Earth: The Second

Ichi

“Where are we right now?” Boran muttering as he looked around where they were right now. They are sure that this place is not part of the dungeon. Everything is unnaturally bright, and the walls or the floors are man-made structures.

Although, the most important part is the creature that appeared in front of them.

Its body is huge, comparable to two or three basic-sized houses. With the scale that seems made of brilliant silver, its head is suspended in the air, showing the two sets of claws.

Their caution for the creature went down when they realized that it is not moving.

“You can relax. The Snake of Doom hasn’t been activated yet.” said that voice again, coming not far behind them.

When the Black Claws turned around, they see that mysterious-faced man again. This time, he is coming from the platform above them, and use some kind of lift to get to the lower level.

“Hey, you! Are you the one that teleporting us?” Boss shouted, but it’s not like he is furious.

“Precisely. I believe that you won’t trust me if we continue our conversation in those random parts of the ruin. So I did what I think is the best.” replied him. If they are not mistaken, that man’s name is Serpentia.

“But where are we now? Is this really a part of the dungeon?”

“Believe it or not, yes, this is the part of the dungeon that has never been discovered before.” 

Serpentia walked to one side of the walls, where he approaches some weird equipment with a giant glass that facing toward them.

“I know that all of you are confused. Questions are filling your head, and suspicious keep rising toward me. That is very understandable. That is why I wanted to explain what is this place actually is.”

Serpentia pressed the button in front of the equipment, and suddenly, light coming from that glass.

From that bright glass, they can see a map. But they can not recall any place that looked like that before. 

“What you people see right now, is a map of the previous world,” said Serpentia. Hearing the words ‘previous world’ making all of the Boss’s crew raise their eyebrows in suspicion.

“In the previous world, humans used to thrive with technology. They have a life that is far more comfortable than this time, and far more convenient.” the image on the screen then showing the people doing things that they do not understand. Such as driving a car, studying, and playing video games.

“But humans, are still similar no matter where you meet them,” The image then changed into something that is more terrible. Explosion, the marching soldiers, and other acts of violence toward other people.

“Their lust for violence is never satisfied. Not even in a world where sword and shield have been exchanged with paper and pen. Instead, they all are fighting each other, to maintain their comfortable life.” Serpentia now leaves the equipment, and in turn, walked closer to the snake that they paid attention to previously.

“People of the Old World are thriving with their equipment… Their weapon… Or what your people used to call… Artifact.”

Some kind of feeling twitched inside Boss. For some reason, it reminded him of that person from Horundah. Adma.

“Do you mean… That creature is an Artifact?” asked Boran, his voice is a little bit shaken.

“Of course.” the masked man has turned around as if appreciating the beauty of the giant snake. “A highly intelligent masters, creating beasts that made of steel with a sole purpose to devour their enemies. Isn’t that astonishing, people of the Black Claws?” asked him.

“Let’s cut the crap already. You kidnap us here and talking about this nonsense civilization. But actually, you want to hire us for something, aren’t you?” asked Boss.

“Of course, indeed! I believe that the ex-king mercenary is perfect for this job. And I think it will never hurt to know a lot more of the context behind this mission.” said Serpenta.

“Master, the mission has been accomplished.” another voice suddenly appeared, but the three of them don’t know where it came from.

Serpenta returns to the side of that equipment as if standing together with his partner. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you with the lost technology of the previous world, where machines have an intelligence, comparable even to their own creator. My assistance, Ichi.”

the screen of the computer then turned bright, showing some kind of black-hooded figure, with bright glowing red eyes.

“That is… The machines?” gasp Kaina.

“The machine that can talk eh? Well, not like it surprises me anymore,” added Boss.

“Greetings,” replied Ichi. His master Serpenta, turned around as if he directly speak to him.

“Ichi, these people are guest of mine and is going to be part of the mission. So you can speak freely about the mission progress,” said Serpenta.

“Affirmative,” said it. “Mission has been accomplished. Subject Branch Computer number four has been terminated with an exception of the newest data until the previous day. According to your command.”

“Good job. Please show these gentlemen what you have seen.”

The screen flicker and Ichi disappear. A moving picture filled the entire screen, showing what it seems like a steep mountain.

