6 Chapter 6: Abyss Dungeon?

Perseus POV

"You really are different." Zenis commented

"I've been told."

"I'm surprised the empire hasn't whisked you away already."

"I hide it well...it was obvious when I see smart people who were taken away to never return."

"Smart boy." she then ruffled my hair, "Is there anything you want to know?"

"Why am I not allowed out at night? I can see people working their shifts at night...why aren't children allowed to go help out or at least get some fresh air?"

"There's no rule against it, but you're not allowed out at night because it's dangerous," she answered, "The guards... they're the real threat out there. They're always looking for fresh meat at night, children like you... you wouldn't stand a chance against them. It's better to stay inside where you're safe."

"By the way, why do we have decent facilities? We even have good toilets."

"The empire doesn't want us to revolt, there have been many revolts and rebellions in the past, so they've learned to be less oppressive. But that doesn't mean they're benevolent. It's all part of the facade, but as you can see...daily beatings and torture are still a thing. Even killing sometimes..."

"Is there a certain quota for us to reach in order for any kind of freedom?"

"Well, there is." she answered, "There's the regular monthly quota for the whale team where if we gather enough, we'll have 2 extra days outside of Sundays to relax and not work, or reach the age of 60 where we'll be granted permission to leave..."

"The way you trailed off there...do people not leave?"

"They don't." she smiles sheepishly, "The world outside... it's scarier than you think, most beg to come back after seeing and experiencing what's out there. Discrimination, violence... it's all worse on the outside. And the authorities...they turn a blind eye to our deaths."

"Revolting sounds so good right about now."

"Hmm...well, the others don't like to talk about this...but do kids nowadays still believe in prophecies?"

"Depends, I guess?"

[A: I can see your expression, no, I have not been programmed with the knowledge of such a prophecy.]

"There's an old prophecy told by a person similar to me a few decades back. She was thrown in here for a crime that was never truly known..." Zenis said while hugging her knees, "It says that a hero will be born who will free us from our chains...

"But here's the thing, the prophecy also says that the hero will not be born among the slaves. It's said that he will be born among the nobility."

"I see..." I then turned my voice down to a murmur, "Does this mean that the hero has already been born?"

[A: Yes, you and the hero share the same age and have been born at the same time. It would have been earlier if you hadn't been so stubborn. And no, I was not the one who killed you.]

This system's customer support thing really is way too sentient for its own good, but it's good to have something like this to rely on.

But since I'm 6...damn, it'll take a while before that hero can do anything about this whole slavery schtick. And even then, they may be born of nobility belonging to another nation, and that may delay all of this even further. 

I can sort of spearhead a revolt and free ourselves, but that will take out many of us here, I'd estimate that about only 20% of us will survive, and even then, we'd be living as fugitives. If we wait for this hero guy, not only will I have a chance to get in contact with him, we'd suffer way fewer lives lost.

But the latter will take too long, and even the first option will take a couple of years, I need to learn some basic fighting magic.

[Quest: Get in contact with the hero.]

[Time limit: None]

Shit...I might have to go with the latter...too much thinking for now.

"You look like you're thinking something deep there." Zenis said and squeezed my cheek, "What are you thinking about?"

"Can I know what was the exact prophecy?"

"Sure, I'm the only one who believes in it, so I've memorized it." she then cleared her throat:

"In the halls of kings or noble's keep, a hero stirs from a troubled sleep. Bound by fate, to break the chain, yet shadows lurk, where a demon reigns."

"That's quite a scary prophecy."

"Isn't it?" Zenis chuckled, "Let's go back to your training now, I can hear Harold calling for everyone."

If there's a prophecy for us on our end...does this mean there's one for the other side too? I still need to learn a lot more if I want to get by in this world.

*****

As I was wandering around when the sun was setting, I found myself eavesdropping on some guards after hearing the word 'hero'.

"...news from the royal castle," one of them murmured, "The hero has been born."

"They say the birth of the hero will lead humanity to conquer the Abyss Dungeon," the other replied

"I know, the hero is fated to chase away the demon god after all, such a dungeon would be nothing."

"I don't remember the whole thing, but what was it again?"

"Through demon's wrath, the hero strides, conquering dungeons where darkness hides."

What is the Abyss Dungeon?

I already have some ideas in my head on how to approach all of this, but first, I need to feed myself. The food they gave isn't going to be enough, and I need to be strong while also hiding the fact that I'm strong...

One problem at a time, let's figure out the layout of this whole thing and where to possibly go and hide when I escape.

I need to get to know this hero guy or girl fast too, I assume that a lot of my powers will come from helping them on quests and missions, and being in this dump will slow me down.