The underground city (2)

The entrance to the underground society was located at the base of a hill inside the endless forest. This entrance was one of several others, and it was located within small clearing. Many strong looking men and women clad in either cloaks or variant types of armors could be seen moving in and out. Metallic, leather, full body or mixed type armors could be seen on almost everyone.

According to Cyril, large portion of the underground city's economy depends on the outside. Whether it was edible plants, beasts' or animals' meat, rare resources, and many, many other things… all of that was acquired from the outside. Hence, and out of necessity, the profession of hunter came to be.

The hostile environment of the forest was no big secret. Vicious animals, powerful beasts, predatorily plants, lethal parasites, flesh-eating bacteria, and deadly viruses… practically, everything in the forest was more than enough to end normal human being only after minutes of going outside. Most of the people would have a zero chance of surviving outside the underground city. The competitive theme of the forest was constantly pushing even the powerful creatures to their limits, putting them in a cycle of constant struggle to survive. Whatever specie fails to catch up and evolve… it vanishes in no time. Species go extinct and others emerge on yearly bases.

It was 'adapt at all costs, or die' theme! That's how hard it was to survive in this new, vicious world.

The rigid use of artifacts and the crude use of life energy alone were far from being enough to grant humans the necessary competitive advantage to last in this world.

Truth be told, if it wasn't for the arch-mage teaching the artifact users to practice magic, and warriors to use battle skills, thus giving them way to constantly develop their powers and not just use artifacts… they would have long ceased to exist.

This wasn't an over-exaggeration… this was the simple cold truth!

Stepping into the gate, that lead them to an underground tunnel, the two didn't attract any attention. Their tacky attire conveyed them to be text-book hunters.

The tunnel wasn't dark at all, as few light-emitting stones could be seen fixed on the ceiling along the path.

'The underground city was built by a rank-4 earth mage. He spent long time to create five giant caves that are connected with each other by massive, wide tunnels. The interior of the city is enforced by a magic formation that prevents it from collapsing. So, in theory, even in the event of an earthquake, you can take comfort in knowing that the city wouldn't collapse."

Along the path, Cyril kept explaining things to ramie.

The tunnel led them downward, toward the underground city. The path was tilted deeper and deeper, but not by a large degree. Also, the ground was rough and coarse. Hence, they didn't slip.

Cyril continued: "Anyway, the people's daily life style changed in a ways that suited the underground nature. For instant, people now use fire stones to cook and provide heat. These stones are made from the dried excrement of the searing lizard. By treating them with special solutions, they emit intense heat without fire or smoke, making them perfect for the underground environment. As for the day and night cycle, giant light emitting stones fixed on the ceiling takes care of the problem. These stones could even emit ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Just like the real son do, so agriculture is no issue. For nighttime, giant stones that emit cold light that mimics the moon and countless smaller glowing stones to mimic stars. As for the ventilation problem, the magic formation solves the issue through many hidden, narrow tunnels that links the city to the surface. The magic formation even mimics the breeze and the blowing wind. Actually, without this particular aspect, the city would stink, and reeks with smell that no human can tolerate. This has been tested."

Cyril kept elaboration on things, as they finally reached the city.

'This is amazing…' Ramie was stunned by the view.

Just like the outside, giant stones fixed on the ceiling were emitting strong light that looked no different from the sunrays. The ceiling was very high. The light was powerful enough that ramie could barely see the ceiling. However, from what he saw, the ceiling's surface was almost even, without any protrusions. Countless pillars could be seen scattered in rows, supporting the ceiling.

The entrance he took led him to the east side of the city, which looked like a massive cave. According to Cyril's description, there are four more caves like this.

Just as ramie stepped out of the tunnel leading to the city, the clamoring noise of the children reached his ears.

Next, he walked through what could only be called as slums.

The sewers smell that reeked from all directions, the many piles of garbage at every corner, the muddy, moist streets, the shabby looking houses that were close to being small make-shift huts, the homeless people sleeping in narrow alleys, dark corners…

Before the catastrophe, this scene could be witnessed at the outskirt forsaken districts… but now, and according to Cyril's narration, this was the situation that over 70% of the underground society's residents live in.

The slums existed in all of the large city sections. And although 70% of the total population lived there, however, in actuality, the slums' area didn't exceed 30% at beast of the total city's land.

This could easily be noticed seeing how cramped the houses and streets were, and how overcrowded the place was. Anyway, most of the people that ramie saw were children. Evidently, the birth rate at the slum area was the highest in the city.

As ramie followed Cyril, everyone they saw on the road did his best to stay out of their way. Apparently, magicians didn't have the best reputation in the city. Fear and anxiousness were the two most prevailing types of expression that ramie noticed on the faces of whomever sees them along their way. What follows after that, was usually people scurrying away and disappearing from their sight.

"The closer one moves toward the city center, which is the central district, the better the life quality gets, and the more expensive things become. Also, the safer it gets, for the 'mortals.' The mortal is a term wildly used to describe those who don't have magic or life energy. Anyway, as the slum area is way too poor, mages and warriors don't usually live here." Cyril kept speaking…

It was just as Cyril had said. As after walking for another while, Ramie noticed an obvious change in the living environment and the Architectural style. The smell got lighter, the houses were fancier and no longer so cramped, the overall sight got much better, and it kept on improving as the two moved.

The styles of clothes that Ramie saw along his path were rather versatile. Most wore clothes so poor in quality, coarse, and simple that it made them look like the village people from old eras… very few wore the traditional clothes prior to the disaster, while fewer people overdressed in highly stilted, elitist styles of clothes from old eras to show off their wealth.

Not long afterward, Cyril finally got to his house.

It was 4 chamber house and was made of bricks and cement, unlike the houses in the slum, which were made either from mud, tin, or wood. The house was located in an area that wasn't very fancy, but wasn't poor either. Over all, it was only a bit lower than average.

"Master, this is my house!" Pointing at the house, Cyril bitterness was very obvious, his tone very heavy. After following that woman, he expected that the next time he reaches this house, his life would world apart different. Actually, his life now was world apart different from before… just, 180 degree to the other end. As, instead of him becoming the master, he became the 'follower'

Stepping into the house, Ramie heaved a sigh of relief.

'Finally, I'm going to get some clothe.'

Truth be told, the only thing ramie was wearing now was the cloak. Beneath it… there was nothing else. He only got this cloak because Cyril was keeping it as a disposable cloak. He of course, used it to do his shady business, and then discard it. Luckily, it was large on ramie. Thus enabling him to close it tight, and cover himself.

"Cyril, fetch me some clothe. Also, prepare a rich meal." Ramie gave his order.

After learning what type of person this Cyril is, ramie had no qualm on using him as a follower, to make things more convenient for himself. In any case, he did try to kill him, so, ramie decided to make him 'pay' for it! At least, this was how ramie justified it to himself

In any case, Ramie had eaten nothing for the past few days, nor did he have any good sleep… hence, he was planning to eat his fill and take good rest now.

…

Two hours later…

After having a good hour of sleep, ramie woke up fully energized.

Right now, he was brainstorming ways to gather money enough to travel to the deep valley city, which happens to be where the capital was located.

"Cyril, how much money would I need to travel to deep valley city? And what are the usual ways to gather money here?"

…