Chapter 23: In Depth Planning

Chapter 23: In Depth Planning

After a pause, she continues, There is something else that we should probably discuss. Its time for everyone to reconvene in the main room. There are a few things we can bring to the table Are you ready to go?

At that statement, for some reason, it reminds me of the prompts you would get in a video game. Are you sure you are ready to head out? After this point, you cannot turn back

Nonetheless, I dont really have any other choice. Im as prepared as I can think of right now. I know there are things Im missing, but I think with time and caution I can go from here.

Plus, there are some things I have to know, like about cultivators and how we can get this started for our group.

Taking this seriously, I nod slowly and stand up. She nods back. She does pause, though.

With a sly smile, she adds, You should probably wait for your clothes to dry first, before heading upstairs though. I really dont mind if youre naked, though. Really.

Ah. Right. Clothes.

Looking down, I slowly dip back into the water. I Ill meet you up there later, then.

If you want to dry it quicker, there are warm vents and towel wrappers near the walls. I like to dry my clothes at that spot. After that aside, she heads back into the tunnel to the surface.

Well. That was embarrassing.

Looking down at my clothes, my stomach jumps, as I can no longer see even a hint of blood on them. Carried away by the stream.

Like it never happened

I pause. Emptying my mind. Focusing on what needs to be done. Moving forward.

I have to keep moving. Life doesnt wait for anyone.

After Ive fully dried my clothes, I quickly head up to the main room.

Not even hesitating, Gong responds, Yes, though this will be one of the few things that we can allow to be in the open. As you two might know, there were demi-humans in the past that were able to control creatures similar to their spirit-beast side.

Before James was here, I was able to get some measure of control over my spider bab army. Since I was an information broker, but needed some measure of protection, I always hinted that I had the ability to overwhelm someone with spiders, if crossed.

With some creative work, I was able to fool most of them into believing that. Which kept any prying eyes out of my territory.

She takes a breath before continuing.

With James help, I now have complete control over them. If I pass this along to my contacts, I can exert control over this area making it a safe place to do business, whatever type of business that is.

Lin speaks up, Gong, you mentioned before this conversation, that the gangs of this area are territorial. So, they wont take offense to you staking out this area?

Not really. This area is outside of the major roads and has been considered mine for a long time Really, I have my friends both on the inside of one of the bigger gangs and outside of them to thank for that. This area isnt protected by a gang or the city, per se, but is watched over by me. And I had just enough influence to claim it. Now? I have the power to back it up.

Ai interjects, What about the caverns underground? From what Ive seen, many of them extend far deep underground, but also across. Farther than what I guess your borders are.

Rubbing her head, she responds, Ah, I forgot you wouldnt know, since you are human. You may have noticed on your side of the city, that no one lives in the sewers or digs underground areas, right?

Ai and Lin look at each other and nod. They also glance at me, but I shrug.

How am I supposed to know?

They make the oh right, face and look back.

Thats because there are a variety of creatures who live underground, with a small number being deadly. Even in these caves, the only reason we can walk around without worrying, is because of the spider army constantly hunting. Most demi-humans dont dig around because eventually a creature will dig up into their underground area and sometimes that wont turn out well for the demi-human and their family.

Most times, either in your old section or this one, they wont come even close to the surface. Its a near negligible concern. However, there is always the risk, in this area, of it happening.

Thats also why others avoid this area, since it is covered in these caverns. They believe anyone who could live underground, in the part of the city where most of the monsters live, is dangerous and shouldnt be tested. For the one fool who openly tested that assumption, I had to make an example of them.

After that, I found out they gave me this area because it is dangerous and not worth them clearing out.

At that statement, Ai, Lin, and I look at each other nonverbally reaffirming to not mess with Gong.