Ten minutes passed, and she left onto the streets. The service tunnels were on the edge of the upper district, out of sight, so it didn’t detract from the luscious views of the ship. It was also where the back elevator and sewage pipes ran.
There they are. Astrid walked up to the group. They stood in front of a yellow door that was attached to an old red, bricked wall.
“Hey, Astrid.” Daniel continued. “Before we start, let introduce the crew.” He slung his arms around two bodies covered in tal. One was slender, the other as wide as a beer keg. “Rob and Josef are the steel walls of the group. They’ll have your back no matter what.”
Rob looked like he had a wide smile glued to his face. A bucket helt covered most of his features, making it hard to tell what he looked like. He was clad in thick armour with a tower shield firmly in his hand.
Losef was wearing a lighter plate of armour. He had his helt off and cradled into his arm. He was well grood, his beard wasn’t either long, nor too short. Trimd just at his jaw-line. A large stream of feathers cascaded from the top. His shield was in the shape of a kite, and a spear lay against his arm.
Daniel then motioned toward a regal-looking woman clad in robes. Her posture resembled soone from the noble family, but it looked forced to Astrid’s trained eyes. “Rachelle, our mage healer hybrid, uses a bunch of spells but mainly focuses on healing.” Daniel leaned in and whispered. “Watch out for her temper. It’s as hot as the flas she wields.”
He chuckled at the harsh glare from Rachelle and motioned to the others. “Then we have Brett–”
Brett stepped forward. “Nice to et you. I’m the group's rogue. Not going to lie. When Daniel said he was bringing a noble mage user to our mission, I told him to eat shit. But here you are.” His hand shoved forward in greeting. “ and nobles don’t seem to get along, but I’m sure you’re fine.”
Astrid shook his hand. “I wonder why.”
Brett laughed. “See, I was right. I had a good feeling!”
“You’ve already t Lisa, our team's archer.” Daniel motioned to Lisa. “She specialises in tremor scouting and area archery.”
“Nice to et you again.” Lisa said.
Astrid reciprocated the greeting.
“It’s nice to et everyone.” Astrid said. “I won’t slow you down. You have my word.”
“That’s alright, you’ll be supporting us from safety with your force magic, anyway.” Daniel said.
"You've done your research, huh?"
"What team leader would I be if I didn't?“ Daniel smiled. "Are you ready?”
“One second.” Astrid pulled her combat dress out of her bag and split it over what she was currently wearing. Then, she tightened the armour plates in place and finished by covering her golden hair with the dark-hood. “Why the service tunnels?”
“Looks fancy.” Daniel continued. “Well, it's better than having to pay a bribe every ti we want to go back ho. I rember one ti we ca back after a run in with darklings. Had no coins to our na. Ahh, that was a dark ti.” A wry smile pulled up his lips.
“I think it’d be best if we used the main elevator.” Astrid said. I need to be certain they can be trusted.
“I guess you’re right, with you around their grubby fingers wouldn’t dare pinch my coin. Been a while since I saw that fancy elevator.”
Astrid nodded. “Hmm, I changed my mind. We’ll use the service tunnels.” Astrid opened the door and walked in.
“Are all nobles such fickle creatures?” Daniel said.
“She doesn’t trust us.” Lisa shrugged. “Don’t bla her either.”
“Sorry for testing you.” Astrid said. "After a certain event, I prefer to stay rather cautious."
“Not at all.” Daniel said. “I prefer having the people in my party cautious. Fewer mistakes happen that way. Ain’t that right, Rob?” Daniel nodded towards the warrior hanging around in the middle.
“Mmm.” A low grumble left Rob’s mouth.
“He’s shy.” Daniel whispered.
The tunnels look so old, what is that oozing out of the pipes? The sll is unbearable. Astrid pinched her nose, unable to bear the sll any longer.
“First ti in the tunnels?” Lisa said.
“It is.” Astrid said as she looked around her.
“What made you want to join us?” Lisa asked. “Sorry for being curious but, you could have joined a fresh, fancily equipped team provided by your father.”
