Chapter 33: Dungeon

Lombard Street.

It was around 8. P.M.

In the night of gas lamps, the narrow alley twists and turns like a serpent, lined with old buildings leaning against each other for support. Ramshackle wooden shanties with crooked roofs and broken windows crowd the thoroughfare, their walls coated in grime and soot.

Clotheslines sag under the weight of damp garments, swaying gently in the breeze. Thin tendrils of smoke curl from chimneys, mixing with the smog that blankets the sky, casting a pallid hue over the scene. Stray dogs scavenge for scraps amongst the refuse, their ribs protruding beneath patchy fur.

In the distance, the distant clang of factory machinery echoes through the maze of alleys, a constant reminder of the toil and hardship endured by those who call this place home. Yet amidst the squalor and despair, there exists a sense of resilience, a determination to survive against all odds, etched into the very fabric of the slum street.

A hundred years ago, Lombard Street was an esteemed locale frequented by nobility and the upper echelon, attracting crowds from all walks of life. However, with the advent of nearby industries, the air became tainted with toxic fumes and gas leaks, leading to a surge in illnesses and fatalities. Consequently, residents of Lombard Street and its adjacent areas gradually fled to seek refuge in healthier environments.

While the emergence of new industries and factories heralded a revolution in the empire, it also brought numerous challenges. Foremost among these was the rampant pollution and disease, compelling inhabitants near the industrial hub to abandon their homes.

During this period, the empire's economy suffered a severe blow due to sudden famine, resulting in an astronomical rise in food prices. Over a decade, a third of the empire's populace found themselves unemployed and destitute, resorting to begging or migrating back to rural villages.

Some succumbed to starvation, others sought solace in countryside retreats, while many resorted to squatting in abandoned structures, forming the nucleus of the burgeoning slum populace. Thus, the once prestigious Lombard Street metamorphosed into a haven for beggars and ruffians.

At the end of this crowded and slum region stood a two-storied old mansion house. The mansion originally belonged to Baron Alexander but was sold to Millers cheaply a few decades ago. It wasn't as old as the other buildings and still stood tall due to constant maintenance. As the sky darkened, the mansion appeared noisy, and many people visited the building and returned with different wooden boxes and woolen bags.

The security also appeared tighter within the compound gate, making the whole area look restricted.

"This place looks more like a gathering place for all the thugs." A young woman commented as she parked the carriage, jumped down from it, and opened the carriage door.

"I hope we are not late. These bastards dare to touch my boy! I'm going to burn this whole place." A middle-aged woman exited the carriage, holding a sword, and walked towards the compound gate.

…

In the meantime, a young black-haired boy slowly opened his eyes and looked at the dark ceiling. Two oil lamps were attached to the walls and caused the gloomy surroundings to illuminate dimly. After a swift look, he noticed that it was a small, enclosed room with no windows or door. Only a stair leading upstairs appeared eerie as water droplets dripped from the ceiling.

As the young boy was about to stand up, he noticed that his hands and legs were tied, and even his mouth was covered.

"Mugh!"

'W-Where am I?' Raven's eyes wandered and soon landed on a lean, black-haired boy lying a few feet away.

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'Dante?' He suddenly recalled the moment when Scott's guards knocked him out and went pale.

He also noticed that Dante's hands and legs were tied, and he wasn't even moving.

'Is he unconscious? Damn it! It's all because of me!' Anger swelled up in his eyes.

'Zera?! Are you there?' He instantly thought of Zera and called out.

[...]

[Haa, I'm here. But I can't help you in this situation, lad. You have to rely on yourself.] He could feel the disappointment in her tone.

'Why are you showing disappointment?' He asked in confusion.

[It's because you acted without even knowing the consequences, lad. If you had controlled your anger and not attacked Scott recklessly, you wouldn't have ended up in this situation. Also, you forgot to see your opponent's strength before attacking.]

'What am I supposed to do? Scott would've bullied my friend if I didn't attack him.' Raven said while gritting his teeth.

