Chapter 33: License

|A/N: Due to my hectic schedule, I will upload 5 chapters a week, I will guarantee that it will all be at least 1000 words each. If I'm lucky, you'll get 6-7 chapters a week.|

Perseus POV

I arrived at the town with the creative name, Abyss Town, where the dungeon is. The Abyss Dungeon itself is located right in the middle, I then went to this small tourist spot where you can stand to see the dungeon since the dungeon only allows licensed adventurers to get in.

The dungeon was this large gaping maw, a chasm of darkness that seemed to stretch endlessly into the depths below. As I stood on the precipice and leaning against the fence, peering down into the abyss, I felt a shiver run down my spine.

The darkness below was impenetrable, an inky void that swallowed all light and sound. There was something unnerving about the sheer vastness of the dungeon, the sense of emptiness and solitude that pervaded its depths. It was as if the darkness itself were alive, watching and waiting with bated breath for unsuspecting adventurers to descend into its depths.

"The voice...it's calling to me..."

"Yeah, you might want to get away." a nearby guard warned and held me back, "The dungeon does that to everyone...if you go in without proper help, you'll die."

I couldn't see the bottom of the dungeon, no matter how hard I strained my eyes. It was as if the abyss went on forever, descending into infinity with no end in sight. The mere thought of venturing into such darkness filled me with a sense of dread...but I need to go down there to help learn about my quest and how to complete it.

To go into the dungeon, you can simply jump in and you're supposed to be teleported to the first floor...that's all I know for now.

I then walked away a bit to learn about the town. I also want to find a way to get in with a fake license, because to test for the actual one, I need to be about 2 years older while also having to test myself against some instructor, and lastly, give away my blood to be used for future identification purposes.

Everywhere I looked, there were adventurers clad in armor and wielding weapons of all shapes and sizes. Some were seasoned veterans, their faces weathered by countless battles and their eyes alight with the thrill of adventure.

Others were fresh-faced newcomers, eager to make their mark on the world and carve out their own destiny in the depths of the abyss. I can see why this is the most profitable town in the world, the amount of businesses here and the fact that none of them are empty...it's just so competitive.

but as I walked, there were whispers and murmurs that caught my attention. The news of the escaped criminals from the Southern Empire had spread like wildfire through the town, and the infamous reputation of the fugitives preceded them wherever they went.

I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation mocking the incompetence of the king and his lackeys. It seemed that the news of their failure to capture the escaped criminals had become the subject of much amusement among the adventurers and bounty hunters gathered here.

*****

At night time, I wandered through the dimly lit alleys of the town. I approached a group of shady-looking characters loitering in a secluded alley, their eyes darting furtively around as they exchanged hushed conversations.

They seemed to be the type who might have information about the black market and how to obtain a fake license for the abyss dungeon.

"Excuse me," I whispered while keeping my voice low to avoid attracting unwanted attention. "I'm looking for a way to get a fake license for the Abyss dungeon. Do you know where I might find someone who can help me with that?"

"Don't you sound a bit young?" One asked

"I've been told, but I failed the test...and I'm sure that there's many who do."

The group exchanged wary glances, sizing me up with suspicion. But after a tense moment of silence, one of them stepped forward, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"You got money?" He asked

"Depends on whether you can give me the answer I need."

"You're in luck, my friend," he said, "I know just the place. Follow me, and I'll take you to someone who can hook you up with what you need. You don't even actually have to go to the black market."

*****

The shady guy led me through a maze of narrow alleys until we arrived at a shop tucked away in a secluded corner of the slums. The exterior was broken down and boarded-up windows.

As we stepped inside, the air was thick with the scent of musty parchment and ink, and the shopkeeper, a grizzled old man with a crooked grin, eyed us warily from behind the counter as we approached.

"Got money?" he grunted

I nodded, reaching into my pocket to produce a small pouch of coins.

"I'll pay you the rest once I get what I need." I said before handing some coins to the guy who led me here as he left

The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed as he regarded me with a shrewd gaze, sizing me up with skepticism. But after a moment's hesitation, a sly grin spread across his weathered features, and he beckoned me closer.

The shopkeeper motioned for me to follow him to the back of the dimly lit shop, where a small, cluttered workspace awaited. Pots of bubbling liquids simmered over an open flame, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

He selected various vials of colorful liquids and carefully measured out precise amounts of powders and herbs from jars lining the shelves. He mixed the ingredients together in a large mortar and pestle, grinding them into a fine paste.

Once the mixture was ready, he spread it onto a piece of parchment paper and began to shape it into the form of a license. With skilled fingers, he etched intricate designs and symbols onto the surface, imbuing it with an air of authenticity.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the shopkeeper held up the finished product, a grin of satisfaction spreading across his face. 

"There you have it," he said, handing me the forged license. "One fake abyss license, as promised."

"How sure are you that this will work?"

"Trust me, kid...it's as great as they come, they won't even know that you're a former slave."

"...How...how'd you know?"