04.03.1642

The Council of the Underground City

23:07

[XANTH3]-I'm telling you, Master M4TTH3W! This is going to be a huge problem for the city's economy! We have to find the people behind this now!

[M4EK0]-Isn't it YOUR business to begin with? Why do we have to take from our spies and solve each problem of yours? They are already having something to investigate in the City of Above, why should they solve your never-ending concerns of the XANTH3 Clan?

[XANTH3]-This problem includes our city, Mrs. M4EK0! I do not care about the scums of the above at all!

[M4EK0]-Well, the problem of the above is affecting our city as well! I would even dare to say that it is more important than some scamming around the Underground City, Mr. XANTH3!

And yet, here we are again, at one of the meetings of the Council. The Great Leader seems to be a bit annoyed by the whole situation that is happening in the meeting though. So while everyone is arguing, He just looks down, avoiding eye contact with any of the people talking, before whispering to Himself.

["M4TTH3W"]-*sigh* I'm starting to get sick of each member of the XANTH3 Clan...

[KYR4]-At least LUK3 is not here to make the meeting worse.

["M4TTH3W"]-At least I can tolerate Mr. LUCAS and his behaviour, even with his strange... decisions. He does get on my nerves sometimes, but Mr. XANTH3 is beyond the anger any child could ever give me. Just because you represent the economic side of the city, doesn't mean you have to boss around with everyone at each Council meeting, god dammit!

[RY4N]-They are... surely alike...

["M4TTH3W"]-...Hmph.

So when He relaxes for a bit to not get angry, the Great Leader finally dares to look at the people around the huge table, wishing to intervene.

["M4TTH3W"]-If I may, Mr. XANTH3, this problem surely doesn't need any of the spies from the South Base. It is a simple task to do and it is possible to be solved even without experts. We fought many times with this type of problems before and none of those incidents needed any expert.

[XANTH3]-And each time it happened, we had to shut down the production of the Novha Currency even for months until we found the ones that fabricate those copies! Not to mention all the complains that we got in the past regarding the scamming! With all due respect, Master M4TTH3W, there are people that depend on our devices! If there won't be any money left, then the city will go back to how it was before the XANTH3 Clan's creation, when the C borns were exploited for their powers! It's enough the slavery from the above, why should it get inside our city as well??

["M4TTH3W"]-But we also got through the problem every time we've encountered it, haven't we, Mr. XANTH3? I am sure this time it's just as the other times and we can solve it quickly.

[XANTH3]-But, Master, we have t--

["M4TTH3W"]- --There is nothing we have to do. You have to understand that we need to focus on our own problems regarding the city's safety. We leave this type of problems for later to be solved, understood?

The Clan Leader looks at the ruler, pissed by His response. But the Great Leader doesn't really care. He only looks more annoyed than before, as if He didn't want to be here and assist this whole conversation.

[XANTH3]-...The economy of the city is important too. We cannot just leave it be solved on its own. But you are the Great Leader. You do you... Yet you will realise the mistake sooner or later, Master M4TTH3W.

["M4TTH3W"]-But I couldn't care less. You say this sentence each time we encounter problems like these and at the end of the day, nothing is really affected. Besides, putting the citizens of the city to use their powers if they desire something is a great idea of an "exercise". After all, they need to know how to use them at some point, right? If we really encounter a big problem regarding the Novha Currency, it will only be as a small training that the people of the city have to do until we solve it. I mean, they are C borns, aren't they? In case of an emergency in the Underground City, all the Creators should know how to defend themselves by using their blessing.

[XANTH3]-...

["M4TTH3W"]-Now, if nobody has any more problems to report, it is better to end this meeting for now. From what I know, the North Base has a mission in a few minutes and we should give them a bit of time to prepare. Dismissed!

And so, everyone gets up from their seats and bow to the Great Leader before leaving the room. Only the representatives of the Southeast Base and the ruler Himself stand a bit on their positions before any decisions are made. As Leader XANTH3 goes towards the exit though, he stays for a second by the Great Leader's side and simply whispers to Him a final word before he leaves.

[XANTH3]-...You've changed since you've lost your son, Master M4TTH3W. I do want you to realise that.

["M4TTH3W"]-...

After that, the Clan Leader takes his leave without looking back at the people left behind, the door of the room finally closing. Yet with that, the Leader takes off the device that was disguising Him, revealing His true identity that He hides from the Council.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh*...I swear, I'm getting sick of these meetings too. Every day, the same old problems that we've encountered in the past and still, people manage to make them look worse.

