As they walked, the cave seemed to grow darker and hotter.
The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat, and Viktor and Jonh were starting to feel disoriented. They needed to find a way out, but they didn't know where they were going.
Atlas alerted 'USER!!!'
Viktor, upon hearing this, raised his head and saw something in the distance.
"John, look!"
Pointing at a large number of torches that were included in the cave wall. The torches were covered in dust and the steel cables were rusty, but they still gave off a faint light of hope, especially for John.
John, with a broken leg, in a cast and covered in a smelly animal skin, was tired and discouraged, but after receiving new hope, he felt a great inner happiness.
"We are approaching a human settlement! The torches have guided us to the entrance!"
Viktor nodded and together they began to follow the torches, which led them down a narrow path. Following the torches that guided them. They were a beacon in the midst of great darkness. They were eager to find out what awaited them. But Atlas gave the answer they expected.
Atlas alerted. 'WARNING USER! THERE IS A BLOCKAGE AHEAD! A METAL GATE WITH ARMED GUARDS!'
"Hey, John. I think we're here..." sighing tiredly.
"W.… What?" Jonh looked ahead.
Jonh immediately recognized the gate and started crying with joy, even with the mask covering his face, tears flowed and dripped onto the floor. It was a structure, made of reinforced steel, with marks from past battles.
"Be still and let me talk"
He remained calm and changed his tone to authoritative. But it was difficult with his broken leg and signs that he was sniffling from crying. He tried his best not to cry again, but his emotions spoke louder.
As they approached the gate, one of the guards, a robust man with visible scars, recognized Jonh. It was Kevin, one of the veteran guards.
"Jonh! What happened to you? Did you get hurt again?" Kevin asked.
with a smile of camaraderie and sarcasm that softened his stern expression. Covering his nose with his hand.
"What's that smell, is it because you're crying? Seriously, John needs to find a better job and who is that guy with you?"
Jonh responded quickly, without hesitation. "This is the new recruit of the guild. I'm trying to train the newbie."
Viktor was surprised by Jonh's flimsy excuse.
"No one would believe this story!" he thought.
'AFFIRMATIVE!' Even Atlas agreed, emitting a slight beep of disapproval.
However, Kevin remained silent for a moment, evaluating the situation, and then nodded, allowing them to pass.
"You can pass!!" he warned the other guards at the gate.
"Welcome to New Umbra!!!"
As they passed through the gate, Viktor couldn't help but express his surprise.
Jonh smiled sideways. "They don't care or ask questions. They're not the ones who risk their lives to hunt beasts outside the gates. As long as we have more hunters to scare the creatures away for them, without asking questions about where and when we were, they're satisfied. They prefer to stay safe inside the gates rather than risking it outside."
As they entered the gate, Viktor carefully observed his surroundings. The reinforced steel gates he had just passed through were marked with deep claw marks and dark stains that bore witness to the fierce clashes that had taken place even at the entrance gates.
The rotten smell of the carcasses of dead animals that had been slaughtered in defense of the gate spread, attracting flies and insects. Those that were not too damaged were used as food and vending materials. The injured guards were being treated by nurses and doctors, while others were exhausted from the fight but had no choice but to continue fighting. Their faces were tired and desperate. The headlights on the walls cast dancing shadows all over the place.
The guards, with their hardened expressions and watchful eyes, remained in their positions, ready for any eventuality.
Viktor could hear the distant sound of metal against metal, probably from some training or weapon repair. The atmosphere was tense, with hunters and guards moving quickly, each with their own concerns and missions.
As they walked, Viktor heard the guards murmuring among themselves. "Another fresh meat..." said one of them.
"Another fool seeking his end..." commented another, shaking his head in disapproval.
Focusing on reaching the city, they continued walking and soon saw the smugglers' underground city ahead. They continued walking until they reached the entrance of the city and soon saw the smugglers' underground city ahead. Contrary to what Viktor had expected, the city was prosperous and vibrant.
Elegant buildings made of polished metal. The streets were wide and well-paved, with modern streetlights illuminating every corner.
Shops displayed rare and expensive goods in brightly lit windows, while merchants negotiated with discerning and not-so-educated customers. The sound of lively conversation and laughter echoed through the streets, creating an atmosphere of prosperity.
Merchants, dressed in elegant attire, displayed a variety of wares. Exquisite jewelry, exotic fabrics, and advanced hunting equipment were attractively displayed in the shop windows. Such as weapons, armor, and traps.
Customers examined the products with interest, while the merchants attended to them with a cordial smile and impeccable professionalism.
Viktor was thoughtful. "This doesn't look like a city of criminals..." looking around.
Jonh noticed Viktor's expression and replied, "You're looking at the mirror, not what's inside it."
"..." Viktor understood what Jonh meant.
The external appearance of the city hid its true colors. Jonh was taking Viktor to meet someone in the central area of the city.
As they passed through the bustling streets, Viktor wondered how the smugglers had so much freedom and time to build such an impressive city. Someone was investing heavily there.
"How did they manage to build this city?" Viktor muttered to himself.
Atlas, ever alert, whistled in agreement.
'IT TAKES A HIGH LEVEL OF INVESTMENT AND ASTRONOMICAL PROFIT TO KEEP THIS CITY RUNNING.'
Atlas continued.
'BASED ON THE STRUCTURES AND INFRASTRUCTURE OBSERVED, I ESTIMATE THAT THE FUNDS EXPENDED TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THIS CITY WILL BE IN THE ORDER OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF INVESTMENT FROM DREXONS TO APPROXIMATELY.'
