Chapter 115. Tunnels, Events, and Yelesna

The ambush wasn't just similar. It happened in the same spot, with the same number of bandits, having the same composition of 'Classes.' 

It didn't take more than a Corpse Tendrils and some Corpse Explosions to get rid of them, but it didn't change the situation at hand.

"A 'saved game'? But how is that possible!? This is not a Dungeon... Or rather, this not a Dungeon yet?"

Bandits or not in the tunnels, they were being used to transport goods between outposts. If this place were to turn into a Dungeon, it would certainly inconvenience many people.

Not to mention if villagers or merchants would be caught in its creation.

The first thought that crossed his mind was that he would get caught in the creation of the Dungeon and become similar to the bandits in Light's Watch.

Fortunately, reasoning prevailed, and he continued the exploration. More Brigands and other types of bandits were cleaned until he reached Surgat's Passage.

Seeing how he was outside, the weird feeling in his guts didn't go away but instead intensified.

"Judging by the Main Quest marker, I'm very close to Yelesna. Let's go there and check with the City Guards. Hopefully, they know something about this."

Unfortunately for him, not even half a kilometer after exiting the tunnels, the Sanctuary decided to fuck with him some more.

[ World Event joined - Caravan Under Siege

Objective: Speak with the villagers. ]

Seeing his gut feeling worsening, Michael looked ahead at the three carriages under which one 'villager' was hiding and yelling at him.

[Please, sir! Help us!](?)

'Us? There's only you, from what I can see. Are there more people in the wagons?' 

Feeling strange about the situation, Michael had his minions follow behind him as he approached the troubled man.

As soon as he was less than a meter away, the man sprung forward, laughing and cursing.

[Die you fool!](?)

Unfortunately for him, his sword fell on a Legendary shield, dealing zero damage. Michael looked mockingly at him as the Goons surrounded him.

[Damn it! Get him, boys!](?)

With a plethora of bandits running from the nearby bushes, Michael realized this Event was strange. Could it be that the Sanctuary was someone tricked?

[ World Event updated - Caravan Under Siege

Objective: Survive for 10 minutes.

Mastery: Slaughter the bandits. ]

"Slaughter? Damn... is the Sanctuary pissed off or something?"

With the situation getting stranger by the second, Michael had no choice but to fight. 

Activating his Bone Storm to keep assailants at bay while giving his Skeletons freedom to act as they would, the 'slaughter' started.

Ten minutes later, the last bandit fell, and a Radiant Chest appeared in his place. Without hesitation, Michael opened it.

"Uhm... A Magic Item box, 22 Topaz Fragments, and 20 Murmuring Obols. *Sigh* Stingy, but I'm getting close to my maximum limit for Obols. With 490 pieces, I should check if there's a Purveyor of Curiosities in Yelesna."

With the strange feeling gone, Michael took one last look at the Western Mines and bolted toward the city. He wasn't willing to be out in the wilderness even for an extra second.

Still, with all the killing and the World Event, his experience bar was... astonishing. 

"102,788/110,880... I say, isn't it ridiculous to get so much experience in the wild? It took less than half an hour to go back and forth through the tunnels. If I can repeat that daily tens of times, won't I get to Level 50 faster?"

Remembering the strange feeling of being watched, plus the strange voice, and adding on top of it all the possibility of the tunnels becoming a Dungeon, he cast away the thoughts of returning. 

From now on, he would use goddam Waypoints!

When he approached the city walls, a group of giant bats attacked him again. Just as he was prepared to cast Reap on them, he heard the City Guards shouting at him.

[Hold on, kid! We're coming! Run toward us!](?)

Slightly shocked, he scratched his head in confusion. Since he was closing in on the city, he unsummoned his Skeletons to not scare the guards. The last time he forgot to do that in Kyovashad, he was almost shot with arrows from the walls.

Sighing in annoyance, he cast Reap and killed the group of five giant bats, stunning the incoming guard.

[Oho? Not bad, kid! You're a Wanderer?](?)

"Yes, sir. My name is Michael. I'm a Necromancer."