[RY4N]-Mr. XANTH3 is just a bit pissed about the clan's fate, that's all.

[CHE5TER]-Mr. XANTH3 has this problem for years now. He should understand that his son's decision doesn't affect the clan at all. Only if he is afraid that it affects the bloodline of the family.

[KYR4]-Their whole family was as corrupted as him, Master. Ever since the founder of the clan. It's not the descendants' fault that he thought of the children of the clan to continue the tradition of it no matter what. I think only the second Clan Leader, LUCIA, was the only XANTH3 who was actually listening and trying to solve everything as she could.

[CHE5TER]-Hmph. I wonder if M1NERV4 Herself managed to endure the first XANTH3...

While they were talking, the Great Leader was doing something with His disguise device, changing the disguise totally when He puts it on. From the man He appeared before, to simply changing into the clothes that He seems to use every time He goes and wanders around the city, the crevaator clothes.

[KYR4]-So, you will go to investigate the problem yourself, I assume?

[CHE5TER]-No. I'm not wasting my time for this small problem now. At best I will go later this day to find more about it. Now, I want to investigate something else.

[RY4N]-...Can I come with you at least this time then?

[CHE5TER]-...

The Great Leader looks down as He hears these words though. He feels a bit bad as He seems to remember something, yet He has made His decision.

[CHE5TER]-It has... surely been a while since we did something together, Brother. But I can't take you with me this time either. I'm sorry.

[RY4N]-...

[CHE5TER]-...Don't worry. I still remember my word. Everything will go back to how it was before, just as I promised.

So, the Leader starts walking towards the exit, ready to fulfil His mission, but not until He says His last words before leaving.

[CHE5TER]-...Once everything is over.

The Southeast Military Base

36:13

And now we are going back at the base, where the little recruit seems to be training with LUK3 for some time now, while CHE5TER enters the room, searching for someone. As a consequence, LUK3 and N04H notice His presents and go after Him, stopping from whatever they were doing.

[LUK3]-Boss! Boss!! Can we take him with us in the next mission so he can see with his own eyes a real demonstration??

[CHE5TER]-What did I tell you every time you've asked me this question?

[LUK3]-...That he isn't ready and he needs more time and blah blah blaaah... But can he go this time, please??

[CHE5TER]-LUK3, not now...

[LUK3]-Come ooon! I know he is ready! Just this time, please!!

[CHE5TER]-I swear, I'm gonn... *sigh* Forget it. Tell me, have you seen MY4? I promised her that I will meet her later.

[LUK3]-Oh, I think she went to treat the wounded from the people that the North Base saved a few hours ago. I don't think she comes any sooner. Now can you PLEASE answer my question??

[CHE5TER]-LUCAS, we cannot take him with us yet. You are aware that he has two years of training needed in order for him to start working here properly.

[N04H]-...But how am I suppose to know what I need to do if I can't learn about the role itself?

[CHE5TER]-...

The Great Leader looks at the little boy for a while. He doesn't really want to take him in any mission in order to protect him. The role itself is hard to learn about even if He took him to see it in action. But He remembers the problem discussed at the Council's meeting and makes a decision.

[CHE5TER]-...You know what? I think I have a better mission in which I can actually take you so you can learn a bit about your role here.

[LUK3+N04H]-Wait, really?

[CHE5TER]-Affirmative. It's a simple task, yet you can learn to take actions wherever you are based only on the information you own. It is something that really helps you so you can make decisions on your own during the hard quests. Plus, there is no danger you should fear, so that's a bonus.

[LUK3]-Oh, oh, can I come too??

[CHE5TER]-I'm afraid not, Mr. LUCAS. It is only a teaching mission for little N04H. You simply have nothing to do in it.

[LUK3]-Man, why must you hurt me this way? ...Mmokay, okay... At least, what's this super secret mission about? I want to know what I'm losing!

[CHE5TER]-At the Council meeting today, Mr. XANTH3 reported me a problem regarding the Novha Currency, announcing th--

[LUK3]- --Ughh, not him again...

[CHE5TER]-Hm?

[LUK3]-...Nothing. I just know how he likes to makes a scene out of everything he doesn't agree with. Just... continue.

[N04H]-You hate the Leader of the XANTH3 Clan, LUK3?

[LUK3]-Oh, um... I guess?