“That's not the Sinwen way. The Lord's children need to fend for themselves.” Astrid continued. "That ans no equipnt handed out. You are required to scout your own team. If they stab you in the back, it's your fault."
“Damn, that sounds rough.” Brett laughed.
“But that’s not all. It’s mostly because you are Wayfarers.” Astrid said, peering at the badge on their chests.
“Ah, another one wanting to beco a Wayfarer?” Rachelle said. She had a slight sneer on her face.
“Got a problem with that?” Astrid said.
“No problem, it’s just that whenever we’ve had newcors from other divisions join us, well let’s just say they didn’t last very long.” Rachelle said.
“Dead?” Astrid asked.
“Or lost their minds.” Brett interjected. “Only a few people can manage living with your life on the line daily. It’s a stressful business, only those ssed up co out with all limbs and a breath still left.”
“You have people that aren’t Wayfarers joining your party?” Astrid tilted her head.
“Oh, all the ti.” Daniel was picking at sothing between his teeth. “Joint missions with Seafarers and the Humanity Corps are a common occurrence.”
“Yeah, and it's a pain in the ass.” Brett spat. “The Humanity Corps have the common sense of a bull trying to figure out a puzzle for the first ti.” His voice turned deeper. “Smash this, smash that. Oh no, we pulled a room of monsters. Wayfarers, deal with them.”
Rachelle laughed. “Or the Seafarers, damn will they never leave the safety of their boats.”
“What are the bets that they want to take charge of this mission until shit hits the fan?” Brett said..
“I don’t take bets with guarantees.” Daniel smiled wryly, shaking his head. “Anyway, my lady, what kind of adventures have you gotten up to?”
“Adventures?” Astrid said. “None worth ntioning. I’ve been locked up in the Upper District my entire life. Daily sword training here and there, that’s it.”
Daniel shook his head. “Ah, that sounds awful, even if it has gold plated shithouses and jewel encrusted toilet paper.”
Daniel’s right, I can no longer bear staying in this place. My destiny is out there, within the deep, endless oceans. A blaze filled Astrid’s eyes as her hands clenched into fists.
“Then what about you, Daniel?” Astrid said. “What’s your story?”
“Already getting to that stage in our relationship?” Daniel nudged her arm.
Astrid’s eyebrows twitched.
“Ah, joke.” Daniel winked. “Well, my parents died from a Spawn attack sent from the underbelly, so I figured I'd take the Wayfarers exam and try to put a stop to them.”
“You seem to still be in high spirits?” Astrid wondered. Could I still act this way if my parents were killed? Astrid shook her head. No way.
“Of course, life dealt a shit hand.” Daniel wrapped his arms around Lisa and Rob’s shoulder. “But life is more than the things that threaten to put you down. I have a new family now, and a common goal to achieve with each other.”
“I didn’t take you as a philosopher.” Astrid smiled.
“What the hell's a filosither?” Daniel tilted his head.
Astrid broke out into laughter. “Nothing.”
“Oh, c’mon, tell what it is!”
They walked toward an old elevator. The cogs that it was attached to were visible. An acrid sll of decades old rust and oil wafted down the service tunnel. Two guards stood at either side.
“There are guards here?” Astrid said.
“If there wasn’t, any tom, dick, or harry could waltz up onto the upper floor. Only military personnel may access the lift.” Daniel walked forward. “Hey Jack lad, care to let us in?”
Then where does that leave ?
“You still act like I’m not old enough to be your father.” The guard, Jack, shook his head. “Who’s that?” He motioned towards Astrid.
“New team mber, you know how it is.” Daniel shrugged.
“Feel sorry for the lass, having to work with you a lot. Alright. Go on then.” Jack said. “You’re late. Most of the forces are already down below, ready to venture into the Underbelly.”
“Well, saving the best ‘till last.” Daniel lifted the elevator’s latch as they all walked in.
“Good luck, you lot.” Jack said.
Daniel smiled and nodded.
