Chapter 168 Nym Sewers

As one of the most commercially developed cities in the Servia Kingdom's Cloudclimb Province, Nym boasted a massive footprint and a population far exceeding that of ordinary towns.

This required local officials to adjust their development strategies to absorb the ever-expanding workforce.

However, the vast majority of commoners in this world had never received a proper education.

Trades like carpentry and blacksmithing were lifelong "crafts," prompting master craftsmen to set incredibly high barriers to entry.

Unless an applicant was a blood relative or exceptionally close to the master, they often had to toil as an apprentice for years before they were allowed to observe the most basic techniques, let alone formally initiate into the trade.

Under these circumstances, Nym's ordinary commoners without wealth or connections—especially those living in the shacks of the Slums—were left with low-barrier manual labor: porters, dockworkers, or hired drivers.

Consequently, given the world's current level of productivity, positions that traded pure physical stamina for coin naturally paid poorly.

Working themselves to the bone all day was usually just enough to fill a single belly.

But if a laborer had extra mouths to feed, the high cost of living in Nym quickly stretched them to the breaking point.

As a natural consequence, youths who saw no hope for upward mobility—who realized that backbreaking labor would barely keep them fed—began to entertain crooked thoughts.

Those with a bit of ambition gathered whatever scrap metal their families could scrounge up and headed to Rivervale Town to become adventurers.

The vast majority became fertilizer for the Misty Forest, while a few barely survived to become drunken fixtures in the town's taverns.

Those who feared death or lacked any expectations for the future stayed in Nym. They degenerated into idle thugs and scoundrels, loitering on the streets all day and scraping by on illicit income.

Because this world possessed supernatural powers—allowing some individuals to wield martial might far beyond that of ordinary people—and due to the inaction of Nym's officials, gangs of all sizes sprang up over the years, centered around the Slums.

The Gray Badger Gang.

It was one of these mid-sized groups.

Perhaps the gang's leader had connections; in the fierce environment of the Lower District, where factions could be wiped out on any given day, they had maintained steady growth for years.

Presently, their turf encompassed a small portion of the Slums and a few streets in the West District.

The Iron Bucket Toad sat right within their sphere of influence.

Because the tavern saw a constant influx of adventurers year-round, various factors had led the Gray Badger Gang to maintain relatively close ties with some of them.

"Colander" Big Ben—the former cook of the Iron Bucket Toad, Buck's teammate, and a reasonably capable and experienced adventurer—had a very ambiguous relationship with the Gray Badger Gang.

According to anonymous sources, he frequently accepted commissions from the gang to resolve minor troubles.

If one wanted to find Big Ben's address, the Gray Badger Gang was definitely a viable avenue.

"Sir, what a coincidence. We... we meet again."

Ironhead stared stiffly at the two men before him, a few beads of cold sweat already seeping from his bald scalp.

He felt incredibly unlucky.

He had just been collecting protection fees as usual yesterday. It was only a minor oversight to forget to investigate a target's background first.

He hadn't expected that honest-looking tailor shop owner to be such a tough customer.

Not only was the man acquainted with "Stubborn Donkey" at the Iron Bucket Toad, but a friend suspected to be a Class Holder had happened to drop by.

If not for Ironhead's quick reflexes, he probably would have left an arm in that shop.

On the way back, he had spotted a rookie adventurer and thought about making a quick fortune, but the guy had acted like a suicidal lunatic. Ironhead even felt like he had been influenced by something, temporarily losing control of his own body.

He had spent the night praying at a church. The next day, he caught a fat sheep and scored some good stuff the gang boss had mentioned before.

Thinking the divine light had washed away his bad luck, he happily brought his underlings back to the tavern to enjoy a good drink.

Yet here he was, bumping into the black-haired adventurer he had seen at the tailor shop yesterday.

There was even an extra companion beside him.

That strangely low presence—the bizarre state where he seemed ready to vanish from sight if one lost focus for even a second—clearly marked the man as a veteran adventurer with a Class Level.