[N04H]-How come? You know him personally?

[LUK3]-Yeah, something like that... Why? Do you... admire him or something?

[N04H]-I mean, it's the XANTH3 Clan we are talking about. Those people served the city ever since it was founded. Can you introduce me to him one day since you guys know each other?

[LUK3]-Umm... sure, buddy. I will see what I can do.

N04H looks at the soldier as he talks. He seems to be a bit unhappy, something unusual for this strange guy, yet CHE5TER intervenes and continues His explanation.

[CHE5TER]-Anyway... The point is that the mission is about someone who fabricated fake pieces of the Novha Currency and makes illegal trades with them around our city. Knowing from past incidents, the person is surely taking the real money he achieves and gives them to a being who has access to the City of Above, providing them with more and more supplies. So, basically, the person tries to let the city without any real reusable devices left. A foolish decision if I can say myself...

[N04H]-Why would anybody do that though?

[CHE5TER]-Well... Knowing from the people we caught doing these acts in the past... it seems like they desire to get something from the people of the City of Above, from their soldiers more specifically. Something that we, underground citizens, don't have... Yet I'm not sure what exactly could they pay them to do such thing.

[N04H]-This seems important... What if those people tell about our city to the soldiers? Why do you act like you don't care at all??

[CHE5TER]-Because it isn't important at all. The clan responsible for the economy of the city can always recreate each and every piece lost and we will never remain with nothing in our hands. The M soldiers already have our currency for years now, so it isn't something new either. And if you fear that these people doing this illegal business are going to tell the M soldiers about our city, you simply do not need to worry about it. No one dares to do such thing, no matter how bad their intentions are. If they do so though, they know they won't be spared just because they made the M borns win this war. Not even our traitors can escape death of the M's hands. After all... hiding an entire city from them is categorised as a huge sin, which they have to pay for after. And I guess our fear of Death coming from our culture is a thing that helps us regarding these people...

[LUK3]-Then why can't I come too???

[CHE5TER]-How can I put it gently... You are not the type of person that obeys to the rules. Even though you can easily stay hidden during the missions, I don't think you are ready for this type of quest.

[LUK3]-So you don't trust that I can stay in the shadows like you in other words...

[CHE5TER]-Don't worry. You can go and talk with Miss KYR4 about your free hours until the mission starts, if you wish, of course. As a gift of apology from me.

[LUK3]-Some free hours won't get me the fun that you guys will have, Boss!

[CHE5TER]-You want them or not?

[LUK3]-*sigh* Yeah, yeah...

[CHE5TER]-Very well. Follow me, N04H. It's time for you to learn.

The little recruit obeys to the order, following his Leader and leaving the room, LUK3 being the only one left behind, alone.

[LUK3]-Dammit, man! Why do I have to miss everything that's fun?

36:27

Both of them enter the Great Leader's office, N04H still following Him. CHE5TER starts searching for something that He wants to give to the small man, yet N04H, meanwhile, ever since he entered the room, he seems to observe it in more details. For an office, it appeared strange to him to look more like a room where someone lives than a room in which should be present important conversations.

[N04H]-...So this is your room?

[CHE5TER]-"My room"?

[N04H]-Yeah! Like... the place where you sleep and stuff. Your home.

[CHE5TER]-How interesting to call it "my home". It is simply my office.

[N04H]-It looks more like a home than an office to me...

[CHE5TER]-*sigh*...No, this isn't my home. I used to have my own house where I grew up alongside Officer RY4N, but I didn't visit that place in a long time now. I can barely can it "home"... And since most of the times I stay at the base working, the office is the most visited place by me. It is why it looks more welcoming than it should be. But it is a cute way to call it "home".

So as the Leader searches, N04H examines the room further. He does so for a few seconds, before he comes across a broken photo which has three people in it, an unknown man to him and two children. The man in the photo seems tall with white hair and blue eyes, dressed in a black suit and a long white coat, yet the kids seems to be familiar to him, one looks exactly like Officer RY4N, but a smaller version of him, and the other one having the colour voothrav, being the only C born in the photo, which he assumed it was little CHE5TER. But looking at the present one and the one in the photo, you couldn't even tell that it was Him in that image, as He changed more than someone could think of. Not only the scar on His face or anything like that, but the whole personality, as He seemed happier back in those times.

But he doesn't have the time to think about it much, as the Leader comes to him and gives him a disguise device that He was probably searching for.

