Chapter 4: Chapter 3
One day since being mysteriously brought to this place. I was able to explore the facility more and learn some new things.
From what I gathered, the place that I'm currently in; is an underground society called Terracore. Said society is divided into 3 sections; those being East, West and South. Each section of Terracore also has their own cities and communities. The Nadezhda South Station; the settlement that I'm currently in, is located in the South section of Terracore. The station is supposedly a newly created settlement which was built just 20 years ago and the facility has 9 floors in total. Another interesting thing that I've find, is that this underground world is divided into 5 layers. The first to third layer is where the cities and communities of Terracore are build. Although not fully explored, many areas of said layers have been already scouted and future settlements are supposedly being planned to be built in the future. As for the other layers, it is said that said layers are a total mystery and have not yet been thoroughly explored. There's also this mention of a place called West frontier; an area located in the west part of Terracore, but due to time constraints I wasn't able to look much into it.
As for the monsters that Claire have mentioned. I have discovered that the creatures that exist in this place is extremely different from what I was familiar with. As what Claire have said, those creatures qualify more as monsters than animals. Mentioning the few that I've read, there's a giant spider that supposedly able to shoot out lighting from its body, a huge frog like creature that spits out goo that is extremely acidic and poisonous and a worm like creature that is supposedly able to grow as big as a small building. Reading about this information I was somewhat remined of the fantasy books that I used to read. The unearthly qualities of said creatures just fits so nicely in a fantasy setting. But knowing that said creatures are supposedly real, thinking of what those creatures will do to me if I encounter one just terrifies me. While on the topic of monsters, the mushboar steak which Claire and I ordered at the cafeteria yesterday is actually from one of the many unique creatures of this world. From what Claire said, mushboars are boar like creatures with mushrooms growing from their backs. It fairly common creature in Terracore which can easily be domesticated. Due to how simple they can be breed, mushboars has been a staple food source of Terracore ever since its genesis. Because mushrooms grow on the body of a mushboar, its meat has a very unique flavor to it. Judging it from yesterday's dining, I can say that it was indeed delicious.
Another thing to note that I discovered yesterday, was the currency of this place. Instead of using paper money, it seems that this world uses coins which they call Moneta. The coins come in two forms, a small bronze and silver. Knowing that the steak that we ate cause 25 bronze moneta each, I was able to discover that a single silver moneta is about 100 bronze moneta through the change that I was given. From what I gathered the cheapest meal of the cafeteria which according to Claire is the standard meal of choice by the people of Terracore, cost about 10 bronze moneta. Basing on it, I somewhat deduce that the silver moneta might be somewhat valuable. Basing it on american dollars, a 100-dollar bill is probably equivalent to a silver moneta while a 1-dollar bill is equivalent to a bronze moneta. But with that said, not really having any concrete type of currency to compare moneta to. I'm somewhat clueless as to the true value of said currency, for now.
As for the projection like screen, which according to the voice is called Character Building Tool. Nothing really much changed, it's still the same as before I started investigating it. So for now, I decided to not mess with it until I'm very certain of using it.
-Sigh
My current face does look very different...
Due to the commotion that happened yesterday, I wasn't able to thoroughly check my current look. Now having a free time all by myself, I began checking the difference of this body to my previous one.
With that said... this face doesn't look bad at all. A little browner to my previous one but this current build and height is pretty nice. It doesn't reek of that cooperate slave look that I so previously had. I guess this ends my body inspection.
Satisfied with my investigation I leave the 3rd floor's bathroom.
Walking through the quite halls of the facility, I began thinking of what to do.
Maybe I should go the library again, there were still many things that I wasn't able to investigate.
But before I can even make my way to the library, I was quickly reminded of what Harold said previously.
Message huh... maybe I should try and check the laptop for now.
Cancelling my trip to the library, I decided to head back to my room. Booting the laptop on I again check the messages to see if something new arrive
"Oh right, I forgot to check these"
Seeing the same News Messages, I again was reminded to check those for later.
"Let's see... any messages by Harold"
.
.
.
Checking the messages, I was able to find a new one that just recently arrive. Clicking the message, I was again greeted by a bunch of text.
Sender: Harold Gears
Subject: First Job
Sup, new recruit. Again, I want congratulate you on passing the test. Despite your looks, passing the test does show that you're worthy of working for the settlement.
But don't let my sweet words fool you, real life is very different from a test. You never know what happens out there, so I advise you to be warry and careful at all times.
With that said, for your first mission. Go meet Banner at his office in the 6th floor at 8: AM, he'll tell you the full details.
How nice of him to actually give me advice. And here I thought he was gonna badmouth me again.
