Sewer Dungeon
Aden City underground sewers.
This place counted as a dungeon and yet another field, but it felt more like a subterranean city than a sewer.
Past buildings and passages had been buried under new constructions, creating layers upon layers of a labyrinth beneath the ground.
Closer to the surface only beggars and vagrants lingered, but deeper down it teemed with every kind of refuse and criminal.
A massive dungeon packed with garbage and lawbreakers.
Dirty and stinking, yet inside lay untouched treasure worth stealing.
People swarmed the Sewage Guard Agency office today chasing that very possibility.
“Ugh, the stench.”
“Lend me a clothespin.”
The office reeked of bad air because of its location right next to the sewers.
The gathered users pinched their noses or took shallow breaths, scowling.
“Line up, please. I’ll hand out passage permits.”
“Today’s task is simple. Clear zones B, E, F, and H on the first floor.”
The soldiers at the agency distributed papers to each user.
A permit allowing entry into parts of the first floor of the sewers.
Even though it looked like a cheap scrap of paper, without it users were treated as criminals immediately.
“Looks like it’s over.”
The guard waved his hand as the sheets ran out.
“That’s all for today.”
“Ah…”
“Come earlier next time.”
The users’ sighs grew heavier.
The work paid well enough despite the smell and dirt, so no one else offered anything comparable.
A man approached one user who had been drifting away.
“Excuse me, sir.”
“Yes?”
“You’re a mage, right?”
“Er… yes.”
The mage jumped in surprise and answered.
It made sense. The man approaching him looked every bit a gangster or lowlife.
The rough gait, the many scars on his body, the tattoo on his shoulder—perfect gangster look.
“I… I don’t have any money…”
The mage glanced sideways at the guard agency quietly.
At that moment the gangster user swung his arm.
Thud! A forearm slammed beside the mage’s face.
“H-hic!”
The mage yelped in fright.
The gangster user grinned and continued speaking.
“Want to party with us? We have a good job lined up.”
Quest ‘Holy Relic Recovery’ (Rare) Hilde had taken the photo herself and introduced the quest, giving Fafnir the chance that would have been impossible for a necromancer. ‘Normally I couldn’t have gotten this…’ He received a gigantic quest without even joining them. This favor would be repaid if possible. Fafnir nodded shortly and opened his eyes. “The mirror fragment… I’ll do my best to bring it up.” “That’s good. My own life isn’t long either.” “Yes.”
Quest ‘Holy Relic Recovery’ (Rare) accepted. With that, the quest list was complete. Fafnir returned to the slums and joined the party. “Did you get all the quests?” “Roughly. By the way, what about you?” “The party members you asked for.” “Ah, hello. My name is mage Jeong Hyeon-sik.” “The hunter is Vera…” Two party members looked utterly downtrodden. “…” Fafnir quietly looked at Kindorhan instead of answering. “…No, I didn’t actually threaten them.” Kindorhan protested in an aggrieved tone.
Floor 2 Entrance After descending the stairs, a message appeared. The atmosphere changed with the feeling of something passing by. A narrow, dark corridor. Only the amber gems set in the ceiling lit the way; the rest lay in pitch-black darkness. ‘Is this like an ancient relic?’ Amber gems lined up in a row, hard to see from outside, and in the center of the wide passage black water flowed slowly. Without a hole connecting to the surface, the sewage smell grew thicker. The dark, quiet atmosphere, the stench, and the occasional footsteps in between. Amid the solemn mood, the faces of the party members under the amber gems hardened. “Wait, this is floor two?” “I didn’t expect to come this far…” The reason was simple. “I thought the area below floor two was managed directly by the palace and not open to public bounties?” “I’ll just leave. Even if I get fame, I can’t collect rewards properly and it happens too many times.” Fafnir looked at them with a dumbfounded expression and then at Kindorhan. “You said you’d explain.” “I told you it’s a quest where you can make a big score.” ‘No way… that’s it?’ “I think more explanation is needed.” Fafnir sighed. “Still, it’s not wrong. This quest can let you make a huge score.” “A huge score…” “Moreover, this time you don’t have to worry about the royal guards. I paid a bribe to a high noble and got a free passage permit.” A huge opportunity with a free passage permit. The two users who had hesitated at first finally relaxed their guard. “I don’t think there’s a finder’s fee or quest-sharing cut?” “As long as I handle my role, you don’t have to worry about that.” “That role of yours…” Fafnir waved a hand before the mage user could ramble longer. “The smell is disgusting. Let’s hurry.” All four shared the same thought of leaving the place as fast as possible. No one gave orders, yet a line formed quickly with Kindorhan in front and Fafnir in the middle. “Then let’s start.” Kindorhan’s eyes sparkled as he stepped forward. The underground sewer exploration had begun.