'Damn it, could it be that I angered the gods because I didn't bathe before praying last night?'

'Or did that old fart in the church pocket my donation and string me along?'

Ironhead complained inwardly, but his expression grew even more respectful. He didn't dare look up, keeping his head bowed toward the two pairs of leather boots on the ground.

"Gentlemen, please... what can I do for you?"

Having lived in Nym for many years, Wood had interacted with people from all walks of life. He knew perfectly well that he couldn't show a hint of leniency to street thugs who bullied the weak and cowered before the strong.

Wood kept a stern face. The dagger at his waist slid slightly out of its sheath, glinting with a chilling, sharp light in the air as he asked coldly, "Do you know 'Colander' Big Ben?"

As soon as he spoke, the bald brute suddenly lifted his head. Displaying an exaggerated expression, he forcefully patted his chest with the hand holding his cloth bundle and boasted, "Of course! Big Brother Big Ben and I have been—"

He only got halfway through his sentence.

Ironhead, who had been trying to name-drop a "big shot" to wriggle out of his predicament, suddenly realized something: who knew what kind of relationship these two Class Holders had with Big Ben.

If they were enemies, wouldn't claiming a connection just invite massive trouble?

He hastily reined in his smile and lowered his head again. His high-pitched tone instantly dropped. "Mr. Big Ben and I only met once a few years ago. We haven't really..."

"Where is he? Take us to him."

Xia Nan and Wood naturally weren't fools.

Given how the bald man had just acted, how could they not know he was hiding something?

They took it as confirmation that he did indeed know Big Ben's address.

Xia Nan stood to the side without a word. His expression was equally cold, lacking any excess emotion.

They weren't ordinary residents living quiet lives. When dealing with arrogant street thugs, it was better to be direct.

"No, I really..."

Ironhead opened his mouth, wanting to make excuses.

But when his guilty, shifting gaze glanced at the silent black-haired youth to the side and met those deep, icy eyes...

He suddenly felt an inexplicable chill wash over his neck.

It circled faintly over the skin of his throat, raising a patch of goosebumps.

His heart instantly ran cold. He violently shuddered.

Not daring to hide anything further, he forced a bitter smile onto his stiff face.

"I won't lie to you two, I do know Mr. Big Ben. When he used to do jobs for our boss, I tagged along as a helper."

"But as for where he lives... I really have no idea!"

"You gentlemen should know, adventurers like him who have a bit of status in the city never want to associate with our kind."

"So it was only when Mr. Big Ben was doing a job that the gang would send a few lackeys over to help out."

"Normally, the only one who contacts him is the boss."

"If you don't mind, I can pass a message for you. Or I could just take you to see the boss, and you can talk to him yourselves?"

Hearing this, Xia Nan frowned.

This caused Ironhead to nervously wipe the sweat from his forehead, wondering if he had said something wrong.

Assuming the bald brute wasn't lying and truly didn't know Big Ben's address, neither of his options were particularly safe.

Regarding the first option—letting him pass a message.

Setting aside efficiency and accuracy, there was one glaring possibility: what if he used it as an excuse to run off?

Nym was huge, and this guy was a petty gang boss who operated in the Lower District year-round. If he really wanted to hide, Xia Nan could search for years and never catch him.

As for the alternative—following him to their lair to meet the boss of the Gray Badger Gang face-to-face...

Wouldn't that be a bit too dangerous?

Amid his thoughts, Xia Nan looked at Wood beside him.

He saw the man give him an imperceptible nod before looking back at Ironhead and coldly shouting, "Lead the way!"

Sudden understanding dawned on him.

'Right!'

He hadn't thought of it in the moment.

Although Xia Nan was just an ordinary adventurer who had recently arrived in Nym, Wood was the personal guard to the young master of Wycliffe, the city lord's household.

Even amid the chaos caused by the upheaval in the upper echelons, Wood was definitely a figure with status and backing.

Since this didn't involve any life-or-death stakes, the boss of a mid-sized gang would certainly be willing to give him some face.