[CHE5TER]-Here. Try this one.

[N04H]-Huh? O-Oh, alright...

N04H activates the device which changes his clothes into something similar to what he saw CHE5TER wearing outside the base, but the clothes are a bit too large for him to even move properly.

[N04H]-I don't... think I can wear this...

[CHE5TER]-It was designed to be a copy of mine in case it gets damaged, so I should have expected it. Let me see if I have something else then...

So, the Leader goes in front of a wall, putting His left hand on it and activating some kind of screen. He starts choosing from more choices that He sees on it. When He finally chooses one, the wall opens, revealing probably the clothes that He has selected. He takes them and gives them to the little recruit, which are crevaator clothes, exactly like all the others, but a bit smaller and torn from their age.

[CHE5TER]-Sorry if it's a bit... torn apart. I used it when I was your age, so it is kind of old.

[N04H]-How come you don't have a different device for it?

[CHE5TER]-Because they didn't exist back then?

[N04H]-How so?

[CHE5TER]-I invented these small devices only after I took my title seriously, so it was impossible for them to exist in the first place.

[N04H]-Wait, YOU invented them!?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh*...Why so shocked? I designed more than just these small things. Most of the equipment we have are my creations. I invented these devices and allowed them to the citizens of the city because it was annoying to take different clothes all the time and not to mention the constant need of me to change. At least this is an easier way for us to hide when it comes to different quests, and even better to let everyone know how to use them in case of an emergency.

[N04H]-So the one that makes a person invisible when activated is your creation as well?

[CHE5TER]-That isn't mine. Someone only took this idea of mine and made it even better. But I demanded for them to be a secret from the public eye and only the bases are allowed to know of their existence and to use them. I feared that people will only use this type of device unsafely and put themselves in danger... Anyway, we should get going. Enough with the chit-chat.

[N04H]-Wait! Don't you need your device as well!?

[CHE5TER]-I already have mine with me. Come! Let's go!

The Underground City

36:54

So, the figures found themselves wandering around the city together, both hidden from the public eye, to hide who they truly are. N04H seems to get used to this idea, even though he finds it a bit strange, while CHE5TER doesn't have any problem with it. As they walk though, the Great Leader takes from His pockets a cigarette and His lighter, putting it in His mouth and lighting it up. While doing so, N04H still seems to have some questions.

[N04H]-So, how do we solve this quest?

[CHE5TER]-"We"?

[N04H]-Huh?

[CHE5TER]-There is no "we". Only you.

[N04H]-WHAT!?

[CHE5TER]-You are here to learn about your role, right? I cannot solve this problem for you because you won't learn if you don't do it on your own. I'm only here to supervise the situation and maybe help you when you get stuck.

[N04H]-But how am I suppose to solve it on my own!? I've never done something like this before!

[CHE5TER]-Think it like this: you are alone in an unknown building to you and there is no one who can help you escape it. You have no knowledge about anything and anyone in it, and you don't know any kind of way out. What do you do?

[N04H]-I... start running until I find some clues about a way out?

[CHE5TER]-In this case, what are your options?

N04H stands a bit to think about His question. He doesn't really know what He tries to say to him.

[N04H]-I... try... asking people around?

[CHE5TER]-See? You got it.

[N04H]-But there are over two million people in this city! How am I suppose to find the ones that know about this situation!?

[CHE5TER]-Sometimes the answer is at the most obvious places... Who do you think that could have been tricked with fake money?

[N04H]-Literally anybody!!

[CHE5TER]-Not actually... There are some people who have great knowledge about the currency and it's easy for them to know whether the money are fake or not, no matter the situation they are in, like the people that serve the XANTH3 Clan. Eliminating them from the list is a good starting point. Then we have this problem: most of the people of the city do actually know how to tell the difference, but don't know the reason of why they can do that. Some say it's the weight, others say it's the look. The true difference is hidden from us by the clan that makes them, so that nobody can replicate them entirely, not to mention that those fake pieces won't even work like the original ones anyway... So, who remains on the list?

[N04H]-...Someone young?

[CHE5TER]-Not really... If it was someone young, then they wouldn't have known that they've been tricked in the first place, as the youth can't really tell the difference.

[N04H]-...So the person has to know about the difference.

[CHE5TER]-Affirmative. The only reason for them to get scammed will be because that they didn't focus on the work that much or because of tiredness... or because they were in a hurry maybe.

