Chapter 409: We are surrounded

After a quick and rather uncomfortable breakfast, the group made their way towards the Slums. With their quest already taken, their gear upgraded and consumables restored they felt more than ready to tackle the challenges that were waiting for them.

The quest requested the culling of a particular annoying bottom-dweller creature, a small but extremely vicious bipedal reptilian monster. The little annoyances were quick to spread, its population, if left unchecked, could rapidly explode, going from a dozen to several hundred, even to the thousands in a matter of weeks.

Also, as their numbers increased, so did their boldness. From their initial frightened, calculating, hiding nature, they grew into vicious, rabid beasts as their population entered the triple digits.

Once they felt strong enough, they would begin their raids, breaking into the homes of the innocents, attacking, assaulting the unsuspecting. Elders, adults, and even children were mangled, killed off, eaten and their remains were taken away for the rest of the tribe…

Because of that, regular, systematic cleaning was necessary wherever the "Skink-Plague" has made its rotten presence known.

The small group of Aiden, Drake, Scarlet, Galina, Lily, and her silent canine companions stood in front of a large grated gate in a particular, tucked away part of Higrove's Slums district. Unlike what was the norm, this particular section was guarded by not two, but four of the City Guards. 

After the latest attack where a family of 8 have vanished overnight, the citizenry finally pushed the City Guards into action. Although they wouldn't be crazy enough to venture into the dark depths of hell, they could at the very least guard the only known exit-slash-entrance.

"Halt! You can't go any further!" As the 5-man group arrived close enough, the closest of the guards raised his free left hand in the air, blocking further advancement. His dark eyes coldly stared at the group of youngsters from behind his metal helmet's visor. 

He held a common-looking pike in his right hand, this very same weapon could be seen on the other three's hands as well.

"Let us through." Drake stepped forward, showing the piece of quest paper to the guard. "We have been commissioned by the Guild to clean up the mess." He said. 'Your mess…' He added a mental remark, though he kept a calm outlook.

The guard grabbed the presented notice, his eyes skimmed over its contents. As he finished it, he shook his head, a sympathetic smile appeared on his face. His previous stiffness vanished, as he sighed with a compassionate but sorrowful tone.

"Eh… You guys are quite unlucky. The little green devils are way beyond everyone's expectations…"

Hearing that the youthful, vigorous group willingly came to this hellhole, the rest of the guards also let out a series of regretful, sad looks.

"You guys and gals… If I were you I would turn back while I still can! Their numbers are already endless, this task is no longer suitable for a group of adventurers… I heard the captains talk about sending a request to the Academy… This place needs those fire mages to unleash their spells and burn everything to ashes."

"Don't throw away your lives little ones! Turn back and live for another day! One failed quest is not the end of the world!"

"Go away! This place is not for you youngsters!"

They howled their warnings, each of them doing their best to convince this measly-looking group to not step into the dark. They were beyond doubt that once they ventured inside, they will never come back. Although in reality, they didn't really care for the boys or the two ferocious war hounds, it would have been quite regretful to waste this trio of angels to such a fruitless endeavor.

Even through the shrouds they oh so desperately tried to hide their beauty with, some small bits and pieces still managed to shine through.

Despite their warnings, the group looked calm, no matter how hard they tried to convince them to turn away, neither of them budged. 

In the end, they could do nothing, as their job was to stand guard, and not bother too much with the commissioned adventurers. If they were hell-bent on trying their luck, they could only sigh and show the way.

The front guard sighed and shook his head as he gave the piece of paper back to Drake. 

"Think about it, one last time youngsters. Arrogance is good, but too much of it could spell your demise. Don't be blind to the kind words of those more experienced than you, there is no shame in running away to live for another day!" 

Still, as he looked over the group the guard couldn't help but try to give one last warning to them, trying his best to bring them back to reality.

Listening to his words, the boy in the center of the group, who until now, remained silent, and nonchalant, turned towards the guard, and with a friendly smile on his face, spoke. His tone was calm, and collected, showing no visible fright or nervousness.

"We thank you all for the warning. I can tell, you have only spoken out of the kindness of your heart. I respect that, and I will do the same: Do not underestimate me and my friends just because of our looks. Have you never heard the phrase: Never judge a book by its cover?"

The guard turned wide-eyed at the strange, exotic-eyed youngster's words. What kind of saying was that?! 

'Perhaps they are also from the academy?' He wondered, looking at the group once again, trying to find some clues about who they could have been.

"Can we pass through now? Or is there any other problem?" The strange-looking boy spoke again, his words whilst still calm, carried a mysterious underlying power, causing shivers to run through all four guards' backs." 

Immediately, they all turned wary of these youngsters, not daring to thwart their way any longer. Using a large rusty, iron key, they unlocked the grated gate, slowly pulling it open.

"Go in, guys. Remember, we will close the gate behind you. If you are not back before nightfall, you will not be able to leave until the next morning. May the gods be with you all!" The guard gave his last words, before stepping aside and giving them way into the eerie darkness that laid await.

The group waved their goodbyes to the surprisingly friendly and kind City Guards, -an experience quite new, to be honest- and made their first steps into the underground sewage system, the realm of monsters be it humans or any other kind…

—

The group warily and cautiously ventured forward, slowly getting deeper and deeper into the depths, and stepping into the domain of the vicious little beasts.

"Be on guard now everyone." Drake suddenly muttered his order to the party, despite knowing well that they were already on high alert. The slowly dripping water, the eerie silence with the distant clicks served as a clear reminder that they were no longer in the civilized territory, but have long ventured to the land of nightmares.

As they continued slowly making their way further, suddenly Aiden stopped the group. Before anybody could ask, suddenly all spotted the several dozens of pairs of yellow eyes popping up around them in the darkness.

"We are surrounded…"