The sky had long since darkened, and the faint glow of the moon offered little comfort. I sighed, my frustration mingling with exhaustion. I’m still lost. Completely, utterly lost. Tomorrow was going to be a disaster—I’d missed an entire day of work, and there was no doubt I’d get in trouble for it.
But even if I managed to find my way back to the job site, where was I supposed to sleep? The thought gnawed at me, each step on this endless road making my legs heavier. My rage, which had burned so fiercely earlier, had simmered down thanks to Tsukihana. Her words had a strange way of cooling the storm in my chest.
Maybe I can talk my way out of this mess. Bunchy might let me crash at his place if I plead my case. He probably feels at least a little guilty for what happened—or at least I hope he does. But that’s assuming I even find my way back. Even if Bunchy agrees to pick me up, I don't know where I'm at.
I find a bench far from the shops and sink down onto it, resting my elbows on my knees. The cold wood presses against my back as I try to calm myself down. Think. There has to be a way out of this.
Maybe there’s a bridge around here? It’s not much of a plan, but at least it’s something—a place to sleep, at the very least.
As I stare at the empty street ahead, trying to piece together a next move, something familiar bounces into view.
No way.
It’s Pachesko. That absurd, round, bouncy figure is impossible to mistake. He’s as surreal as ever, his endless energy somehow not dulled by the night.
“Sup, daryn?” he calls out, grinning like he hasn’t got a care in the world. “Congrats on hitting LV3!”
I blink. “LV3?”
“Yeah! Didn’t you check your profile?” he says, tilting his head as if my confusion is the most ridiculous thing he’s heard all night.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, completely lost.
He shakes his head, his grin widening. “Man, you’ve gotta stay on top of this stuff. Open your menu. You’ll see what I mean.”
Reluctantly, I pull up the menu, the translucent screen flickering into existence in front of me. A blinking icon at the top catches my eye. I tap it, and a new screen slides into view.
And there it is—my stats, my level, and a notification I hadn’t even noticed.
LV3
Skill Improvement and New Skills Added
* Backpack: You can save up to three objects and call them with a thought. You can also switch them out just as easily. Objects might weight less than 40 kg per slot.
* Eye of the Curious evolves to Eye of the Intern
* Eye of the Intern: This skill lets you gather info about people or objects—names, categories, classes, descriptions, skills, Level, Mana, and BWH measurements. Info that is not provided either doesn’t exist yet or is hidden by security skills.
“Wow, I really need to start paying attention to these things,” I mutter, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Pachesko chuckles, his signature grin plastered across his face. “Yeah. Imagine if you fell asleep after a battle and missed a message like this. Not a good look.”
“I know”
“So, what are you doing out here, all alone, without a party or even a place to crash? Don’t tell me—after all this time, you still haven’t managed to put together a proper, sustainable life.”
“Pachesko, I’ve only been independent for two weeks,” I snap, my frustration spilling into my tone.
“And your paycheck?”
I grimace, avoiding his gaze. “I… don’t really want to talk about it.”
"well at least you have a place to stay, besides the bridge, right?"
"Yes, but i'm lost."
“Unbelievable. Look, you’re in the capital, right? You need directions. Basic stuff.”
“That’s why I need help,” I say, leaning back on the bench. “I don’t know anything about this place.”
“Then buy a map. Duh,” he says, shrugging like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“A map?”
“Yeah, something that shows the structure of the capital.”
“Damn… I don’t even have a single coin.”
“I have a solution.”
“What is it?”
“Underground fights.”
“You’re kidding,” I say flatly. “Those places are crawling with powerful warriors… and I’ve heard people die there.”
“You really don’t change, do you? Always stuck in your little bubble. No, they don’t kill each other. Sure, maybe a few broken ribs, and yeah, maybe an arm or a leg goes missing here and there, but hey—you’ll make some cash and still be alive, right?”
Before I can argue, my stomach growls loudly, cutting through the conversation. The hunger I’d been ignoring hits me all at once, and Pachesko smirks.
“See? Even your gut agrees with me.”
“Fine…”
“But before you dive in, shouldn’t you take care of something first?” he says, a knowing look in his eyes.
“What? Huh?” I blink at him in confusion, then realize what he means. “Oh, I see… Let me find something first.”
----------------------------------------
Pachesko guides me through the shadowy interior of a tavern. The dim light barely illuminates the crowd of sketchy patrons, and while no one says a word, I can feel their stares drilling into me.