Looking at the time in the laptop, I have noticed that it's already 7:42 AM. Not wanting to be late and lose the current job that I just had. I quickly ran off to my room and head to the 6th floor.
Waiting for the elevator to reach the 6th floor, I started thinking of what I'll meet at the office. Judging from Harold's words it seems that this Banner person is one of the top people of this settlement.
Arriving at the 6th floor, I again was not surprised at its aesthetics. It's the same metallic walls, floor and security cameras that you always see at this place.
Not much variety exist in this place huh.
Looking at where the office could be located. I tried asking some random worker whom I found for directions. Pointing me at where the office is at, I thanked the random stranger and headed off to where the office is.
Arriving at the office, I slowly open the door to see what's inside
"Uhmm... excuse me"
"My, fancy seeing a new face around here. And who might you be?"
Opening the door, what greeted me was a fine-looking gentleman. With a good-looking suit and a pair of glasses. The person in front of me, emits a sense of authority in his presence that I'm so ever familiar with.
"M-my name is La-Bruce Edwards"
Almost said my real name there
"Ah! so you're the new recruit that Harold told me about"
"Yes..."
"That's good, it's very rare do we actually get new recruits to this place. So please make yourself at home"
"Umm.. thank you, Sir"
"Hahaha, no need for formalities just call me Banner like everyone. Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. The names Banner Evans, I'm the head of this settlement and also head council. Nice to meet you"
"Nice to meet you as well, Sir Banner"
"Greetings aside, you should try and take a seat first"
Taking a seat from a chair in this neat looking office, I await for the instructions that was supposed to be given to me"
"Before we start how about I ask you a few questions first?"
"I don't really mind, so please asked as many questions that you want"
"Well.. From the information that I have about read about you, it seems that you're a new resident of this settlement. So how's life so far in this settlement? Any problems or complications?"
"Uhh... not at all, if anything this place has been far better from my previous one"
Living in this place, has been somewhat stressful to me. All this unfamiliarity and weirdness happening around me, do es take a mental toll to my body. But with that said, blowing my cover could be very bad. So for now, I'll just take Bruce's opinion of this place according to his logs.
"Oh right... you used to live in the slums of East Terracore. Sorry about that"
"N-no need to apologize Sir Banner. That's just how it is... We can't really change our past, so all we have to do is strive for a better future"
"How optimistic. With how things are in these days, we really need people like you with that type of mindset"
"Thanks..."
"Again, welcome to Nadezhda South Station. I hope we all worked hard, for the sake and future of this settlement and it's people"
"Yes sir"
"Hahaha no need to be that tense, just relax"
Despite his authoritative look, Sir Banner is really nice than I would have thought. It's a huge contrast than the one's I have in the past.
"By the way, I've heard some peculiar things about you from Harold"
Ehhh...
"The most notable thing I've heard, is that supposedly you're somewhat braindead"
"Ahhhh... s-sorry"
"Hahaha no need to apologize, Harold can be very comedic sometimes"
And here I thought that he was being nice from the message earlier.
"Well enough of that for now shall we. How about we finally start the thing that you are here for?"
"No need to wait for me sir, please go ahead"
"Okay then... Bruce Edwards for a new recruit, sending you already for a mission might sound daunting considering that just have taken the application test a few days ago. But no need to worry for we already taken said consideration. So your first mission would just be an easy one. Think more of it as a guide for your potential future missions"
"Sounds reasonable enough"
"Good, you're more courageous than I thought"
"..."
'So your first mission is just a simple exploration mission. Have you heard about the camp that we built not far from east of here?"
"Not really, this is my first time of hearing it"
"Figures, basically as part of expanding the settlement, we've been looking for areas suitable for building. A few weeks ago, we manage to find candidate area and built a camp there. But due to the current earthquakes a few tunnels and rails has been severely damage and such our objective of expanding has been postponed in favor of fixing the damage rails and tunnels. So your mission is to explore the abandoned camp and report your findings"
"Wait so you just abandoned the camp. You didn't even leave at least a few people to guard it"
"Well.. Being a new settlement, we don't really have a ton of workers laying around. So we pretty much used most of them to work on fixing the damages of the earthquake. We even hired some workers on Black Steel just to speed up the rate of work. And with you being newly hired, I thought that you would be perfect for the job considering everyone is very busy"
"I understand now, but is it really okay for me to explore that place all alone?"
"I understand your concerns but there's really no need to be scared. You'll be given a free weapon in the warehouse as a defensive measure. Oh yeah, I'm also adding a new set clothes with that. Your current look isn't really nice to look at"
Hearing his words, I tried looking at my current clothes. Looking pretty old and worn-out, I can somewhat say that I'm not that far off from looking like a future hobo.
