Chapter 102: Chapter 102 – The Nightcrawler Scrapper

Astrid left the shop with the outfit stuffed in a ragged brown bag. It was the only bag that hadn’t entirely crumbled within Cai’s shop.

As she walked through the Lower District, she realised that subtlety was no longer on her side. Well, not that it was originally either, but it was far worse now that she had gained renown.

Everyone gazed at her in awe, especially those of the younger generation. Many would stand and gawk, while others would approach her and give her words of encouragement. Astrid didn’t know what to do with all of the attention.

Part of her felt elated, the feeling of her hard work and adventures being told around Rebirth, like the bards of old was something that couldn’t be put into words. It was strange having a spotlight on her actions, but thinking about it, it wasn’t that different to when she was younger.

Everyone constantly told her that she was the jewel of Rebirth. Her talents in the Sinwen Sword-Arts were unparalleled and her beauty was unrivaled.

She had won a lot of competitions and the constant praise had gotten to her head, causing her to become arrogant. Ever since that day in the Lower District when the Leviathan attacked and she had suffered a vicious injury, she swore never to sink into arrogance.

Well, I may still be a little arrogant. But arrogance in small doses is good. Astrid thought.

It was what she believed. Every strong warrior needed arrogance. Some may think that they might just be supremely confident, but under that confidence, was always a deep rooted self-arrogance that seeped into their bones.

It’s what allowed them to reach the peak.

Or that’s what she thought anyway. It was her belief.

Noticing the attention she was gathering, she blasted an illusionary smoke cloud all around her and bolted into a nearby alleyway.

Astrid clambered into the robe, but made sure not to put the mask on yet. It would be a nightmare if people started yelling in the streets that a masked warrior was randomly patrolling the streets. It was suffice to say that anyone wearing a black robe and a creepy mask was not welcome.

No one dared replicate it either in fear of being assaulted on the streets. Dressing up in something she shouldn’t reminded her of a certain festival period on HMS Rebirth.

I can’t wait for the Monster Festival. Astrid’s hands itched in anticipation.

It occurred once a year and it allowed everyone to dress up in whatever outfit they wanted. Usually, most would try and become the scariest thing they can think of. Whether that was from the Wayfarer's personal experiences, or monsters that were in the myths and legends.

It wasn’t the only festival that the people of Rebirth celebrated either.

They used to hold a lot of meaning within her heart as Astrid and her mother would sit down and stitch outfits together. It was some of the only time that they were able to be with each other longer than at the dinner table.

But now, with her maturing heart, and her thoughts that travelled further than what was right in front of her nose, it was easy to see the reason as to why they existed.

They were a distraction.

Astrid glanced at the commoners as she walked, camouflaged in her new robe. They were bored. The only activities that they had were work and a few hours at the pub.

The children had various plays hosted by the kind men and women of the lower floors, but there wasn’t much. Unlike up above, there were no fields for the children to frolic in, or enormous soft play rooms.

Although warrior families like the Sinwen’s didn’t get to play much. Astrid thought when she was little her arm would tear off from the amount of sword training she was put through. But it helped keep her mind off of… unsavoury people.

Astrid tutted.

She turned to a level thirteen commoner, with her illusions activated. She merely wished to disguise her voice to a less suspicious one.

“Where can I find the Night-Crawler inn?” Astrid asked in a deep voice that sounded like a low thrum.

The commoner gave her a side-glance, but ended up giving her the directions she needed.

Astrid nodded and walked forward. She peered over her shoulder and saw the commoner that she had asked for directions was whispering to another older man. But after seeing the direction she was taking, they shook their heads.

Shit, they really have a strong sense of community, don’t they? Astrid thought as she sped up into the crowd.

The Nightcrawler Inn was deeper into the Lower District, by the description of the directions, it was near the Underbelly.

The Underbelly… I wonder what they have done with it. If it’s anything like last time, the Spawn would slowly accumulate once more. Astrid wondered.

The reason the Spawn had taken control of the Underbelly for so long was because they would always find a way through the cracks in the hull from centuries of damage. The military had made efforts to seal them, but the Spawn would always find a way.

Some of the science class users have a theory that there is a certain Spawn that’s capable of creating microscopic eggs that filter into any minute crack within the body of the ship. Thus enabling the Spawn to reproduce and continue its attack for centuries.

Astrid didn’t know if it was true or not, but it wouldn’t surprise her if it was. There were simply too many monsters that had never been seen before. Such a monster most likely sent millions of eggs into the ocean currents for them to spread.