[Humph, where did your friendship and care go all this time? It's not like it's the first time he was in such a situation. I have seen him enduring all the bullying alone through your eyes and know his situation better. There were multiple options available for you to help him from getting bullied. For example, you could've asked your sister's help or even Teacher Elizabeth's help. But you look the other way just because you think you are weak and can't do anything. You only focused on improving your subject scores and never considered him a friend.] Her words were like stabbing needles in his heart.

In truth, what Zera said was the actual truth. Raven considered Dante his friend just because he talked with him occasionally. He watched his friend suffer but kept silent because he felt it wasn't his problem. He also thought he might end up in the same position as Dante and decided even to distance himself.

It wasn't Dante who distanced himself but Raven without even realizing it.

'I-I should've helped him!' Realization dawned on his face.

'For now, I should find a way to escape this situation.' As he was thinking, he suddenly heard footsteps from the gloomy stairs.

Before long, three people walked down through the staircase and soon arrived before him. One was a young kid with blonde hair and red eyes, while the other two were a blonde-haired young man and a grey-haired middle-aged man. They were the ones who were with Scott earlier.

Raven gritted his teeth angrily when he saw them approaching him.

"Look at this brat! He still looks like a fierce puppy." The blonde-haired young man commented with a chuckle and squatted down.

"A fierce puppy needs to be tamed, isn't it?" Scott said with a grin and took out a small bottle filled with strange bluish powder.

"Do you know what this is, Raven?" He asked as he squatted beside the blonde-haired man and removed the cloth covering his mouth.

"You are making a big mistake, Scott!" Raven said in anger. He was about to stand up, but Scott slapped his cheek and made him fall.

Even though it was a simple slap, Raven felt the whole world was spinning.

Not only that, he noticed that blood was dripping from his nose, too, causing unimaginable pain.

Without even knowing him, his hands and legs started to tremble.

"Should I untie him, Young Master?" The blonde-haired man asked.

"Yes. Also, make him kneel before me. I want him to crawl on my feet and beg for mercy for a whole night." A wicked grin appeared on Scott's face.

An angry growl came out of his mouth, followed by tears in his eyes.

Upon seeing this, Scott burst into laughter.

"Haha, the angry puppy seems to have finally couldn't hold back its tears." While saying so, he opened the bottle and forcefully grabbed Raven's face.

"But I can still see the anger in your eyes. Anyway, do you know what am I holding right now?"

Without waiting for a response, Scott took a pinch of bluish powder and put it into his nose while covering his mouth.

"It's called 'Miraclo.' It's a special magical drug created by Viper Syndicate to let even poor people experience the real heaven. Inhale it!"

Raven tried his best not to breathe but couldn't hold it any longer.

Within a minute, he inhaled the air filled with that bluish power and felt something enter his nostrils.

'H-Help, Zera!' Helplessness appeared in his eyes.

[… I really can't do anything in this situation, lad. I'm not some overpowered system to make you level up but a powerless artificial spirit. And you are not in a life-threatening situation. As long as you hold on, help will arrive soon.]

As Zera spoke, the drug also started taking effect on Raven's body.

"It's not enough. Let me give you more." Scott put even more bluish powder in his nose and forced him to inhale more drugs.

A strange comfort and pleasure started to appear in his mind.

At the same time, his pupils dilated, and even felt all his senses heightened.

As more seconds passed, Raven started to see two Scott and four guards.

'Am I hallucinating?' A thought crossed his head.

At the same time, Raven noticed a strange sense of some mysterious power taking over his mind.

Slowly, his bluish eyes started becoming pitch black, like when he was born.

'Zera! What is happening?' He asked in a hurry, but no response came. But strangely, he saw his body standing up with staggering footsteps and looking around.

'Something is controlling my body? Is it Zera?'

Before he could find out the answer, his consciousness started to fade.

Then, 'Raven' slowly stood up and looked around.

"Ugh, where am I?"

[…!!!]