Listing out his name and Class, he would judge this city's reaction to him being a Necromancer through this guard. That way, he would know whether to keep quiet in the town about it.

[Necromancer? That's a rare Class you have, kid! Where are your summons?](?)

"I sent them back to their plane. Last time I approached Kyovashad with them around me, I was almost shot to death by the City Guards..."

[Hahaha! Yeah, that would do the trick! Smart kid, you learn fast! My name is Svitla. The people of Yelesna don't care much about the quarrels between Necromancers and the Church, but our city is full of Knights right now. It would be best to keep mum about your Class.](Svitla)

He thanked the lady and had her guide him to the entrance. Yes, it was surprisingly a lady, though her build was... on the manly side.

"Did the Knights come here recently?"

[Yes, some days ago, after an incident happened. Why do you ask?](Svitla)

Seeing the suspicious look he was given, he rolled his eyes at the woman. The Sanctuary already said its piece some minutes ago when Yelesna was in sight.

[ Main Quest update - Tarnished Luster

Objective: Enter the Knight's Garrison. ]

"I was sent here for a Quest. I must get to the Knight's Garrison, apparently."

[And where did you say you were coming from?](Svitla)

"Originally, Kyovashad. However, I came from Margrave this morning."

[Margrave!? Did you go through the tunnels!?](Svitla)

Hearing the woman raise her voice in surprise, Michael knew something was wrong with the tunnels, as expected.

"Blasted things, those tunnels. Festering with bats and bandits. Couldn't tell which one of them were more..."

[Not surprising given the recent changes. Didn't Priest Matvey tell you about not going through them?](Svitla)

"Matvey? No. I talked with him, but he didn't mention anything. Truth be told, I didn't tell him I'd go there either."

[Tsk! You got lucky, kid. I heard that they might turn into a Dungeon. That's why there are always tons of monsters in the tunnels.](Svitla)

'Lucky my foot! I had to clear them twice so far...'

"What about the Knights? Are they a pain in the ass?"

[Not really. They are surprisingly helpful. They are willing to even teach us a few tricks, which have already come in handy when dealing with bandits and demons.](Svitla)

"Demons? This close to the town?"

[Unfortunately. Well, I'm sure you'll hear more from them. Knight Fabian, this kid is looking for you guys!](Svitla)

Hearing the woman, Michael realized that they were already standing in front of a tall, fully equipped Knight.

At some point, they had already entered the city, but he didn't pay any attention to his surroundings at all... 

[Svitla? Hmm? A Wanderer? Why are you looking for us?](Fabian)

"I was sent here by Mother Prava. I need to get to the Knight's Garrison. There should be someone waiting for me there."

[Mother Prava!? I understand. Follow me then!](Fabian)

"Uhm... A moment if you would. I need to activate the Waypoint first."

[Oh? Sure. Go ahead, it's right there!](Fabian)

After 'registering' in Yelesna, Fabian brought him to a building guarded by four Knights. 

Fabian explained the reason, and they allowed Michael entry without a hitch. Scratching his head and begging mentally for some help from the Sanctuary, he entered.

"Pardon the intrusion."

[ Main Quest update - Tarnished Luster

Objective: Speak with Captain Ankers. ]

"I came here..."

A gesture from the person sitting at the table silenced him. Next to the door, another table filled with documents stood. At it, a City Guard was reading through some texts.

[Continue reading.](Ankers)

[Yes, sir! Vigo says: 7th: Lost a month's wage tonight. Unbelievable!](?)

[That stupid fool! *Sigh* Continue...](Ankers)

'Some Knight... Isn't gambling prohibited?'

[Vigo says: 10th: A woman came to the mines. Gave me a wealth charm. Crazy, but it worked!](?)

[I swear to the Light, I'll have that crazy bastard locked up! Continue.](Ankers)

[Uhm... yes, sir! Vivo says: 11th: Daughter showed up. Relentless. Something about a demon. Already reported it, but she won't give up. Going to keep watch at the mine. Light knows she'll break in if I don't.](?)

Another set of collective sighs followed, making Michael wonder if he should listen to this conversation to begin with.

