Connor woke up in the Worker's cabin with a sigh, grabbed his equipment as usual and left.
Today was the day he starts his exploration. The plan was simple, slowly inspect the area and if he was overwhelmed, run!
After getting everything he needed Connor started walking towards the cave. He was no longer fearful of the Swamp as no matter what came his way he easily took care of, whether they were Spikerats, Devilworms, Moths or even a couple Mud creatures. He managed to get quite the Soul Energy but that did not matter to him, as now he stood in front of the opening.
The cave appeared to be a prior Mining cave but was abandoned. Wooden pillars held the entrance with a few torch holders on each side of the tunnel, unfortunately though none had any on them.
Inside the darkness Connor could faintly see something flying around and upon a closer look he saw that they were a large number of Moths, around 6 or 7 Moth creatures were going around in the darkness without care. Connor reached into his Inventory and grabbed a couple of torches placing them onto the holders just a few steps into the cave. This provided him enough light and comfort of mind, he then grabbed another torch and held it in his left hand with his sword in his right and started venturing inside.
Screech!
One of the Moths noticed the approaching human as it quickly gave him a warning, but this human did not seem to care. They saw him approach without any fear before standing still, looking right at them. All the moths quickly started flying towards him, screeching and bearing their stingers.
Connor saw them approach and quickly started backtracking, stepping out of the cave but standing right outside the entrance.
'The cave entrance is approximately the same size as a normal doorway' He smiled. 'These things won't be able to all get through.. I can use this to my advantage!' And just like that began the slaughter. Connor, using his new Skills dodged and struck, but this time all he needed was a properly aimed swing and the moths would tear open like paper one after the other, and before he knew it their corpses littered the ground.
'I should get to work quickly and keep moving!' He thought, grabbing a hunting knife and started dissecting the corpses for their precious materials.
Grabbing the torch tighter, Connor walked in once again.
There was a tunnel that led into a big opening inside the cave. Connor was surrounded by rocks, weeds, spiderwebs and a few other things that made him uncomfortable. Upon reaching the opening he saw a few of what he guessed were ore veins here and there popping out of the walls and a huge hole that led into another part of the cave, leading down to god knows where.
On the right Connor noticed a camp with a body a few feet away from it. There was a campfire, a tent, a few utensils and a chest.. Not too far away from all of these was the body of a man wearing a Fighter's Armor with multiple holes ravaging his body with dried blood everywhere.
"Guessing this is Dorgan!" Connor muttered, looking at the man. "He was most likely preparing here before being swarmed by the Moths.. Idiot!" Connor sighed, walking towards him and taking everything the man had on him, including his Armor. Connor found another Blade Fragment on him, which made his collection up to 3 Fragments, he also found a List in Dorgan's pocket with some names and a Magic Scroll with a Healing Spell inscribed.
The camp did not have much inside except some food and water, a pickaxe and some ores inside the chest.
"This is it? This is all I had to do? This idiot didn't even make it that far!" Connor shook his head. "How embarrassing"
Coming here just to kill a few Moths and leaving wasn't worth it, so he decided to check out the area before going back.
Other than the giant hole that most likely led to the Temple, Connor found another doorway. It was another tunnel held by wooden pillars that led somewhere. With some hesitation Connor started walking in, not daring to even scrape by the wood fearing the whole thing would fall on him. Suddenly, as he walked, he could hear some form of low growling from around the corner. He slowly snuck there and peeked.
The tunnel finally ended and another opening was in sight. Connor looked around carefully, but froze the moment he noticed the source of the low growls.
'What the fuck is that?' He stared at a very skinny humanoid looking creature. Its skeleton structure could be vaguely seen even with the ink black fur covering its body as it breathed in and out. Razor-sharp claws left Connor vigilant as it rhythmically scraped against the stone ground, easily breaking rocks and leaving trails in the stone. Its head was dog-like with a long snout. It appeared to be sleeping as Connor slowly walked back, making his way out of the cave as fast as he could.
'The floor isn't made out of dirt.. it was hard stone, but that thing was playfully playing with it in its sleep as if it was clay!' Connor thought, taking in a few deep breaths. He wasn't about to stay there any longer as he quickly walked back to the Bandit Camp, straight to Brog.
"I found Dorgan" Connor quickly said.
"Was he really dead?"
"Very dead"
"That idiot.. Well, if he keeps some of the Ruins Monsters fed and off our backs for a little longer than that would be the most useful thing he ever did" Brog continued. "Did he have anything on him?"
"He had some List.. I'm guessing this is what you're looking for" Connor pulled out a piece of paper.
"Hand it over" Brog said, holding out his hand
"What's the hurry? I'm guessing these are the people who owe you protection fees.. It is not approved is it"
"Don't play around little pup and hand it over.. NOW!" Brog said menacingly.
"Don't worry, I have no ulterior motives, here you go!" Connor handed it over. It could have been a good piece of evidence but it wouldn't be enough.
"Good" Brog said. "You know what.. Maybe you'll succeed when that idiot Dorgan failed. Take it and go get me my money from the names on there, what do you say?"
"Why not.. Seems easy enough!" Connor quickly agreed. Anybody could fake some paper with names, but Gold? It cannot be faked!
"Alright, here you go little pup.. Don't disappoint me!" Brog said with a smile.
"I got it!"
The list had a good number of names.. Some Connor recognized and others he didn't.
'Since Oscor is the first one and closest, let's start with him!' Connor thought. He walked towards the man and greeted.
"I'm here for Brog's money!" He said.
"You're running errands for that man now? It's not a good way to make friends around here!" Oscar said angerly.
Connor knew that well, but what else should he do? He was not planning on staying here forever anyways and after he's done here he will leave and return only when needed.
'Oscor was the smith, what if he doesn't do work for me anymore?' Connor thought. "Oscor, don't hold a grudge against me, you know how Brog is" He said.
"Yeah yeah, I do" Oscor reached into his Inventory and grabbed some Gold. "Here"
300 GC was given to Connor just like that, but he knew very well that not everyone will be willing to give their Gold this easily.. 'This is going to be a pain in the ass!'