯t have to tell me twice. I scrambled back into the main tunnel as the ground quaked and trembled violently beneath my feet, trapping me in its relentless grip.


    Fear twisted everyone¡¯s faces as the quake''s magnitude intensified, shaking us to the core, followed shortly after by a deafening roar in the tunnels.


    Oh, crap! I looked up with widened eyes, struggling to stay upright.


    The ceiling groaned in protest, showering us with dust and debris. Panic set in, and our small group scattered in a desperate attempt to escape the impending doom, yet it looked like we were a moment too late.


    ***


    "Cough, cough." I slowly opened my eyes but immediately realized I couldn''t see anything. Great...


    I scrambled around, trying to locate my lantern, yet I couldn''t find it anywhere. Luckily, I still had a few matches left in my pocket, so I took one out and lit it on a nearby chunk of concrete.


    A tiny flame illuminated my surroundings. Blinking dazedly, I looked around and realized I was in a small cavity supported by a lone steel beam that apparently saved my life, miraculously blocking all the falling debris from burying me alive.


    However, the bad news was that it also trapped my legs, and I couldn''t move at all. I tried to squeeze my way out of its crushing weight, straining my muscles with all my might, but the beam wouldn''t budge.


    Then, the match burned out, submerging me once again in a pitch-black darkness. With growing panic, I strained my ears, listening for any signs that the others had made it out, but all I could hear was a faint echo of my own breath.


    "H...Hello? Is anyone there?" I shouted, not yet giving up hope, but there was no answer.


    It continued like this for several minutes as I frantically tried to find a way to free myself from this concrete hell until I froze, catching the faint sound of someone moving on the other side of the massive pile of rubble.


    "Hey! I''m here! Help me!" I shouted again, and after a while, I could hear the footsteps coming closer.


    And then all my hopes were mercilessly crushed as I heard a rugged laugh followed by a scoff. "Ha! Of all the people, it''s you... But I guess you''ve finally run out of luck. Who would bother digging up a worthless rat like you? Better luck in the next life..."


    When the footsteps began fading into silence, I desperately yelled out. "Hey, Carson! Help me! Don''t leave me here!"


    I shamelessly begged, tears flowing down my cheeks, but he didn''t come back, and after that, I didn''t hear anything else. That bastard... After everything I did for the gang, he will simply leave me to die like that?


    I felt an intense anger bubbling up inside me. I cursed at both Carson for abandoning me as well as that bastard Rowan for sending me here in the first place.


    I also threw into the mix all those high and mighty citizens of the Shelter who never gave me a chance to prove myself, and I had to endure living in such a ruthless society that valued nothing but strength.


    Still, while grimacing, I had to admit that if there was someone to blame, it was me - and my own weakness that led me to this mess.


    Yet, as I lay there for what seemed like hours, my sorrow and anger began slowly morphing into a fierce determination. I refuse to die here! If only to spite them...


    I focused on every bit of strength I had left and tried to lift the beam again. But it didn''t budge. To hell with this!


    I tried again and again until my hands bled, finding strength I didn''t even know I had. I gritted my teeth and screamed as I threw all my energy into it, and then, finally, the beam moved.


    It moved only by a tiny bit, probably thanks to my repeated attempts that seemed to loosen the surrounding debris. But still, it moved! I concentrated, straining every muscle in my body, and the beam finally relented, lifting enough to free one of my trapped legs.


    I collapsed backward, totally exhausted. "Hahaha!" I laughed crazily, a victorious smirk painting my face. This might work! I quickly went back to work with a peculiar feeling I was convinced I would never be able to feel again - a hope.


    Now that I had one leg out, the rest was much more manageable. Instead of relying solely on my arms, I could push with one leg and slowly wrench my other leg out, too.


    One¡­Two¡­Three¡­ ¡°Arghhhh!¡± Then, with one last push, I was finally free. Of course, I had no time to celebrate as I was still buried under a literal mountain of debris, but at least I could move.


    Plus, while hastily patting myself down, I discovered that, as if by some miracle, I hadn''t had anything broken.


    Being now able to move about a little, I decided to light another of my precious matches as I carefully observed my surroundings.


    However, when I slowly turned my sore body around, I couldn¡¯t help but widen my eyes as I realized that the only way back to the Shelter was utterly blocked.


    With a panic tightly gripping my heart, I desperately looked for something, anything that would allow me to escape this concrete grave.


    But before I could fully give in to despair, I discovered that the narrow cavity I was in extended further, and there was a small opening behind me.


    I tried to move toward it, and as I began sifting through the loose debris, my heart leaped in joy. With a little bit of luck, I could maybe, just maybe, squeeze through it. So, I crawled forward, desperately praying that no monster would be waiting for me on the other side.


    After what felt like an eternity but was perhaps only a meter or so, I emerged from the pile of rubble, panting with exhaustion. My match had gone out a long time ago, yet even though I was surrounded by utter darkness, I couldn''t help but smile as I realized I had made it out.


    Quickly lighting up another match, I discovered I was in a somewhat undamaged part of the tunnel. It was the very same corridor we came through not that long ago while searching for that supply depot.


    However, something didn''t quite add up. What''s this? I wondered as I looked to my right, staring at the dark maw of an unfamiliar tunnel.


    I was pretty sure this entrance was not here before. Had it been uncovered by the earthquake? I simply stood there, unsure what to do, as now I had two options in front of me, each equally harrowing.


    Do I continue through the main tunnel, which would lead me deeper underground and further away from the Shelter, or do I take the risk and explore this new path that could harbor unknown dangers but also bring me closer to home?


    Weighing my options briefly, I threw one final dejected look at the insurmountable pile of rubble blocking the way back before taking a deep breath and plunging into the unknown.

 Chapter 2: Peculiar Crystal

    Clenching my teeth, I lit yet another match. Armed with nothing but bitter determination, I slowly moved forward, delving into the empty, dark corridor.


    I tried to walk carefully but also quickly as I had only a couple of matches left in my pocket. After that¡­ Let¡¯s not think about it for now.


    Focusing on the task at hand, I continued through the newly uncovered tunnel that stretched on and on without an end in sight.


    At least I won''t get lost... I chuckled, trying to find humor in this shitty situation I found myself in.


    I was well aware that exploring an unmapped tunnel alone without any proper gear was tantamount to suicide, but at this point, I didn''t really care, willing to grasp any chance, however faint, that could bring me back home.


    Yet before long, my worst fears had manifested, and the last of my matches ran out. Great¡­ now what?


    I carefully turned around, but no matter where I looked, there was nothing but pitch-black darkness.


    Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, briefly weighing my options before I decided to continue. There really was no point in turning back now, so I might as well see this through to the end, whatever horrors may wait for me on the other side.


    With a shiver running down my spine, I braved the all-encompassing darkness, always keeping a firm hold of the tunnel wall so I wouldn¡¯t lose my footing.


    I had already lost count of how many steps I made a while ago. So, I resigned myself to simply watching my legs slowly trudge across the uneven terrain.


    But then, a certain realization dawned on me, and I paused in the middle of a step. Wait... How come I can see?


    I blinked a few times, incredulously watching the eerie tunnel being bathed in a pale blue light. Had I finally lost it?


    After noticing that the source of the strange light was coming from somewhere ahead, I increased my pace, being urged forward with a sense of morbid curiosity, despite the rational side of my brain screaming at me to turn around and run away as fast as possible.


    Yet before I could begin second-guessing my ill-fated decision, the tunnel abruptly ended, and as I emerged from it, I froze.


    I found myself standing in a spacious hall. All around me, pieces of ancient machinery were haphazardly scattered across the floor, along with various broken tools, indicating that this used to be some sort of laboratory.


    Usually, such wondrous discoveries would bring immense joy to the face of any scavenger, as one could get extremely rich by selling all this metal for recycling.


    Yet I paid the precious scrap no attention as my eyes were firmly glued to the very center of the ancient room, where, on the remnants of what looked like an elaborate work table, stood a weird-looking object.


    It was a pure black piece of... Rock? Crystal? Whatever it was, its surface was adorned with peculiar symbols, and more importantly, it was also the source of the strange blue glow.


    Seeing that it shone without any obvious power source, I couldn''t help but gawk at it in awe, as this could mean only one thing¡ªmagic!


    "I''m gonna be so rich!" I exclaimed, not giving a damn if someone - or something might hear me as I hurried to take a closer look.


    The crystal was a perfectly polished piece of semi-transparent black stone about half a meter in diameter. However, as I was approaching it, I paused, suddenly overcome with a weird urge to touch it.


    I shook my head, grimacing, trying to get rid of the strange feeling, but the closer I got, the stronger the urge became.


    What is this weird-ass thing? I tried to resist, battling against this invisible pull, but it soon became unbearable. Then, to my horror, my hand moved seemingly on its own, touching the glassy, smooth surface.


    I tensed, preparing myself for something disastrous to happen, yet nothing changed - at least not for the first few seconds.


    But then, the strange symbols lighted up, momentary blinding me. The air around me started buzzing, and after a brief bout of dizziness, everything went dark.


    ***


    When I finally regained consciousness, I was floating in a vast ocean of impenetrable darkness.


    Panic set in as I realized I couldn''t see, hear, or even move my own body. It was as if I had been swallowed whole by the void itself, my entire existence reduced to a helpless speck in its very depths.


    What is happening? Where am I? I desperately shuffled around, trying to find an answer to what was going on.


    Yet before I fully succumbed to despair, I paused, realizing there was something else here with me.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Focusing on the all-encompassing emptiness around me, I shifted, trying to pinpoint the source of this weird feeling, but then I froze, widening my nonexistent eyes.


    A short distance away, I could perceive a beautiful white crystal gently floating about, bathed in incandescent light.


    It shined brightly yet subtly at the same time. The contrast of the light and the darkness created a mesmerizing spectacle, and I found myself strangely drawn toward the said crystal.


    I was attracted to it like a moth to a flame; I couldn''t quite explain it, but it was as if the crystal itself was calling for me. Like it was always there waiting for me - or someone like me.


    But as soon as I came into contact with it, there was a flash of light followed by an intense, piercing headache that came without any warning and which threatened to consume my very being. "...!" I screamed with all my might, yet there was no sound to be heard.


    Meanwhile, everything around me began to spin, and right when the pain was becoming unbearable, and I thought I was surely going to die, it suddenly stopped.


    And then I heard a weird mechanical voice in my head.


    [Seed acquired! Initializing system...]


    The crystal produced a single profound pulse, almost like a heartbeat, and then everything was drowned by pure light.


    [Fusion complete! Establishing a domain...]


    ***


    Coming to my senses, I found myself lying on a cold, hard surface. I tried to move my stiff limbs only to realize that every single muscle in my sore body was hurting like hell.


    It hurt so much like that one time when I first tried to steal a loaf of bread from a market stall and got caught in the act... Let''s just say the owner wasn''t too happy about it.


    Grimacing, I chased away the unpleasant memory and tiredly lifted myself up, still feeling a bit dizzy.


    But as the piercing headache slowly subsided and I took in my surroundings, I couldn''t help but widen my eyes in fright.


    Where am I? Looking around, I immediately discovered I was in a very strange, unfamiliar place.


    It was a large dome-like structure that looked almost like a natural cave - not that I''ve ever been in one, but I''ve seen illustrations.


    The air gave off a sulfurous odor that reminded me of gunpowder, and the walls were jagged and rough, looking as if they had been ripped from the depths of the Earth itself and haphazardly placed back together.


    Everything was eerily quiet, and the only sound I could hear was the echo of my own footsteps.


    As my eyes traveled inward, I noticed that at the very center of the dome stood a simple pedestal made out of stacked flat rocks, and on it was the same radiant, white crystal that I had seen before in the void.


    It sat there motionlessly, illuminating the whole place with cold, incandescent light, almost like a miniature sun.


    I wanted to take a closer look at it, as it was the only interesting feature in this barren landscape, and I hoped it would give me some clues about how to get back.


    But before I could take the first step toward it, I came to a sudden halt, looking in amazement as strange glyphs suddenly began appearing right in front of my eyes, assembling into perfect rows like some sort of mysterious message.


    Am I going crazy? I thought somberly before trying to focus on the glowing symbols, and for some strange reason, I could understand them perfectly.


    [Name: Jayden] [Race: Human]


    [Level: 1 (Soul Essence: 0/100)]


    [Class: None] [Skills: None ]


    W-What? Is this Magic?


    To say I was taken aback by this sudden development would be an understatement of the century. I tried to make sense of the text before me, but then I registered a few more glyphs at the bottom.


    [Proceed to Class selection]


    Huh? I can pick my own Class? Back in the orphanage, we were taught that the Class is bestowed upon you based on the Ability one awakens. Were they lying to us?


    Feeling overwhelmed with everything that was happening, I decided to save all of my burning questions for later and tried to focus on the bottom line of symbols to see what would happen.


    The glyphs then lit up, transforming into more text.


    [You possess an Aptitude for the following classes:]


    [Scout]


    [Merchant]


    [Scavenger]


    I stared at the few lines of text for a long while as the corner of my mouth twitched.


    What is this crap!? Where is the [Knight]? and the [Paladin]? I furrowed my brows, invoking the names of some of the most famous and sought-after classes I knew from the legendary tales the nuns at the orphanage used to tell us before bed.


    ...or at least a [Brawler], I added with a bitter smile. Well, I guess I never was much of a brawler in the first place. Grimacing, I chased off another unpleasant memory before once again focusing on the shabby selection before me.


    [Scout - The scouts are among the most agile and stealthy explorers, which allows them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. They can move quickly and quietly in any environment, and their keen eyes are specially trained to spot danger from afar as well as gather valuable information about their enemies.]


    [Merchant - The merchants are well-versed in the art of trade and bartering, and their trained eyes are always on the lookout for rare and valuable goods. They are also skilled negotiators who can talk their way out of almost any situation while using their quick wit and knowledge of the market to their advantage.]


    [Scavenger - The scavengers are the ultimate survivors and are most well-known for their resourcefulness. They can make use of even the most mundane items and turn them into valuable tools and equipment. Where others see only scrap, they see treasure, and they are often seen combing through the ruins in search of the said treasure.]


    Looking at the ambiguous descriptions I was provided with, I wasn''t any wiser about their actual capabilities.


    But one thing I knew for sure - the [Merchant] was an instant pass. Although the promise of wealth seemed more than enticing, I was well aware that in a world overrun by monsters, the absence of any substantial fighting ability would be an instant dead sentence.


    The same went for a [Scout]. The ability to move unseen seemed kind of neat, but after experiencing Carson''s ill-fated expedition, the idea of delving headfirst into danger was nothing but horrifying to me.


    So that meant I was left with the [Scavanger] ...Although I wasn''t twice happy about it either, it at least said that the scavengers are experts at survival, and from where I come from, survival is all that matters.


    [You have selected your Class. Processing...]

 Chapter 3: Dire Quest

    After confirming my Class choice, I could feel a sudden surge of energy coursing through my bruised, tired body, as if it were undergoing some profound changes.


    The radiant crystal on the pedestal pulsed with a gentle glow as if acknowledging my selection, but I paid it no attention, my eyes firmly glued to the single line of text that appeared before me.


    [Class: Scavenger (lvl.1)]


    I still couldn''t quite believe it... Me, possessing a true Class.


    With a big grin plastered across my weary face, I examined myself, trying to find what had changed. I stretched my arms and did a few squats, but couldn''t feel much different than a moment ago. It¡¯s probably because I¡¯m still at first level. I reasoned.


    Yet even now, I could feel my eyes getting a tiny bit sharper and my fingers a bit nimbler than before. However, before I could perform some more tests, I was distracted by another line of glyphs.


    [Select a foundational Skill]


    Huh? There¡¯s even a free Skill? Bring it on! With a dark glee, I eagerly accepted the unexpected prompt before widening my eyes in disbelief.


    So many! There were dozens upon dozens of Skills to choose from. It appeared that most of the Skills weren''t tied to the respective Classes, and thus, I could shape my future path however I liked.


    Although as I was skimming through the bountiful selection, I noticed at first glance that some Skills seemed a lot less useful than others, and by choosing the wrong one, I could seriously cripple my progress.


    The problem was that I had only very limited information to work with. Back in the Shelter, everything related to Magic or Classes was a closely guarded secret, so I knew only a few snippets of information that managed to filter out to the masses.


    Sadly, this weird-ass glyph thing didn''t come with any manual, so I was truly on my own.


    Feeling overwhelmed, I simply shook my head and decided to postpone the decision for later as I had an inkling this was something that shouldn''t be rushed.


    And right now, I have a lot more important things to worry about. Namely, to figure out where I was and how the hell I get back.


    This dome-like structure didn''t seem to have any openings¡ªit was all just a rough, solid stone all the way around.


    I worriedly took a look at my meager rations, realizing I had about two days'' worth of food left. Luckily, during the expedition, I had my satchel tightly tied to me to prevent any of my precious possessions from going missing, so it survived the quake just fine.


    The problem was water¡ªI had only a little bit left at the bottom of my bottle, and there was no obvious way to refill it.


    Thus, feeling anxious, and with the unpleasant memory of my previous encounter with the crystal still fresh in my mind, I went on to explore the pedestal and the aforementioned crystal sitting on top, hoping it would give me some clues on how to escape this place.


    I cautiously approached the stone slabs, deciding to first examine the pedestal. Yet I found nothing of interest¡ªit was just what it was: a couple of rocks haphazardly placed atop one another.


    Then, while shielding my eyes from the bright light, I went on to examine the crystal itself.


    However, I quickly found out that there was nothing of note on its surface. So, with no other option, I took a deep breath, and with great reluctance, I moved my fingers closer, briefly touching it again.


    I tensed, yet there was no pull or pulsating light this time. Instead, countless glyphs flew out of it, forming dozens of rows and columns, almost like pages of a giant book.


    I blinked a few times, looking at the strange text before realizing I didn''t understand much of it. There was, however, one tab that caught my eye.


    [Buildings]


    Hmm? What''s this? I narrowed my eyes, watching in awe the very same phenomena as with the Skill Selection shortly before.


    Dozens upon dozens of pages of information instantly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, presenting me with various options to choose from.


    Once again, I wanted to put it aside for later and close the tab as I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new information. But then I spotted something that immediately drew my attention.


    [Petty Mana mine - Condensates the pure mana produced by the Seed into various mana crystals. (Build cost: 100 Upkeep: 20)]


    W-What? Reading the short description over and over again, I felt like my own eyes were playing tricks on me. Wait, does this mean what I think it means? This damn thing can produce mana crystals?


    "Hahaha!" I''m gonna be so freaking rich! Without giving it a second thought, I immediately focused on selecting it.


    The text shined faintly before disappearing altogether, and then the whole dome shuddered as the wall on the opposite side of the rocky structure split apart, and a dark hole appeared in the middle before everything calmed down again as if nothing had happened.


    After mustering enough courage, I then went on to explore this strange new development. Feeling apprehensive, I entered the small opening in the dome''s wall and cautiously looked around before I had to pause for a moment to let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    It looked like the crystal''s radiance didn''t quite reach all the way here, shrouding the new tunnel in darkness.


    Yet it also seemed as if the walls themselves were glowing, bathing my surroundings in a pale blue light.


    I crept forward, incredulously watching as the narrow corridor expanded, forming a spacious elongated cave that stretched for at least thirty meters.


    I widened my eyes in awe, looking at the cavern''s smooth, curving walls, which sparkled with an otherworldly glow that seemed to emanate from the rock itself. Raising my head, I couldn''t shake off the feeling of being inside a giant crystal.


    But then, while cautiously observing the thin crystalline formations that hung from the high ceiling above, I saw it.


    Right in the middle of the shimmering cavern, there was a single, faintly glowing mana crystal, seemingly growing from the wall itself.


    My hands were eager to grab it, and with a bit of effort, I was able to pry it out of the smooth wall with a satisfying snap.


    Aren''t you a beauty? I grinned widely. By just selling this little bugger, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about food for at least a month.


    And not the usual cheap junk we in the Outskirts had to get by but the real good stuff they grew in the farms on the upper levels... Just imagining all of that made me drool.


    But at that moment, a sudden thought crossed my agitated mind. What if I could build more of them...


    With a big smile plastered across my face, I quickly bolted out of the Mana mine and ran back toward the glowing crystal with eager anticipation.


    However, as I was about to touch the crystal''s surface once again, I paused, remembering the mine''s brief description.


    Wait... it said something about condensating the mana produced by the seed. That would be this thing, right? I thought as I looked at the big crystal.


    I tried to focus on it, hoping to get more information, and as soon as the thought crossed my mind, several lines of text appeared before me.


    [Petty Seed (lvl. 0) - A tiny seed that seems to pulse with untold potential waits to be planted and cared for by willing hands. (Capacity: 4/100 mana; Production: 80/100 mana per hour)]


    Seeing this, I instantly grimaced. Hmm, I guess I was right. It wouldn''t be that easy... Not only could it store a mere hundred mana, but with the upkeep, I could build, at best, four more mines before the production reached zero.


    I wanted nothing more but to suck this fucker dry; however, I wasn''t stupid enough to actually do it, especially since it looked like this glowing crystal was the only thing holding this dome together.


    Thus, with a sigh, I dismissed the tab and shook my head dejectedly. Such low mana capacity also explained why many of the buildings were greyed out. It turns out I didn''t even have enough mana to build them.


    Not to mention, building nothing but mana mine could be a really dumb decision, as I didn''t even bother to go through most of the other buildings'' descriptions. What if there is something even better?


    Wanting to rectify my previous mistake, I eagerly opened the building''s tab again, trying to go through them one by one to see if there was something even more useful than the mana mine, but then a sudden ringing noise scared me, and the whole place began violently shaking.