"So the being isn't young, always tired or in a hurry, has decent knowledge about the money but not enough to avoid being tricked... Then the only ones left should be..."

[N04H]-...The merchants from the center of the city! Those guys are always tired as they have thousands of customers almost every day!

[CHE5TER]-Good job! Now you have a start.

[N04H]-But how are they suppose to know who the person is? There are too many people for them to know who did it!

[CHE5TER]-It's always worth giving it a shot, is it not? Some merchants of the center even keep documents regarding every transaction in case they realise that they've got scammed at the end of the day, and know who bought what and where the person lives. But... that's for where are teams behind the business, not just one man... Considering it is a problem that didn't get solved, it would mean that the merchants should be alone when working, so you got even a shorter list of who to ask.

[N04H]-Yes, but even so... almost half or even more of the merchants work alone. And what are even the chances of them to know who scammed them?

[CHE5TER]-Well... since they work alone, they learn to adapt to each problem. They analyse each individual when they do a transaction with them, to remember at least some details of each person that came to them. Because of that, most even find hidden criminals as strange individuals and suspect them from the very beginning. Pretty fascinating, isn't it? Just a simple merchant could know more about you just by looking at you for a few seconds. This is our nature of adapting.

[N04H]-Okay... I didn't know even half of that information until now...

[CHE5TER]-No worries. You are here to learn, remember? You will get used to it the more you practice.

37:12

In the end, they got to the center of the city, more exactly at the merchants' area, where they look around for a few minutes.

[CHE5TER]-Here we are, little one.

[N04H]-There are so many people here...

[CHE5TER]-What did you expect? You said it yourself: the merchants here are always busy because of the huge number of customers. After all, the center of the city is the most populated.

[N04H]-...It's gonna take ages for us to ask any of them. Just waiting for our turn will take us one hour.

[CHE5TER]-I'm not so sure about that. There is always another way to have their attention.

[N04H]-Okay... Then what do I have to do?

[CHE5TER]-Get yourself somewhere close to their position in order to have a conversation. Do not wait in line, you simply waste your time with it. I suggest you go behind the service area, where only the merchant has access. He will get his suspicions on you, of course, but you have to make him vulnerable and be able to talk to you about the situation.

[N04H]-Alright... I think I got it.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, and, get the disguise off. You have to look like a simple citizen, otherwise he will only ignore you. Nobody in the city likes the crevaators, you know? I will be watching your progress from somewhere close, so you will do it alone. Good luck!

After that, the Leader takes His leave, letting the little man alone. N04H chooses to examine a bit the whole place before he starts asking someone, so that maybe he can have an idea of who could have been a victim and not waste much time. He notices a man that is exhausted helping a lot of customers at the same time, so he thinks that he can be the first one to be asked. He goes behind the building, waiting a while for the man to come. When the man comes, he seems very tired, but as he notices N04H, he gets pretty angry.

[Merchant]-Hey, you! What are you doing here!?

So of course N04H gets a bit scared of the man. He isn't so prepared as he thought.

[N04H]-H-Hi! I came here to ask you someth--

[Merchant]- --Oh, not today, you little scum! You came to the wrong person to rob!

[N04H]-What?? N-No! I'm not here to rob you!!

The man seems to approach little N04H as he tries his best to explain that he has good intentions. From above the building though, CHE5TER seems to have watched the situation, only to get Him a bit disappointed.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, Brother...

N04H walks slowly backwards as the man gets closer and closer to him, scaring him by each second it passes. But then a voice starts talking to both of them. A strange man appears, one that none of them seem to recognise, a weird R born.

["BENJ4M1N"]-...Slow down there. No need to make any decisions that we might regret.

[Merchant]-Who the hell are you!?

["BENJ4M1N"]-I go by the name of BENJ4M1N in those lands, and I'm a merchant not far from here, just like yourself. This little man is my assistant. I'm sorry if he caused you any trouble, but we came here to talk with you about a problem.

As the man talks, N04H realises that He was CHE5TER all along, trying to save him from this situation.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Am I right, N04H?

[N04H]-O-Oh, yes! Yes!

[Merchant]-Then what is it? I don't have much time to chat with you.

["BENJ4M1N"]-To put it shortly, some days ago we've encountered something strange. After we've closed for us to go take our rest, we've realised that some of the money we've achieved that day were fake. We came here to ask you if you have stumbled upon this situation by any chance as well.

Yet this time, the merchant seems a bit more calm when he hears this.