Moreover, for this Rogue—who had worked as a guard for years and always handled matters reliably—to act so decisively, he definitely had absolute confidence that he wouldn't lead the two of them into danger.

Realizing this, Xia Nan felt much more relaxed and let him handle the negotiations.

"Gentlemen, follow me this way."

The high-pressure atmosphere that had left Ironhead faintly breathless under the gaze of these two heavyweights eased slightly.

Ironhead visibly sagged with relief.

Turning around, he waved dismissively at his bewildered lackeys, signaling them to disband and go about their own business.

Then, wearing a cautious expression, he began to lead the way for Xia Nan and Wood.

...

...

"Right here?"

Xia Nan asked suspiciously, staring at the pitch-black sewer inspection manhole before him.

It had only been an hour or so since they left the Iron Bucket Toad.

They had followed Ironhead through the side alleys for quite a while. As the surroundings grew increasingly dilapidated and filthy, they gradually approached the Slums.

Only then did they finally stop at the end of a hidden alley.

Having already stuffed his bloodstained bundle into his coat, Ironhead gripped the manhole cover he had just lifted from the ground with both hands. A highly contrasting, awkward smile appeared on his fleshy face.

"You think too highly of us, sir. The Slums aren't small, but they aren't huge either. Our Gray Badger Gang only occupies a tiny bit of space, yet the people living there probably outnumber those on several streets in the West District combined."

"We can't exactly rob those poor folks of their houses."

"Plus, there are people coming and going up above all the time. It's inconvenient to do anything."

"Even though the sewers are a bit stinky, they're spacious and highly concealed. There's no place more suitable."

Hearing him explain it like that, it actually made some sense.

Xia Nan nodded. He stepped forward, about to climb down the manhole.

Wood, however, suddenly reached out to stop him.

"Don't rush."

His left hand slid across his belt. Soundlessly, a Short Dagger flashing with cold light was gripped tightly in his hand.

His eyes, exceptionally sharp from years of guard work, swept coldly over the bald brute.

"I'll go first, you're second."

"Xia Nan, you take up the rear."

The Nym Sewers were complex and intricate. Without a guide, it was easy to lose one's way inside.

If they let Ironhead go first, he might use the complicated environment of the sewers to escape, and the two of them likely wouldn't catch him.

Conversely, if there was a trap laid below in advance, letting him go last would be even more troublesome; he could simply slam the manhole cover shut after they went down.

By keeping Ironhead in the middle of their formation, both Wood and Xia Nan could react and handle whatever situation arose.

As for why Wood was taking the most dangerous vanguard position while letting Xia Nan bring up the rear...

The reason was actually very simple.

It was the same reason Wood was willing to sacrifice his vacation time and actively help Xia Nan complete his task.

Months ago, during that expedition into the Misty Forest.

In their encounter with a Corrosion Monster, Wood had failed his duties, putting the young master in a life-threatening situation.

At the critical moment, it was Xia Nan who had withstood the pressure and saved the young master.

This was exactly why Young Master Hai'an had been willing to expend a favor left behind by the matron to mobilize Mr. Forgan.

Having nearly caused a catastrophe, Wood chalked it up to his own negligence and brooded over it to this day.

It was entirely predictable what kind of attitude he held toward Xia Nan, the man who had salvaged his career and spared him a lifetime of regret.

This overly young adventurer hadn't even stayed in Rivervale Town for a full year before coming to Nym for an Association quest.

As the host, Wood felt he naturally ought to treat him well.

Unfortunately, it coincided with the incident involving the master of the house. With undercurrents surging, neither he nor the young master dared to make any major moves.

Even their daily movements were restricted.

Once his "vacation" ended, he would have to return to his post immediately.

Taking advantage of his free time now to do the man a trivial favor was naturally something he wouldn't decline.

With a faint glint of cold light, he gripped the Short Dagger in reverse.

He shifted his gaze away from the tense Ironhead.

Wood looked over at Xia Nan. His expression was as solemn as ever, just like when they first met.

"Be careful."

"Stay focused."