    [Alert! Anomaly detected. A rift is forming...]


    My blood froze in my veins as the ground began to shake viciously beneath me, bringing back the unpleasant memories of the recent quake.


    But, while I was busy battling the growing panic, one part of the dome suddenly started glowing, and a thin crack formed on its rugged surface.


    At first, it was just a narrow gap, but then the crack began quickly widening itself until I was left incredulously staring at a large gaping hole whose surface was like a lusterless mirror that reflected nothing but pure darkness.


    Getting a really bad feeling about it, I involuntarily took a few unsteady steps back before I came to my senses.


    Narrowing my eyes, I then focused my mind on the rift, hoping to obtain some clue about it as I did with the other descriptions, and as if to confirm my worries, an ominous description appeared.


    [??? - Lured by the promise of a bountiful feast, an unknown entity forced open a portal to another realm.]


    W-What? Before I had the chance to ponder what any of this could mean, I was assaulted with another round of that annoying high-pitched ringing sound as a new tab popped up in front of my eyes.


    [Emergency Quest!]


    [An unstable rift has formed, allowing monsters to invade the Domain. You must protect the Seed at all costs!]


    [Completion reward: A new Skill; Penalty for failure: Death]


    Wait, wait, wait! What do you mean by death?! I''m too young and beautiful to die! Especially after everything I had to go through to get here in the first place...


    My brain went into overdrive as I frantically read the dire message over and over. "Protect it with what!? There is nothing but rocks!" I angrily exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed by the injustice of it all.


    But then I paused, realizing something. Wait, rocks? I think I saw something there...


    I hurriedly went back to examine the glyphs, skimming through them while searching for one specific Skill I had previously seen. Ah! Got it!


    [Synthesis - The ability to synthesize a construct based on the materials provided.]


    So if I provided suitable material... perhaps some sturdy-looking rocks, would it make a creature out of it? A rocky creature sounds like it would be hard enough to withstand a monster attack or two...


    I had no idea if it would actually work or if there was some better skill that could help me blast the approaching monsters to oblivion, but there was no more time.


    I could feel the ominous energy emanating from the rift, and it looked like it could begin spewing out abominations at any moment.


    So I hurriedly selected Synthesis as my foundational Skill and could feel a wave of energy washing over me, filling my agitated mind with a myriad of new information.


    I immediately realized that I now instinctively knew how to activate the Skill, so without wasting a breath, I focused on a nearby pile of rocks that came loose when the rift broke through the dome''s wall and tried using Synthesis on it.


    Please work, Please work.


    [Error - Requires a power source!]


    Huh? Oh, right! I guess it wouldn''t be that easy...


    With great reluctance, I then took out my most prized possession - the single faintly shimmering mana crystal I had previously collected. And while reassuring myself that I would certainly be able to get more of them in the future if I made it through this alive, I mentally selected it.


    Suddenly, the mana crystal started glowing as it levitated out of my outstretched hand. It stayed in the air for a brief moment before it began to spin rapidly, attracting the surrounding rocks to it as it formed a loose sphere of molten stone.


    Then, the whole thing shined brightly, transforming itself into a new shape, while I received another prompt at the same time.


    [Synthesis successful! - A new construct was created!]

 Chapter 4: Perilous Battle

    Having activated [Synthesis] in a hurry, I watched in awe as the small sphere of molten stone shifted and molded right before my eyes. Soon, it took on a seemingly humanoid form, and as the glow began to subside, I was left staring at a peculiar creature no taller than a child.


    Its tiny body was made entirely out of jagged rocks stacked upon one another like a haphazard tower and supported by two short, stubby legs. Sparks of blue energy crackled between its sharp edges, emanating from the sole mana crystal embedded deep within its chest.


    The creature then turned toward me, and the small, round stone sitting on top of its tiny body tilted a bit as if awaiting my orders. It worked! It freaking worked! Overcame with happiness, I simply stared at the strange creature before remembering the great peril I was currently in.


    First, I quickly focused on the stony construct, wishing to learn more about it, and the information instantly popped into my head.


    [Petty Rock golem (lvl.1)]


    [Skills: Absorb (lvl.1), Shatter (lvl.1)]


    So it''s a golem, huh? I had no idea what any of its Skills did, but I desperately prayed that it would be enough to stop whatever monster might creep out from that portal.


    From the moment the golem manifested itself, I felt a strange connection to it in the back of my mind. When I focused on that sensation, I couldn¡¯t help but widen my eyes, realizing I could now order the golem around with a thought, almost like a puppet.


    "Hehe, I''m going to call you Rocky." I chuckled, watching the pile of stones dance around the Seed¡¯s pedestal.


    Yet my elation didn''t last long. The unpleasant ringing noise continued to increase in intensity until it suddenly stopped, and the rift¡¯s surface began to glisten, pulsing with otherwordly energy.


    I instantly realized that whatever was going to happen was but mere moments from transpiring.


    Thus, full of determination and a desperate will to survive, I commanded Rocky to defend the area in front of the rift while I, equipped with my old trusty knife, stood behind him, ready to deal with any monster that got through.


    The wait was agonizing, with each second feeling like an eternity. My hands trembled as I stared into the glaring abyss; then, the rippling surface parted, giving way to a massive form rapidly emerging from within.


    Was it a dog? A wolf? Whatever it was, it had a glossy silvery fur and a maw full of razor-sharp teeth.


    "E-category?!" I blurted out, my eyes wide open as I took a few steps back out of sheer fright. I¡¯m supposed to fight something like this with nothing but a puny little golem and a rusty knife?


    After that incident a few years back, I never again dared to face anything stronger than the rats swarming the Shelter¡¯s lowest levels in abundance, which were of the weakest F-category.


    Quickly realizing that this time there was no one that could save me, I finally broke out of my stupor, trying my best to come up with a way to kill this damned thing.


    I cautiously observed the silvery wolf, searching for any weaknesses. Yet the wolf stared right back, its eyes flickering with malice as it slowly crept closer while growling menacingly.


    Yeah, that''s a monster, alright... But if I play my cards right and have Rocky withstand its initial charge and then swipe at it from the side, I just might have a chance to make it.


    With a newfound resolve, I moved to the right, positioning myself right behind Rocky while mentally preparing for the monster''s inevitable charge.


    Yet, for some strange reason, the wolf stood motionlessly a short distance from the rift. What¡¯s it waiting for?


    The answer to this question was revealed right the next moment as the rift rippled again, spewing another monstrous wolf and mercilessly shattering any hope of an easy victory.  Well, with some luck, I could maybe manage two of them... probably.


    However, when a third one jumped out of the portal, my jaw dropped, and a cold shiver went down my spine. Oh, C-Crap! Yep, I''m dead... I''m definitely dead.


    I froze, unable to move due to the sheer terror tightly gripping my wildly pounding heart. But while I was busy saying goodbye to my crappy life, Rocky sprung into action.


    As if unfazed by such impossible odds, the tiny golem lunged forward, quickly drawing the attention of two of the monsters. One wolf jumped at it, its sharp claws scraping against Rocky''s sturdy exterior, yet it barely left a mark.


    Rocky, meanwhile, took a swing at the wolf''s snout with his tiny, faintly glowing limb. He appeared to have activated one of his skills, leaving the monster to stagger back, whining in pain.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Seeing this uplifting scene, I, too, tightened the hold on my knife. Not wanting to be bested by such a puny creature, I focused on the third wolf, whose soulless eyes were locked onto me, ready to pounce.


    Oh, shit! Here goes nothing! With a surge of adrenaline, I jumped to the side at the last possible moment, and the next thing I saw was the beast''s teeth snapping shut just mere centimeters from where my leg was just a moment ago.


    The wind rushed past me as the wolf''s massive form flashed by with impossible speed, its claws scraping against the hard rock surface.


    Here''s my chance! Not wasting a moment, I swung my knife at the wolf''s flank with everything I got. I could feel the blade connect with the monster''s silvery fur, but to my dismay, it barely left a scratch.


    The creature then came to an abrupt stop as it turned its ugly head towards me, its eyes glinting with a mad hunger, and before I had a chance to collect myself, it was charging at me again.


    At this point, I was indeed at my wit''s end. These monsters were evidently way above my league, and I couldn¡¯t even make them bleed.


    Still, when faced with the prospect of a certain death, my survival instincts kicked in, and while pumped full of adrenaline, I got ready to intercept the wolf''s charge once again.


    So, when the horrid beast jumped at me, I paid no attention to my shaking legs,  forcing myself to stand still. Knowing that this was probably my only chance to come out of this alive, my hand sprung forward, and right as the wolf''s maw was about to sink into my throat, my knife pierced its right eye.


    The knife, propelled by the wolf''s own insane strength, then slid all the way back into its head.


    With a single pained growl, the beast''s mighty body began twitching before losing its strength and becoming limp. Yet the momentum of its charge still carried it forward, knocking me over.


    Struggling to free myself from under the pile of rancid flesh, I watched as the menacing crimson light slowly disappeared from its other eye, and the monster stopped moving altogether.


    It was now truly and utterly dead. I did it! After finally freeing myself from under the wolf''s corpse, I couldn''t help but grin broadly.


    Still, I had no time to celebrate my momentary victory as the battle was far from over.


    I threw a worried glance over at Rocky, who, all this time, continued to fiercely defend himself against the other two wolves.


    He somehow managed to withstand the monsters'' onslaught till now, but it was obvious that with each crazed charge, he was being pushed back.


    Realizing that I had to do something before it was too late, I quickly began collecting my battered body from the ground.


    But before I could rejoin the ongoing battle, I felt a wave of strange energy flowing into me.


    Experiencing such weird phenomena for the first time, I tensed. Is it coming from the wolf''s corpse?


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.]


    With wide eyes, I listened to the same weird mechanical voice making an announcement.


    As I took a quick look at my status, I saw the counter next to my level was now filled almost halfway to the top.


    Seeing this, a certain realization dawned on me. Wait, so I can get stronger by slaying monsters?


    I had always assumed the Hunters battled the monsters solely for their corpses and the materials they could harvest from them, as I had previously killed plenty of rats. Yet, I never became any stronger while doing so.


    So, does it work only for those with a Class? My head was filled with countless questions, but I forced myself to remain focused on the task at hand. This was not the time to ponder, as I first had to go help Rocky.


    Grimacing, I strained all my muscles, wanting to pry out my knife that was still lodged deep inside the monster''s sturdy skull.


    After a short while of cursing and wiggling it around, I finally managed to do it. However, as I looked at my old trusty knife''s chipped and cracked surface, I couldn''t help but scowl.


    Despite being nothing better than a sharpened piece of scrap metal, it had served me well over the past two years since I left the orphanage.


    Thus, seeing it in such a state filled me with a deep sense of sadness. Yet I couldn''t deny that its time was coming to an end. Come on, buddy! Help me out one last time!


    Taking a deep breath, I ran over to where Rocky was still struggling against the other two wolves. At a glance, it looked like a standstill. The monsters seemed unable to overcome Rocky''s defense, but on the other hand, my golem couldn¡¯t deliver a decisive strike.


    With my own battle over, however, I could now even the odds. Taking advantage of the fact that the monsters were focusing solely on the golem and were not paying me any attention, I jumped at the closest one, kicking it hard in the belly.


    My surprise attack did barely anything other than get the wolf''s attention. But that was precisely what I wanted. Right as the angry monster began turning around to lunge at me, I ordered Rocky to attack.


    The tiny golem faithfully swung its small arm at the crazed beast while activating its attack skill, striking the wolf''s head at point-blank range. The monster''s head caved in, and the wolf collapsed to the ground.


    Not wasting the opportunity, I quickly ran over and furiously stabbed into the hideous wound until it stopped moving altogether.


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.]


    Just one more to go! Rejoicing, I sprung to my feet with renewed vigor. For the first time since this horrid battle started, I felt a sliver of hope that I might actually make it out alive.


    With two wolves dead, the rest turned out to be surprisingly easy. Taking full advantage of our numerical superiority, we surrounded the final beast and then took turns attacking it from both sides.


    The last wolf was already somewhat injured from the previous fight, so when faced with our combined efforts, it didn''t take long before it was brought down, too.


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.]


    [Your body is brimming with strength. Your power has risen +1]


    [You have completed the emergency quest and obtained a new skill Portal (lvl.1) as a reward.]

 Chapter 5: Brief Respite

    As the last of the abominable wolves fell, all but confirming my glorious victory, every bit of the previous tension left my battered body, and I collapsed to the ground, laughing crazily. "Hahaha! I won... I freaking won!"


    By defeating those beasts, my silly childhood dream had finally come true... I was now a real Hunter.


    However, as I began to slowly turn around, my victorious smirk instantly froze on my lips. Why didn''t it go away?


    The ominous-looking rift was still there; its previously glossy surface turned dim and lustreless, but it didn''t close even though I had defeated all the invading monsters. Confused, I tried to peer into it, wishing to learn more.


    [??? (Dormant) - The Seed has absorbed a portion of the portal''s mana, allowing it to erect a temporary shield that will protect the Domain.]


    What do you mean by temporary? Does this mean I will have to go through all of this crap again? Struggling to accept such grim implications, I simply stared at the now dormant portal, which was like an ugly scar on the face of this peculiar Domain.


    So, it took me quite a while to notice the other message above it. Yet instead of any text, it was just a row of numbers [04:23:58:23]


    I looked at it perplexedly, wondering what it could mean. Are the numbers ticking down? Wait, so is this something akin to a clock?


    Even though this didn''t resemble any clock I had seen so far, after a while, I managed to figure it out. It looked like I had less than five days before the rift would reactivate, spewing monsters once again.


    No freaking way! The idea of having to battle an unending stream of monsters was nothing but terrifying.


    There were no traces of my previous elation left, and all I could do was sit on the ground, staring at the jagged ceiling while helplessly wondering what to do.


    But as I sat there for a long, long while enveloped by nothing but dead silence, my composure slowly returned, and I could think straight again.


    Well, this time, it took me by surprise, but five days is a lot of time, and now that I know what to expect, I''m sure I can come up with a way to deal with this.


    I certainly needed to go through the list of available buildings again. Finding something that could help me defend this place should be one of my top priorities.


    Still, it will take some time before the Seed''s mana recovers, so before that, I should probably take care of the other pressing issues.


    Namely, I desperately needed to find myself a source of drinkable water, as all my bottles were almost empty. But for that, I first had to figure out how the hell I could even leave this place.


    I think I should probably check on my status first¡­ Now that the horrid battle was finally over, I remembered receiving multiple announcements but hadn''t yet bothered to check them.


    So, with a slight curiosity, I opened my status to see what had changed.


    [Name: Jayden] [Race: Human]


    [Level: 2 (Soul Essence: 20/200)]


    [Class: Scavenger (lvl.1)]


    [Skills: Synthesis (lvl.1), Portal (lvl.1)]


    Wow, it looks like I''m now level two! I still couldn''t feel any different, so I wasn''t too sure how it affected me.


    But a higher level means I¡¯m getting stronger, right? Oh! I also got a new skill. I wonder what it does... Curious, I focused on the Skill''s description.


    [Portal (lvl.1) - A mysterious doorway that offers passage to the unknown]


    Huh? What''s with all those weird-ass descriptions?! Not being any wiser, I decided to try it out to see what would happen. I instinctively knew how to activate it, so all I had to do was to focus on it.


    A moment later, the air in front of me swirled, and in its place appeared an elaborate old-fashioned black door with a golden knob.


    I tensed, carefully observing the strange apparition with guarded expression. But nothing else happened. The doors just stood there, unmoving. What the hell... They''re just some odd-looking door, so why exactly am I acting like a scared chicken?If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    After a moment of hesitation, my curiosity got the better of me. It said [Portal], so it should lead somewhere¡­ So while being hopeful that it would take me back to the Shelter, I approached the mysterious portal, and with a slight apprehension, I slowly placed my hand upon the shiny-looking knob.


    Then, before I could react, the door swung open, and a strong force began to pull me in.


    "Ahhhh!" I screamed, but there was nothing I could do, and in a blink of an eye, I was sucked in and then unceremoniously spewed out on the other side.


    "Cough, cough" Seriously, what is this crap? Annoyed, I pulled myself up to my feet, trying to ignore all the dust swirling around, only to realize I was in a pitch-black room and couldn''t see anything.


    The only source of light came from the faint glow of the shimmering portal behind me, but I knew it wouldn''t be long before it, too, would disappear as I could feel that with each passing second, it was draining me, making me more and more tired.


    I panicked, unsure what to do, but as my eyes slowly adjusted to the dark, I realized I was in the same abandoned laboratory as before. Now, however, the glowing crystal was gone, and without it, everything was submerged in absolute darkness.


    Realizing my blunder, I quickly jumped back into the portal, and right after I was thrown out, promptly returning to the Domain, the portal flickered and disappeared.


    Feeling totally exhausted, I lay flat on the cold, hard floor, cursing and having no idea what to do next. I had nothing flammable I could turn into a makeshift torch, and even if I had, I was out of matches anyway.


    But then my eyes rested on Rocky, who was still standing precisely where I had left him, a short distance from one of the wolf''s corpses. A subtle smile played on my lips as I suddenly got a crazy idea. Could this work?


    Well, there was only one way to find out, so after resting for a bit, I tried to use the Skill again, but all I got was [Error! Skill is in cooldown - 07: 49: 43]


    Wait, so I must wait eight hours before I can use it again? Grimacing, I dismissed the prompt, but despite my sour mood, I was glad I discovered this critical piece of knowledge sooner rather than later.


    I couldn''t even imagine what I would do if I had to wait eight hours while stuck on the other side in the dark. Shuddering, I quickly chased away such unnerving thoughts as I looked around until my eyes settled on the dead wolves.


    Now that I know I could get back, I guess it''s time to do something about those corpses¡­


    Approaching one of the massive carcasses, I briefly wondered what to do about them. I knew they were probably way too heavy for me to carry the entire way back to the Shelter for processing. However, simply collecting their valuable bits should be more than doable, even for me.


    After all, it was common knowledge that the Hunters often brought back the skins and the claws of the monsters they slew.


    The claws were especially valuable as they could be fashioned into armor-piercing arrow tips, while the skin could be made into various pieces of clothing or makeshift armor.


    I eagerly looked at the massive corpse, but then I paused, having no idea where to start. Previously, I had skinned plenty of rats, but never something so big.


    Still, simply staring at it wouldn''t get me anywhere, so with a sigh, I kneeled next to the reeking carcass and got to work.


    Luckily, when the monsters died, their unnatural toughness also seemed to disappear; thus, although tough, I was able to cut through the wolf''s skin with the help of my poor knife, which appeared to be on its last leg but was still somehow holding out.


    So, without delay, I cut into the monster''s rancid flesh, attacking it with all my strength, and I managed to make quite a large cut across its abdomen.


    It was by no means easy, but in contrast to the tiny scratch I had left when it was still alive, this was incomparable.


    Thus, with an excited smile, I happily continued cutting it, and after a bit of a herculean effort, I managed to skin the wolf and collect its pelt.


    However, while working, I couldn¡¯t help but notice something shiny buried deep within its broken skull. I quickly realized that it was the exact same wolf Rocky used its Skill on, smashing a part of its head in the process, which was why I was able to notice it in the first place.


    I eagerly dug inside it with my knife, and after a short struggle, I was able to pry out a small, perfectly round ball. What''s this? Oh, could this be a monster core?


    I looked tenderly at the tiny crimson gem in my hand, unable to believe my luck. If this truly was a genuine monster core, then I¡¯d have made more money in a single day than in the previous three months combined!


    Grinning widely, I hurriedly put the precious marble deep into my pocket, hoping to sell it when I got back.


    Although the monster core''s worth was a bit less than that of the mana crystals, it was still a very rare and expensive commodity as they could be used to improve the quality of weapons and armor.


    I could never get my hands on one, but I heard rumors that they made the weapons much stronger and sometimes even gave them special abilities, which made them a greatly sought-after item among the top-tier Hunters.


    That''s why I quickly ordered Rocky to crush the other wolves'' heads in order to check them for more cores, but sadly, there were none.


    Still, I wasn''t too dismayed since, with the golem''s help, I even managed to pry out the razor-sharp claws from the wolves¡¯ corpses, thus gathering everything I could.


    I then threw the rest into a big pile at the edge of the Domain so that it wouldn''t get in the way before I could figure out how to dispose of it.


    Ultimately, it took me a little over an hour to complete everything, and as I checked, I still had plenty of time left before the Skill would reset.


    So, I decided to take a short nap as the exhaustion of the battle was finally catching up with me, and I could barely move.


    Laying on the hard ground with nothing but a flimsy, worn-out coat under my head, I replayed the crazy events that led me to this weird place.


    I still had a hard time believing everything that had happened, but as the fatigue finally took over and I slowly began drifting off to the peaceful embrace of sleep, I couldn''t help but think.


    After all the crap I went through, fortune had finally smiled on me, and I got myself a real Class... And no matter how I got here, this is now my Domain; if anyone wants to take it from me, they will have to get it over my dead body!

 Chapter 6: New Building

    When I finally woke up after a long, dreamless sleep, I simply stared at the dome''s stony ceiling for a while, not knowing where I was.


    But as my eyes slowly began to wander toward the middle of the room, where I saw the radiant crystal shining in all its mesmerizing beauty, I immediately remembered everything that had transpired yesterday and hurriedly jumped to my feet.


    I cautiously checked my surroundings, but everything looked exactly the same¡ªstill and serene. I sighed in relief before I went on to check my status.


