Sewer Kings

The sewers beneath District 9 weren't just tunnels—they were veins.

Blackridge pumped filth through them day and night, but more importantly, they moved people, guns, drugs, and information in ways the surface never could. Elias knew it the moment he stepped onto the rusted catwalk and the air hit him: wet metal, old blood, and gasoline.

Dizzy gagged behind him. "Place smells like a junkie's funeral."

"Shut up and watch our back," Elias muttered. "We're not alone down here."

He was right.

They'd followed Tino's info—north sector, access grate behind the train depot. The Scavengers had used this route before, and now someone new controlled it.

"Monk."

The name echoed through Elias's head like a warning bell.

[System Alert: Entering Unmapped Territory – Sewer Grid 9B]

Territory: Contested | Risk: High

New Objective Available: Investigate "Monk" | Bonus: +5 CP, +1 Skill Point

They moved carefully, checking every junction. Dizzy marked their path with chalk and nail scratches—basic, but reliable. After twenty minutes, they spotted light ahead. Voices. The murmur of a generator.

Elias signaled halt, then peeked around the corner.

A subterranean checkpoint. Three men—scarred, heavily armed, wearing patchy armor and black armbands with a crude eye painted in white. The Eye wasn't a known gang. Not yet.

"They've got guards," Dizzy whispered. "You thinking stealth?"

Elias shook his head. "No. I want answers."

He walked into the open with his Glock lowered, not holstered. "I'm looking for Monk."

The nearest guard raised a shotgun. "Who the hell's asking?"

"Someone who already owns two blocks above your head. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to deal."

Tension stretched between them like wire. Then, from the shadows behind the checkpoint, a figure emerged.

Bald. Tall. Skin covered in faded ink—serpents, scripture, and symbols. He walked barefoot and silent as mist.

"Let him in," the man said. "I'm Monk."

[System Alert: Key NPC Encounter – Monk, Tier 1 Underboss]

Disposition: Cautious Neutrality

They sat at a plastic table beside a leaking pipe, with Dizzy standing guard nearby.

"You're the one who hit the Scavengers," Monk said. "Bold. Messy."

"Effective," Elias replied. "And I know you fence for them."

"Used to," Monk said, scratching at his wrist. "Now I fence for the city. Whoever pays and doesn't insult my intelligence."

Elias leaned forward. "I want supply routes. Contacts. The next stash drop before the Scavengers get it."

Monk's eyes gleamed. "Information's like blood. You don't give it unless you've got someone else's knife pressed against your neck."

"I'll give you something better than fear," Elias said. "I'll give you opportunity."

He slid a burner phone across the table. "You fence for me. Get first cut on stolen gear, transport protection, tech. I expand—you get leverage."

Monk stared at the phone. "And if I say no?"

Elias smiled faintly. "You won't."

[New Pact Formed: "Monk" – Faction Affiliate]

Access Unlocked: Sewer Pathways 9A–9D

+5 Crime Points | +1 Skill Point

New Territory Option: Underground Black Market (Locked until Tier II)

Back in the safehouse, Dizzy slammed the door shut and exhaled.

"That guy creeps me the hell out."

"He's useful," Elias said. "And he's neutral—for now. That's the best kind of dangerous."

He pulled up the system UI.

Available: 9 CP | 5 Skill Points

The Skill menu expanded like a spider's web—finally unlocked thanks to the point threshold.

New Skills Available:

Street Intimidation (Lv.1) – 2 SP

Tactical Movement (Lv.1) – 3 SP

Improvised Engineering (Lv.1) – 2 SP

Interrogation (Lv.1) – 2 SP

Elias spent:

3 SP – Tactical Movement

2 SP – Interrogation

Skill Points Spent: 5 | Remaining: 0

Unlocked Skills: Tactical Movement (Lv.1), Interrogation (Lv.1)

Movement felt sharper almost instantly—balance, footwork, edge-of-sight awareness. He tested it by dodging Dizzy's thrown rag without even looking.

"Damn," Dizzy muttered. "You been practicing kung fu behind my back?"

Elias didn't answer. His mind was racing.

He had turf. He had manpower. And now, he had the sewers.

But his phone buzzed again. No ID. Just a message.

"You're moving too fast. The city remembers those who rise too high."

– Unknown

Elias stared at the screen.

He wasn't scared.

He was ready.