It made sense.

The lower levels were filled with shacks of sheet metal. The streets were narrow and packed full of people trying to peddle their goods to anyone that walked past.

Astrid was surprised to see a bunch of the younger generation walking around with scraggly armour, and makeshift weapons made from whatever they could find around the scrap piles.

Has the crime rate increased to the point that everyone needs to bear arms? Astrid thought.

The streets were lit with flickering lanterns, but instead of the usual naked flame that she was familiar with, the white fluorescent light squirmed behind the glass. It seemed to be some sort of glowing worm. She wasn’t sure how it managed to stay alive, or for how long. But it was a new addition since the last time she was here for the subjugation.

The floors were filled with a sludge mixed with layers of dust and water. It created an almost mud-like texture. She traipsed through it and approached the large bulwark doors that protected the common citizens from the Spawn attacks.

But the doors were opened wide.

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One team that was comprised of younger generation system users entered through the doors as another team left battered, cut, and bruised. Tears dripped from their faces, yet their eyes were filled with a fiery determination.

Astrid connected to the matter in her ears and after fiddling around for a good minute or two, she figured out how to enhance her hearing. It was just like altering the matter in her muscles to enhance them. Since she could do one, she was capable of the other.

Their voices sounded just like she was next to them. It was an anxious sensation. It felt…wrong. Astrid shrugged her shoulders.

It wouldn’t be the first time infringing on someone's conversation. Astrid thought back to the Mind Domain interrogation against the numerous monsters she had dissected.

This was nothing. She actually preferred the simplicity of the monster’s thoughts. They were straightforward and easy to understand what they were thinking and why. Unlike humans. Everyone was different and complicated.

Just like you, Astrid.

Astrid’s shoulders recoiled at the sudden voice. It would take some time to get used to it.

No, not like me. I’m simple minded.

Like a beast?

Why does it sound like you are making fun of me?

I wouldn’t dare do that Astrid! No I'm not, voidmare! Am not!

Stop having a three-way conversation in my mind!

Sorry… But you do remind me of monsters… Pupil’s voice tapered off, as if it was getting weaker by the second.

If it’s a monster that cares for their kin and friends, then I’ll happily be a monster.

Mhm… I’m sleepy. Goodni– Pupil’s voice cut off.

Seems like he, she, whatever it is, can only speak for so long. It must use a large amount of energy to communicate with me. Although Pupil is getting better. Soon, it will be daily. Astrid shuddered at the looming thought.

She focused on the conversation.

“We almost died this time, shit."

“Next time we will be more prepared. We need spare weapons just in case we lose our main one.”

“The Spawn’s number just keeps increasing.”

“Yeah, but with more and more of the Lower District coming here to level up it will only be a matter of time before we out level them and drive them back.”

“Then we could even have the chance of joining Astrid in her adventures!”

“You think you could get into Astrid's party? No doubt she’s already level two-hundred by now.”

“Two-hundred? Don’t be ridiculous, the elders are probably in that level range!”

“And? If there’s anyone that can do it, it’s Astrid!”

It was hard to decipher who was talking based on the movements of their mouths, but it seemed like a short red haired girl was singing her praises.

Don’t stop now. Astrid bobbed her head up and down.

Just as the other team was about to enter, a muscular man grabbed the leader by the stuff of his shirt and threw him onto the floor away from the doors.

The muscular man had a long moustache and deep scars covered his forearms. There wasn’t a blocking stone in sight.

It seems he doesn’t care if people know his class, probably because he's confident in his ability to bully others.

Level 46 - Name: ??? Class: Scrapper.

“Scram,” he growled. “It’s the Nightcrawler’s turn.”

He looked at the faces covered in grievances.

“I know what you’re all thinking,” he said. “But I’m doing it for your own good. If we go in while others are trying to fight, there may be accidents. We can’t have that, we don’t want your blood on our hands.”

Oh, so charitable. Astrid thought as she looked at the others by his side.

They were all wearing leather jackets with a badge roughly sewn into the chest. It was a picture of a worm with a knife through it.

Astrid still hadn’t thought of a plan yet. Her finger and thumb pinched her chin. She glanced over at the Humanity Corps soldiers that guarded the entrance.

They were most likely there only for show, just in case Spawn did manage to crawl through. But an idea sprang forth within her agile mind.

It’s time to cause some chaos. Astrid rubbed her hands together in anticipation.