    [Name: Jayden] [Race: Human]


    [Level: 2 (Soul Essence: 20/200)]


    [Class: Scavenger (lvl.1)]


    [Skills: Synthesis (lvl.1), Portal (lvl.1)]


    For a moment, I was afraid that everything that happened was just a part of some crazy, delirious dream, and I was still trapped under that giant pile of debris.


    But when I saw the shimmering glyphs, it all clicked, and I understood that this was now my new reality. That¡¯s right, I¡¯m a real Hunter now¡­


    I had no idea how much time had passed since I went to sleep, but when I checked, the Portal''s cooldown was gone, which meant I must have slept for at least seven hours.


    However, guessing by how exhausted I was after the battle, it was probably much longer than that. Carson must have already returned to the Shelter by now, and everyone assumed I had died.


    Well, let them think that¡­ I can¡¯t wait to see the look on their faces when I emerge from the tunnels unharmed and a Hunter, no less. I chuckled, donning a wicked grin.


    Alright, let''s do this! Full of energy, I was ready to make another attempt with that [Portal] thingy, but before that, I still had one more job to do.


    Seeing that the Seed''s mana had likewise recovered, I remembered that I could now construct another building.


    So, while I took some of my last remaining food out of my satchel and prepared myself a meager breakfast, I took another look at the building''s list. I definitely need something that will help me with defense¡­


    But while I was attentively browsing the awfully long list, I furrowed my brows, spotting a particular building I was sure wasn''t there when I looked at it the last time.


    [Petty Summoning Grove - Summons an echo of a possessed creature or construct (Build cost: 100 Upkeep: 20)]


    Wait... does this mean it became available because I picked the Synthesis skill?


    Rejoicing over the possibility of unlocking new, unique buildings based on the Skills I chose, I quickly read its description again.


    It says summon... So, is it something similar to the synthesis skills? Would it allow me to create more golems?


    Having experienced Rocky''s battle prowess firsthand, I was very interested in the possibility of having more of them. The build cost and upkeep were exactly the same as the Mana mine, so there was nothing stopping me from choosing it.


    There''s no point in endless pondering; if it is a unique building, it must be something good. Alright, I''m gonna do it!


    Resolving myself, I promptly selected the Petty Summoning Grove before I could change my mind. I was expecting to hear the same rumble as when I built the Mana mine, but contrary to that, I was suddenly overwhelmed by a strange sensation.


    My perspective seemed to have shifted; it was almost as if I had a bird''s eye view of the dome and everything in it.


    Am I supposed to pick a place for it? After a momentary confusion, I focused on a spot close to the dormant rift to see what would happen, and at the next moment, a bright flash of light momentarily blinded me, after which everything went back to normal. Is it done?


    Curious, I went on to check it, and right at the spot I had previously selected, there was now a small circle carved into the rock.


    Hmm, what''s this? Inside the circle, there was a peculiar imprint that looked like a five-pointed star, and in the center of it, there was a tiny, faintly glowing crystal.


    I eagerly approached it, realizing it would probably activate right after touching, just like the Seed did. But after I placed my hand atop its smooth surface, my happiness quickly subsided. Only one option?


    Well, I guess I synthesized only one creature, after all. Still, I had hoped it would give me something better to work with.


    After some testing, I found out that I could summon only two constructs at the same time. Undeterred, I focused on the single option [Petty Rock golem] and mentally selected it.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    I watched in awe as the mana began coalescing in the air around the crystal before falling down in two distinct streams. Soon, I was greeted by two new golems, yet I immediately noticed they looked quite different from Rocky.


    Their surface was kind of dull and lustreless, and I quickly discovered it was because they had no mana crystal. It was just plain rock all the way.


    So, I guess they must be powered by the summoning crystal itself, which means I wouldn''t be able to take them away from it.


    I looked closely at the two identical creatures standing there motionlessly, diligently awaiting my orders. "Alright! From now on, I''m gonna call you Stoney and Bouldy!"


    The golems didn''t react in any way to my excited proclamation, so after a moment of awkward silence, I simply shrugged my shoulders and ordered them to guard the area in front of the rift, just in case.


    I watched them slowly sway on their stubby legs as they dutifully carried out their orders, but then I realized something. Oh, right! Now that I think about it, I never bothered to check what the golem''s skills actually do.


    I knew that one of them was some sort of offensive skill, but that was about it. Wanting to immediately rectify my previous error, I quickly summoned Rocky''s status.


    [Petty Rock golem (lvl.1) (8/100 Shards)]


    [Skills: Absorb (lvl.1), Shatter (lvl.1)]


    Still level one, huh? It looked like the golems needed much more experience to level up than I did. Well, not like it mattered too much as with how things currently stood, they would soon get plenty of opportunities to gain experience.


    Remembering what I wanted to do, I then focused on the actual skills.


    [Absorb (lvl.1) - Ability to consume, to provide sustenance, and to strengthen one''s body.]


    [Shatter (lvl.1) - Power to crush, power to destroy. Ability to alter one''s surroundings.]


    I already knew what Shatter did, so I was a lot more interested in the other one. As I was reading its description again, a faint smile appeared on my face.


    Could it be? I looked toward the spot where I had previously left the Wolves'' remains as an exciting idea popped into my head.


    I quickly ordered Rocky to follow me as I made my way over to what I called the discard pile. There, I pointed at the pile of rancid flesh and told the motionless golem, "Use Absorb!"


    Rocky lingered for a moment but then went toward the discard pile, stopping right in front of it. He stretched out his right arm, which then began to subtly glimmer.


    That glimmer soon spread over the carcasses as a cloud of golden dust began flowing out of them and then back into Rocky''s body. So he could absorb the corpses!


    I continued to happily watch this peculiar process go on, and before long, all that remained of the once horrid wolves was a small pool of thick black goo.


    Hmm, so it looks like he could only absorb the bones but not the flesh itself, interesting.


    [Petty Rock golem (lvl.1) (14/100 Shards)]


    [Skills: Absorb (lvl.1), Shatter (lvl.1)]


    I quickly checked for changes, noting that the Skill gave him only half the advancement point compared to actually killing the thing.


    I also ordered Rocky to try to Absorb other things like, for example, the everpresent rocks. Unfortunately, although I saw the skill activating, nothing happened, and there was no gold dust.


    I wasn''t sure if it was because he couldn''t Absorb anything other than dead bodies or because he was made out of the same material as the dome itself. So, I decided to run a few more tests with it later when I got access to some unique materials.


    Alright! I looked back at the Seed, wondering how long it would take before I could build something again.


    [Petty Seed (lvl. 0) Capacity: 6/100 mana; Production: 60/100 mana per hour]


    It looked like it would take more than an hour to refill. However, I was slightly bothered by the continuously decreasing mana production. Isn''t there some way to increase it?


    Right as I thought that, another prompt popped up.


    [Conditions for Seed¡¯s awakening (lvl.0 --> lvl.1) 1000 mana, 10x Petty Essence gem]


    So, I need to raise the level of the Seed, huh? Wait, how do I get this much mana, and what the hell is this Petty Essence gem?


    I blinked a few times, staring at the confusing line of text before me. I guess I might get the required mana if I manage to get my hands on a few full mana crystals, but what about the other thing?


    Don''t tell me... After a bit of pondering, an unnerving thought entered my head, and I took out the tiny crimson monster core out of my pocket.


    Focusing on it, its description simply said [Petty Essence gem]


    I decided not to dwell on the peculiarity of why the glyphs called it something else than what was commonly used. Instead, I focused on the fact that I now had to somehow collect a whole bunch of them.


    I was already quite lucky to have gotten just one, and I didn''t even want to imagine how many wolves I would have to kill to get ten.


    Yeah, that will take a while... So, for now, I chose not to build anything as I didn''t want to lose the few remaining build slots I had left before I figured out a way to level up the Seed.


    Realizing I had already lost a lot of time, I decided to return to the task I had initially wanted to do.


    With the Domain protected by the newly summoned golems, I could now finally leave this place without constantly worrying about it being destroyed in my absence.


    So, after making sure I had everything I needed with me and after ordering Rocky to come over, I focused on activating the [Portal] and then watched in awe as the same elaborate black door manifested before me.


    Yet this time, I knew what was going to happen, so I stepped sideways to not be immediately sucked in and carefully touched the golden knob. As the doors swung open, I then promptly commanded Rocky to go through to the other side.


    I tensed, watching as the golem slowly made his way toward the shimmering doorway, wondering if it would work, but before I could react, Rocky was sucked in, disappearing inside the Portal.


    It works! Seeing Rocky pass without any apparent problems, I broke into a wide grin and quickly followed after him.

 Chapter 7: A Long Way Home

    "Ah, I''m back!" I exclaimed, breaking the unnerving silence as I was once again greeted by the pleasant sight of decay and destruction all around.


    I then quickly scanned the ruins, happily noting that everything looked exactly the same as before. However, there was one notable difference from my previous visit¡ªmy surroundings were now bathed in a pale blue light emanating from Rocky''s glowing mana crystal.


    ¡°Hahaha! It worked!¡±


    If anyone had told me a week ago that I would soon be trapped inside the ruins of some ancient lab while having an actual golem act as my very own personal walking lamp, I would have thought them batshit crazy. But here I am¡­


    I shook my head, promptly dismissing the still active [Portal], and then ordered the stoic-looking Rocky to move before me to act as a shield if need be. Well, it¡¯s not like there¡¯s anything I can do about all of this but accept this strange new reality and try to make the most of it.


    With that, I quickly adjusted the straps of my backpack and began carefully exploring the spacious hall, looking for a way out.


    Meanwhile, I also made another interesting discovery¡ªmy eyesight had quite significantly improved.


    Despite Rocky''s dim glow being all I could depend on, it was apparently more than enough for me to see almost perfectly in the dark. Is this another perk of my new Class?


    Whatever the case, it was a much-welcomed surprise¡ªone that would undoubtedly help me greatly in navigating the Ratways¡¯ dark corridors.


    Soon, I found myself standing at the back of the room, which I quickly learned was actually the front. Hmm, this won''t do¡­


    What I was looking at appeared to be the remnants of a massive gate that must have collapsed a long time ago, thus sealing this place up. I eagerly looked for any opening I could perhaps squeeze through, but sadly, there was none.


    Yet, my disappointment soon gave way to a broad smile as I heard a particular sound that instantly improved my mood¡ªthe sweet echo of dripping water.


    I quickly searched for its source, and before long, I found it. There! At the edge of the ruined gate, I saw a thin stream of water dripping from the collapsed ceiling and pooling in a shallow puddle below.


    The advantage of being so deep underground was that at least the water that seeped here from the surface had already lost most of its contaminants and could be drunk safely without having to worry about getting sick.


    So, I eagerly refilled all my bottles while humming a tune. Since I now found a water source, I can take my sweet time here.


    Of course, there was no way in hell I would leave without first going through every nook and cranny of this place and, most importantly, looting everything that looked at least somewhat valuable.


    Opportunities to explore an intact ruin were extremely rare, as most of the Ratways had already been picked clean a long time ago. The only reason I previously wanted to head straight for the surface was my fear of dying of thirst. With that solved, however¡­


    Alright, let¡¯s do this! Thus, for the next hour or so, I made myself extremely busy crawling between the various rusting remnants of what once must have been state-of-the-art machinery, searching for anything worth salvaging.


    It''s such a shame I can''t take it all with me¡­ I looked with sad eyes at the literal mountain of scrap metal, imagining how much I could rake in on all of this. But regretfully, there was simply no way I could drag such heavy pieces back to the Shelter. Wait! Isn¡¯t there?


    Struck by a certain crazy idea, I looked back and forth between the ruined machines and the center of the room, contemplating. Could this work? Then my lips curled, forming a silly grin. Who says it can¡¯t?


    All I needed to do was simply wait until the Portal''s cooldown ended, open it again, throw everything in, and retrieve it back later after I managed to get into the Shelter.


    Rocky could pass through just fine, as well as all my belongings, so there is no reason to believe that a bunch of rusty pipes couldn¡¯t.


    The only thing left to find out was whether or not the Portal¡¯s exit could be moved. So far, it had always remained within this room. That said, I¡¯ve never actually tried to open it in a different location.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    If this works¡­ A mischievous smile blossomed on my face as I immediately realized all the possibilities this could open up for me.


    Having decided on the course of action, I then spent several more hours going over every piece of scrap I could find and then dragging it to the center of the spacious hall.


    I even had Rocky help me break the once massive machines, revealing many large cogwheels and pistons, which I then laboriously heaved onto the continuously growing pile of junk.


    Ugh, this should do it. Panting heavily, I dropped the last sheet of rusty metal on top of the wobbly mass and then cautiously stepped back, smiling with satisfaction.


    It took many hours of hard labor, but my conviction never wavered as I constantly reminded myself of each time I had to go hungry because I didn''t fulfill my quota in the Pit.


    Now, all that¡¯s left is to open the [Portal] and shove everything in before I run out of mana. Of course, that was easier said than done. But while busy scavenging, I thought about this problem a lot and believe I might have found a suitable solution.


    I still remember the Portal¡¯s powerful suction when I first opened it. So, all I needed was to somehow move my precious loot really close and let the mysterious doorway take care of the rest.


    That¡¯s why I¡¯ve been building the scrap pile in a slightly elevated position, right above the spot where I previously came out of the [Portal]. With how unstable it is, all it needs is a little push, and the whole thing will come crashing down.


    I did one last check to make sure I didn¡¯t forget anything, aware that I had only a single shot at this. There was simply no way I would be waiting for another eight hours in these eerie ruins; just thinking about it made my skin crawl.


    Well, what am I waiting for? By now, that stupid cooldown had already ended, so nothing was holding me back from putting my ingenious plan into action.


    Feeling both excited and slightly nervous at the same time, I took a deep breath before activating the Skill, watching as the [Portal] manifested itself right in front of me.


    Seeing that it was precisely where I wanted it to be, I couldn¡¯t help but pump my fist before quickly moving sideways, so I wouldn¡¯t get sucked in myself as I touched the golden knob in what was beginning to feel like a well-known procedure.


    Right as the black door swung open, revealing the shimmering abyss beyond, I hurried toward the back of the loot pile, joining Rocky, who was already waiting beside a long, sturdy-looking rod.


    "Alright! You ready?" I asked the tiny golem as I picked up the rod and pushed it deep into the pile''s base.


    Rocky didn''t respond, but when prompted by my order, he immediately began assisting me in my effort to overturn the pile.


    "Hey! Hooo!" I strained every bit of strength I could muster, pushing with my whole body.


    "clack, click, CLACK!" Faced with our combined strength, the pile soon relented, and with a myriad of clacking and scraping noises, the various pieces of metal began rolling down right into the opened maw of the [Portal], which then promptly sucked them in.


    Almost there¡­ Clutching my teeth, I tensely watched as the final bits began disappearing into the gaping hole, right as I felt the last vestiges of my strength leaving my body. The [Portal] then flickered a few times before finally dissolving into nothingness.


    Utterly exhausted, I collapsed to the ground, experiencing the now more than familiar sensation of total mana drain. Ugh, I¡¯ll never get used to this weird-ass feeling.


    It took me a while before I could move again, and I reminded myself never to do something like this if there were enemies around.


    After resting for a bit, I felt much better, so I took a sip of water and finally went on to examine the results of my great effort. It worked! I immediately smiled when I saw that most of the pile had made it safely to the other side.


    There were a few pieces here and there that managed to roll past the [Portal], but I wasn''t too bothered by it as what I managed to ammas was truly a legendary haul that would make any other scavenger green with envy.


    Well, I think it¡¯s time to leave¡­ Looking at the now almost bare room, I saw that there was nothing else for me to do here. Initially, I also hoped to gain some knowledge about the strange Seed, given that I found it in this very lab. But if there ever were any research notes on it, they must have rotten away a long time ago.


    So, after throwing one last wistful look at the ruins of the mysterious laboratory, knowing that I would probably never return to this place again, I promptly turned away and entered the secret side tunnel, retracing my previous steps.


    I still had almost eight hours before I could return to the Domain, and since I still felt somewhat rested, I decided to keep exploring for as long as possible.


    The journey toward the site of the recent cave-in turned out to be a rather short and uneventful one. Not only had I already walked through here once before, but now I even had a stalwart golem to light my way.


    So it was no surprise that I soon found myself standing before the accursed mountain of debris that was so impudently blocking my only way back to the Shelter.


    However, this time around, I didn''t despair, as I had a perfect solution. Turning to Rocky with a broad smile, I said, "Shatter this!" while pointing at the site of the collapsed tunnel ahead.


    The tiny golem lingered for a bit as if I was crazy to give him such a tall order, but then it faithfully moved forward while raising its tiny limb and activating its Skill.


    A wave of energy escaped Rocky¡¯s body, and the lump of concrete directly in front of him quickly disintegrated, turning into fine dust.


    Alright! Now we¡¯re talking¡­ At first, I simply rejoiced that I would soon be finally free from this accursed place. But when I more closely examined the minuscule hole Rocky''s Skill left behind, I couldn¡¯t help but sigh as I quickly realized that clearing the whole thing would take a very long time indeed.

 Chapter 8: Boring Effort

    Scowling at the seemingly insurmountable pile of rubble blocking my way, I ordered Rocky to use [Shatter] again and again. As if I¡¯d let something like this stop me!


    I didn¡¯t shy away from the challenge before me¡ªon the contrary, I welcomed it. I chuckled, remembering how the nuns often told me that I never knew when to stop. I couldn¡¯t have guessed this quirk of mine would come in handy here, of all places.


    With bitter determination coursing through my veins, I dug through the debris like there was no tomorrow. My hands bled, and my whole body ached, but I disregarded the discomfort as I was fueled by the promise of a warm meal and a proper bed waiting for me on the other side.


    Come on! Move, damn you¡­ Right now, I was fighting with a particularly big chunk of concrete that didn¡¯t want to budge no matter what I did. I cursed, taking a few steps back before having Rocky use its Skill on it once more.


    Attentively watching another small part disintegrate into fine dust, I then pushed and pulled, straining all my muscles, and when it finally relented, rolling down to join its shattered brethren on the ground, I smiled in satisfaction.


    It took me some time to figure out, but after a bit of trial and error, I found that the best way to do this was to first let Rocky shatter a hole through the bigger pieces and then remove the rest by hand.


    The reason for doing things this way was pretty simple. Although Rocky''s Skill had no obvious cooldown, the tiny golem was still relatively weak, and after using [Shatter] for about ten or so times, he appeared to have run out of energy and had to pause for a bit to recover before continuing.


    So, in the end, I had to do most of the work myself. However, I didn¡¯t complain much as it finally gave me an opportunity to test the limits of my improved physique. If it were the old me without a Class, I would have collapsed a long time ago, yet now I could work through this mountain of debris like it¡¯s nothing.


    Besides, I didn''t need to clear out the whole tunnel; a passage wide enough to squeeze through was more than enough. So, like that, we continued digging for a few more hours until¡­ "There you are!" I exclaimed, looking down where I saw my trusty old lantern lying half-buried in the dust.


    It seemed like we had finally reached the spot where I had been trapped before. I recognized the lone steel beam that saved my life, and now that I¡¯ve widened the small cavity enough, I even managed to find my lamp.


    So, with a broad grin, I gingerly reached for the lamp¡¯s handle while digging the rest out. The glass cover seemed to have shattered during the quake, but the lamp itself looked fine. I then checked the oil container, and to my delight, it was almost full. I can still use this!


    Not wasting a moment, I promptly took out my knife and struck it against a nearby piece of concrete, producing a handful of sparks. Soon, a bright flame illuminated my cramped, dusty surroundings. Ah, light at last!


    Having to put up with nothing but the faint glow of Rocky''s mana crystal for so long, I rejoiced at the prospect of finally being able to see everything clearly.


    Moreover, given that I could previously clearly hear Carson¡¯s heavy footsteps on the other side of the cave-in, there were, at most, only a few more meters of debris left before we''d be through.


    Alright! Let¡¯s do this! So, after a short rest to recover some of my waning stamina, I quickly resumed my boring effort, eagerly returning to my current task of moving the rubble out of the way.


    By now, the [Portal]¡¯s cooldown had already ended, so I could theoretically return to the relative safety of the Domain for the night. But I decided to keep going for a bit longer.


    I knew we couldn''t linger here as the quake made this entire section unstable, and there was no telling when it might cave in again.


    Besides, there was not enough room in the collapsed tunnel to summon the ominous-looking door without running the risk of bringing the entire thing down on my poor head.


    The idea of being buried alive again made me shudder, and I dug as fast as I could. Rocky seemed to have grasped the urgency of my commands, and he, too, began moving as fast as his little stubby legs would carry him.


    Then, with one last push, another large boulder relented and rolled down, revealing a gaping hole in its wake. "We''re through!" I eagerly exclaimed, yet my joy didn¡¯t last very long.


    ¡°What¡¯s this stench?¡± I scrunched my nose, suddenly assaulted by a terrible smell that made me retch.


    Holding my breath, I grabbed my lamp and carefully stepped over the exposed debris to see what was beyond. But then I froze, hearing a distinct unpleasant sound that I knew a little too well.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    "Squeek, squeek, squeek!"


    The hairs at the back of my neck rose as I immediately recognized them - Rats. And loads of them, by the sound of it. My instincts instantly kicked in, and I assumed a fighting stance, taking a few tentative steps back.


    "Squiii!" Then, a massive, fat-looking rat lunged at me from the darkness.


    "Ugh!" I somehow managed to parry its attack with my knife before taking cover behind the nearby pile of rubble and ordering Rocky to strike.


    The little golem swiped at it from the side, effortlessly crushing its head with his Skill.


    I exhaled in relief before tilting my head in confusion. Why was there no announcement of a kill? Does that system-thing not recognize them as monsters?


