"Monsters aren't mindless." Prem

Chapter 44: Dungeon Devotees

Running for about another twenty minutes I looked at my wrist at the old-looking brown cuff bracelet to remind myself that all of this was real. “Finally,” I had reached the end of the slums and I could see lights in the distance.

As the snow fell, I finally saw another person. The sight took some weight off my shoulders.

On the run here. I started to get the misguided idea that I was the only person left in the city. I walked closer but [Danger sense] was telling me that this wasn’t the place to make hasty decisions. I should ease up on the adrenaline rushing through my veins.

Sleeping tents, campfires, and vague figures in the distance were all I could see. I was in luck, the wall covering the towering dungeon gate had only been cracked and the runes were still functioning, for now. There was no way they unsealed the dungeon when it was still covered.

The magic dust on the other hand was seeping through blue wisps with touches of white. Why couldn’t people take those thick mana tendrils as a warning?

“Hey, is anybody out there!” I yelled from a distance. There was no way I was getting close to an unknown group like this. At least I’d have a chance to run for my life if they were the enemy.

“Is anybody out there!” I yelled again, but no one cared to call back.

“What the hell are you shouting for? "A man spoke as he walked from the direction of the dungeon campsite.

If I was guessing this was one of the skills scouts used to throw their voice.

“Who are you!? Why are you trying to get us killed?” I was angry but anger wouldn’t get me anywhere especially when I didn’t know what was going on.

“You're joking right?” The guy was testing my patience as I’m sure I was testing his.

“No, does it sound like I’m joking? I woke up and everything and everyone had gone to hell, it’s snowing where it should not, and lastly, idiots are trying to unseal the dungeon of disaster!”

“Well, you have a point.” He was finally in sight and the snow was no longer blocking the view.

A beast-kin as expected. Wearing gear that looked new. identifying him [Swordsman of the Grind], weird for a swordsman to not have any affiliation.

“Wait, who are you affiliated with!?” I wouldn’t have him getting any closer.

“Oh, that’s my bad. The King is supplying us with free armor with all the commotion. I forgot the protocol.

“Here’s my badge. I'm from the Adventure Hall located in this city, not from the inner sect.”

As he held the badge up, I gave it a glance with [Adept eye] and moved in still on guard. Skill comes in handy at times like this.

“Can you tell me what’s happening in the city and who can I put in a complaint with about keeping that dungeon closed? Can’t you guys see the mana leaking from that thing?”

I walked closer trying to fix my face. It was irritating the hell out of me. These shitheads!

“Well, my guild leader is busy taking care of a small threat at the gates along with most of the city guards. While Scouts are searching for the culprit behind a terrorist attack or whatever that voice was. As for the dungeon, we all think it’s a terrible idea to unseal it.” Terrorist attacks! That’s what the hell is going on. What the hell is happening to this city?”

I walked to his side and from there we walked towards the camp continuing our conversation. I had lived here all my life and was used to beast features. This man here had the front teeth of a rabbit and the ears to go with.

“What do you mean by terrorist attack!? Names Hana by the way.”

“Names Ned short for Nedfaftus Bwijack” I wasn’t surprised by the name Kin had to stay true to their culture somehow couldn’t blame them.

“You say you were asleep. I’m guessing you didn’t hear the voice that blew through the city killing thousands, rumors say it even reached the inner kingdom. Citizens dropped dead with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. Some were even turned to Ice cubes before the snow fell-" What was even more shocking, it was revealed that monsters had infiltrated the city.

Way more shocking than Ned being a half-breed. His dark eyes were wide open, and his hair was matted down; Ned was mixed and his feet were a dead giveaway. As for the terrorist attack, there was just no way.

“How do those two things even relate to each other? If monsters were attacking, why call it an act of terrorism?”

“You misunderstand Miss Hana, the voice killed thousands as I said. Taking lives without discrimination. I'm surprised you didn’t hear it in your sleep. After people kicked the bucket some were revealed to be monsters. Well, those whose corpses were as solid and cold as ice.”

“What!? Are you kidding!” That damned corpse belonged to a monster?! That thing looked human.

“I know quite the shocker but from the information gathered so far, it seems to be the case. A few citizens were even saved by the voice according to reports. Saying that the voice gave them time to run away before they could be killed by their attacker.” This makes no sense.

“How do you know if it's a terrorist attack if the voice didn’t discriminate? Are you telling me that it killed everyone in the slums? I just saw a frozen corpse on my way here!” I was in complete disbelief. I couldn’t describe what I was feeling but I knew I was scared.

“Calm down, guards have been tasked with picking up the bodies, and not everyone in the slums died. I'd say about eighteen percent of the people in the slums kicked the bucket. The foggies had it worst. And the rest are following protocol. As for that corpse, I don’t know what to say my blood would grab me by the tail for starting rumors. We should be fine for now.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

We finally got to the campsite or outpost. I didn’t know what to call it. These people were so busy that much was evident.

“I’m the black sheep of my family. So, I don’t have anything to do at the moment. Any other questions before I head off to wherever my legs take me.”

“Thanks, Ned I wish there were more people like you. Is there anything else I should know? About this voice, and who gave the orders to knock down that gate since everyone you know seems to be in disagreement.”

“Well, personally if we were to get attacked by the voice again, I’d say have your baggage in order. Second, King Mindel gave the orders to bring the gate down I guess to make up for food shortages or something if my information is right. You’d have to be the king himself to stop that wall from coming down.” That Bastard, how could he do this to his people!

“Yeah, it pisses me off as well. My family can’t afford to be split up more than we already are. It’s hard enough as is trying to raise a family in this city. I won’t say anything else in fear of committing treason.” I like this guy. He tells it like it is.