At the back of the tavern, we slip through an inconspicuous door that opens to a steep staircase leading underground. At the bottom, there’s another door, this one guarded by a large figure.
“Password?” the guard growls, his deep voice rumbling through the air.
Pachesko steps forward, completely unfazed. “Wriggling shadows.”
The guard doesn’t hesitate, stepping aside and letting us through.
I shoot Pachesko a glare. “If you know all of this, then I bet you could’ve told me where my job was located in the first place!”
He grins, completely unbothered. “No! Or… could I? Who knows? Come on, Daryn, enjoy this while you’re still young. Don’t make me think you’re still that loser from before. I wanna see it for myself.”
I bite back a retort as we step into a massive underground arena. The air is thick with the roar of the crowd and the smell of sweat and adrenaline. In the center are multiple fighting rings, each filled with combatants. Brutal races dominate the scene—orc warriors clashing with minotaurs, eagle men tearing into opponents with razor-sharp talons.
I groan, burying my face in my hands. “I don’t think I can do this…”
“Don’t be such a wuss,” Pachesko says, smacking me on the back. “You’ve already endured a lot worse. Come on, it’ll be your turn soon.”
I freeze, my heart dropping into my stomach. The announcer’s voice echoes through the arena.
“The winner of this match will take home a prize of 100 silver coins!”
One hundred silver coins? My head spins at the sheer amount. For a single night that is a lot.
The announcer continues, hyping up the match. “In the blue corner, a complete novice—Blue Fresh Meat! Zero wins, zero defeats!”
I cringe at the nickname. Seriously?
“And in the red corner, with two wins and zero defeats, Transparent Mantra!”
“What the hell is that?!” I exclaim, staring at my opponent as it enters the ring.
The creature is… bizarre. A gelatinous mass of translucent goo wobbles into the arena, four tentacles emerging from its body, with glowing red eyes glaring at me from its semi-liquid surface.
“FIGHT!” the announcer shouts.
Instinct kicks in, and I rush forward, my fist already cocked back for a punch.
“DARYN! NO, YOU IDIOT!” Pachesko’s voice cuts through the chaos, but it’s too late. My momentum carries me straight into the monster’s range.
My punch lands squarely—only for my arm to sink deep into its gelatinous body.
“Huh?” I blink in confusion. My arm is stuck, the gelatinous mass clinging to me like quicksand.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Wow,” I mutter, disbelief creeping into my voice.
Before I can react, the creature’s four tentacles lash out, wrapping around my face and neck. They constrict with terrifying strength, cutting off my air.
I can’t breathe! My vision blurs as I thrash wildly, trying to pull free, but its grip only tightens.
“DARYN!” Pachesko shouts again, his voice barely audible over the roaring crowd.
My mind races. I need to think. Fast.
I can hear it—a faint, gurgling sound of pain from the creature.
“Release me!” I shout, struggling against the gelatinous mass that still clings to me.
The creature may look like a pile of goo, but its weight is nothing to scoff at. Gritting my teeth, I thrash and agitate its body, forcing it to loosen its grip just enough for me to pull free.
In my hand appears the object I saved earlier using my Backpack skill—a long, sharp wooden stick I found in the street. It materializes with a thought, appearing right when the Mantra had sunk my arm into its body.
The moment the stick was inside its gelatinous form, the creature writhes, visibly uncomfortable. So you don’t like pointy things, huh?
Seizing the opportunity, I dash forward, gripping the stick tightly like a makeshift bat.
“Let’s see how you like this!” I yell, swinging the stick with all my strength.
The stick smashes into the creature’s gelatinous body with a resounding whack. The Mantra lets out a strange, guttural noise and retaliates, flinging its tentacles to block my strikes.
But then it begins to glow—a faint, eerie light emanating from within its body.
“What now?” I mutter, already regretting not checking its info before the fight.
The glow intensifies, and suddenly, everything about the creature changes. My punches, which had been landing with some resistance, now slide off its surface as if I’m punching soap.
“What the—?” I try again, but my fist slips right through, completely ineffective. I can’t even feel the impact anymore.
The crowd roars in approval as the Mantra glides toward me, its tentacles whipping around like snakes.
It must’ve activated some kind of skill. I need to think fast.
Sweat drips down my face as I dodge one of its strikes. My mind races. If I can’t land a clean hit, how do I even fight this thing?
An idea sparks in my mind.
Soap can get sticky and solid with enough grit, I think, my heart pounding. It’s worth a shot.