    I had plenty of questions about all of this; however, I had no time to ponder them as I heard a lot of scurrying from up ahead, and my body tensed. Oh, crap!


    In the blink of an eye, at least a dozen rats jumped into the small circle of light provided by my lamp, barring their sharp teeth at me, their beady eyes filled with unmistakable malice.


    If this had been before, all I could do at this point would be to turn tail and run for my dear life. But now that I had a Class and, more importantly, Rocky with me, the situation couldn''t be more different.


    "Alright, show me what you got!" I smirked, taunting the hateful rodents as I prepared myself for the impending battle. The rats promptly answered my challenge with a choir of squeaks of their own before jumping at me, trying to overwhelm me with numbers.


    Still, when the closest one lunged at me, I was prepared. With a swift motion, I stabbed it with my knife, and I smiled with satisfaction as the rugged blade forced itself through the disgusting yellowish fur. It cut deep into the rat''s flesh, and while it squealed helplessly, I twisted the knife, finishing it off.


    I then had to quickly dodge another rat''s attack, sidestepping its sharp fangs and delivering a swift kick to its side. The rat shrieked in pain as it flew across the small cavity, crashing into the tunnel¡¯s wall. Wow, it''s so easy!


    With this kind of power, it was no wonder the Hunters could face the hellish abominations dwelling outside in the poisoned wastelands and live to tell the tale.


    So, while enjoying this newfound strength my new Class seemed to give me, I continued to slay one rat after another almost effortlessly.


    But then, to my dismay, the inevitable finally happened, and my trusty knife, which was already on its last legs, snapped in half and fell apart. Damn it! I cursed under my breath, watching as the broken pieces of metal clattered to the ground.


    Yet I had no time to mourn my loyal companion as there were still plenty of rats left, ready to tear me apart given the chance, and on top of everything, I now found myself without a weapon.


    Meanwhile, urged by my panicked orders, Rocky sprang into action, his stone fists pounding on the remaining rodents with almost rhythmic precision.


    Each strike was met with a satisfying crunch as the rats'' bones shattered under his mighty strikes. I stepped back, taking up a position behind the tiny golem while picking up a small piece of concrete to support him from behind.


    With my improvised weapon in hand, I frantically swung at every vermin unfortunate enough to enter my range, promptly crushing it.


    With our combined efforts, we swiftly dealt with the remaining rats, and before long, the tunnel was quiet once more.


    Is that it? Not hearing any more of those annoying squeaking noises, I exhaled in relief. But I didn''t allow myself to relax as I first needed to ensure there was no more danger.


    My heart pounded in my chest as I ordered Rocky to slowly move forward while I held the lamp up high to see what was beyond the newly made opening.


    As we moved further, I could still smell the foul smell from before, now even more pungent, and we soon found its source. So this is why there were so many rats here¡­


    A short distance ahead, I could see several corpses or, more accurately, the gnawed-off remains of what looked like the missing members of our ill-fated expedition. Grimacing, I quickly averted my eyes from the gruesome scene.


    I wasn¡¯t close with any of them, so the only thing I felt at this moment was immense relief that I didn¡¯t end up like that. Sadly, that bastard Carson wasn¡¯t among them, so he must have made it back safely. Heh, what else would you expect from the king of cockroaches¡­


    After a moment of hesitation, I managed to suppress my repulsion and went on to check if they had anything useful on them.


    Their bags were torn apart, with most of their belongings destroyed, and the thing I was most interested in - the food was either gone or lay scattered on the ground, spoiled. Damn rats!


    However, my foul mood quickly improved after I spotted a glint of metal reflecting from a long object stuck under one of the corpses. I widened my eyes before hurrying to take a closer look. Is that a weapon?


    Not wanting to dirty my pretty hands with blood and god knows what else, I let Rocky move the macabre remains and then pried the item out from under the debris.


    After a bit of struggle, I succeeded, and soon a broad grin spread across my face. What I held in my hands was a real and still perfectly usable machete.


    I''ll be taking that, if you don''t mind... Not that you''ll need it anymore. I snickered as my hands were quick to grab the precious weapon. I gave it a few test swings, and to my delight, it fitted into my hand almost perfectly. It was a shame I lost my knife, but with this, I can fight again!


    Still, my current elation didn''t stem only from the fact I got a shiny new weapon. No, the real reason was that right after this very point, the everpresent field of debris had finally ended, and up ahead, the long, dark tunnel stretched before me as far as the eye could see.


    I grinned as I entered the mostly undamaged corridor. Now, there¡¯s nothing blocking my way back to the Shelter.

 Chapter 9: The Shelter

    I was right¡­ I thought as I watched several rats sniffing around some distance away, seemingly paying me no attention.


    So they were attracted by the light! I exhaled in relief after seeing for the umpteenth time as the rat at the edge of my vision briefly turned its head my way a few times before scurrying away without bothering me.


    Well, maybe the fact I was covered from head to toe with dust from the cave-in had something to do with it as well, but still¡­ It confirmed my gnawing suspicion when I saw the crazy zeal with which the rats swooped on me before.


    That¡¯s why, after the brief scuffle, I decided to snuff out my lantern for the time being, and it turned out to be the right call.


    I now once again depended solely on the faint glow of Rocky¡¯s mana crystal, which, for some reason, didn¡¯t garner any reaction from the hateful rodents dwelling in these godforsaken tunnels.


    I was glad this was the case. Since killing the rats didn¡¯t apparently give me any experience, there was no reason to waste my time fighting them.


    "Come on, Rocky. It''s time to get going¡­" I whispered to the tiny golem before carefully resuming my slow march forward.


    Of course, I didn¡¯t have to speak the commands aloud; simply giving Rocky a mental prompt would be more than enough. Still, it was nice to have someone to talk to, even if the intended recipient didn¡¯t really speak much¡­ or not at all. Now that I think about it, it may be even better that way.


    Smiling broadly, I looked at the now wide-open tunnel stretching before me with tense anticipation. I knew the journey back home would be long and perilous, yet I couldn¡¯t quite hold back the sudden joy from being finally free of that concrete prison I¡¯d been trapped in for the last several days.


    Luckily, the previous section appeared to be the only one that collapsed, so I could now sneak along the dark corridor almost seamlessly. Occasionally, I heard disturbing noises from one of the side passages, but I carefully circumvented that particular area each time.


    I was always good at memorizing things, so I could navigate these horrid tunnels even without a map. Thus, while tiptoeing through the dark to not alert any would-be monsters, I carefully retraced my former party¡¯s steps.


    Ugh, just a bit longer¡­ Suppressing a yawn, I forced myself to remain alert. With all the unplanned detours I was forced to make, it was taking me a lot longer than I anticipated, and since the adrenaline from the fight had long dissipated, I just now realized how tired I was. Still, I didn¡¯t dare to rest, not while there were so many rats running around.


    Thus, when I finally saw the faint light ahead, which marked the Shelter¡¯s border, I had to try my hardest not to start jumping around in joy. I had no idea how long it took me to get here in the end, but it must have been at least half a day or more; it''s not like there was a way to accurately measure time in the Ratway¡¯s still darkness anyway.


    However, I haven¡¯t allowed myself to relax, at least not yet. There was still the matter of the gang and, more importantly, that mad dog Carson waiting for me there. For now, they think I died, but that will soon change. They absolutely mustn¡¯t find out I now have a Class, or they will never let me go even if I somehow manage to pay off my debt.


    But I also knew that I couldn¡¯t hide out here forever. I desperately needed to replenish my dwindling supplies as well as patch up my gear, which had suffered greatly during these last two days. Not to mention, the next monster wave was due in less than four days, and I absolutely needed to prepare for that, too.


    I still vividly remember the ominous warning that system thingy gave me when it issued the emergency quest. I had no idea whether or not it would actually kill me if the Seed were to be destroyed, but I certainly won¡¯t be taking any chances with it.


    That¡¯s why my current plan was to sneak into the Outskirts market to sell a portion of my precious loot and try to acquire something that would help me repel those horrid beasts. Just a quick trip in and out, and I¡¯d be gone before anyone could recognize me.


    ¡°Heh¡­¡± I chuckled since that last part was perhaps a bit of wishful thinking since things rarely went as planned. However, there would be enough time to refine my crude scheme, as before any of that, there was something else I needed to do.


    I quickly hid in an abandoned shaft some distance from the guard post, as it was finally time to test whether my theory about the [Portal] was correct or not. I already knew I could summon the mysterious doorway wherever I wanted as long as I had enough mana to do so.


    Yet, the most crucial question on which all my future plans depended remained unanswered. Will it remember my last position when I use it, or is it somehow bound to that ruin down in the tunnels?


    Well, there was only one way to find out. So, with that, I quickly activated the Skill and promptly returned to the Domain before the nearby guards could detect my presence.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± Getting thrown out of the shimmering abyss right into the middle of the spacious cavern, I had to pause for a bit to balance my footing before I could take a cautious look around.


    With how everything was going lately, I was lowkey expecting some random disaster to strike the Domain while I was gone. Luckily, everything looked exactly the same as I left it - still and peaceful.


    Great! I¡¯ll first take a quick nap and then decide what to take with me to sell in the market tomorrow¡­ I was barely staying awake at this point, so everything else had to take a back seat for now.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Sleep¡­ I need sleep. I hazily began making my way over to the spot I designated as a resting area, but then I suddenly tripped over something and came plummeting down. What the... Blinking in confusion, I slowly lifted myself from the cold, hard floor, not sure what had just happened.


    The ground here was perfectly flat, so there shouldn¡¯t be anything to trip over. Yet, to my bewilderment, as I looked around, there were now hundreds of pieces of scrap metal scattered haphazardly across the spacious cavern. Oh! I totally forgot about those.


    It seemed that when my glorious pile of scrap was sucked into the portal, it must have come hurling down on the other side at significant speed, creating this huge mess in the process.


    I grimaced, wondering what to do as cleaning it all up would take a pretty long time, even with Rocky¡¯s help. But then I remembered something. That¡¯s right! Here, I had access to three golems, not just one. With a smirk, I thus ordered all of them to come over and start gathering everything back into one big, orderly pile.


    Ah! Isn¡¯t this a thing of beauty? I watched blissfully as my new minions diligently worked to carry out my orders without me having to lift a finger for once. With this, I then finally laid down in my makeshift bed, consisting of nothing but my folded-up coat, while listening to the sweet echo of clattering metal lulling me to sleep.


    ***


    When I woke up the following day, I felt greatly invigorated, all the stress and exhaustion of yesterday being nothing but a distant memory. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s much better!¡±


    Donning a smile, I eagerly sprung up from the damn hard stone floor and began stretching my stiff muscles. There was a good reason for my brilliant mood. If everything works out today, I¡¯ll finally graduate from being a penniless nobody and begin my wonderful new life as a bona fide Hunter.


    Yet, before any of that could occur, there was still plenty of work to do. First, I checked the dormant Rift to see if there were any changes on it, which had already become my new routine at this point.


    Fortunately, it was all the same¡ªits surface was dull and listless while the hateful timer atop the Rift''s surface relentlessly counted down the time toward the next raid.


    [03:10:47:12]


    Watching the numbers continue to tick toward zero, with nothing I could do about it, was a very unnerving experience, to say the least. The fear of not knowing what sort of calamity awaited me at the countdown¡¯s end was especially gut-wrenching, and it was slowly driving me mad.


    Still, I didn¡¯t let it sour my mood too much. At least here, I don''t have to worry about some random rat gnawing my head off while I sleep.


    Chuckling, I turned around only to be greeted by the wondrous sight of a newly formed pile of scrap metal, in front of which stood the unmoving silhouettes of my three golems, seemingly indifferent to my gnawing anxiety.


    That¡¯s right! Now was not the time to berate about my crappy fate. I had an inventory to sort and profits to make.


    Hmm, how should I go about this¡­ Selling the wolves¡¯ pelts and claws was a given. But there was also the matter of my precious monster core to consider. Should I keep it or sell it?


    I knew I originally wanted to keep it for the eventual Seed¡¯s upgrade, but now I was second-guessing my former decision. After all, what good would it make me if I didn¡¯t survive the next wave?


    Plagued with uncertainty, I went back and forth on this as I considered the limited options. But then I widened my eyes as something else occurred to me. That reminds me¡­ It was about time I went to check the mana mine to see if there was another crystal.


    Realizing I had forgotten to check it for a whole day, I quickly made my way over to the smaller cave, and to my delight, there was indeed a new mana crystal clinging to the crystalline wall.


    Perfect! So they do recover in about a day. After all, if it took more than a full day to produce a new one, the mine¡ªin which I placed fairly high hopes¡ªwould end up being a pretty useless building, given its high upkeep cost.


    It was still quite low to my liking, but if I manage to live long enough, I''ll be drowning in the sweet, sweet money in a few short years. This also perfectly solved my current conundrum. I could now sell the mana crystal instead, knowing a new one would be waiting for me tomorrow.


    Apart from that, there was not much else. I didn''t bother skinning the rats since, compared to the E-category monsters, their skin was almost worthless, and my precious scrap had to wait for a bit longer as it was too heavy to take with me right now.


    So, with that, I packed everything up and activated the [Portal] skill, getting ready to return to the real world. Now comes the moment of truth¡­


    Worst case, I would be back where I started yesterday, but since I had already managed to clear out a path through the rubble, getting back wouldn¡¯t take me anywhere as long as the last time.


    Full of tense anticipation but resolved to see this through, I stepped into the shimmering abyss, instantly dissolving within its all-encompassing darkness before being flown out on the other side the very next moment.


    Blinking, I took a second to recover my balance, swaying under the weight of all the loot I was carrying as I cautiously looked around.


    Yet, to my delight, I immediately recognized the dilapidated walls surrounding me, realizing I was back at the entrance to the Ratways, which was exactly where I had left off yesterday.


    Alright! Now we are talking... Grinning, I then eagerly headed for the nearby guard post, ready to face anything fate decided to throw at me.


    Walking in without Rocky¡¯s stalwart presence, I felt strangely exposed but knew this was the only way. If I came into the shelter with a strange stone creature in tow, the guards would have probably immediately attacked me out of sheer fright.


    "Halt! Who goes there?" When the pair of watchers saw my sorry figure emerge from the darkness, they paled, tightly clutching their weapons.


    ¡°W-Wait! It¡¯s you¡­ Jayden?¡± One of them whispered, a flicker of recognition appearing on his weary face.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me¡­¡± I said, flashing him a smile in return as I walked past them. The guards seemed so baffled by my miraculous return that they didn''t even bother to inspect me, which was fine by me.


    Ah, I¡¯m back, at last! First, let¡¯s go to the pawn shop and see how much I could squeeze the Old Geezer for.

 Chapter 10: Bothersome Encounter

    What is this? After entering the Shelter''s dimly lit streets, there was this strange, warm feeling slowly spreading through my chest.


    As I cautiously walked along the familiar corridors, the pleasant hum of the Generator filled my ears, and I couldn''t help but smile. I made it!


    The simple notion that I could ever miss this unseemly pile of reinforced concrete would have seemed beyond preposterous to me just a few short days ago, but here I was, grinning like an idiot.


    I shook my head, wanting to get rid of this stupid sense of nostalgia so that I could focus on the task at hand.


    After all, I was in the middle of an enemy territory right now. Well, technically, I was still part of Rowan¡¯s gang, but if they caught me out here loitering, they would just lock me up inside the compound again, and that would be the end of it.


    My best and only chance to escape their greasy grasp for good was to forge ahead, get stronger, and make some money on the side first so that when I do confront them, it would be on my terms and my terms only.


    So, I stuck to the shadows, trying my best to appear as unassuming as possible. This was quite a tall order, given the fact I was covered in a layer of dust and grime and also being weighed down by my overflowing backpack.


    Luckily, I came here right at the time of day when the morning crowds had already disappeared, but it was not quite the lunch hour yet, so the streets were mostly empty.


    Still, the few people I did encounter were staring at me as if I had returned from the grave. Well, they are not entirely wrong¡­


    The Outskirts only housed a shabby few hundred souls at best, so this kind of reaction was not very surprising. Most people knew each other, at least from sight, even if they rarely spoke to one another.


    I would be lying if I said I didn¡¯t quite enjoy their bewildered expressions, which served as unmistakable evidence of subverting everyone''s low expectations of me.


    Arriving at the market, I quickly entered one particular shack at the corner of the main street and was instantly met by the familiar face of the grumpy-looking shopkeeper standing behind the counter.


    His monocle glinted in the dim light as he sized me up, a slight surprise reflecting in his amber eyes. "Look who''s here? I heard a rumor you kicked the bucked down in the Ratways¡­"


    "Hahaha! It would take a lot more to do me in, gramps!" I grinned in response.


    "Who do you call gramps, you ungrateful brat?" he grumbled in annoyance before leaning closer. ¡°So, what do you want this time?¡±


    I smirked at the poorly disguised greed with which he eyed my backpack before heaving my bountiful loot on the counter.


    "Take a look at this!" I carefully unwrapped the still-bloodied silvery pelts and monstrous claws and passed them over to the shopkeeper.


    He briefly inspected the presented items before narrowing his eyes in suspicion. ¡°How did you get your dirty little hands on something like this?¡±


    "Found it in the Ratways..." I replied with a subtle smile playing on my lips. I was quite enjoying his apparent surprise as it was a rare sight indeed to make the old geezer lose his cool like that.


    However, it all paled in comparison to the incredulous expression he gave me when I took the mana crystal out of my inner pocket and added it on top of the veritable pile of loot already present on the counter. ¡°And I also found this...¡±


    As the old shopkeeper¡¯s eyes settled on the shimmering crystal, he froze, staring at it in shock. He then gingerly took the item in question into his hands, carefully examining it from each side.


    "How can this be? It''s pure! I can¡¯t believe it¡­" he mumbled in disbelief before looking me straight in the eyes. ¡°Where did you find this?¡±


    "As if I told you!" I scoffed with a chuckle before swiping the shiny crystal out of his outstretched hand. "If you don''t want it, I''m sure Greg from across the street will be interested..."


    "Wait, wait! I never said I didn''t want it!" he hurriedly said, grabbing my arm to stop me from leaving. I snickered, placing the gem back onto the counter, and looked at him expectantly. "Well?"


    He fidgeted for a bit, seemingly deep in thought, before finally saying. "I can give you 300 tokens for the mana crystal itself. As for the rest... 20 for the claws and 30 for the hide."


    I did a quick calculation in my head, and with three pairs of claws, the hides, and the crystal on top, the total came to a whopping 450 tokens.


    So much money! On a good day, I could make around two to three tokens working my ass off in the Pit, but most of it went towards the food and rent, so I never managed to save much anyway.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    That¡¯s why this was such a life-changing amount for some like me. With this kind of cash, I could even repay my debt¡ªnot that I was going to, of course. After all, I almost died several times to gain this wealth, so there was no way I would simply give it all away to that money-laundering racketeer.


    First, I wanted to buy myself a proper meal, not the scraps I usually settled for, and then I would go look for some equipment. There would be enough time to deal with my debts later. Especially now that I have learned how valuable the mana crystals are.


    Still, that didn''t mean I couldn''t try to squeeze out more from this greedy scrooge.


    "I heard you saying just now that the crystal is pure, right? There''s no way it costs this little. I''ll tell you what... give me 600 for everything, and we have a deal!" I said, flashing him a bright smile.


    "Are you out of your damn mind? There''s no way I could give you that much!" He spat out, acting offended. "If it''s you... The best I can do is 500, but that is already kinda stretching it."


    Stretching it, my ass... I thought but didn''t let anything show on my face. Instead, I looked at him confidently, replying. "550"


    "520!" He shot back.


    "550..." I held my ground, not going any lower than that.


    Seeing my unwavering determination, the old shopkeeper ground his teeth for a few moments before finally uttering, "Fine!"


    After years of conducting business in this lousy establishment, I already knew how much I could push the old geezer before he would chase me out.


    So, I grinned, quickly gathering my hard-earned money and getting out of the fusty shop before he could change his mind.


    Whistling happily, I strode across the market area, wondering where to go next. However, being lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice the approaching danger before it was too late.


    Suddenly, three men barred my path, and to my horror, I immediately recognized Carson¡¯s dainty face sticking like a sore thumb among them. "Well, well, well¡­ Look, who''s come crawling back from the dead?"


    When I saw that bastard''s wicked smile, I froze in my tracks. Of course, it would be him.


    I was not stupid - I knew the gang would find out about my miraculous return from the moment I crossed the Outskirts¡¯ boundary, given they had eyes and ears everywhere around here.


    Still, I was betting on the fact that I was a literal nobody¡ªa tiny, unimportant cog in the giant machine that was the Shelter.


    Because of this, I reasoned it wouldn''t be worth it for them to send someone after me right away, giving me some time to sort out my affairs in peace and maybe even get a little bit stronger before I would have to face them.


    Sadly, that''s not how this was meant to play out. I sighed dejectedly, wondering what I should do next.


    It was an entirely different matter with Carson since he was never known for being particularly reasonable. I guess he must have made it personal for him the moment he learned that I had made it out of there alive while all his buddies didn''t.


    This certainly complicated things. I smiled wistfully, knowing that a week ago, he barely even remembered my name. I shifted my eyes, desperately looking for a way out, but it was futile as they expertly blocked any possible escape route well in advance.


    Carson snickered as if knowing what I was thinking about. "Where do you think you''re going?"


    I swallowed hard, trying my best to maintain a facade of nonchalance. "Hey, Carson! How''re you doing, buddy? I was already on my way to the compound, just making a quick stop to buy some supplies first."