"T-thank you sir..."
"Hahaha no need to thank me, as the head of this settlement it's somewhat my job to keep my workers neat and presentable"
How kind
"Here. take this note, it will inform Grace of what to give you"
Taking the piece of paper off Banner's hand. I slowly put said paper in my pocket.
"As for your payment, as a new recruit you will receive an 80 silver moneta weekly salary, but don't worry you will be also given 50 silver moneta as an immediate payment. You can get your immediate payment and future payment from Grace also"
How nice, getting money in your first day of the job
"Is this all what I have to do sir Banner?"
"Uhhmmmm... Ah! Thank you for reminding me, I somewhat forgot another thing. Isaac was looking for you"
"Isaac? Who's that?"
"Isaac is the head doctor of this settlement; you can find him in the 7th floor. As for the reason of why his looking for you, I don't actually know. He just told me that it's something important. So I suggest you to go look for him after receiving the things you need from Grace"
"Okay, again thank you sir Banner"
"Well.. You're welcome. Now do be careful out there, Rathounds are pretty common on the area where the camp was"
"I'll take note of it"
And with our conversation over, I leave the 6th floor office and headed off to another destination. Thinking back at conversation, I can't help but respect sir Banner. Despite being in a high position he was pretty down to earth and generally nice. I hope more people like him exist in this world.
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Arriving in the 2th floor, I can't help but think back the things that happened to me so far. Only a few meters of the elevator are where everything started; Harold's office. Seeing it for the 2nd time, I was somewhat reminded of what sir Banner told me.
Braindead huh.... I guess despite being nice in the message, his still foulmouthed as ever
Ignoring Harold's office, I slowly made my way to the warehouse.
Arriving there, I saw some security cameras and a few guards guarding the place. Slowly walking through the unmoving guards, I arrive to a somewhat large table with a woman comfortably sleeping on it.
"Umm.. Hello?"
"H-huh? I-I'm not s-slacking off I swear... Ahhh... who are you?"
People in this place sure are an interesting bunch
"My names Bruce Edwards, I'm a newly hired agent in this settlement"
"Ah-uh... so what do you want?"
"I'm here to receive the things listed on this paper and supposed my immediate payment"
Giving the piece of note to the woman, she carefully analyzed the contents written inside of it. Finding no faults at the note that she received. She stood up from where she was sitting and went to a closed room. After a few minutes she went out of said room, carrying a pistol and some clothes.
"Here are the things that you asked; a 5mm pistol with 5 magazines and some clothes. Here's your immediate payment of 50 silver moneta's as well. If you want to practice with your gun just go to the shooting ranged just right of here. The old man there will give you a single free mag if you tell him that you're new"
"Thank you"
"Don't mention it"
Finally receiving the items, I was reminded of Claire for a moment. Her clothes weren't really the best of the bunch, if I remember correctly.
"Um.. E-excuse me miss?"
"Huh? What now?"
"I was wondering if where could one buy some clothes in this place, more preferably some girl clothes"
.
.
.
"T-that's some kinky shit that you're into new guy, and I don't think that I like it"
Hearing what she said, I realized the grave error that I just made.
"A-ahhh n-no it's for me, it's for my sister!"
"..."
"Im telling the truth"
"Sure...."
Unconvinced to my words, I wasn't able to do anything other than stand there embarrassingly.
-Sigh
"If you want to buy some clothes you can buy one in here"
"R-really?"
"Not just clothes, you can pretty much buy anything from weapons, tools other stuff but we don't sell food in here and as for computer and electrical things you can buy it at the 8th floor"
"Oh, you sell things"
"Pretty much"
"Thank you for the information miss.. Uhh.."
"Just call me Grace"
So she's the one that sir Banner mentioned
"Thank you miss Grace"
"Don't mention it. Now are you gonna buy or not?"
"Maybe in a later time, I still have a job to do"
"I see, well.. Good luck then"
"Ah yes, good luck to you as well miss Grace"
"..."
And with that, I grab the things that was given to me and leave the warehouse for now. Looking for a place to try the new clothes on, I decided to look for a bathroom and manage to find one in the quite halls of this floor.
Trying on the new shirt, jacket and pants. I looked more presentable than I was earlier.
Doesn't look bad at all, I kinda dig it.
As for the gun, due to the fact that I've never used one in my previous life. I decided to try Grace's advice for now, and try practicing at the shooting range.
"God, I hope nothing goes wrong"
-End of Chapter 3
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