[Merchant]-Oh, you don't realise how happy I am that I'm not the only one who happens to be in the same situation... It happened to me around two or three days ago as well!

["BENJ4M1N"]-Really. Do you remember anyone who could have been possible of doing this action?

[Merchant]-I know that I was very tired that day when it happened though... but I do remember a strange looking man that I've helped. The man seemed a bit suspicious to me the moment he came to buy something. I think he was an R born, blond hair with a blue eye and a green eye, a bit taller than you. But I don't know if the person was him.

["BENJ4M1N"]-What did he buy?

[Merchant]-I think... it was a brown jacket. Something similar to... Oh, here! Like this one!

The merchant shows them the jacket and both of them start analysing it. N04H looks a bit at CHE5TER only for him to see that He already has another plan.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Thank you, Mister! Now that I think about it, I do remember a person similar to the one you've described. As we have more evidence, we could actually report this to the Northwest Base and maybe they can find him and put him behind the bars.

[Merchant]-I should be the one that has to thank you! I really despite this type of people of our beautiful city. Why do they need to destroy everything we've build? We deserve our freedom just like everyone else! The sinners should just leave these lands and let us have our rest!

["BENJ4M1N"]-Don't worry. I'm sure he will pay for this sin of his. I give you my regards.

Both of them say goodbye to the merchant and take their leave. N04H is amazed as how well CHE5TER handled the situation on His own.

["BENJ4M1N"]-...See what I mean by how they adapt when working alone now?

[N04H]-How did you do that??

["BENJ4M1N"]-Know your people well enough and you can manipulated them to tell you anything you want to know. In this case for example... the merchants are usually more open to other merchants as they seem to think that they understand each other when it comes to the problems about the sales. Don't worry, after years of experience, you will handle it on your own as well.

[N04H]-So, now what? We try to find that person he was talking about?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Something like that...

[N04H]-And how are we gonna do that?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Today, I did see the person he was talking about while investigating something, but I didn't pay much attention to him. He was heading somewhere towards the south area. We should try and find him there.

37:45

So the two beings walk around the city, hoping to see the person they are searching for. N04H seems a bit as he slowly loses hope in the idea of them finding that man, but it seems oddly normal for the Leader to stay this much only to find one person alone. They are looking everywhere, without making it obvious that they do so. And after some minutes of wandering around the city, CHE5TER stops a bit to take a small drink to regain His energy, as He didn't manage to take His medicine before everything started. While waiting, N04H keeps looking after the person, until he finally notices him on a different road talking to someone. So, he goes back to the ruler to tell Him.

[N04H]-I found him! I found him!

[CHE5TER]-Then what are you waiting for? Go talk to him.

[N04H]-What??

[CHE5TER]-You saw how I did with the merchant. You can do it yourself now.

[N04H]-I think you are kidding me...

[CHE5TER]-You have to learn to do it on your own, N04H. Playing a character you aren't is a part of your role after all. I mean, you can always disguise as someone else and play a character in order to exit a building, no? It's a good strategy for an Investigator. You simply have to go there and convince him to get close to you in order for you to get more information.

[N04H]-Alright, alright... I'll do my best...

N04H leaves CHE5TER behind and goes to the man. He waits a bit for him to stop talking with the other person so that he can get in action.

[N04H]-H-Hello there, good Sir!

[RBorn]-Huh?

[N04H]-I'm looking for a place where I can work and get some money. I'm trying to pay for some private lessons to learn about my powers. Could I work for you?

[RBorn]-...Get lost, brat! I don't care about your lessons! Go annoy the other citizens!

"Shit! It didn't work!"

The man seems to want to leave, yet N04H stops him.

[N04H]-B-But the others didn't want me either! Please, Sir! I can do any kind of quest you have! I promise, I will obey to whatever you say!

[RBorn]-Leave me alone, kid! This is a warning!

[N04H]-I can take even 10% of how much you would pay normally! Please??

[RBorn]-...FINE!! JUST SHUT UP!

The man was furious, as he only wanted to get rid of the kid sooner.

[N04H]-T-Thank you, good Sir!

[RBorn]-But listen here, and listen very carefully! You have to keep something in mind: if you tell anybody about your work or that you do it for me, you are going to be the next meal for the crevaators! Understood!?

[N04H]-Y-Yes, Sir!

As they both leave, CHE5TER seems to watch them from behind, starting to follow them.