    They turned toward each other before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha!" But then, before I could react, Carson sprung forth, grabbing me by the neck and smashing me against a nearby wall. "Don''t try to play smart with us!"


    His previous amusement was all but gone, replaced by a vicious grimace as he crushed me with the power of a raging bull.


    "You think I''m stupid? Such a pathetic little rat, like yourself, would never come back on your own. But don''t worry¡ªwe''re here to make sure you honor your obligation. I''m certain Rowan will be very interested to know you''ve made it out."


    "I very much doubt that..." I managed to utter through the pain.


    "Hahaha! You might be right about that... He actually doesn''t give a crap about you, but you still owe him money, and until you repay your debt, he owns you." Carson grinned as if he knew very well I could never repay it.


    Well, I''m about to greatly disappoint you. With all the incredible loot I managed to get my hands on in the tunnels, I could get rid of this stupid debt once and for all and still have plenty of tokens left over.


    Yet, I also knew that I couldn¡¯t tell him any of it because if Carson found out I had money on me, he might want to rob me.


    I was always a coward, trying my best to get along and avoid trouble. So even now, I barely resisted as Carson squeezed my neck in his relentless grip.


    Right about now, I was beginning to regret leaving Rocky behind. Still, something about this situation didn''t feel quite right. It took me a while to figure it out, but the next moment, I widened my eyes as a particular realization dawned on me.


    It feels different. The strength of Carson''s grip, which I always thought was inescapable, suddenly didn''t seem so severe anymore. I feel like I could easily wrestle my way out of it if I exerted my full strength. Is this the power of my new Class?


    However, I forced myself to remain calm, not daring to do anything rash because I knew that even if I managed to beat them here, showing any unnatural strength would scream to the whole Shelter that I had awakened a Class, and then there would be no way in hell that Rowan would ever let me go.


    Being lost in my own thoughts, I didn''t catch what he said next, but I quickly came to my senses when he threw me to the ground and pressed his smelly foot against my neck.


    "...But before we let you crawl back to the compound, we need to teach you a lesson so that you¡¯ll always know your place, scum." He spat out, and at that moment, I knew this wouldn¡¯t end well for me.


    At first, I simply wanted to let Carson beat me, like always, until he got his fill and left me alone, but with that mad look he was giving me, I realized that today, I wouldn''t be able to get off the hook that easily.


    Still, I have to do something. I frantically looked around to find a way out of this mess, wondering whether or not I should simply trip his legs and try to make a run for it; the consequences be damned.


    But before I had a chance to do anything, a loud, angry voice sounded from behind. "What are you doing to him?"

 Chapter 11: Bitter Pill to Swallow

    Following the untimely interruption, I could see Carson¡¯s eyebrows twitch in annoyance, which prompted me to recoil back, as this was not a good sign at all.


    From my rich experience dealing with this piece of crap, I knew that whenever he gave off such a look, it was always followed by great violence.


    I was already starting to pity the poor fool who was stupid enough to get in the way of Carson¡¯s fun. Still, it was perhaps a bit hypocritical of me to think so since I was actually the one who would benefit from this development.


    I think now would be the perfect time to get the hell out of here¡­ I reasoned, wanting to take advantage of this much-needed distraction to quietly slip away.


    However, while shuffling around on the ground, still desperately searching for a way out of this mess, I finally spotted my would-be savior and froze. It''s her!


    I thought that voice was somewhat familiar but couldn''t immediately place it. Yet, now there was no doubt about it¡ªit was no other than the illustrious Sara.


    Faced with the girl''s menacing look, the trio of thugs quickly distanced themselves from me. "Ah, it was nothing... We were just having a friendly chat, isn''t it right?" Carson blurted out, visibly shaken.


    "Oh, y-yes." I nodded in agreement as I hurriedly stood up. There''s no need to aggravate him any further. I thought while still trying to process this absurd situation I had gotten myself into.


    Everyone around here knew the story of Sara, the youngest ever person to be made a captain of the Guard and also an unofficial hero of the Shelter.


    She was originally an orphan like me, but thanks to her outstanding martial talent, the young girl was soon scouted by the Sentinels and whisked away from the orphanage a few years ago.


    Which, of course, raised the obvious question. What is she doing down here?


    We never talked much back then because I always thought of her as just another unassuming mouse. Yet now, she couldn''t be more different.


    Her hair was like spun gold, cascading down her back in soft waves. Together with her spotless porcelain-like face, she looked almost like some princess from the fairy tales the nuns used to tell us before bed.


    But this would, of course, never make someone like Carson waver like this. There was also that vicious-looking armor she was now wearing, undoubtedly crafted from the carapace of some horrifying monster.


    Not to mention the subtle yet sharp aura of bloodlust she emanated, painting her as the natural-born killer every great Hunter ought to be.


    So it was no wonder that right after gathering his bearings, Carson and his buddies hurriedly left the scene, not daring to provoke her.


    But not before the towering brute leaned over and whispered the ominous, "See you later, rat..."


    He then gave me one last angry look that promised nothing but pain and suffering and followed after his companions, who were already disappearing behind a nearby corner.


    Witnessing this, I couldn''t help but gulp nervously. It was about as bad of an outcome as it could have been.


    "Are you alright?" Sara suddenly asked, breaking the awkward silence that now hung between us. She quickly examined my disheveled state, her bright emerald eyes sizing me up with a mix of pity and warmth.


    I raised my head, looking at her again. She looked young, even younger than I was, which somehow made this even worse.


    "Of course! That was nothing..." I said before hurriedly averting my eyes. Not only was I saved by a girl, but it had to be her, of all people, I thought dejectedly.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Still, I didn''t dare to drop my guard. I won''t let myself be fooled by a pretty face. After all, if half of the stories about her were true, then there was a vicious slayer hiding under that facade of pretended kindness.


    So when she offered to accompany me to the Infirmary, I promptly refused¡ªnot that I could afford those exorbitant fees anyway. I thought self-depreciatingly, but I made sure not to show anything on my face.


    "Anyway, thanks for the help. See ya around..." I said before quickly leaving the scene.


    Sara briefly raised her hand, seemingly wanting to say something else, but I didn''t give her the chance, all but running away.


    I always thought it was much better to stay away from people like her, as I knew those types well; all smile until they stab you in the back.


    I couldn''t help but grimace, remembering how she stood there all high and mighty, like she was better than the rest of us. This somehow made me even more annoyed at how everything went down. So what do I do now?


    I knew Carson wouldn''t let this go, and even though Rowan might not have cared about me before, he would certainly be now. Being forced to back down like that could be perceived as weakness, and losing face was all but unacceptable for a proud man like him.


    And since they could do nothing to Sara for the time being, they would most likely want to take it out on me.


    So, unless I wanted to spend the rest of my life hiding in the Ratways, I had to do something about Rowan''s gang, and I needed to do it now.


    Hiding in a side alley, I went over my limited options, trying to figure something out. Yet, in the end, I was forced to admit there was no easy way out of this mess.


    I guess I will have to settle my debt after all¡­ That was the conclusion I came to after some pondering. My only remaining option to solve this peacefully would be to reach Rowan before Carson could tell him his side of the story.


    Because, unlike that bloodthirsty madman, Rowan was actually pretty smart, and he liked to maintain an image of civility in his dealings.


    So, as long as I declare my intent to negotiate, his thugs wouldn''t lay a finger on me. As to the result of our talk... well, that was anyone''s guess.


    Of course, there was no guarantee I would be off the hook even if I bought myself out. But, at least it would give me some time to come up with a more permanent solution.


    Ugh, this is not one of my brightest ideas. I Better go on with this before I could change my mind. Grimacing, I resolved myself for what was to come and then set off on the short journey between the dilapidated buildings along the floor¡¯s outer wall, dauntlessly heading for the unassuming entrance hidden somewhere between them.


    From a distance, Rowan¡¯s compound looked like any other assortment of shacks you could find in this wretched hellhole, yet it was anything but.


    I took a deep breath and stepped into the little courtyard, which was the centerpiece of the spacious compound, connecting all the various facilities that formed the gang''s main den.


    The air was thick with smoke and the sour stench of cheap booze. Rough men dressed in mismatched armor glared at me from the shadows as I walked toward the largest building where Rowan himself lived, which also doubled as his office and the gathering place for the gang''s big shots.


    Despite the insistent stares, nobody made a move to stop me since I was still technically part of the gang. Still, the looks the others gave me were mostly those you would give an already sorted pile of trash by the wayside as if I was already dead in their eyes.


    Well, I couldn''t blame them. I wasn''t particularly close to anybody here beyond the basic politeness that stemmed from the fact that we were all forced to share a common space. But I wasn''t stupid enough to expect anyone to stand up for me here.


    Going back right after what just happened might seem suicidal, but I knew time was of the essence. If I had waited for them to come looking for me, I was certain Rowan would have been much less willing to come up with a reasonable solution.


    "I need to speak with the boss," I said to one of the burly "enforcers" who blocked my path as I arrived in front of the reinforced doors leading to Rowan''s place.


    He scowled, and I tensed, fearing my plan to get to Rowan before Carson would fall apart before I had a chance to set it in motion, but then he simply nodded and disappeared inside.


    I suppressed a relieved sigh and patiently waited while enduring the everpresent stares. Luckily, I didn''t have to wait long as the guard soon returned and beckoned me to go in.


    Taking one last deep breath, I forced my reluctant limbs to start moving. The door creaked open as I cautiously entered, my senses on high alert. I had been here only twice before, and each time was equally unpleasant.


    The interior was dimly lit, making it hard to see. Yet, I could feel the weight of several pairs of eyes watching me from the shadows. Nevertheless, I pushed forward, determined not to let fear consume me. Here we go¡­

 Chapter 12: Rough Deal

    When I cautiously stepped into the eerily quiet room, I was immediately hit by the sudden lack of light, which forced me to pause for a bit to let my eyes adjust.


    I knew that if anyone could afford the oil, it would be Rowan, so this was most likely another one of his stupid ploys to throw visitors off balance.


    Yet, I had to admit that it was kind of working. I gulped, trying to rein in my wildly beating heart as I slowly moved toward the center of the spacious office.


    I always thought this place looked pretty weird¡ªlike a strange mix of old-world luxury and decay.


    From where I stood, I could barely see the contours of the worn-out velvety drapes hiding the cracked walls. Above, an elaborate brass chandelier that hadn¡¯t been lit for longer than anyone remembers hung from the low ceiling.


    And, in the middle of it all stood a massive, exquisitely carved wooden table made from some rare, long-extinct type of tree, like a silent reminder of everything that had been lost during the cataclysm and the chaos that followed.


    The air was stale, with a distinct musty smell that only added to the heavy atmosphere inside, which was then further accentuated by the unnerving presence of several other people hiding in the shadows, watching my every move.


    Not deterred, I swiftly approached Rowan''s opulent desk, behind which the man in question was already sitting.


    The infamous captain of the second-largest gang in the whole Shelter and the undisputed ruler of the Outskirts regarded me with cold, calculating eyes that seemed to pierce through my very soul.


    Feeling the cold beads of sweat begin to coalesce on my forehead, I forced myself to meet his gaze, resolved to see this through no matter what.


    Yet, as I slowly raised my head, to my horror, I spotted a wickedly smiling Carson standing right behind Rowan¡¯s chair. Oh, crap! He must have already told him.


    "Look who decided to show up. I must admit, I didn''t think you had the guts." Carson smirked, his words dripping with barely concealed malice.


    Drawing a deep breath, I clenched my fists to stop my hands from shaking as I summoned every bit of courage left in me. I can still salvage this!


    "I''m here to settle my debt!" I said loudly to the still-silent Rowan while trying to ignore Carson''s entire existence.


    This sudden proclamation seemed to have taken them both by surprise and finally garnered a reaction from the lordly captain.


    "Oh? And I thought you were here to beg for your life." Rowan replied, raising an eyebrow in apparent amusement.


    "Ha! Where would that rat get any money anyway?!" Carson spat out angrily before narrowing his eyes. "Or did you steal it somewhere?"


    The bastard looked ready to jump over the table and grab me by the neck once again, but Rowan¡¯s raised hand stopped him.


    "Let our friend speak..." He said with a chuckle. "Well?"


    "O-Of course not!" I hurriedly explained. "It was an honest booty, I swear! After digging myself out of the rubble, I got lost in the tunnels. Then, I found this dead wolf-like monster buried in the debris. I carved him open, and by a stroke of fortune, there was a real monster core inside!"


    "But since you were part of the expedition, everything is split equally," Carson interjected, his greedy eyes already locked on my backpack.


    Hearing this, I struggled to keep a calm face. So first, you leave me down there to die, and now you want a cut?


    "That may be true, but since we got separated and you declared me dead, this provision no longer applies..."If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Hahaha! The kid has a point; you shouldn''t have left him down there for the rats!" Rowan burst out laughing. "And by the Reavers'' tenets, what one finds in the wastelands is his to keep. So how much you got?"


    Exhaling in relief, I reached into my coat and pulled out the veritable pile of tokens I¡¯d previously haggled out from the old geezer, the metal clinking softly as I placed it on the polished surface of Rowan¡¯s desk. "Five hundred tokens. Enough to cover what I owe and then some."


    Carson showed an ugly grimace but kept his silence. Knowing I was in the right, the only thing he could now do was stare daggers at me.


    Although I had originally borrowed only three hundred, with my living expenses and the abysmal interest, it quickly got out of hand.


    I was painfully aware that without this newfound fortune I had gotten my hands on, I would likely be toiling for Rowan for the rest of my short, pathetic life.


    Talk about usurious practices¡­ I couldn¡¯t help but grind my teeth, as after this, I would be almost completely tokenless again.


    With a sigh, I then pushed the precious notes toward the thoughtful-looking Rowan, who was observing me with a curious glint in his grey eyes.


    Well, if I think about it, the price of a grade E monster core is around 300 tokens, so he must have expected I wouldn¡¯t be able to pay him in full.


    "Before you ask, there was more than one monster, and I also managed to collect their skins and claws." I smiled innocently as I promptly answered his silent question to avoid any misunderstanding.


    Rowan greedily took the coins away, but then a crooked grin appeared on his face, and I froze, as this face of his didn''t promise anything good.


    "That should cover the initial debt, but as I''m sure you''re aware, you have caused my friend over here some trouble..." he said, pointing toward the smirking Carson. "...So before I can let you go, you''ll have to provide a recompense."


    This lying, thieving bastard! I grimaced, knowing this was pure extortion, but there was nothing I could do about it, so I took a deep breath and carefully asked, "How much?"


    ¡°Debts aren¡¯t just about money, you know¡­¡± Rowan pointed out, smiling coldly, and it was then I realized he had actually no intention of letting me go.


    I felt the trap closing in, and my chest tightened. "What do you want from me?"


    ¡°It¡¯s a simple job, really, even for someone like you¡­¡± He leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. ¡°First, tell me what your connection to that girl who, oh so graciously, stood up for you is. What is she to you?¡±


    I widened my eyes, struggling to come up with a suitable answer. What the hell is even a suitable answer to such a question?


    At that moment, I finally understood that it was never about me or the money. From the very start, all they cared about was that crazy girl, Sara.


    So, what happens if I tell them the truth? That I have nothing to do with her. Would they even believe me? Or should I simply lie to buy myself some time?


    With my thoughts nothing but a jumbled mess, all I could do in the end was force out a smile and try to deflect the question, hoping it would let me off the hook for whatever this whole mess was.


    ¡°What do you mean, Boss? I barely even know her! I have no idea what has gotten into her at the market.¡±


    Rowan chuckled as if he saw right through me. ¡°So that will be your first task. I want you to warm up to her and try to gain her favor.¡±


    ¡°Eh? W-What do you mean, Boss?¡±


    ¡°You see, some time ago, she started frequenting the Outskirts for some reason, and we weren¡¯t yet able to figure out what she¡¯s up to.¡± He began with a scowl.


    ¡°It stinks. She¡¯s definitely plotting something. We can¡¯t openly tail the girl without her noticing. But that¡¯s where you come in... Since you both came from the same place, and she apparently has a soft spot for you, I reckon it¡¯ll be quite easy for you to woo her.¡±


    I was too stunned by such an absurd order to voice any objection to it, which seemed to only reinforce Rowan''s grossly misguided conception about the nature of our non-existent relationship.


    ¡°...and then I want to know where she goes, what she¡¯s doing, who she talks to¡ªeverything. I don¡¯t want her sticking her fancy nose where it doesn''t belong.¡± He finished with a dangerous glint in his eye.


    My instincts screamed at me to say no, to simply run away and never look back. But I knew better. Rowan wasn¡¯t giving me a choice¡ªnot really. If I refused, he¡¯d just take the money and have Carson or someone worse deal with me.


    ¡°And that¡¯s it? If I do this, you¡¯ll let me leave the gang?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Why do you want to leave us that badly? Not like there¡¯s any other place willing to take a loser like you in.¡± Rowan chuckled, but then he simply waved his hand dismissively. "Well, of course! I''m a man of my word, after all..."


    However, he then suddenly leaned forward, his gaze boring into mine as he added the ominous. ¡°But remember this. If you screw this up, finding a roof over your head will be the last of your concerns.¡±

 Chapter 13: Looming Threat

    What the hell just happened? I still couldn''t quite believe that, in the end, I was somehow allowed to leave the compound unharmed.


    However, the absurd order I was given as a parting gift still loudly echoed through my mind. ¡­Woo her, my ass, as if something like that was even remotely possible!


    Rowan couldn''t apparently accept the fact that someone like Sara would stand up for a random slum rat like me, so he made a grossly misguided assumption about the sort of connection we had¡ªwhich was none, and I was hell-bent on letting it stay that way.


    Still, what mattered the most was that I bought myself some time, and I had every intention of using this misunderstanding in my favor.


    Before I left the compound, I stopped by my former bunk, but just as I expected, all my things were already gone, most likely stolen the moment when the rumors about my presumed death began to circulate. Whatever, it was all repurposed junk anyway.


    With that, I threw one last ugly look at the sorry assortment of shacks that had been my home for the past two years before I walked away with my head held high¡ªas a free man, at last!


    Now that I was finally free of that crippling debt, I could begin to put all my bold plans into motion. But first... Right then, my stomach grumbled as if on cue, reminding me I hadn''t eaten anything for almost a whole day.


    So, I carefully retraced my steps back to the market area, where I began searching for something cheap to sate my growling stomach.


    Before, I had hoped I would be able to indulge myself in the fancy food from the upper floors that only people like Rowan could usually afford. But since I was now down to my last fifty tokens, I had to be once again frugal with my funds.


    That¡¯s why I passed the Outskirts¡¯ only pub with great regret and instead headed for one of the shabby-looking food stalls along the main street.


    Even if I couldn¡¯t afford the good stuff, I wanted to at least buy a bowl of rat soup and a loaf of stale bread to accompany it rather than the regular scoop of grovel I usually settled for.


    Huh? How come they now cost three tokens? Didn¡¯t they cost two just a few days ago? I furrowed my brows, looking at the outrageous price tag scribbled on the bread lady¡¯s handcart.


    ¡°What are you gawking at, boy?¡± The old woman snapped at me.


    ¡°Ehm, nothing¡­ I was just wondering about the price; it looks a bit too high.¡±


    ¡°The price is what it is! Take it or leave it!¡± She barked out angrily as if she had this exact conversation too many times today.


    ¡°Alright, alright! I was just asking, that¡¯s all. I¡¯ll take one loaf, please.¡±


    Seeing that I was actually willing to buy, her demeanor changed drastically, and a weak smile appeared on her wrinkled face. ¡°Here you go, lad! One fresh loaf, straight from the oven!¡±


    I looked dubiously at the miserable loaf of bread she was giving me, thinking that the only fresh thing about it were the tiny spots of mold slowly spreading across its crust.


    Still, I was on a tight budget, so I couldn¡¯t be too picky. Let¡¯s just hope there isn¡¯t any sawdust in it.


    I hurriedly swiped the offered loaf from her outstretched hand and counted out the required tokens, handing them over with a strained smile.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    However, when the bread lady saw that I still had plenty of tokens to go around, she suddenly leaned over, whispering. ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d buy an extra today. Who knows, it may be your last one for some time.¡± She said, flashing me a toothless grin.


    Hmph! As if I rise to the bait of such a cheap trick¡­ I scoffed inwardly, but a small worm of doubt had already nestled itself inside my mind. ¡°How come?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear it from me, but there was apparently some kind of accident on the fourth floor, and a portion of their harvest got spoiled. We were already getting too little as it was, but I¡¯m afraid that things are only poised to get even worse from now on.¡±


    Ah! So that¡¯s why the price has increased so much all of a sudden. I nodded to myself, but then I paused, wondering whether I should trust her words or if it was just an elaborate ruse to sell me more bread. Hmm, she doesn¡¯t strike me as someone who would risk their reputation for a quick profit.


    I didn¡¯t know her well, but I remembered that the old bread lady used to be quite kind to us orphans. She never chased us out of the market like some and, from time to time, even gave us leftover scraps for free.


    That¡¯s why I was inclined to trust her on this and buy extra. After all, I could always sell more mana crystals later, but if there is a food shortage, everyone starts hoarding, and I won¡¯t be able to buy anything.


    ¡°Oh? Is that so? I¡¯ll take one more then, please!¡± I said to her after a few moments of pondering. ¡°And one bag of hardtacks,¡± I added as I remembered I also needed to replenish my rations in case I would need to lay low for a time.


    Done with the expensive purchase, I then went into the nearby general store to buy myself a few cloth scraps so I could, in my spare time, patch up my poor clothes, which had many new holes in them.