Dodging another swipe of its tentacles, I send up a handful of sand from my backpack skill and hurl it straight at the Mantra’s glowing body and specially the eyes.
The grains hit its gelatinous surface, sticking and spreading across its form. The Mantra quivers, its movements slowing, and the glow begins to dim.
It’s working!
The amount of sand clings to its body, turning its once-fluid, slippery form into a gritty, semi-solid mass.
I don’t wait for it to fully recover. With my wooden stick in hand, I dash forward and swing, this time landing a solid hit right in its core.
The Mantra lets out a garbled screech, its tentacles flailing wildly.
“Not so slippery now, huh?” I grin, feeling a spark of confidence for the first time in the fight.
A hit there, here, and the mantra is beaten for good. I step on it
“AHHHHH”
Victory roar
“The winner is the blue fresh meat!!!” the announcemt is given through the speakers.
----------------------------------------
The map:
With the money in hand, in the corridor. I finally take a breath of relief.
“You did it!” Pachesko grins, practically bouncing in place. “You’re not a loser anymore!”
I glance at him, skeptical. “You think so?”
“Yeah, but don’t get too full of yourself. You’re still a pervert and an immature mess.”
“Fair enough,” I mutter, not even trying to argue.
Pulling out my phone, I glance at the time. “God, look at this—it’s already 11 p.m.!”
“Well, hurry up then. Let’s get that map you needed so badly,” Pachesko urges.
We find a nearby shop that’s still open. The dimly lit interior is filled with crafts, trinkets, and various essentials. Among the clutter, I spot a stack of maps.
I pick one up, labeled Map of the Capital, and hand over 80 silver coins—nearly my entire reward. It stings a little, but at least I’ll finally have some direction.
“Good, now you’ve got it!” Pachesko says as we step outside.
I unfold the map under a streetlamp, trying to make sense of the intricate lines and labels. It’s overwhelming at first, but as I trace my finger along the streets and districts, I start piecing it together.
“Okay... I think I’m starting to get it,” I mumble, squinting at the details while I walk through the streets.
Pachesko peeks over my shoulder, nodding approvingly. “See? Not so hard. Now you won’t get lost like a clueless noob.”
“You know what, let’s just ask someone. Haha.” My laugh is nervous, but it’s better than wandering aimlessly.
I push open the door to a small shop, the faint jingle of a bell announcing my arrival. Inside, an elf stands behind the counter, her gaze steady and confident. My mind trips over itself. She’s... captivating. Her figure could win competitions for sheer perfection, and there’s a maturity in her presence that sends my thoughts spiraling into dangerous territory.
“Welcome, dear customer. "
Her tone is soft yet seasoned, the voice of someone who’s seen and done more than I can imagine. “Milf—”
“What?”
A sharp jab hits my back. Pachesko, my companion, shoves me forward, snapping me out of my daze. I stumble but catch myself, my cheeks burning as I quickly compose myself.
I cough to cover my slip. “Sorry, it’s cold outside. I, uh, I was stuttering.”
The elf arches an elegant brow, her lips quirking into a smirk. She doesn’t believe me, but she lets it slide. “Oh, I see. So, what brings you to my shop?”
Her voice carries a confidence that unsettles me, like she’s already figured me out.
“Right. I’m... lost,” I admit, pulling out the map and unfolding it. “I have this map, but I don’t know if you can help guide me through it.”
She eyes the map briefly, then exhales slowly. Smoke curls from the long pipe she’s just summoned from seemingly nowhere. After a moment, she gestures for me to hand it over.
“This,” she says, holding the map delicately between her fingers, “is a view map. It’s not an exact structural map.”
“Not sure what that means…” I say, tilting my head.
She exhales another stream of smoke, her eyes narrowing slightly. “It means it shows a general layout of the kingdom. It’s not detailed or accurate, but it’s better than nothing.”
“I’m still lost,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. “I just want to figure out where this place is. And where I can find mine dust.”
“Mines, huh?” She taps the pipe against her lip thoughtfully. “I don’t know much about those places, but I can guide you through the map. For a fee, of course.”
Before she can put a price on it, I make the offer.
“Ten silver coins. Take it or leave it.”
She inhales from the pipe again, watching me like she’s searching for the slightest hint of hesitation. And exhales slowly.
“Fine.”
Her smirk deepens, victorious, as she pockets the coins and begins to study the map.
image [https://i.imgur.com/WEBiXeu.png]
"The center is obvious, kid," she begins, her voice smooth and confident. "The castle of the capital—biggest structure in the whole kingdom. Stands at 300 meters tall, the highest point around."
