CHAPTER 289: THE TUNNEL.

Whether it’s in the wilderness or in crowded cities, there are some places most people are better off not wandering to. The same went for Neo-Vatra. Other than the commercial districts and those populated by the rich, practically everywhere else was a jungle with danger lurking at every corner.

White Hill gained a reputation for being the city’s most dangerous district, a place where people went to disappear. But in reality, it had always been in second place.

On the edge of Westpoint Fabrication Ward, bordering both Hollowgrid and Factory town, was a place they called the Pit. A bottomless hole that once was the ground for the world’s largest mining operation, with an opening so wide it rivals entire districts.

Nowadays, it serves as a dumping ground for corporations who didn’t care what the waste they spill does, but industrial byproducts weren’t the only thing that ended up there.

Though it appeared long, the slope connected to the hole’s inner wall wasn’t even considered a part of the pit. After crossing it, Dante arrived at a second gate, this one made from iron bars and guarded by armed guards, some of whom were clad in patchwork power suits.

Though they spared him a look when he approached the gate, they all turned away after seeing that he was nothing special. Only one of them walked over, but instead of opening the way for him, he held up a tablet with a QR code on it.

"Fifteen." He said

Though he had already paid 50 RCs at the previous gate, Dante didn’t argue and simply paid the fifteen Gold. Once the transaction was done, the man opened the door without saying a word. As he passed the armed group, Dante noticed the red armband each of them wore on their left arm. On it was a simple logo composed of a circle with three slash marks on it.

’The Abyss Wolves...’

At that moment, Dante felt an overwhelming urge to click his tongue, but he managed to hold it in. He didn’t really care about the bastards, even if he was curious about how they took over the Westpoint entrance. What irked him was the fact that their theme involved wolves, something he had grown to despise as of late.

[The air in this area is quite toxic.] Volcan said.

’Why do you think I’m wearing this mask?’

[Its filtration mechanism is subpar. The protection it offers is insufficient.]

’Don’t worry about it. We aren’t gonna be here for long.’

Dante continued on his way and soon entered the Tunnel. It was a vast area carved into the interior of the Pit, once meant as a road for trucks and construction equipment. Nowadays, it has been converted into a sprawling city that stretches along an ancient dirt road with buildings pressed to the walls on either side.

Everything there was made from a mix of cheap concrete and old alloy plates and sheets, with rust brown being the dominant color in everything. The plethora of neon signs did little to hide the shabby nature of the slum like construction, but no one came to such places looking for impressive architecture.

Like a lamb walking into a beast-infested cavern, Dante drew the attention of the locals the moment he entered. Many studied him with their eyes as he walked by, but most chose to ignore him, having realized that he wasn’t the kind of prey that was easy to hunt.

Of course, keen eyes weren’t something everyone had in such a place. A few blind rats got up just as he passed them and started tailing him, waiting for the right opportunity. Dante paid them no mind and continued on his way.

The first neighborhood, what they call the area from the gate to the stairs leading to the second level, was made of parking lots, followed by mechanics, and finally some bars and a few brothels. From there, it was mostly residential areas, but only those who lived there bothered to walk down that road. The address Dante received pointed to a certain shop on the second level, so Dante headed straight for the stairs.

Since the Tunnel was one massive spiral that coiled around the Pit, several shortcuts had been made along the way to make reaching the lower levels a little easier. Those shortcuts were a focal point many passed through on their way up or down, which made them the best place to set a shop. Carts and booths surrounded the entrance, and some even carved a gap into the wall, attaching a few plates to create a shop.

Just as he took the first step, Dante sensed someone approach him from behind and quickly moved out of the way. One of the rats from before had tried to kick him, intending for the fall that would have followed to finish him off. Dante grabbed his leg and yanked him toward the stairs, and since he hadn’t predicted this development, the idiot allowed for his momentum to continue, falling for the trick he tried to pull.

As the first thug tumbled down like a rag doll, his friends could only watch I stunned disbelief. The next moment, anger filled their eyes and they turned to Dante, immediately launching attacks without even hurling insults at him.

Dante dodged the punch thrown at him by the second thug then held up his foot to stop the third one’s kick. Grabbing the second thug’s wrist, Dante turned around and performed a shoulder throw, slamming him onto the stairs.

As the pained wails drew eyes to him, Dante lunged at the third thug and grabbed him by the shirt, planting a fist into his stomach before letting him crumble to the ground.

The fight ended as quickly as it started. Looking down at the last idiot that dared to cross him, Dante considered shooting him to get the idea across, but then decided against it. There was no need to escalate things more than they already had.

’I wonder if this counts as something happening...’