Chapter 40: Emergence

Perseus POV

I've lived here for an estimated 3 years now, and to think that inside the dungeon as a 13-year-old is more peaceful than it is on the outside is just something no one would have thought to be possible.

But it's time to give Cedric his sword and accomplish my quest.

[Level 17]

[Rank: Novice]

[Role: Assistant Hero]

[Status: Normal]

[Abilities: Water breathing, Night vision, Enhanced Poison resistance, Chant-less cast, Eye of Ra, Eye of Horus.]

[Quest: Make sure the hero receives the sacred weapon.]

Since it's winter down here, I put on a lot of clothes and a beanie to hide my hair. Luckily Elpis knew how to cut my hair throughout my time here, so just a beanie was enough, I also applied magic to have it extra stuck on my head.

*****

As the familiar sights and sounds of the town came into view, I quickened my pace, eager to see what had changed in my absence. The streets were bustling with activity, adventurers and townsfolk alike going about their business.

News traveled swiftly in these parts, and it wasn't long before I caught wind of the latest developments in the world beyond. One was that the chaos that had happened in recent years had finally begun to subside and there was some fragile peace.

Another was the news of the rise of Cedric, the guy managed to rise into prominence, especially after exposing and defeating a demon who hid and disguised as a professor in the Centralia Academy of Light.

I then got a nearby newspaper, when I saw Cedric's face on it.

"Two years away from graduation, Cedric was already being hailed as one of the top students in his class, his academic prowess matched only by his unwavering dedication to the cause of equality.

"With his closest friend, a former slave named Henry, by his side, Cedric had built a platform to fight oppression and discrimination..."

Well, from the looks of it, I should be able to walk around somewhat freely once I'm at the southern empire, Cedric managed to convince that cold monster of a father to implement some laws to help the others walk without getting a lot of harm.

*****

I got up past all the past 5 floors and got to this steel rope, which I grabbed to climb up and escape the dungeon, I finally got real sunlight in the past few years. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I returned to the familiar sights and sounds of Abyss Town.

I then walked around and made my way to that shop, the same one that supplied me with the fake license. It took me quite a long while, but I arrived at the spot. Pushing open the creaking door, I stepped inside, the dim interior illuminated only by the flickering light of a single lantern hanging from the ceiling.

Looks old like before, but yet it doesn't look or smell like it aged much.

"Ah, back so soon, are we?" he said with a wry smile as I approached the counter

"You've aged."

"Don't need to be so blunt, the healer said that I still have a long way to go. What do you need this time?"

"A way to go to the southern empire...I rather not hide like last time, it was a bit too cramped, and you're the only guy that I can somewhat rely on."

"So you want one that won't inspect you too much?"

"Yeah, I rather spend most of my time in the room, I just want to rest, my trip on the way up here was already tiring as is...the monsters were just too relentless and vicious, I got bit by several rats."

"Well, how much is your budget?" he asked

"I got a bit, I killed and sold the corpses of monsters from the 4th floor to the merchants on the rest floor for money."

"Alright, here." he then wrote me a set of directions on a piece of paper. 

I paid him a couple of copper, and he refused to take it at first, but I just insisted. He doesn't look like he got too many clients, so I might as well, besides, I saved up a good bit.

"Kid, what's your name?" he asked as I got up to leave

"...it's...I'm Perseus Silver."

"I'm Garett, see you around kid."

*****

I arrived at the docks and looked for the ship that fit Garett's description, and sure enough, I did. So I then approached the worker who was welcoming people in front of it. And I listened to him talking to the others to make sure, and it confirmed that they were heading to the southern Empire.

I then approached him and made the necessary payment, he gave me a room key and I took it before I got on the ship and headed straight for my room. I got in and locked the doors, asking the system to check if there were listening or spying devices nearby.

I then released Elpis and asked her to help double-check the room.

"What are your thoughts on returning there after hiding for so long?" Elpis asked

"Conflicted."

"Won't showing your face again anger the king?"

"It would, but I should have enough time to be out and about. I also plan to meet the others and just check on them...but as planned, please don't reveal anything about what I've been doing...I don't know how many of them are being paid under the table to learn information about me."

"But they're suffering from the same as you...you should trust them more."

"I should...but desperation does a lot to a person, so I can't risk it...besides, even if it's not them, the king might have some spy to listen in...the dungeon is a safe place for us, and I rather it stay that way."

"What about that town?"

"I plan on visiting there...to pay my respect to the old man, and to see if he got my letter...after that...we're going to focus solely on the dungeon, the faster we're done with all of this, the better."