I nod, glancing at the map as she continues.
"The gray area here," she points, "is what we call the Medium. That’s where the wealthy live—their money outshines everyone else’s. Lavish homes, perfect streets, you get the picture. Outside of that," she circles her finger around the map, "are the rural zones. That’s where most of us live, sell, eat, drive, and work. A bit chaotic, but it’s home."
“And these green and gray areas outside the circle?” I ask, pointing at the map.
"The green is the forest. Dense, wild, and unpredictable. As for the gray, that’s where you’ll find minerals, caves, and dungeon entrances. Big mountains, too. Dangerous but lucrative if you know what you’re doing."
I nod slowly, piecing it together. "I think I get it. But what about these blue and red lines?"
"The blue lines are safe paths," she explains, tapping the map. "They’ll take you to other cities outside the capital and, if you follow them long enough, even to neighboring kingdoms. The red lines, though—that’s the adventurers' path. Novices and wanderers take it to avoid getting lost."
"Oh… I came from this path," I say, pointing at the red line.
Her smirk deepens as she leans closer. "Let me guess—you got robbed."
"No…" I protest weakly.
She chuckles, stepping around the counter and tilting my chin up with her fingers. Her touch is light, but her grin is wicked. "Yes, you did."
I decide not to answer, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze.
"I guess the last thing is the gray spots inside the capital?" I ask, steering the conversation back.
She steps back, her expression relaxing as she explains. " People in a hurry to work or find parking stay there. The streets are chaotic—traffic jams, people walking everywhere. Like you see now. The loose zones are areas where there is not much selling point and are used for workers to find parking and get out quickly to their destinations and business companies where they need space to work on."
I nod, remembering Bunchy telling me how lucky he was to find an apartment in a quieter area.
"Here," I say, marking the gray spot on the map near the desert. "I want to go here."
She raises a brow, examining the map. "That’s a bit far. Section H, outer zones. Ask for directions while you walk, but for now just go left and straight."
She explains how most places are marked by letters, and I realize that’s where Bunchy lives. From there, I can call him on the phone.
"Thanks," I say, folding the map.
"No problem, Daryn."
Her voice lingers in my mind as I scratch the back of my neck, trying to focus on her eyes and not... anything else. She notices but doesn’t comment, her smirk returning as she puffs on her pipe. I quickly leave, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.
During the night, I reach the destination after asking many people for directions.I call Bunchy. We talk about everything that happens. Thankfully, he’s feeling a bit regretful and lets me crash at his place. Pachesko leaves, muttering something about coming back when I least expect it.
“You’re having a rough night, Slimmy,” Bunchy says, his voice muffled by the hamburger he’s eating. Surprisingly, it’s chicken this time.
----------------------------------------
“Yeah... thanks for picking me up,” I say, slumping into the couch.
“At least you were close to the area. I was worried about you. I want to call earlier, but I figure you’re still mad. I don’t want what you did to Josh to happen to me”
We both chuckle at the memory, though it feels a little bittersweet.
“So,” I ask, leaning back, “does Tenque say anything?”
“Don’t worry about him,” Bunchy says, waving it off. “We all have a nice long argument with him. Let’s just say... we barely win. We owe you so, relax”
“I don’t think I’ll forgive them so easily,” I mutter, crossing my arms. “I’m thinking of pulling a joke on them as payback.”
Bunchy raises an eyebrow. “No way. Don’t even think about it.”
“Why not?”
He sets his hamburger down and fixes me with a serious look. “Daryn, your soul is like a hamburger.”
“What?”
He ignores my confusion and keeps going. “You can make it spicy, right? A little spicy makes you happy. But then you add more, and it’s still good—maybe even better. But if you go overboard, you regret it when your lips are burning and... well, when you’re stuck in the bathroom.”
I stare at him, utterly baffled. “What does that even mean?”
“What I’m trying to say is... revenge might feel sweet at first. But if you take it too far, you’ll end up regretting it.”
“Bunchy,” I say flatly, “you’re not making any sense. You’re just rambling about hamburgers and spice.”
“Doing a joke to Sorey,” he says, ignoring me, “only leads to more chaos. Trust me.”
I sigh, slumping further into the couch. “Ah... fine. Maybe you’re right.”
He grins, clearly pleased with himself. “Of course I am.”
We don’t say much after that. Exhaustion hits me like a tidal wave, and we both fall asleep right away.