37:56

[N04H]-So, what do I have to do exactly?

[RBorn]-Just shut up for a bit, kiddo!

They are on a closed area, as the man seems to be looking after people, in case someone might hear what they are talking.

[RBorn]-Alright! Here! Take this money and buy anything you find cool. The more expensive it is, the better.

[N04H]-...That's all?

[RBorn]-Yeah, that's all! You want to be paid or not!?

[N04H]-You mean... literally... anything? Like anything I want?

[RBorn]-Yes, brat! God dammit, what's so hard to understand!?

N04H looks a bit in the bag he got from the man. He takes one from the bag and analyses it. He notices a small difference in the weight of it after all, as CHE5TER told him before.

[N04H]-...Are you sure that's all? Like... am I really doing a job here? I feel like something is off...

[RBorn]-Kiddo, I'm going to warn you for the last time, I swear! If you want to work for me, stop talking and do as I said!

[N04H]-B-But, but...

[RBorn]-Just shut up and do your quest! You want to be paid, right? We will meet here in ten minutes!

N04H leaves and the man goes somewhere else. CHE5TER waits for the man to get far from N04H, so He can talk to him.

[CHE5TER]-Not bad for the second try...

[N04H]-So we found our man?

CHE5TER takes the bag and looks closer to the money. He confirms the little man that they are surely fake as he thought.

[CHE5TER]-...It is a possibility. But I'd say we wait until you meet with him again. He told you to buy something with these, right? The bag will remain with me, but I will give you some real money which you can use for the trade. We need him to think that you work for him for the time being.

N04H leaves and goes to buy something random from one of the merchants nearby. He waits a few minutes for the man to arrive to the same spot in order to find more information.

[N04H]-Sir, I did as you said! I gave all the money and brought this thing!

[RBorn]-...I don't see how it is suppose to help me in any way, but I guess you did your work. Here! The payment you wished to get so badly.

[N04H]-Is there anything else I could help you with?

[RBorn]-No, you did enough! Now leave!

[N04H]-But maybe I can help you with--

[RBorn]- --Leave me ALONE, brat! I don't need your help anymore! I already have people who work with me!

[N04H]-Who? I can join too!

[RBorn]-Oh, for the love of... You want to know that, huh, kid!? I'm working with the crevaators, and I'm not afraid to put them to come after you and eat you alive! So if you want to survive, leave this place right now and don't talk about this to anybody! Now go!! Leave!!!

The man chases away N04H to get rid of him, but he remains a bit at the spot. CHE5TER comes in a hurry to N04H, and N04H gives Him the money again.

[CHE5TER]-...Other copies. Just as I thought...

[N04H]-So that means we got him! He is the one! Now you can take him so he can pay for everything he has done!

[CHE5TER]-Slow down there, buddy. We are not done yet. I cannot take him myself anyway. I will only reveal my identity if I do so.

[N04H]-Then what!? We let him get away??

[CHE5TER]-The last thing he said... There are two problems with it.

[N04H]-Huh?

[CHE5TER]-He mentioned that he works with the crevaators... Most of the people that were caught to be involved in those actions never actually revealed the identity of the person they work with, they simply say that they know a person or even deny depending on the being. In this case, we might have gotten our hands on a subordinate and we need the boss to put this to an end. The reason why I say this is because the subordinates don't actually know who is the person that has access to the City of Above, so he put the blame on a random being... The other thing is that the crevaators never actually work with people. They are the ones who put the beings to work FOR them, so what he said doesn't make any sense.

[N04H]-So... we are going to follow him so that we can find the leader?

[CHE5TER]-Oh, you are learning faster than I thought. I like that. But if you wish to do that... we better get going soon. We need to stay out of his sight and also not lose him.

38:24

They keep following the man, until he enters an abandoned building. They don't enter the building after him though, instead, CHE5TER starts climbing the building in order to get to a window and see what's happening inside. N04H has a bit of a difficulty, but with his Leader's help, manages to climb as well.

The ruler begins to look inside, only for Him to see more people who He suspects to be other subordinates. The man that they've followed enters the room as well, but He doesn't seem to see the boss of this group around yet. They wait a bit, CHE5TER analysing the building with each second it passes and N04H only observing everything He does.

After some time, the one that seems to be the boss of the group finally makes his arrival. Both of them hide behind the window and start listening to the conversation.

[LeaderScam]-Is everyone present?

[Subordinate1]-I think there are some people left to come, Boss!