Over there, Boss can see Adma, looking in his direction while hugging the side of the cliff.

“Adma! You are here too!?” spontaneous, Boss shouted to see that man’s face. “I’ll never let this chance slipped through. Let’s have a rematch!” Boss lifts his giant sword, pointing toward what is inside that screen.

But Adma does not answer, instead, he just starring at Boss’s face, and then the image stopped.

“Mr. Boss. What you see in front of you is just a recording from one day ago. By all means, this is not the real Adma, that you can talk directly to.” explained Serpenta.

“Oh… Is that so?” Boss put down his sword, a little bit embarrassed by his action.

“I’m glad you understand. Ladies and gentlemen. What I want is for you to get the man named Hepaetus, the Master Forger.” said Serpenta.

For Boss, Boran, and Kaina, the name is very familiar to them.

“That Hepaetus? The famous kingdom forger that has been retired years ago?” asked Kaina.

Serpentia answered. “Yes. Apparently, he is now residing in the mountain range, fifteen kilometers from here.”

“Yeah, I have heard about it too. But what exactly do you want with him?”

“That question, Mr. Boss. Will be answered when the time has come. For now, I wanted to offer you this job, together with all the support that you will receive, even after this job is over.” said Serpentia.

“Hey Boss,” Kaina turned to him.

“The decision is on you, leader, “ added Boran.

Boss close his eye, to considering the offer made by this mysterious figure. No matter what he sees, this person can only raise suspicion, that would drive anyone away. But in the end, Boss does not have another way to make himself stronger than he is right now.

When Boss opened his eyes, his expression is full of confidence.

“One hell of an offer that we can’t miss!”

***

After riding their carriage for one day and a half, Adma’s group who are accompanied by Hepaetus arrived at the dungeon-town, the town consists of three-acre of land, surrounded by stone walls, and a huge gate that leads to the way of the dungeon. As expected, the adventurer’s guild is still the biggest building in the town, located near the main plaza that is filled with shops and street vendors. 

No matter what they see, adventurers are come and go, especially to that gate.

“Jeez, it’s so crowded in here,” complaint Hepaetus, from behind the curtain. Seems like he spends too long in seclusion, that he almost forget how to interact with the people.

“Gon, where are we going now?” asked Adma.

“We have arrived faster than I expected. Let’s head to the inn first, and revise our plan to explore the dungeon tomorrow,” said the shop owner.

Receiving that decision, Adma rides the horses in the direction where the inns are located. Until suddenly, something caught his attention.

“Do you need a strong guy who will carry your bags in the dungeons? Or do you need an obedient girl who will clean your room while working? The solution is easy! Just buy a Slave! And who else can you get cheap slave with good condition, other than me?”

With his own eyes, and ears, Adma sees how a human sells another human in public. There are crowds among them, some look like an adventurer at the first glance, while other look like ordinary people. 

The crowds are watching intensely, as the slave trader still cheerfully advertises those two people. One male, and one female. Both of them are chained and looked down to their feet, ashamed. 

Mainly, those people are putting their attention to the female they speak something like ‘the girls seem healthy’, ‘she will be a nice promotion material’ or something like that. Among them are also naughty and disgusting words mixed around.

Meanwhile, the man does not get too much attention, apparently because he is too ‘ordinary’.

Adma gazes sharply at those people, not knowing that Rika noticed the shift of his attention. 

“Don’t mind them, slave traders can be seen everywhere across this country,” said Rika. She moved to sit beside Adma, and take the rope that controls their horses.

 Adma still looked at those slaves, until they leave the plaza.

“You people allow slaves in this country?” asked Adma quietly. Rika glancing at him with unease face.

“Not us… The government is the one, and well… People seem satisfied by it,” She answered, a little bit worried that something will offend Adma.

“From where are those people… Those slaves?” asked Adma again.

“Some are orphans who lost their parents… Some are also the victim of bandits, or his family is detained because of the crimes of their relatives,” said Rika. “To be honest, very bad luck is enough to make your humanity can be bought by coins,” add her again.

“Selling humanity is wrong in the first place,” said Adma.

Although agree with his words, Rika did not say anything. She just proceeds to ride their horses, letting Adma reflecting on the fact of how different the knowledge of this world, from where he came from.