Chapter 4: Ch.2- Orange forest

It was early morning. After killing the boy I came back to the orphanage and sleep some hours. When sunbeams began to appear, I immediately started directing myself to the center of the city. I was scared that the gang members might notice his absence too fast, but they didn't.

I walked towards the center of Agartha where The Abyss was situated, always making sure to keep an eye on my back. The lower districts were dangerous for me at this moment. I had half of a red potion hidden under my shirt, it will be bad if I get assaulted before I even reach the safe part of the city.

Usually, an attack wouldn't happen because no beggar will try to rob another beggar, but is better to be careful. After cleaning myself in the river, I don't look like actual walking trash anymore, being in the body of a girl also doesn't help. I had no option though, there is no way the soldiers wouldn't annoy me if I try to enter the center city looking like that, many rich humans value a lot of hygiene. I made sure to keep the pocket knife that I stole from the boy visible in case someone thought I was good prey.

The obsession of humans to show their prestige has been beneficial this time, the boy from before not only had proper clothes but also an abnormal amount of money.  He had 47 copper coins which allow me to buy bread or even milk.

I wonder if I should have killed him. Without the orphanage run by the church, I wouldn't have any safe place to sleep. My situation was desperate, and killing him was only going to get things worse. Ultimately, it resulted in a small success, after all, he had money which now I can use to go to have more chances to survive, but in the future, I should act less impulsively. I can't commit an error on that dungeon, I can't let the parasite of emotion cloud my mind.

The Abyss cannot be underestimated, there I can't commit errors. The largest and deepest dungeon in the world by difference is also the more bloody. If I remember correctly, it is the source of the most prominent and powerful adventures to have ever existed. Only 4 layers are known, but ancient sacred texts say that there are more than 6. However, this is not confirmed.

-Go to the bottom, all answers will be yours then-

Each layer of the 'Man-Eating-Hole' has its ecosystem with its own sets of natural rules. It's said by the church, that God created it as a way to punish an angel that rebelled against him, this is also yet to be confirmed so I can't believe it until further proof, after all, humans lie a lot.

-At the bottom, Demiurge waits for you, you need to be ready-

For now, it's useless to think about its nature. I need to concentrate on how to survive my first expedition. The percentage of adventurers that die on their first expedition according to the teacher, is close to 79℅. 68℅ are all impoverished people like me. He used to tell the class all the time about this, I don't know how reliable it is, but better take it into account. 

I can't just go and start descending, I need to search for information about the fauna and the dangers that I will have to face. If I want to make it into my job, I will need to learn how to survive for various days without ascending in case something went wrong. Then, when I get enough money, I will -go to the bottom- do my studies, and search for a safe workplace that won't result in the detriment of my body and a diminution of my life span like the jobs obtainable in the slums.

Even while I was immersed in my thoughts, I keep alert for any possible danger. People started waking up and leaving their houses, and some of them already looked like potential dangers.

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I kept walking, and gradually the slum around me began to change. The dilapidated buildings and narrow alleys began to give way to magnificent structures and wide streets. I could see more and more soldiers doing patrol.

For a moment, I stopped to take in the view. Everywhere I looked there were grand palaces and bustling markets, colorful flags, and exotic creatures. It felt weird as if I shouldn't be here. I don't like this feeling.

I began moving again. As I walked through the streets, I could feel the parasite emotion building inside me more prominently.

Adventurers bustled past me on their way to destinations unknown, merchants selling exotic wares, and acrobats performing daring feats in public squares. Everything was exactly how it was described by the teacher...it was........a weird feeling, one not pleasant... I'll just ignore it like always.

I stared into the distance and I saw the principal motive for why I came here. The Abyss.

-At the bottom, all answers are there-

I decided to -ignore it for now first I needed to gather information- go there first. I needed to get to the bottom.

I started walking, -searching for any kind of library- going straight to The Abyss. There all answers will be mine, and I could go back with it.

As I walked, I looked at the palm of my hand. My status was written there.