“I an it, Daniel.” Jack warned. “The underbelly ain't what it used to be nowadays. After the Leviathan attack, it’s like they’ve been fed with industrial grade steroids. It’s more dangerous and erratic than ever before. Keep your head on a swivel at all tis, you hear ?”
“I hear you. I appreciate it.” Daniel said. “Say hello to the wife and kids.”
“I’ll let them know you were asking for them.” Jack nodded.
The elevator ground to a halt with a bang. Astrid’s arms shot out to grab hold of the railing, keeping herself on her feet.
A few laughs tickled her ears as she shook her head.
“Little warning next ti?”
“Right, sorry.” Daniel continued. “C’mon.” He pulled up the barrier and walked into the streets. “Welco to the slums of the lower district. Keep your hands clutched around your purse and head on a swivel.”
They headed straight through the slum town. The inhabitants used rusted, salvaged sheet tal for most of their hos. Others relied on tarpaulin sheets or old fishing nets layered with flattened cardboard boxes. The sll was familiar, but unlike the pri area of the Lower District, there was a waft of death. From the fight to clear the area, Spawn bodies were scattered.
These living conditions are appalling. How can anyone live like this? We let this happen, right on our doorstep?
“You okay Astrid?” Lisa gazed at her.
“I’m fine.” Astrid said.
Swiftly making their way through the slums with no ti wasted. They stopped where a bunch of teams gathered. She was surprised to see a familiar face. Jonathan. She was curious about how he would handle his first mission. He never really seed like the kill-the-monster type. He was with a group of his friends, along with a few veterans–all wearing Seafarer uniforms. All navy with black boots.
Then she looked near the front where Kaylan was situated. Her brother was wearing worn tal-armour that radiated with power.
People watched as Astrid and her group arrived, their eyes glued to them like a bunch of hawks. They were all wearing different armour. Leather, fur, and plated-steel, to na a few. Astrid tugged at her hood, hiding her face. They all had one thing in common, though: badges were all stitched or welded to their chests. Seafarers, Humanity Corps, and Wayfarers all grouped up.
“Are they all here for the money?” Astrid said. Gazing upon those that had lower quality equipnt, much like Daniel and the others. They obviously lacked connections to the noble families.
“Ha, no.” Daniel said. “From experience, few of us do it for the coin. It’s nice, of course. But we all do it for a chance at a new life. To escape this.” His eyes wandered to the hos, if they could be called that.
“Soldiers! Get ready. The doors open in five minutes! I hope you all left letters by your beds.” Soone shouted. He was wearing a high ranking Humanity Corps uniform, a peaked cap fastened to his head. Fancy pauldrons adorned his shoulders while golden tassels hung, swaying side to side at every movent.
It’s ti for my first mission. Astrid’s eyes flashed with a fiery blaze. Her trembling hands pressed up against her heart. She could feel the mana within her body twirling like an excited storm. Astrid took a deep breath to calm herself. There was no room for error. She wouldn’t make a mistake like before.
The large tal doors were welded shut. The Humanity Corps officer stepped forward as a stream of highly condensed fire left the palm of his hand. Soon, he cut through the entire weld and the doors opened with a loud tallic groan.
Astrid peered around her. Everyone's faces were serious. All at once, they unsheathed their weapons. They were ready for war.
Her vision drifted to Jonathan. He clutched a tall wooden staff in his trembling hands, his knuckles turned white at the grip. A tapping sound emitted from his shoe as he glanced down at the endless darkness behind the doors.
Daniel motioned Astrid to co close. Daniel dragged her into the middle of the group, right next to Lisa and Rachelle.
“I’m going to get serious now, so you better listen.” Daniel said. “From now on you do as I say, when I say. Don’t take a single step out of formation. No matter how much fancy training you went through, the real thing isn’t the sa. Understood?”
“Understood.” Astrid nodded. She could sense the seriousness within the room, it was overpowering.
“Good, we’ll hang near the back and let others go first. We’ll be taking the easiest path. Overconfidence is a killer.” Daniel said.
System users entered the darkness like a river. Finally, it was their turn to join the stream.
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