Viktor nodded. "Someone with power and resources available is behind this."
'AFFIRMATIVE.'
As they approached the city center, they came to a bridge located in the middle of the passage, in the heart of the city, which crossed an artificial river. The water was hot due to the heat generated by the generators and industrial activities. Steam rose, forming a mist that made the environment even more suffocating and difficult to see.
"These rivers are used to cool the generators." John explained as they ran across the bridge. "But with the heat they produce, it's hard for water to cool them... The city leaders hire ice users to cool them often..." He sighed wearily.
"But where are they?" Viktor asked.
"I have no idea, it's not our problem!"
Viktor found himself surrounded by polished metal buildings with sloping roofs that stretched upward. The sound of negotiations and heated discussions filled the small, dimly lit alleys. The taller buildings had simple balconies, devoid of any vegetation, offering only a view of the concrete walls that surrounded them. In the center of one of the main squares, a gilded statue of solid gold stood, an imposing and powerful figure, illuminated by dim lights. It was eight meters tall, and the statue's figure was that of a middle-aged man, neither very handsome nor ugly, but rather a rather frightening face on average.
The statue was the center of attention in the square, meant to show off its influence and power, and people passing by could not help but stare at it, mesmerized by its presence. Some people were afraid of the statue, others were envious. Around the square, simple cafes and restaurants offered a variety of basic dishes, and the smell of cooking food mingled in the air, creating an enticing aroma for Viktor that stirred a ravenous hunger in his stomach.
The city center was always bustling with people, but security controls over the city were tight. Surveillance cameras were installed on every corner, monitoring people's every move. High-tech surveillance drones patrolled the streets equipped with cutting-edge Level 2 technology, detecting and preventing any potential threats.
"Seriously, how did they manage to build a place in the middle of nowhere, still underground?"
'AFFIRMATIVE! USER, IT IS ILLOGICAL THAT THEY CAN TRANSPORT YOU INTO OR OUT OF THIS PLANET, WHILE BEING WATCHED BY THE UNION.'
"Atlas, you don't know the UNION like I do..." Viktor sighed
Despite the UNION being a nation, it's divided from within, by several factions, one betraying the other. An endless cycle of unbridled greed, seeking ways to maintain power and profiting from the most obscure means imaginable, such as accepting bribes from criminal groups.
'I can imagine who's involved...' Viktor thought worriedly, but was interrupted by John.
"Kid, look there!"
Jonh pointed to several bridges that extended in different directions. "There are several bridges that connect to the center, north, east, west, and south. We're going to the central area."
Jonh continued to explain.
"The city is divided into several areas. In the South, where we are now, are the deepest passages of the underground. It's here that the city defends itself against the creatures that rise to attack, like the fire ants. It's also the main point of commerce for hunters and traders who exchange, sell, or buy the creatures killed after the hunt."
He pointed to the east. "In the east wing, you'll find entertainment: betting houses, games, escorts, and even a fighting arena. It's where people come to have fun and spend their money."
Jonh turned to the west. "In the west wing, is the mining and refining process. It's where they create weapons and armor, both for trade and for the city's defense."
He then indicated the North. "The north wing is the poorest area. It's a place where you don't want to be found. Many who live there prefer to keep a low profile."
Finally, Jonh pointed to the center. "The central area is the richest and controlled by the smugglers. It's the neutral zone, where important business is done and where we're going now."
"How do you know so much about this city?"
Jonh sighed. "The guild established itself here because of certain favors. It's better not to know the details."
"So why are you talking to me about this?" Viktor asked, still confused.
"Simple, don't mess with them... I'm serious, kid !!" Jonh replied with a serious and cold tone.
"Each part of the city is commanded by one of the leaders of the smugglers. The reason this city hasn't turned into a civil war is that each one can't interfere with the other's territory. But I confess that the situation isn't good." Jonh admitted, looking around with a worried expression.
Viktor frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Jonh sighed. "Each leader has their own territory and their own rules."
"And why is the situation not good?" Viktor asked, concerned.
"Because tensions are rising. Each leader wants more power and territory, and that can lead the city to ruin. That's why you should stay away from them, or anyone involved with them." Jonh replied, his tone serious and cold.
"So don't create problems, especially for me!" he said with a cold tone.
"Jonh, don't worry, have I ever brought problems to you?" Viktor asked, smiling at Jonh.
"...."
'USER...'
"Okay, I'll try." Viktor said with a confident smile.
"I don't want you to try, I want you to do it !!" Jonh said with an irritated tone.
"Okay, but I don't promise anything." Viktor said with an apologetic tone.
"You don't... "
Atlas, always vigilant, emitted another beep. 'STAY ALERT. I DETECTED SUSPICIOUS MOVEMENT AT 3 O'CLOCK.'
Viktor quickly turned in the direction indicated by Atlas and couldn't help but notice the eyes of the local inhabitants fixed on them with a suspicious tone.
"Hey Jonh..." Jonh quickly looked in the same direction as Viktor.
"They seem to not like strangers."
"They don't like anyone." Jonh replied. "Let's speed up our pace."
"Okay." The two accelerated their pace.
John and Viktor continued walking towards the city center. As they got closer, the buildings were luxurious, some simple, and some run-down. Finally, they stopped in front of a three-story apartment, but it was a bit run-down, showing signs of wear and tear and neglect.