    The fact that they were still holding up after everything I¡¯d been through in the past few days was already a small miracle by itself. While I was at it, I also bought an extra bottle, a new sack, and a few sturdy ropes in case I came across another opportunity to take in some sweet loot.


    With my final two tokens, I bought a steaming bowl of the questionable soup from the corner stall, one of the most popular ones in the market, as in the Outskirts, hot meals were hard to come by, given how expensive fuel was.


    At least the water is free. I chuckled as I carefully refilled all my bottles with the precious liquid from the communal well in the center of the tiny market square.


    With a sigh, I sat down on a nearby empty crate, soaking half the bread in the soup and leaving the rest for later. Ah, finally, some peace and quiet! Let¡¯s dig in¡­


    It tasted almost as bad as it looked, but it got the job done. Experiencing the pleasant sensation of having a full belly after such a long time, I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Still, there was one glaring flaw spoiling this wondrous occasion. Which were the eyes that now watched me from the shadows, following me everywhere I went.


    It looked like Rowan still didn¡¯t fully trust me and wanted to make sure I held my end of the bargain. It''s that stupid girl''s fault! Why did she have to go out of her way and meddle in other people¡¯s business?


    And it was not like they were unsubtle about what they were doing. It was almost as if they wanted me to see them. That could be a problem; I need to shake them off.


    Having sated my hunger, I made my way into a dark, narrow alley that ran parallel to the main street. The thugs'' heavy footsteps echoed somewhere behind me as I expertly weaved my way between the piles of trash and puddles of runaway water, or worse, by the smell of it.


    At the next junction, I darted left and immediately doubled back right, pressing myself flat against the grimy plank wall. I smiled, watching as Rowan''s thugs ran past my hiding spot, their steps fading into the distance.


    I let out a breath. That was close, but it seemed I''d lost them for now. Yet I had no doubt they would be back soon enough, given the chance. Well, tough luck. I smirked.


    After all, I had no intention of staying here any longer than I needed to. The threat of the next monster raid into my strange new Domain loomed over my head like an executioner¡¯s axe.


    Yet, my main goal to buy some powerful equipment in preparation for it was utterly thwarted by that bastard Carson and his untimely appearance.


    I was once again left with nothing, going straight back to square one. Well, at least I managed to restock on food a bit, so I won¡¯t be going hungry anytime soon. I tried to comfort myself.


    Still, things weren¡¯t as bad as they might seem at first glance. For I still had my glorious pile of scrap safely hidden inside the Domain, just waiting to be transformed into shiny tokens. Alright, let¡¯s go make some real money!

 Chapter 14: Scorching Shortcut

    Selling scrap metal was a very, and I mean very profitable business. Since the last remaining iron mine ran out of ore a few years back, the price of steel skyrocketed.


    Nowadays, the only way to get more steel was through recycling so that ugly mess of distorted pipes and warped cogs I managed to ammas was more valuable than any ordinary E-rank carcass could ever hope to be.


    The notion that I could once again be rolling in the sweet, sweet cash made me giddy with excitement. That said, I couldn¡¯t just start bringing heaps of precious metal into the Outskirts market out of nowhere¡ªthat would only invite trouble.


    Should I sell just a little and then wait until the situation settles before selling more? I briefly considered this but then quickly discarded the idea as it would be too cumbersome to execute while also having to constantly throw off Rowan¡¯s snoopers at the same time.


    No, If I wanted to pull this off, my only chance would be to gain access to the Smelters, which were located deep within the confines of the craftsman¡¯s district on the seventh floor.


    It was where all the Shelter¡¯s metal converged, so a bit more could easily disappear within, and nobody would be any wiser. Still, the real problem was how to get there.


    Ever since the war between the Sentinels and Reavers broke out, checkpoints have been set up everywhere along the main staircase, especially in front of the entrances to the respective floors.


    Technically, we slum rats weren''t forbidden from entering the upper floors, but in reality, it often required bribing the guards so as not to cause us any trouble.


    But since I was currently out of money, trying to talk my way in was out of the question. I had no intention of getting detained for "inspection" in case some greedy bastard took offense at my momentary lack of funds.


    Besides, most of the local guards were deep within Rowan¡¯s pocket, so he would know right away what I was up to.


    Wait... maybe I could go through there. At that very moment, a certain crazy idea popped into my head¡ªI could use the service tunnels under the Generator to bypass the checkpoints!


    As kids, we often sneaked in there, although it was forbidden, and I still remember a few access points close by.


    The Shelter had eight floors in total, and apparently, even more were planned but never completed. For example, the Outskirts¡ªor the slums, as the citizens used to call them¡ªwere located in the ruins of the half-completed ninth floor.


    Whilst the Generator itself was located on the eighth floor, the service shafts extended from the seventh all the way to the ninth floor.


    Nowadays, nobody ever goes there unless they absolutely have to because that place was positively crawling with rats, and I mean the ugly, mutated kind of rats.


    Still, beggars can¡¯t be choosers. I reminded myself. After all, I have recently dealt with plenty of rats down in the Ratways, so what difference would a few more make?


    Forcing a smile, I ensured my hood was lowered deep before I went out to locate one of the hidden entry points in the more abandoned part of the Outskirts.


    With the course of action set, there was no time to waste. There it is! Removing the rusty cover, I took one last deep breath before carefully squeezing inside while listening for any suspicious sounds.


    So hot... The scorching air hit me like a drunk''s fist. I forgot how hot it could get here¡ªall the more reason to get moving. Grimacing, I adjusted my backpack on my shoulder, which was easier said than done, as I began the painfully slow ascent up through the awfully narrow shafts.


    The closer I got to the Generator, the hotter it got. At this point, the walls around me were literally shaking. I looked up with a slight trepidation as I realized I must be right beneath the hellish machine. I gulped, painfully aware that if there was a leak, the steam would melt me long before any rat could eat my sorry corpse.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Right about now, I was beginning to second-guess my ill-fated decision to crawl through here. Still, I have no other choice if I want to keep my business secret. I reminded myself.


    With that, I urged my sore limbs to keep going, eager to have this overly unpleasant stroll over with. So far, so good. I sighed with relief. I could hear the rats scurrying somewhere above, but having previously discovered they were attracted by light, there was a simple solution to this problem¡ªstay in the dark.


    Luckily, the shafts were narrow, and I remembered them well, so I could navigate their tight confines just fine. Soon, I stood before a series of rusty ladders leading to the upper floor. This was as far as I ever went during our outings. From then on, I had to continue on blind¡ªquite literary.


    Despite my class significantly improving my eyesight, it was still useless in a pitch-black darkness. However, there was nowhere to go but up, so clenching my teeth, I placed my hand on the closest rung and began climbing.


    The ladder creaked and groaned as I slowly made my way up, sweat pouring down my face. The oppressive heat wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket.


    I paused to wipe my brow with a grimy sleeve, my breaths coming in short gasps. How much further? The darkness pressed in from all sides, broken only by the tiny flickers of light coming through the occasional crack in the walls.


    Just when I thought the ladder would never end, my head suddenly bumped into something solid. Cursing, I tentatively reached up with my fingers and, to my delight, felt the rugged surface of a metal hatch.


    This must be it! The entry point to the seventh floor. I eagerly tugged at it, but sadly, the hatch didn¡¯t budge. ¡­Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be that easy.


    Down in the Outskirts, keeping a regular maintenance schedule was among the last of people¡¯s concerns. So, nobody cared whether or not all the various service hatches and covers were properly secured. But out here, it was a different story.


    I groped around the edges of the small hatch, trying to find some latch or handle. There! Luckily, this was the type designed to be opened both ways, so I soon felt a small lever poking at my outstretched hand.


    With great difficulty, I somehow managed to turn it, scrunching my face as I felt flakes of rust falling past my face. Then, I took a deep breath, braced my shoulder against the hot metal, and pressed with all my might. Ugh, come on!


    Nothing¡­ The hatch groaned but didn''t budge - it seemed to be sealed tight. Damn it! Now what? At this point, I couldn''t just turn around and go back empty-handed, not after coming this far.


    So I simply tried again and again, pushing with every bit of my now much-improved strength until finally, with a loud crack, the damned hatch relented.


    I froze, straining my ears for any suspicious sounds coming from the other side, afraid that the noise would draw someone¡¯s attention. But to my delight, I heard nothing but the distant hum of machinery.


    Sighing with relief, I slowly pushed the hatch open. It resisted at first, its rusted hinges loudly protesting, but then it finally gave way and, with a soft creak, allowed itself to be lifted while showering me with even more rust than before.


    I poked my head out, blinking from the sudden influx of overly bright light coming from above. Ah! They have that wonder called electricity up here. I wistfully reminded myself.


    It looked like I was in some maintenance room with pipes and wires snaking along the high ceiling. Yet, most importantly, it was empty. Grinning, I crawled out of the narrow hatch, carefully closing it behind me so as not to leave behind any evidence of my clandestine activities. So what now?


    I knew that the smelters were located directly above the Generator, utilizing its excess heat to function, so I figured I must be somewhat close to them already. Yet, at the same time, this was only my second time in the craftsman¡¯s district, and during my last visit, I never went so far in.


    I also didn¡¯t want to draw any unnecessary attention by asking around. Since that could easily get me detained with a charge of being a Sentinels¡¯ spy. Well, I guess I¡¯ll have to wing it somehow.


    With that, I cautiously exited the small room, emerging into what looked like a busy street tightly packed with various shops and apartments. I didn¡¯t recognize this place at all, but as I looked ahead, I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    In the distance, I saw a steady stream of billowing smoke that was conveniently taken out by a series of massive pipes toward the surface, where the thick plumes of grey smoke were subsequently vented, adding to the already hazy, poisoned sky. The Smelters!


    It turned out I didn¡¯t have to worry about getting lost after all. Thus, humming a lively tune, I quickly set out in their direction.

 Chapter 15: Craftsman’s District

    As I neared the massive foundries, the air grew heavy with smog. I could see groups of crafters pushing around carts full of materials, and I even caught a glimpse of the venerated mechanics operating some large machinery.


    Flames licked at the edges of the strange structures, casting an eerie red glow on the workers'' faces. From a distance, it almost looked like a scene from the proverbial hell the nuns in the orphanage used to tell us about.


    Quickly leaving the fiery inferno behind, I then went to locate the main scrapyard, which wasn¡¯t that hard, as it was one of the busiest places around, with many people going in and out.


    Pretending to be one of the young helpers, I stuck to the edges, carefully observing their operation and, most importantly, the buyout price so that they wouldn''t rip me off when I brought in my haul.


    Being young and without connections had its disadvantages, especially in a place like this where everyone was scrambling to carve out as much of the dwindling resources for themselves as possible.


    Tough luck¡­ I smirked before swiftly leaving the scene and disappearing into the passing crowd. I have already learned my lesson and won¡¯t let anyone take advantage of me.


    After finding out all I needed, there was no reason for me to remain put. I still had some time before the [Portal]¡¯s cooldown ended, and I could go retrieve my precious cargo. So, in the meantime, I decided to take a little peek around the floor and, most importantly, at the famous Market Street.


    Wow! This is something else¡­ Of course, I knew that people in the craftsman¡¯s district were living very different lives compared to the unseemly shithole that was the Outskirts. Still, walking through these unfamiliar streets and seeing all of this, I couldn¡¯t help but widen my eyes in awe.


    The narrow alleys, barely wide enough for two people to pass each other, twisted and turned like the gears of some colossal machine. My boots clanked against the metal grates underfoot, and at every step, I was greeted by the insistent sound of hammering coming from all directions.


    The walls were a patchwork of rust and rivets, telling stories of time and toil, and the air was heavy, carrying a distinct, metallic scent.


    Suddenly feeling lightheaded, I had to pause for a bit. With so many people and all the smoke, it was getting a bit hard to breathe. However, despite this, I noticed that the people here didn''t have those sunken faces and empty eyes I was so used to seeing down in the Outskirts.


    Likewise, the children were happily running between the tightly packed houses, laughing, not begging for food scraps or rummaging through trash. It was like I was on another planet, not just a different floor separated by nothing but a few meters of reinforced concrete.


    Well, it was to be expected that the local residents would enjoy the luxury of proper jobs and stable incomes. After all, the work they did was vital for the survival of the whole Shelter.


    As I neared the famous Market Street - the floor¡¯s staple, the crowds began to thicken. The narrow passage then opened into a wide boulevard. Well, calling it a boulevard is probably way too generous. Still, it was one of the most spacious streets in the entire Shelter.


    On my right, in what looked like an open workshop, I saw a group of men in leather aprons, their hands and faces smudged with soot and oil. But they didn¡¯t seem to mind as they were leaning over their small worktables, busily crafting peculiar devices from scraps of the old world. These must be the tinkerers!


    The rumor was that you could find almost anything here, legal or illegal alike, as long as you had enough tokens, that is.


    I had come to this place once before. It was right here where I bought my equipment after borrowing the money from Rowan. Remembering it, I couldn¡¯t help but scoff at how naive I was. Granted, I was now coming here for the exact same purpose. Yet my circumstances couldn¡¯t be more different.


    From time to time, I turned over my shoulder, afraid I was being followed. I knew it was an irrational fear as Rowan¡¯s lackeys couldn¡¯t have sniffed me out so fast, and the man himself held no power on this particular floor.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Still, time was of the essence because I had no doubt he would be able to find me soon enough. So what should I buy? A fancy weapon or a proper set of armor? Or perhaps some enchanted accessory?


    Of course, I''d love to buy everything. But sadly, my funds were still quite limited, so I had to prioritize.


    When it came to weapons, I had my new shiny machete safely hidden inside the Domain. But I knew that it wouldn¡¯t be nearly enough for what was to come, as the monsters'' hides were often too tough to be cut by a mundane blade.


    The lack of armor is also quite a serious problem. I thought as the image of the death stalker''s sharp fangs flashed through my mind. Yeah, if that wolf had bitten me, I would be dead in an instant.


    I couldn¡¯t keep relying on simple luck or the ill-fated hope that I would always somehow wing it¡ªthat would be a fool¡¯s errand.


    Deep in thought, I continued weaving through the crowded market, dodging peddlers and avoiding eye contact. The last thing I needed was to be recognized. Up ahead, a weathered sign reading ''Roric''s Armory'' creaked in the musty breeze generated by the air filtration unit.


    Smiling, I slipped inside. The store was dimly lit and smelled of old leather and oil. Yet, my heart pounded with excitement as I looked at all the unnervingly sharp weapons hanging on the walls - swords, axes, spears, and even a few rusty firearms tucked away in the corner.


    This wasn''t anything like those shady stores in the Outskirts where you had to rummage through a pile of junk in hopes of finding something useful.


    On the opposite wall, the shelves were overflowing with various pieces of gleaming armor, beckoning me to take a closer look. But before I could, a rugged voice sounded from behind me. "What''s a scrawny thing like you doing in my shop? Looking for trouble?"


    I hurriedly turned around and finally registered the grizzled old man who sat behind the counter.


    ¡°Good day to you, sir!¡± I nodded respectfully, trying to exude an air of confidence.


    ¡°Well, can I help you with something, boy?¡± he grunted.


    ¡°Oh, please excuse my intrusion, sir! I¡¯m just running an errand and¡­¡± I replied, looking down evasively.


    The burly shopkeeper chuckled, smiling knowingly before scoffing. ¡°Hmph! So nowadays, the great Hunters are too lazy even to pick up their own gear, is it?¡±


    I said nothing, letting him come to his own conclusions. Happy that my little trick worked, I then smiled innocently. ¡°Would you help me, sir?¡±


    When the shopkeeper found out I had no nefarious purpose and was apparently sent here by some lazy Hunter, his demeanor quickly changed, becoming much more helpful. He even allowed me to check all his premium gear without any suspicion.


    ¡°So, what does your esteemed employer require?¡± He asked after a while.


    ¡°Well, he said he¡¯d like to upgrade his weapon and maybe pick a sturdier armor if the budget allows,¡± I said, eyeing the broad selection before me with hardly concealed excitement.


    However, after seeing the prices, my eyes almost popped. 1200 tokens for a stupid mace? Granted, it was made from some special steel that was enhanced with added toughness, so in able hands, it could apparently crack the skulls of E-category monsters like it was nothing. Exactly what I need, but still.


    Bats or maces were the most popular weapons among the Hunters. They were cheap and easy to master. A few good smacks over the head worked just as well as any sword strike would, or sometimes even better. Not to mention, apart from a few posh people from the upper floors, nobody down here had time to learn how to fence.


    But looking at the prices of enhanced gear, it seemed I had severely underestimated how much I would need. So, after excusing myself, I quickly exited the fancy store.


    I lingered around the market some more before heading back toward the scrapyard. This should be far enough¡­ I nodded to myself as I made my way behind a nearby empty storehouse. Then, not wasting a moment, I promptly activated the [Portal] and disappeared from the alley without a trace.


    Only then, when I was finally safe and alone, I allowed myself to slump down, grimacing. ¡°Damn it all!¡±


    This was supposed to be my triumph, my hidden ace. Yet even if I somehow managed to sell the whole pile, it wouldn¡¯t be nearly enough to buy me just a single enhanced item! It¡¯s like everything I touch is destined to fail. And now, all that is left is to wait for the inevitable death when those monsters barge in.


    If only I never went on that stupid expedition in the first place¡­ Well, if I didn¡¯t, I would still be a classless, indebted slum rat. I chuckled self-depreciatingly.


    Still, what good did my new Class bring me? So far, it had been nothing but suffering and hardship. I¡¯d much rather be a live rat than a dead hero¡­ I reasoned. Let¡¯s be frank: that whole expedition was a giant folly from the very start. Even that rumored treasure trove amounted to nothing. If there ever was anything there, it¡¯s now buried forever.


    ¡­Wait! Buried? Suddenly struck by a certain crazy idea, a crooked smile began slowly spreading across my face.

 Chapter 16: Burdensome Bargain

    I sat on the Domain¡¯s cold floor, contemplating my poor life choices. I wasn''t keen on spending another night sleeping on the hard ground, but if nothing else, I should be safe there¡ªat least for a few more days, I reluctantly added.


    [02:18:44:16]


    The sight of the hateful timer continuing its slow march toward zero certainly didn¡¯t help ease my worries; it only further exacerbated my already gloomy mood.


    I don''t have much time left¡­ It took me almost two days to finally return to the Shelter, and now I was back to square one with nothing to show for it¡ªwell, almost nothing.


    At least I managed to clear out my debt and was now finally free of the crippling burden that had weighed me down for the past two years. Yet even such wondrous news, which would usually be worthy of a grand celebration, brought me no comfort.


    The only thing on my mind right now was the stupid countdown. The gut-wrenching fear of what would happen when it hit zero was threatening to devour the last remnants of my sanity.


    I was now faced with two options. I could either sit in the relative safety of the Shelter, slowly selling my mountain of scrap while I waited for the inevitable. A round trip to the scrapyard would take approximately 16 hours, considering I have to wait for the Skill¡¯s cooldown to reset¡­ Meaning I can make, at best, four runs before I¡¯m out of time.


    I gazed lovingly at the massive pile, briefly sizing it up before coming to the conclusion that selling the whole thing would take me at least ten trips, if not more. And even then, I would, at best, be able to buy a set of mundane gear.


    ¡­Or I could brave the Ratway¡¯s stifled darkness once more in the faint hope of finding the Army¡¯s hidden stash before the next wave hit.


    That¡¯s right! I completely forgot about that. There was still that supposed supply depot Rowan was so desperate to find, which was the target of the last expedition. I donned a wicked grin. They still think the way to it is barred by the pile of debris, not knowing Rocky has burrowed right through it.


    If I could go back there and retrieve its precious contents, all my money troubles could be gone in an instant. If Rowan took all my tokens, I think I should return him the favor¡­


    Yet retrieving it would be the easy part¡ªI would first have to somehow survive the journey down there in one piece. Last time, I was lucky that most of the local monster population either died or fled the area due to the earthquake, and I had zero doubts that by now, they would be back and very, very hungry.


    Not to mention, I had no idea if there even was something useful in there, or anything at all¡­ No, I saw the gate with my own eyes, so there¡¯s definitely something. But whether or not it could help me out of my current predicament was anyone¡¯s guess. For all I knew, it could be just a bunch of rotten uniforms, as I had heard of such discoveries in the past.


    So, in the end, it all comes down to choosing between a certain death or a most likely death with a tiny sliver of hope if everything works out perfectly.


    I chuckled, not liking those odds one bit. Still, before I could even think about going on another expedition into the dark tunnels, there were plenty of preparations to make. Previously, I somehow made it out by sheer luck, but I knew I couldn¡¯t continue to rely on fortune alone.


    Nevertheless, with Rocky¡¯s help and my new machete, I was fairly confident I could handle the monstrous rats or similar vermin just fine. I just had to pray that nothing stronger would show up.


    Normally, I would never consider something like this. But when the alternative was a certain death, any other option was a welcomed one. Alright, let¡¯s do this!


    Now that I had made my choice, it was time to attend to the other matters. First, I dropped my backpack, taking out all the extra food and water I bought. Storing it here meant I didn¡¯t have to lug it around, thus preserving my limited stamina.


    There was something called [Farm] in the list of available buildings, but I had been reluctant to build it because I have zero farming experience and no idea how long it would actually take to grow something. So, I put it off as a last resort.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Done with the food, it was finally time to sort out my precious scrap. After all, it would be a shame not to sell at least one load when I was up here.


    There were still about eight hours before a new mana crystal would appear, so there was no reason to bother checking the mine for now.


    All done¡­ A few hours later, everything was ready, so I decided to call it early and went to sleep, as tomorrow promised to be another very busy day. Aren¡¯t all my days like that lately? It¡¯s like being busy has become a new norm for me. I chuckled before dozing off.