Seeing the Captain turn his head to him, the Necromancer knew it was his turn. He only hoped that the man wouldn't vent on him.

[Who are you, and what do you want?](Ankers)

"Prava sent me. I'm looking for... Ahem... Vigo."

[You and that nuisance of a child both. Girl's been nagging us about a demon woman all week.](Ankers)

"A demon woman, huh... Where's Vigo now?"

[Vigo's gone, looking into other claims. He should be at the mining camp north of here.](Ankers)

"I heard something bad happened recently in the mine?"

[A whole escort of Knights went missing there last week, along with that girl's mother and another woman. Watch yourself out there...](Ankers)

Hearing the words and putting two and two together wasn't hard. Vigo was most likely the knight in charge of the mines. After losing money gambling, that child's mother gave him a good luck charm, and his luck turned around.

'They probably hooked up or something...'

Then, last week, a whole escort of Knights disappeared into the mines alongside that girl's mother and 'another woman.' Following that, the child tries to break into the mines to search for the mother while also claiming that the 'other woman' is a demon.

'*Sigh* This has Lilith written all over it...'

[ Main Quest complete - Tarnished Luster

Reward 1: 1,500 gold coins

Reward 2: 8,870 experience points. ]

[ Main Quest issued - The Knight and the Magpie

Objective: Go to the mining camp at Pine Hill. ]

The air in the small office was displaced, and Michael reached Level 30. Under the curious eyes of the people inside, he apologized for the disturbance and left the building.

With his goal for the day reached, he immediately wanted to add Golem to the skill tab but hesitated to do so. After all, the last time he did, the Golem appeared instantly.

Having that hulking juggernaut appear suddenly in a town plagued by rumors of demons and missing Knights could possibly end badly for him.

'Let's wait until I reach the mines to do so. Damn it... there are at least three Side Quests in Yelesna I can take. Looks like I'll be busy soon.' 

Smiling, he walked toward the location of the mines indicated on the MAP.

[ Class: High Necromancer

Attack Power: 583

 Armor: 1207

 Life: 870

--------------

Strength: 144

Intelligence: 169

Willpower: 156

Dexterity: 173 ]

Unfortunately for him, Pine Hill was obviously outside the city. 

'It's not like I didn't expect that. It's a mine, after all... it would be stupid for it to be inside the city. More wilderness, huh? I might as well check the other Side Quests first. And maybe even visit that kid Zalan Coste...'

Looking at the MAP and confirming it, there were indeed three total Side Quests in Yelesna. So, he decided to get them before heading out for the Main Quest.

Next to Yulian, the Healer, he found Olesia, the first Quest Giver. Checking the stall with strange jars behind her, he first wanted to fish for some intel.

"Hello. My name is Michael."

[Olesia.](Olesia)

"What kind of services do you provide?"

Only after the words left his mouth did he realize how bad the question actually sounded. He could only pretend he didn't realize how stupid he was...

[Heh. I provide a steady supply of, shall we say, specimens... for the clergy nearby. However, their desire for knowledge has become more dangerous to... satisfy lately.](Olesia)

"*Cough* I see. How can I help?"

[I require a host of intact Ghoul hearts from the surrounding area. There's something special about the ravenous dead nearby - they can reanimate with only a few drops of blood.](Olesia)

"Sounds... scary."

[I know, right? I'd venture out and retrieve these myself, but I'm more accustomed to dealing with the FULLY dead. Your discretion is appreciated, of course, and you will be rewarded.](Olesia)

Seeing the smile reaching her eyes when she said the words 'satisfy' and 'rewarded,' Michael knew she was poking fun at him for asking about the 'services she provides.' 

Olesia was pretty hot and all, but he didn't have a habit of cheating. So, he got his Quest and got out of there.

[ Quest issued - Ravenous Dead

Objective: Collect Ghoul Hearts (0/15)

Description: Olesia, an Alchemist in Yelesna, has requested that you gather Ghoul Hearts from the ravenous dead around Creaking Mill and Morskota Lake. ]

With one Quest taken, it was time to check on the other two.