[LeaderScam]-We cannot wait for them anymore. We need to start talking about our plans now!

CHE5TER looks closer to the man that is talking in order to remember who the boss is. He gets an idea and then starts searching for something in His pockets. N04H is curious too, so he looks a bit at the man than takes his previous position.

[Subordinate2]-We managed to get more Novha from the people of the east, Boss. 5% of the money we got were used to make the copies of them.

[LeaderScam]-And the copies?

[RBorn]-They were given to the merchants from the center and some of the youth around the schools.

CHE5TER finally takes from His pockets a gadget that seems as a recorder. He presses a button and gets it close to the opening of the window, in order for the conversation to be clearer on the recording.

[LeaderScam]-Very well. We need to keep going with this. I heard that the clan responsible for the economy has shut down the production of Novha some hours ago, which will help us a lot to leave these people with nothing in their pockets.

[Subordinate3]-What about Leader N3MES1O? Have you thought of a plan in case we get caught by his people yet?

[LeaderScam]-Your fears just make me remind of how scared you guys can be. Come on! MARVIN is younger than us all! You think he can truly trick us that easily? If anything, I fear more the people around the city than the scums from the Council.

[Subordinate3]-I was just asking...

[LeaderScam]-*sigh* Well, there is nothing to fear. If we keep everything secret and get the work done as fast as possible, they won't have time to catch us in action. XANTH3 is too stubborn to let the production of these money just because of this type of problems. Once we get at least half of the existent money in the city, they will already panic and try to raise the prices too high. With that, we will have even more chances to get supplies for the M soldiers. With all their panic from the above caused by the crevaators, they will give us anything we want in exchange of these money after all...

CHE5TER stands still, listening to every word they say. Then, He looks at the little recruit with a smirk on His face. He knows what's going to happen next to them. He can't help but laugh in His mind about the stupidity of these people. But such a wild smirk that could terrify any normal being...

05.03.1642

The Council of the Underground City

19:08

"[LeaderScam]-...All we have to do now is to give the real money to those from the above. The M soldiers will surely be proud of how much we've given them, so they will pay the man in charge in the City of Above, which will come to us later. I'm sure we will get everything we desire from them. They are as stupid as the people of this city, just like anybody in this world."

The recording stops as the Great Leader presses one button. Then, He looks at the Leader of the Northwest Base in order for him to understand what he has to do next.

["M4TTH3W"]-They are located in an abandoned building in the south part of the city, somewhere next to the old school of the south. The leader of the group is short, with brown hair and green eyes. I think you will recognise him pretty easily though, Mr. N3MES1O, even with this few information that I gave you. And I suggest you go when they have their meeting, so that you can get the subordinates as well.

[N3MES10]-...Yes, Master M4TTH3W. I'm informing my people right now. Please, excuse me.

The Leader takes his leave from the room, a bit hurt from what he had heard, almost as if he knew who is involved in this problem, while the Great Leader takes the bag full of copies out, looking at the Clan Leader XANTH3.

["M4TTH3W"]-And I think this should belong to you from now on. See if you can do anything useful with it.

[XANTH3]-Yes, Master.

["M4TTH3W"]-I will leave the person who has access to the City of Above on your hands. I think my people have finished their job on this one. I suggest you search the people close to the leader itself, if you need a start. So, Mr. XANTH3, did I solve your problem?

[XANTH3]-...You did, indeed. I will not make a scene the next time we encounter this problem. It is my word.

["M4TTH3W"]-I hope so too.

While everyone is talking, Officer RY4N looks at the Great Leader and whispers to Him.

[RY4N]-So you did after all go and investigate the situation.

["M4TTH3W"]-This isn't my work this time.

[KYR4]-What do you mean, Master? You are the one who is always doing these quests without informing us.

["M4TTH3W"]-I do so, huh? Well, this time I can ensure you that I wasn't the one who solved it.

[RY4N]-Then who did it?

["M4TTH3W"]-Little N04H did it, of course. He wished to know more about his role after all. I only supervised him so that the situation won't get in a wrong way.

[RY4N]-Huh. Who would have thought...

["M4TTH3W"]-He still needs some time to get used to it, but he learns pretty fast. I'm sure that one day he will become a great Investigator.

Of course He is proud of His people. It's normal to be so. Yet in His mind though, there is a sentence He refuses to say it out loud, which probably worries Him.

"...And it is something that I've feared the most."