    ***


    The next morning, I woke up well-rested and eager to start my scrap-selling scheme to earn some much-needed cash. But before that, I went to check the [Mana Mine], and as I had expected, there was yet another shiny crystal growing from the crystalline ceiling.


    It was cold to the touch and humming with energy. I hurriedly broke it off and briefly studied it, but it seemed exactly the same as the previous one.


    [Petty Mana Shard (Capacity: 100/100)]


    So what should I do with it? Selling it would earn me another 300 tokens on top of whatever I would get from selling the scrap metal.


    However, one could be waved off as a lucky find, but if I started selling them on a regular basis, it would get suspicious, and if the word got out, then evading Rowan¡¯s lackeys would be the least of my problems. Thus, I decided it would be better to wait until the situation settled a bit.


    With that, it was time to move. So, I walked over to the already sorted pile and grabbed a few sizeable pieces, tying them all together with my brand-new ropes. Time to hit the Smelters!


    However, right then, I realized another problem. I have to somehow bring Rocky with me. If I were to make it in time before the next wave, I wouldn¡¯t have time to summon the [Portal] again inside the Ratways.


    The notion I could be forced into exploring the eerie Ratways without Rocky¡¯s stalwart presence was nothing but horrifying. Still, getting him past all the security checkpoints will be a pain in the ass. I thought dejectedly.


    I emerged from the [Portal] in the same dilapidated back alley. There were no signs of any tails stalking the area, which brought a smile to my face. However, I was painfully aware that this relative peace wouldn''t last long.


    Making sure the air was clear, I prompted Rocky to come through before quickly hauling my burdensome cargo into the empty storeroom. The weight of the sack made my shoulders ache, but it was worth it.


    Uff, this should be far enough. I dropped the heavy sack to the floor away in the corner and then ordered the tiny golem to guard the pile of scrap and my machete with his life. Meanwhile, I slowly crept toward the silent scrapyard.


    It was still quite early, so the morning shift hadn¡¯t started working yet. My young age came into play once again, so when I borrowed one of the wheelbarrows, nobody suspected a thing, thinking I was simply one of the helpers.


    Upon returning to the storeroom, I then loaded the wheelbarrow to the brim with scrap metal, smiling broadly. With the empty sack, I covered Rocky¡¯s small body so he looked just like any other piece of local junk. Perfect!


    Keeping my head down, I slowly pushed the wheelbarrow toward the scrapyard. By the time I got there, the business was already in full swing. So I expertly weaved between the small crowd, making my way over to the shift foreman.


    He was a burly man with arms like steel girders. "What d''ya want?" He grumbled without even looking up.


    "I have metal to sell," I said, pointing to my sizeable load.


    The foreman slowly lifted his eyes, squinting at me suspiciously. At first, I was afraid he would throw me out, thinking I had stolen it somewhere. But to my delight, he simply nodded after a short while, saying, "Let''s see it then."


    I unloaded the wheelbarrow onto the massive scale, revealing the large assortment of bent pipes, shredded gears, and various mechanical detritus I had scavenged from the abandoned lab.


    The scrapyard chief rifled through my haul, scrutinizing each piece. He picked up a mangled gear and turned it over in his greasy hands.


    "Hmm, not bad, not bad," he muttered. "Where did you get so much? I''ll give ya 80 tokens for the lot."


    I couldn¡¯t help but widen my eyes at the offer. So much money! If this were before, I would be jumping around in joy. But after learning how much the mana crystals sold for, it wasn¡¯t that hard to keep a straight face.


    Let¡¯s see how much I could stretch it¡­ "80?" I scoffed. "This is prime scrap. A hundred, minimum!"


    The foreman let out a belting laugh. "You''ve got guts, kid." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I''ll give ya 90; that''s my final offer. Take it or leave it."


    "Deal," I said, doing my best to keep my voice even. We shook on it, his gigantic hand almost swallowing mine.


    Alright! Now, let¡¯s buy some cheap armor with it, and I¡¯ll be ready to go find myself some treasure!

 Chapter 17: Deadly Supplies (1)

    With my newfound wealth jingling in my pockets, I bid farewell to the bustling scrapyard and returned to Market Street, my steps light with anticipation.


    I then gave the fancy store I went into yesterday a wide berth and instead entered another nearby shop that looked like it would be a lot more considerate toward my poor purse.


    The said establishment was a cramped, dimly lit space with rusty metal shelves that were stuffed full of battered, secondhand gear, giving the room an eerie yet enticing atmosphere.


    That¡¯s more like it¡­ Smiling, I swiftly approached the bored-looking shopkeeper - a sly old man with beady eyes who sat behind a particularly time-worn counter.


    "Whatcha need, boy?" he rasped, eyeing me suspiciously.


    I blinked in confusion, slightly taken aback by his hostile demeanor. Why is every merchant on this floor staring at me like I just mugged their grandmother? I silently wondered.


    I knew that my current attire was far from desirable, and I was also covered by a thin layer of soot and grime from crawling through the vents, but still. He could at least drop the scowl; I¡¯m about to make a big purchase, after all.


    Nevertheless, I didn¡¯t let it deter me as I put on my most confident smile. "I''m looking for some armor¡­ Something light but sturdy."


    The shopkeeper snorted. "Light and sturdy, eh? That''ll cost ya. More than a little scrawny runt like you can afford, I reckon."


    ¡­And what¡¯s with everyone calling me scrawny!? Every orphan looks like that! It¡¯s not my fault that the lofty Sentinels couldn¡¯t spare enough tokens to feed us properly.


    ¡°I have tokens,¡± I replied, defiantly meeting his gaze.


    He looked at me dubiously for a moment, but after spotting my swollen pouch, his eyes gleamed. ¡°Lemme see what I can find for ya¡­¡±


    With that, the shopkeeper grunted and heaved himself up from his stool. He shuffled over to a rack of dusty leather armor and started rummaging through it. After a while, he pulled out a sleek-looking chest piece and tossed it over. "Here, try this on."


    I somehow managed to catch it and went on to examine the supple yet sturdy leather. It was worn in places but seemed to be in decent shape overall.


    "This beauty is made out of a devil¡¯s goat skin. Light as a feather but tough as nails." The shopkeeper proudly explained.


    I ran my fingers over the chest piece. It felt solid. I slipped it over my head, surprised by how well it fit. Smiling, I nodded with satisfaction. This could make all the difference down there.


    "It ain''t pretty, but it''ll stop a knife or even a monster''s claws just fine ¡­most likely." He added, flashing me a crooked grin.


    "How much?" I asked, trying not to let my eagerness show. I had a feeling this crook would jack up the price if he sensed any of my acute need for added protection.


    The man rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowing as he sized me up. "For you... let''s say a hundred. And that''s cuttin'' ya a deal, boy."


    I grimaced at the steep price but knew I couldn''t afford to be stingy, not when my life was on the line. So, after a bit of haggling, we settled on 85 tokens. It was still a pretty hefty sum, but I figured it was a worthwhile investment.


    Then, with my remaining five tokens, I bought some more food on the market as I had no idea where I would be able to make it back up here.


    And just like that, all my money was once again gone, so with a sigh, I trundled back to the small warehouse to retrieve my precious belongings.


    Once there, I ordered Rocky to be perfectly still while I stuffed him inside the empty sack and heaved him onto my shoulders. For all intents and purposes, he was now just another piece of nameless cargo, and I was one of the many porters running up and down the stairs.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    I put my supplies in a separate bag and added them to the top to mask any potential glow that might leak through the slits in the fabric.


    ¡­And as a final touch, I boldly strapped the sick-looking machete to my belt. Even if the guards decided to inspect me, I could now just pretend I bought it in the Craftsman¡¯s district.


    I kept my head low, expertly weaving through the various carts piled high with goods and strange mechanical contraptions alike. Ugh, so heavy! I grimaced, struggling under the insane load. Who could have thought that such a tiny golem would be so weighty?


    My heart raced as I spotted the first checkpoint¡ªtwo burly guards sagging against the wall, clearly bored by their uneventful duty. I adjusted my sack, ensuring Rocky was hidden from sight while trying my best to match my movements with those of the surrounding crowd.


    The guards'' eyes flicked over the scene, dull and unyielding. I held my breath, trying to look as unassuming as possible. Then, just as fast as they appeared, they were gone, and I was on the stairs, quickly disappearing behind the first bend.


    Perfect. I smiled. Luckily, the only thing the guards cared about most of the time was that no one unwanted would sneak onto the floor. As to leaving it - they couldn¡¯t care less.


    But that wouldn¡¯t be true for the next one, and as if to confirm my suspicions, right as I made it in front of the ninth-floor entrance, I suddenly heard a shout.


    "Oi! You!" One of the guards barked, his voice slicing through the everpresent noise of the Generator. My heart lurched as my eyes darted up to meet his gaze. "What''ve you got in that sack?"


    I swallowed hard, forcing a smile while praying to all the saints that they wouldn¡¯t ask me to remove my cloak. "Oh, just some supplies for the pub," I hurriedly replied, trying to sound casual, though my voice cracked slightly at the edges.


    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°You have food?¡± This question seemed to have attracted the attention of the other guy standing nearby. ¡°Food? Let¡¯s see it then!¡±


    ¡°Ehm¡­¡± When I saw their greedy looks, I immediately realized my mistake and began panicking. The last thing I needed was for them to find out Rocky.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing much. Here! Take a look for yourself¡­¡± I flashed them a grin, quickly removing one of the bags of grain I bought upstairs and tossing it over to the pair of sleazy guards.


    I could see their hungry eyes eagerly following the flying sack as the closer one swiftly raised his hand to catch it.


    Smirking under my hood, I used this momentary distraction to weave past him, slipping into the Outskirts and promptly disappearing within their dark confines.


    That was close¡­ It seemed that the food situation down here was even worse than I thought. It was a shame to lose half of my newly bought supplies like that, but it was much better than the alternative.


    If nothing is done about it, things might get ugly soon. Hopefully, I won¡¯t be anywhere near this shithole when that happens.


    I should probably also do something about that stupid order Rowan gave me. Not that I was planning to go through with it, of course, only to make it look like I was following it while making sure they saw me doing it.


    Still, from what Rowan had told me, Sara apparently only came down to the Outskirts twice a week, and since she was here just yesterday, I had some time before she was supposed to show up again.


    ¡­All the more reason to get moving. With that, I kept to the shadows, ensuring nobody followed me while I made a beeline for the Ratways¡¯ entrance.


    As I approached the final guard post, the pair of watchers stationed there gave me an incredulous look. After all, the Ratways weren¡¯t known as a pleasant location for a morning stroll.


    Luckily, I knew these particular guards quite well. One of them was even a former orphan like me, thus a bit sympathetic to my cause. ¡°Jayden, you¡¯re alive! So the rumors were true¡­¡±


    I gave him a nod. ¡°Good to see you too, Trevor. Can I pass?¡±


    ¡°Huh, why would you want to go back there? And what¡¯s in that big sack?¡±


    I flashed him a smile.¡±Rat hunting, why else? These are just a few traps I bought with the proceeds from the last expedition.¡± I then leaned closer, whispering. ¡°You see¡­ while I was down there, I found a nest and a big one to boost.¡±


    ¡°And what about Captain? Did he give you permission to leave? You know what happened the last time you tried to sneak out.¡±


    I grimaced. ¡°You don¡¯t have to remind me... Anyway, I¡¯m officially done with that bastard; I have repaid my debt, so I¡¯m not beholden to him anymore.¡±


    ¡°You did? Good for you!¡± Trevor widened his eyes in surprise before adopting a serious expression. ¡°But don¡¯t let anyone hear you calling the Captain names like that. You know how he feels about it. Here you¡¯re among friends, but if any of his goons catch that, you¡¯d be in real trouble¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, I know¡­ So may I go?¡± I said dismissively while pointing toward the dark passage ahead.


    Witnessing my brazen disregard for authorities, Trevor sighed, shaking his head in exasperation before waving me off. ¡°Okay, you may go, but make sure you come back. I¡¯d hate to declare you dead a second time¡­¡±

 Chapter 18: Deadly Supplies (2)

    Here we go again¡­ I took a deep breath, the cool, musty air of the Ratways filling my lungs as I descended further into the darkness. The echoes of my footsteps bounced off the walls, a lonely sound in the vast, oppressive silence.


    I will never get used to this. Sneaking cautiously, I made it far enough so I could barely see the guard post¡¯s lights anymore. Then, after making sure nobody was following me, I finally dropped my overly heavy burden to the ground with a dull thud. Ah, that¡¯s much better!


    Not wasting a breath, I hurriedly freed Rocky from the sack before ordering my dazzled-looking minion to move to the front to act as a shield if need be. ¡°Are you ready for another adventure?¡± I whispered to the tiny golem with a hint of excitement in my voice.


    Not waiting for a reply that I knew wouldn¡¯t come, I tightly grasped the hilt of my new machete as we began the long descent back into the dark depths below.


    Despite what I previously told Trevor, I had actually no intention of hunting rats or finding their nests, as they gave me no... What was it called again? Soul essence, that¡¯s right!


    Besides, I was never much of a fighter in the first place. I¡¯d much rather spend my time digging through scrap than risk my life fighting monsters. Thus, true to my word, I stuck to the shadows while carefully tiptoeing through the dark.


    It took many hours, but we somehow made it all the way back to the site of the recent cave-in. Although we had to make a few detours to avoid the prowling rat packs, our descent was surprisingly easy - at least compared to last time.


    When I looked back at how many difficulties we had to face during the ill-fated expedition, I couldn¡¯t help but shake my head in bewilderment.


    Well, if I think about this, it isn¡¯t that surprising, to be honest. Before, I was only a frail, malnourished youth equipped with nothing but a lantern and a rusty knife. Similarly, Carson and the others were also just a bunch of mundane brawlers, although they would have liked to think of themselves otherwise.


    I cast a wary glance at the collapsed tunnel in front of me. The heaps of debris were still there, but now, a clear path was leading straight through. Giving the concrete a few kicks to make sure it was solid and wouldn¡¯t collapse on me, I then took a deep breath and squeezed inside the narrow passage.


    It should be somewhere around here¡­ Pausing, I tried to remember the exact location of the side corridor. Then I noticed a strangely colored piece of rock, remembering that the side tunnel had exactly this kind of wall, which was much darker in color than the rest.


    "Shatter!" With a smile, I promptly invoked the name of Rocky''s most useful Skill as I pointed toward a particularly large pile of debris. My tiny minion lingered for a moment before dutifully carrying out his order.


    The chunks of concrete quivered before turning into dust and sifting to the tunnel''s floor. It took several more attempts, but after a while, the unmistakable contours of a dark hole began to surface.


    Huh? Did it survive intact? I blinked in bewilderment. It seemed that this tunnel must have been built from a much sturdier material than the main corridor, as it didn¡¯t bear any signs of damage.


    It took another at least half an hour before the hole was large enough for us to enter. This time, however, I didn¡¯t charge in blindly, remembering what had happened before. Instead, I picked up a small pebble and threw it inside while listening for any suspicious sounds.


    Not hearing anything except for my rugged breath, I sighed in relief before stepping in. I then carefully traversed the old tunnel and continued through it until finally. I was once again standing in front of the same sturdy-looking metal gate as before.


    I couldn¡¯t quite believe my luck. To think it was right here, waiting for me the whole time. I grimaced, berating myself for not bothering to check it the last time. But then I shook my head, knowing it was pointless to second-guess my previous decision. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Back then, I was simply too hungry and tired to think about anything other than how to make it back to the Shelter alive.


    So now what? I tugged at the gate, trying every trick in the book to open it, but it didn¡¯t budge. There weren¡¯t also any convenient levers or hatch wheels anywhere in sight.


    At my wit''s end, I sighed before looking over to where Rocky quietly waited and ordered him to burrow through it. However, to my surprise, the only thing he did was turn his head toward me before becoming still. I waited for a short while, but nothing happened. ¡°What? You can''t burrow through metal?¡±


    ¡°¡­I guess you can''t.¡± I then smiled, pointing at a wall section right next to the metal doors. ¡°What about this then?¡±


    This time, he finally moved. Stretching his little arm, he activated his skill, and a small portion of the wall evaporated. But despite the sizeable dent, the wall looked exactly as sturdy and menacing as before. I guess this will take some time.


    Rocky continued to burrow through it piece by piece, yet the wall didn''t seem to show any signs of weakening. Who would even need such thick walls? I exhaled in exasperation.


    Still, I was determined to see this through and discover what was on the other side no matter what, so I kept at it, and slowly yet inevitably, a small hole materialized in front of me.


    I made Rocky enlarge it as much as he could so that I could squeeze through without much trouble. When it was finally done, I swiftly lit my lantern and stuck it inside.


    Lighting my lamp was risky, but crawling into an unknown space without knowing what was inside was even riskier.


    The room was relatively small, but what was more important, I didn''t sense any movement or strange smells signaling the presence of a monster''s nest. The only things I smelled were oil and a faint scent of gunpowder.


    Alright, the moment of truth. ¡°Ugh!¡± I somehow managed to crawl through to the other side before quickly jumping to my feet. I then raised my lamp high, lighting up the whole room.


    What I saw took my breath away. Crates. Dozens upon dozens of crates were stacked atop one another. And not any regular crates either, but the heavy, reinforced kind of crates used by the Army. The room was full of them.


    Once before, I managed to steal a glimpse of exactly this type of crate in the courtyard of the gang¡¯s compound after one of Rowan¡¯s teams unearthed it from some old ruin, so I knew right away this was the real deal.


    Grinning, I tentatively opened one of them and peeked inside. What I found were several long shiny metal tubes meticulously oiled for protection¡ªguns.


    And it was not those cheap improvised rusty shotguns one could see in the shops from time to time. No, those were genuine rifles. Looking closer, I could make out a single line of characters carved onto them in neat writing. It wrote ¡®Erfurt 1902¡¯.


    I had no idea what it meant and frankly didn¡¯t care. All that mattered was that it was a real gun. But this raised another problem. Hmm, how should I go about this?


    There were simply too many crates to pass through the [Portal] all at once. I could only keep it open for about a minute or so, and the previous trick wouldn¡¯t work here as the room was perfectly flat.


    While wondering what to do, I failed to notice the inconspicuous hole in the back wall, and by the time I did, it was already too late. It was only when I caught a faint movement in the corner of my eye that I finally perked up.


    At first, there was only this weird rustling noise, quickly followed by many spindly legs. Oh, no! Spiders!


    Staring at the emerging spiders, my heart sank into my boots. Their bodies glistened with an unnatural metallic sheen, their legs ending in sharp, needle-like points that could easily pierce through leather, let alone my new armor.


    [(Juvenile) Petty Arachnid]


    ...And by the look of it, these were not your typical mutated vermin that inhabited the Ratways'' dark corners; they were genuine monsters. Damn, it!


    Luckily, I always kept Rocky close at hand, so while frantically ordering my stalwart golem to defend me, I had just about enough time to raise my machete, fencing off the abominable legs of the first spider that lunged at me.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± The spider bounced off, skittering to my right. I widened my eyes, realizing that he was now blocking our sole escape route.


    Meanwhile, another spider managed to sink its gruesome fangs into Rocky but fortunately failed to penetrate its sturdy body. However, the sickly green ooze it left behind made no doubt about its nature. Crap! They¡¯re poisonous!


    Surrounded and besieged, we all of a sudden found ourselves in a truly hopeless situation. But I didn¡¯t despair just yet, as there was still one last thing I could try. The only question was, Will I make it in time?


    There was only one way to find out. With that, I grimaced as the contours of an ominous-looking black door started to slowly take shape.

 Chapter 19: Deadly Supplies (3)

    I watched with bated breath as the [Portal] began taking shape right in the middle of the towering crates. Yet, although it usually took only a short while to pop into existence, this time, it was still too slow for my liking.


    Casting a quick glance to my right, the first spider all but recovered from our brief clash and was already getting ready to throw itself at me again. Come on¡­ Come on! I urged it, willing it to manifest faster.


    Still, I knew it wouldn¡¯t be fast enough, so I dropped my machete and grabbed one of the abundant crates. Then, not wasting a breath, I promptly threw it at the skittering abomination. Take this!


    The crate plummeted through the air for a brief moment, painting a graceful arc before bursting at impact and spilling its precious contents to the ground. My surprise attack didn¡¯t do much; it only seemed to make the spider even angrier. Still, it bought me a few short moments, and that was all I needed for the portal to finish manifesting.


    After all, I didn¡¯t choose this placement at random¡ªit was the only free space between the crates and the wall, effectively blocking the creepy-looking monster from getting to me.


    This was the first time I had tried using the mysterious doorway as an impromptu shield, and to my relief, it somehow worked. Right then, the spider paused and hissed angrily, yet it was reluctant to come near the shimmering abyss.


    Tough luck, bastard! You won¡¯t get to eat me today¡­ Smiling darkly, I then ordered Rocky to push the remaining monsters out and pluck the damn hole with his own body to stop more of those spiders from coming through.


    My faithful minion reacted almost instantly. Before the spiders could do anything, a rain of stony fists descended on them like an avalanche. These arachnids were surprisingly fast and, no doubt, incredibly deadly. Yet, when faced with a solid wall of rock, the only thing they could do was hurriedly retreat.


    This was not that surprising. Ultimately, like any other living creature, their innards were made of flesh and thus inherently squishy. And right now, in this cramped space where they couldn¡¯t properly deploy their superior agility, that attribute was playing against them.


    Seeing that the situation was somewhat stable for the moment, I exhaled in relief before stumbling over to the piled-up crates. There was, of course, no way I would leave empty-handed, not after making it this far.