Turning my head towards the wall covering the dungeon gate a big ass gust of wind came blowing towards the camp but the sound was muffled by magic. The gust of dust, mana, and snow was soon displaced by mages.

All that time I thought they had stopped working towards tearing the wall down. These adventurers were doing just the opposite.

“We don’t even know what’s behind that gate! It could have mutated beyond our control all this time!” I couldn’t keep my frustration in, so I decided to speak up. As a Citizen, it was my right. We had to do something quickly before there was no return.

The whole outpost could hear me; it wasn't just the Adventurers' Hall. This was an outpost composed of the city's top five guilds, maybe more from the inner city.

“Not again! Shut the fuck up you're standing in the way of my money!” A guy shouted at me.

“She’s right, this could cause the city to fall. It's all happening too soon!” Another man.

“I don’t see you giving out free armor!” A voice from afar. Giving me no time of night.

“Yeah, when else will we get a chance to come up like this!”

“Is your life and everyone else’s worth a few pieces of gold!” I shouted!”

More people were turning their heads towards me as Ned backed up a bit and watched as I went on.

“We’ve all heard the rumors and legends about this dungeon! There had to be a reason it wasn’t just sealed off but walled over! We can’t be this careless! There is always a reason why stories become legends, be it as a sense of forewarning. So, the same mistakes won't be repeated by the foolish."

“Yeah, I think she’s right.” I heard from a tent.

My class allowed me to get a glimpse, a minor glimpse of life, and their way of thinking now and then I find myself mimicking strangers. Also, get an Experience boost when doing what I desire the most kind of, but it's not easy to explain. But now I know why the class had been offered.

“What were the rumors again?” A dwarf asked someone nearby.

“Don’t ask me, it’s been so long.” They replied.

“This dungeon is connected to Mount Fallohum itself if you have forgotten to remember. It was blocked off centuries ago because of its grossly high levels and unpredictability. If we can’t even endure Fallohum's weather, what makes you guys think we can endure its dungeon!? Surely, there are better solutions to fixing the Kingdom's current problem without opening up another. This could bring about the fall of the city. No, this could be the fall of the Kingdom as a whole!"

I was just about to step down when a voice came echoing over the growing whispers of concern.

“Adventurers, guards, citizens, guildmates, guild masters whoever is listening. I have come to report that Gatarn thee Admissible, the acting chief of the main Adventurers Hall has taken care of the so-called invasion. Though the Witch has not been found. It is our priority to band together and loot and collect meat and whatever else that can be salvaged from this dungeon. Our survival depends on it.”

“What about what the girl said!? She had made a point!” Someone screamed from a distance towards the circle I had gathered by mistake.

“The woman is right; she has made a point but that doesn’t change the King's orders. Nor will that stop Gatarn from dealing with anyone who gets in his way. Before he gets back, I’ll warn you that man is not to be taken lightly. This is not a threat from me but a warning from one citizen to another.” Who the hell was this woman and who the hell is Gatarn thee Admissible?

“Why should we be afraid of a Damn Adventurer!” A man shouted.

“We should protest, there has to be something we can do?!” I don’t know who spoke, but they were right.

On and on the conversations between third and fourth tier citizens went on from there. I was completely unsure. Bordering uncertain if anyone over level two hundred was in the mix.

“Everyone!” A Dwarf walked to the forefront of the crowds of people and looked at me in disgust. I glared right back. I knew scum when I saw it.

Lab coat or not he had done something unspeakable. I didn't know what but I got this same feeling when guards or officers committed crimes.

Placing his glasses back over his eyes after wiping them off he spoke. “Hi, everyone, I am a spokesperson from the inner city. It is my pleasure to meet all of you. It’s not every day you see cooperation from so many sects. I’m sure the inner Kingdom is gathering men as well to aid you in this worrisome expedition. I have nothing to say besides giving all of you a heads-up about the free sets of armor and gear available as long as this expedition doesn’t veer off course. I would like to grant this young woman a new set of blue-grade armor, the latest in a line made specifically for this task.”

This man was setting off all the warning bells in my head. I didn't know why he just gave me a bad feeling.

“Can I have your name, young lady? It's not every day you see a Dwarven woman with a resemblance to the courteous himself if I had ever seen him.” Hell, no I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.

“My name is unimportant, it wasn't my intention to stir a crowd like this. I was just frustrated. I slept through most of the events that have taken place tonight.”

He looked shocked “You slept through the voice of God." Another fanatic. "Excuse my language, I mean the Witch?”

I saw a man walk up to the speaker in another lab coat and glanced at the dark blue armor for a second.

“I woke to find out that my whole world had been turned upside down. I still can’t believe something like this happened. Someone I was most dear to died on this day.” Gods I hated talking like this made me want to rip my ears off.

Ned was looking at me with tears in his eyes but I could see a smile of amusement on his lips. He could tell that I wasn’t from the middle or upper class of the outer city.

“That’s just fine. I’m pretty sure one of these men or women would be happy to grant you a tale or two about the voice. Legan gives the young woman her set of armor so she can be off. You lot, do your best to get ready. Don’t want to miss the chance of your lifetime.”

Legan an assistant maybe made my skin crawl. The man looked similar to the one talking but he didn’t seem too bright. Like something wasn’t all there.

Taking the armor, I spoke “Have you people at least found a way to seal the dungeon back should it become a problem.”

“Why of course we can seal the dungeon whenever we want.”

"Don't fucking lie about it, man!" Someone shouted. The crowd caught it. Thank the Gods for the truth. The city wasn't short of lie detection skills they were just that handy.

Snatching the armor I was about to make myself scarce but first I needed information.