    I then lifted one of the weapon crates and unceremoniously tossed it into the dark hole. The surface rippled and then sucked the crate right through.


    Grinning, I quickly began stuffing in more, eagerly watching as crate after crate disappeared into the portal¡¯s maw. I was painfully aware that I would be able to take only a tiny fraction of the room¡¯s contents. Still, each crate could be the difference between life and death, so I clenched my teeth and kept at it.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± My heart pounded in my chest like crazy, and I panted heavily from both the recent scuffle as well as the exertion of having to maintain the active portal. I knew I couldn¡¯t keep this up for much longer. Just a few more¡­


    Wait! But then I paused mid-step, widening my eyes as I realized another problem. I can¡¯t take just the weapons; I¡¯ll need ammunition, too!


    Squinting my eyes at the unreadable labels, I frantically scanned the small storeroom, searching for some clue that could help me locate it. It has to be here somewhere.


    There were a lot of crates here, each row of a different size and shape, and I had no idea what was in them and no time to check.


    ¡­And the fact that it was now near pitch black certainly didn¡¯t help. Damn it! My lamp must have fallen to the ground sometime during the chaos, thus plunging the room into darkness, and now I could barely see anything at all.


    I glanced over to where Rocky heroically defended the hole, but I knew it was a losing battle, and it was just a matter of time before he would be overwhelmed.


    So, with no better idea, I quickly grabbed a crate from each row at random, praying at least one would have what I needed. This must-do for now.


    "Come here!" I shouted at Rocky. The spiders were relentless, their legs scraping against the metal floor, a sound that I had no doubts would haunt my dreams in the days to come.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    I darted through the [Portal], pulling Rocky in just as a particularly large spider lunged, its fangs snapping mere centimeters from where I had stood. However, by then, we had already disappeared inside.


    Back in the relative safety of the Domain, I collapsed, breathing heavily but not before shutting down the mysterious gateway so that none of the creepy spiders could follow. Great¡­ Now, the only way back to the real world was blocked by an army of angry, poisonous spiders. So, until I figured out a way to deal with them, I was effectively stuck here.


    Anyway, that was something to worry about later. Right now, I have better things to do, namely¡­ Looking up, several crates lay scattered around me in a haphazard pile. Let¡¯s see what we have here.


    Smiling, I eagerly began opening them one by one. After all, since I was taking them at random, I didn¡¯t have time to check what was in them before.


    Of course, there were the guns, precisely three crates of them. I took one of them out. The weight of it felt strangely comforting, a stark contrast to the machete I had been relying on until now. The metal was cool and sleek, and the craftsmanship was undeniable even to someone like me who knew little about such things.


    Smiling, I carefully pulled out the rest of the rifles, counting them one by one. Six pieces each, for a total of 18 guns¡­ At this point, I had enough guns to arm an entire guard squad. Well, not that it mattered, as there was no one here besides me who could use them.


    The majority of Hunters frowned upon the use of firearms, as the bullets were often too weak to penetrate the monsters¡¯ skin unless the bullets themselves were enhanced with mana. Furthermore, using guns was often tantamount to suicide, as their noise acted like a magnet for the monsters, so they were mostly relegated to being a weapon of last resort.


    However, I didn¡¯t have to worry about any of that as the noise didn¡¯t matter at all here, inside the Domain. Are those breathing masks? I blinked as I opened yet another crate. Well, an early version of them, at least, as these didn¡¯t look like they had a mana-enhanced filter at all.


    Then, there were two crates of ammunition. And the last three crates were full of strange oval-shaped tubes. Huh? What¡¯s this? I cautiously turned it over in my hand. There was no label on it and no obvious way to open it.


    Could it be? My eyes widened as I remembered the old tales. The Army apparently used to store rations in exactly such metal containers¡ªcalled cans.


    So, after a short deliberation, I decided to use the tip of my machete to carve one open and see what was inside.


    Food! It was food. I carefully sniffed the can''s contents, and to my surprise, I didn¡¯t notice any foul smells that would signal a decay. I blinked, not sure how it could survive all those years intact.


    But then I simply shrugged my shoulders and dug in. After all, there was no saying no to free food. Taking a small bite, I couldn¡¯t help but widen my eyes. It tasted almost as bad as it looked, but there was also something else. Meat!


    A real meat! There was no doubt about it. Usually, meat was an unattainable mirage for someone like me, reserved only for the high brass and the most accomplished Hunters.


    Nowadays, the supply is so scarce that even if someone had enough money, they couldn¡¯t get their hands on it without knowing the right people. So, to be able to indulge myself in enough meat to feed the whole orphanage and then some, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. There¡¯s even more from where this came from.


    I eagerly ate up the whole can while ignoring the awful taste. Then, not content with just one, I promptly opened another. Ah, what a nice hiss!


    ***


    After the scrumptious meal, I took a well-deserved nap, and then it was finally time to plan my defense. Having guns was nice, but I knew I couldn¡¯t depend on them too much. After all, the Army had all the guns in the world, and they still lost to the monsters.


    So, in a last-ditch effort to further my chances of making it out alive, I decided to bite the bullet, so to speak, and built another [Petty Summoning Grove]


    I picked a place for it near the still dormant Rift, and soon, two new golems appeared before me. I guess I¡¯ll call you Lumpy and Chunky.


    Nodding in satisfaction, I then emptied the crates and moved the precious supplies behind the Seed''s pedestal toward the edge of the wall so they wouldn¡¯t get damaged during the upcoming battle. I should really build some dedicated storage room rather soon; it¡¯s getting a bit cramped here.


    I moved the empty crates to the front and made an improvised barricade out of them, where I placed a row of freshly loaded guns. This way, I could keep shooting without having to reload.


    It took me some time to figure out how they worked, but out here, I had nothing but time, so I didn¡¯t complain. Earlier, I took a few try shots at the empty cans, and although my aim was pretty shitty, I reckoned even I should be able to hit the monsters at point-blank range right as they emerged from the rift.


    I would love some more time to prepare, but sadly, the time was up. The clock above the unstable rift ticked down the last few minutes before the next wave of monsters came charging through.


    I sighed as I commanded my five golems to assume a defensive stance. I then threw one last look at my setup. It wasn''t much, but I did the best I could. Now, there was nothing else but to wait.


    [03]


    [02]


    [01]


    [ Warning! The Rift is opening.]

 Chapter 20: Second Wave

    Right after the abominable clock finally hit zero, the rift¡¯s surface rippled. Yet, this time, it shimmered with a much darker, more sinister light as if announcing that the stakes had been raised.


    I took a deep breath and calmly pointed my new rifle straight at the center of the dark abyss, ready to shoot at anything that came charging through.


    Now that it came to it, I felt no fear or hesitation; I was well past that. I might be a coward, but I won¡¯t sell my life cheaply. I¡¯ll either win and walk out of it, or I don¡¯t, and then I won¡¯t have to worry about any of this any longer. ¡­But I¡¯ll be damned if I didn¡¯t take some of those bastards with me to hell.


    Then, one by one, the familiar shapes began emerging from the rift¡¯s depths¡ªDeath stalkers! Once again, they didn¡¯t attack straight away; instead, they lingered by the active rift, most likely waiting until the whole pack made it through before they tried to rip me to shreds.


    But, of course, I didn¡¯t need to play by the same rules. So right as the first one emerged, I steadied my arm, aiming straight at its ugly snout, and then smiled. Gotcha!


    I pulled the trigger, and a loud bang echoed off the stone walls the next moment. The rifle¡¯s recoil made me unable to follow the bullet, but by the pained yelp I heard the next second, I knew I had hit the mark. Take that, you ugly piece of shit!


    Even though my first shot didn¡¯t seem to do much, apart from making the silvery wolf angry, I couldn¡¯t help but grin. However, my joy didn¡¯t last long. Before I could reload and take another shot, a blood-chilling growl made me shudder.


    It looked like all the death stalkers had made it through the portal and were but moments from throwing themselves at me. I did a quick count. One¡­Two¡­Three¡­ There were six death stalkers in total. But I couldn¡¯t help but think that something was amiss. It¡¯s the one in the back¡­


    Its fur was not just silver but interspersed with streaks of black, its eyes glowing a deep crimson. It stood taller than the others, its muscles rippling with raw power, and its gaze locked onto me with an intensity that made the other wolves seem like mere pups in comparison.


    Suddenly having a bad premonition, I focused my sight on it for a moment, wishing to learn more, and the system responded. A row of glyphs formed in my field of view¡ª[Alpha Death Stalker]


    I tensed, recalling the stories the Hunters often told over a beer that outside, the prowling monster packs were sometimes led by a boss monster that was not only much stronger but also more intelligent than the regular ones.


    Crap! It looks like whoever created the rift really wants that glowing crystal. I thought with a frown. The Alpha suddenly howled, which seemed to signal the start of the assault. This prompted the five lesser wolves to leap forward, their movements a blur of silver and darkness.


    Now, all that stood between me and certain death was a thin grey line of golems¡ªfive in total. Good thing I built that second grove. I was forced to admit, although it had cost me another precious build slot.


    Still, despite our numbers being seemingly equal compared to last time, only Rocky was a genuine golem, crafted with the help of my [Synthesis] skill. The others were mere copies summoned by that strange building, and I had yet to see how they would fare in combat against those damn wolves.


    However, I haven¡¯t panicked just yet. After all, I was no longer a powerless slum rat, and I had plenty of time to familiarize myself with my much-improved physique so they wouldn¡¯t be able to take me by surprise like they did the last time.


    So I commanded my golems to move forward to intercept the charging wolves while I quickly reloaded my rifle. Yet, as soon as I gave the command, I noticed that things wouldn¡¯t be that easy.


    So far, I haven¡¯t paid much attention to the Alpha, who, for some reason, decided to stay behind and not join the assault. But I quickly understood why. Crap! He¡¯s commanding them!The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    They were no longer the mindless beasts that lunged blindly at anyone standing in their way. Instead, they spread out, with some keeping my golems busy while others were attempting to flank us.


    As if I¡¯d let you! My golems reacted almost instantly. Moving in tandem, each used their [Shatter] skill to disrupt the wolves'' advance. Bang! Another shot reverberated through the cavern, and the wolf to my right was violently thrown back.


    It recovered straight away, but now it was visibly limping. This brought a smile to my face as it meant that they were indeed susceptible to the guns. Then everything became a blur of teeth and claws and stony fists as my golems stood their ground, making the monsters pay for every step in blood.


    I shot round after round; then I was out. Dropping the empty rifle to the ground, I hurriedly grabbed another loaded one, promptly resuming my deadly barrage.


    The Alpha, however, was not so easily deterred. It suddenly charged straight at Rocky as if he knew the stalwart golem was the centerpiece of my defense.


    Shit! Its massive paw swatted aside one of my newly summoned golems like it was a child''s toy. I could see the strain on Rocky as he took the brunt of the Alpha''s attack, his form quivering under the impact but somehow holding.


    I knew this was my moment. With the Alpha preoccupied by Rocky, I aimed, firing straight at the beast¡¯s eye. It managed to dodge in time, but that was okay. I expected nothing less from the cunning bastard. However, this distracted him for a single crucial moment, and that was all I needed.


    Taking advantage of the brief window, I mentally commanded my other golems to converge on one of the lesser wolves while using their skills. The air cracked with the sound of breaking bones and tearing flesh, and the next moment, one of the abominable monsters fell lifelessly to the Domain¡¯s floor.


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.]


    Yes! With the wolf¡¯s death, the situation somewhat stabilized, and the battle¡¯s momentum finally swung to our side. Since, for the first time, we now had a numerical superiority.


    But this little victory came at a steep cost. After one of its brethren fell to such a cowardly tactic, the Alpha once again howled. Yet this time, its claws suddenly shined with blue light, and it swiped them at Rocky.


    It turned out my golems weren¡¯t the only ones who had skills of their own. ¡°Move!¡± I desperately shouted, realizing the grave danger my faithful minion found itself in.


    Rocky reacted almost instantly, throwing itself out of the way, but alas, it was already too late to avoid the Alpha¡¯s skill. There was a flash of light, followed shortly after by the sound of stones cracking. Poor Rocky was then thrown back, and one of his arms shattered.


    The Alpha¡¯s eyes gleamed with crimson light as if reveling in his victory. But then, instead of commanding his pack to press the attack to take advantage of this gaping hole in our defense, the abominable wolf all of a sudden doubled down and came charging straight at me. Crap! It looked like the playtime was over, as the Alpha apparently wanted to finish this battle in one fell swoop.


    Not having the luxury of time to look back and assess the situation at the front, I simply commanded my golems to hold the line no matter what while my trembling fingers tightly gripped the rifle''s handle.


    The massive wolf was but mere moments from sinking his teeth into my neck. Right about now, I should probably be running for my life, but I knew that if I turned my back on it, I might as well say my prayers. So, this was my one and only opportunity to end it all.


    Holding my breath, I pulled the trigger, and a single shot went out, once again going straight for one of the beast''s eyes. Within a single heartbeat, my bullet found its mark, which was not that surprising given I was shooting practically at point-blank range. The Alpha roared, its movements becoming frantic but not slowing one bit.


    It crashed into the impromptu barricade with the power of a raging bull, completely destroying it in the process and sending splinters everywhere. I tried to dive out of the way at the last moment, but the force of the crash still sent me flying.


    Coming to my senses, my head was spinning. I most likely had a concussion, and guessing by the pain, a broken rib or two, but that was not that important right now.


    My heart dropped to my stomach as, to my horror, I realized that right now, nothing was standing between the Alpha and the Seed. Crap! If it decides to go for it, there is absolutely zero thing I can do to stop it.


    In the next moment, however, the abominable wolf, for some strange reason, turned on its heels and was getting ready to jump at me again. I guess he thinks he already won and wants to finish me off first. Whatever the case, this worked in my favor as I still had plenty of fight left in me. Compared to Carson¡¯s beatings, this is nothing!


    I must have lost my rifle somewhere during the chaos, so I promptly unsheathed my machete as I slowly picked myself off the ground, disregarding the pain. Well, bring it on! I scowled at the damn Alpha, getting ready for round two.

 Chapter 21: Consequences of Succes

    Standing across the damned Alpha as it prepared for another lunge, I felt the sudden tension in the air. Now, it all came down to this - a final showdown.


    Up close, the leader of the Death Stalkers looked even more imposing and domineering than from afar, and every bit of my sore, battered body was screaming at me to drop everything and run.


    I was perfectly aware that under normal circumstances, I wouldn¡¯t stand any chance against this abomination in close combat. But now, with one of its eyes being nothing but a gaping, bloodied socket, I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Come at me, you ugly pup!¡± I touted while tightly gripping the handle of my machete, the metal cold and reassuring in my hand. My body ached everywhere, but adrenaline was my best buddy now, both numbing the pain and sharpening my senses.


    With a guttural snarl, the Alpha charged forward, its speed belying its size. I jumped to the side, feeling the rush of air as its menacing claws missed my face by mere centimeters.


    I panted, blinking rapidly to get the sweat out of my eyes as I jumped back to my feet. Despite my new Class not being a fighting one, it still gave me a certain degree of nimbleness, which was enough to dodge the wolf¡¯s lunge, especially now that it was wounded.


    However, after seeing the deep grooves in the Domain¡¯s floor the beast¡¯s charge left behind, I gulped nervously, reminding myself not to let my guard down. One mistake, and I¡¯m a goner.


    I quickly avoided another attack, making sure to always stay in the Alpha¡¯s blind spot. Due to its sheer size, the beast struggled to keep up with my rapid movements, which only seemed to make it more and more angry.


    Still, maintaining this pace was not easy by any means. My stamina was waning, and I knew I would soon reach a breaking point. But that was okay because, by this point, I managed to maneuver the Alpha exactly where I needed him to be while ensuring his attention remained solely on me.


    Then I smirked. "Rocky, now!" I shouted. My faithful golem suddenly jumped from behind, his fist glowing, ready to deliver a decisive strike. Despite his damaged form, Rocky moved with surprising agility, swinging his sole remaining arm in a wide arc as he used [Shatter] to target the Alpha¡¯s torso. In a blink, his fist connected with the abominable wolf¡¯s fur, producing an ugly, distinctive crack.


    Its spine seemed to give way as the wolf¡¯s hind legs dropped down uselessly. ¡°Good job! Now finish him up!¡± I commanded, smiling from ear to ear.


    Losing his arm didn¡¯t seem to take away any of Rocky¡¯s lethality. Besides, to use his skill, one arm was more than enough. Previously, I was hoping to create an opportunity for him to sneak behind the lesser wolves and finish them one by one.


    That¡¯s why I had Rocky disengage from defending the rift after the previous scuffle and made him circle back to the barricade. Of course, I didn¡¯t expect the Alpha to abandon all reason and chase after me, but in the end, it all somehow worked out as the boss seemed to completely disregard the maimed golem. Which now turned out to be his doom.


    The Alpha howled, both in pain and anger. It was a deeply chilling sound that could make even the bravest of hearts waver. Nonetheless, I charged, the machete raised, and the wolf met me head-on with teeth and claws alike.


    Despite all I could do was amateurishly wave the weapon around, my blade somehow found purchase in its shoulder. But the beast was quick, its jaws snapping close to my arm. I rolled away, feeling the sting of a minor cut but nothing more.


    I sprung back to my feet, ready to go at him again. After all, I was not trying to finish him off. This honor was reserved for Rocky. All I needed was to distract him long enough for my golem to find an opening in its defense.


    However, now that he was aware of the tiny golem¡¯s might, the Alpha kept his guard up, not letting him come anywhere near him without Rocky risking having his head chomped off.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Yet, having to deflect two unyielding opponents while at the same time suffering from a severed spine and being blinded in one eye was ultimately a losing battle. It was only a matter of time before our combined effort bore fruit.


    And then, such an opportunity finally presented itself. Making too wide a sweep with his paw, the wolf¡¯s balance was briefly compromised, and the Alpha lost his balance. It was only for a mere second or so, but it was more than enough time for Rocky to jump up and drive his glowing fist through the monster¡¯s skull.


    Its head exploded in a spray of blood and brain matter, and then its massive, now lifeless form collapsed to the ground.


    [You have slain an Alpha Death Stalker. You have gained +80 Soul Essence.]


    Wow! Twice as much of this mysterious energy as from the normal wolves. No wonder he was so tough.


    Breathing heavily, I allowed myself a brief reprieve. But I knew the battle was far from over. Despite slaying their leader, the other wolves didn¡¯t seem to lose any of their murderous fury, as they were still locked in a deadly stalemate with my other golems by the rift.


    Nevertheless, with the Alpha gone, the remaining wolves seemed to lose all of their previous meticulous purpose and cohesion, now acting more like a disorganized mob trying to heedlessly chomp down anything they could get their teeth on.


    This, in turn, made their attacks much more uncoordinated and thus easier to avoid. But I didn¡¯t dare drop my guard just yet, as this also made them all the more dangerous and unpredictable, like rats driven to a corner.


    Still, when Rocky and I joined the rest of my valiant minions, the scales were inevitably tipped in our favor. So it didn¡¯t take long for my golems, though barely functional, to dispatch the remaining threats with me assisting whenever possible.


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.] [You have slain¡­]


    [Your body is brimming with strength. Your power has risen +1]


    With the immediate threat vanquished, the adrenaline I had depended on to keep me going evaporated, and I collapsed onto the cold, hard floor of the Domain, my lungs gasping for air as though each breath was a fight in itself.


    Around me, the remnants of my golems lay scattered like fallen soldiers, their once animate forms now just piles of rock and dust. The silence after the battle was almost deafening, a stark contrast to the cacophony of combat just moments before.


    A flurry of notices overwhelmed me for a brief moment, and I had to quickly shake my head to clear my vision. I paused for a moment, soaking in the reality of what had just happened.


    My body ached with every heartbeat, muscles screaming from the exertion. All I wanted was to simply lie there motionlessly and enjoy the well-earned rest, but I knew I couldn¡¯t laze about just yet.


    There were still plenty of things I needed to do before that. Namely, check the rift, restore my defenses, and, most importantly, figure out a way how to deal with those damn spiders waiting for me in the real world. But first¡­


    [Name: Jayden] [Race: Human]


    [Level: 3 (Soul Essence: 100/300)]


    [Class: Scavenger (lvl.1)]


    [Skills: Synthesis (lvl.1), Portal (lvl.1)]


    I summoned my status, taking note of all the changes that had happened. I was now Level 3. However, I still didn¡¯t feel any different than before, but I guess that was normal.


    The changes were small and subtle, so they were not immediately noticeable, yet they were undoubtedly there. And if I kept at this, I was sure that someday soon, I would be as strong as those boasting brutes that sometimes come down to the Outskirt¡¯s pub to have some fun. Or, like that girl. I suddenly thought, remembering Sara¡¯s powerful presence.


    Next, I checked the rift. I staggered to my feet, every movement a reminder of the battle''s toll. The portal still loomed, its surface now a dull, lifeless grey, but I knew it wouldn''t stay that way for long. After all, the countdown had already begun anew.


    [02:23:57:45]


    Yet, as I stared at the abominable clock, I couldn¡¯t help but frown. Huh? Did the interval shrink? I couldn¡¯t even begin to think about the grim implication of this discovery before I was promptly interrupted from my thoughts by the familiar high-pitched ringing sound. What¡¯s this about? Another quest?


    [Quest: Strengthen Domain]


    [With each thwarted attempt, the enemy grows greedier and more desperate. Their time is running out, so they will throw everything into the next assault. Be prepared. Their champion longs for your blood.]


    [Build defensive structures: 2 / 3]


    [Recruit minions 5/10]


    [Strengthen the seed]