The Role of the Reaper

"Recently, we've encountered issues with the city's sewer system," the clerk, an older man with a stern face, began. "Several workers were dispatched to investigate, but none returned. Upon further inspection, we discovered a Demon nest has taken root beneath the city."

The room fell silent as the weight of the words settled in. I tilted my head, feigning mild interest while suppressing a smirk. The situation felt oddly nostalgic, like the countless quests I'd encountered in similar games.

"So," I asked, letting a sharp edge creep into my voice, "you're asking me to clean up your mess?"

"Precisely," the man replied, his eyes narrowing at my tone. "And we request you recover the belongings—or remains—of the workers who ventured there before you. Their families deserve closure."

Ah, so there was a subquest tied to this. I discreetly glanced at the Quest Window, but nothing popped up yet. Likely, the quest would officially activate once I accepted.

"I've already sent demon hunters, but their efforts were futile," the clerk continued, his tone laced with disdain. "The Temple, as usual, only offered excuses about needing more time. That's why we hired an adventurer, though I'm not sure you're up to the task with that…" He paused, looking me over with thinly veiled contempt. "...that cursed aura you carry."

The insult was deliberate, and I resisted the urge to grin.

"You'd be wise not to compare me to those weaklings," I shot back, my voice cold.

"Arrogant brat." The older man scowled but said no more.

The younger clerk beside him cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to diffuse the tension. "Will you accept the request, Adventurer?"

I gave a slow nod.

"Very well. Let's draft the contract."

With practiced efficiency, the clerk produced a parchment and began detailing the quest.

"The objective is the elimination of the Demons infesting the sewers and the retrieval of any workers' remains or belongings. There were thirteen workers, to be exact. The deadline is one month, but we'll provide two days of rest before you begin. The reward is 400,000 Astari, minus a 5% commission for our services."

"Commission?" I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be annoyed. "You're skimming off the top for simply handing me a piece of paper?"

"It's standard procedure," the man replied stiffly.

With a faint chuckle, I signed the contract. Moments later, a system notification appeared in my peripheral vision:

 Clear the Infested Sewers

Demons Eliminated: 0 / ??Subquest: Workers' Keepsakes Recovered: 0 / 13

"The inn has been arranged for your stay," the clerk added as he collected the signed document. "Two nights, prepaid by the guild. Beyond that, you're on your own."

How generous.

"I won't need two days," I said as I stood, letting my gaze linger on the older man. "This will be over before you know it."

At the Sewers

The stench hit me the moment I approached the entrance—a nauseating mix of rot and copper. A lesser man might have gagged, but I kept my expression neutral.

A merchant NPC stood nearby, his face pale as he held a map. He hesitated before handing it over. "This shows the layout, but… some areas may have shifted due to the Demons. Be careful."

Taking the map, I noticed red markings indicating blocked pathways and high-risk zones. Interesting.

"Is that all?"

The merchant fumbled, producing a pen at my request. I smirked inwardly at how reactive these NPCs were.

"Remember," the merchant added as I turned toward the sewer gate. "Don't underestimate the Demons."

I didn't bother replying. Sliding the map into my coat, I descended into the darkness, the metallic clang of the sewer gate echoing behind me.

This was only the beginning.

The sewer entrance loomed before me, a dark, gaping maw in the ground, almost daring me to step inside. The rancid stench wafting from within was enough to make anyone gag. A mix of mold, decay, and a faint metallic tang of blood lingered in the air. I wrinkled my nose slightly but kept my composure. After all, a cool character wouldn't flinch at something as mundane as a foul smell.

The merchant who had accompanied me so far shuffled uncomfortably, his hand still pressed firmly against his nose. His eyes darted between me and the sewer, a mixture of worry and disbelief painted on his face.

"Will you truly be fine down there?" he asked hesitantly, his voice muffled by his hand.

I shot him a sidelong glance, my expression calm yet sharp enough to silence any further doubts.

"Do I look like someone who needs to be coddled?" I asked, my tone laced with cold confidence.

The merchant flinched, retreating a step as if my words had physically struck him. I didn't wait for a response. Instead, I adjusted the lantern hanging from my coat and stepped forward. The heavy steel chute groaned in protest as I pushed it open, revealing the staircase descending into darkness.

The Descent

Each step down the spiral staircase echoed eerily, the sound reverberating off the damp, slimy walls. The air grew heavier with each step, the temperature dropping just enough to send a faint shiver down my spine. Water dripped sporadically from unseen cracks, creating a rhythmic background noise that only amplified the oppressive atmosphere.

I paused midway, letting my hand trail along the cold, slick wall. The texture was unpleasant, but the sensation grounded me. Despite my nonchalant exterior, I couldn't deny the tension coiling in my chest.

It wasn't fear, no—more like the anticipation before a performance. The stage was set, the audience waiting. All I had to do was step into the spotlight.

A faint screech echoed from below, faint but distinct. I instinctively tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, my senses sharpening.

The Sewer's Welcome

The bottom of the stairs opened into a vast, sprawling tunnel system. The faint glow of my lantern illuminated the immediate area, revealing walls lined with moss and mold. Streams of murky water ran along the sides, their surfaces occasionally rippling as unseen creatures moved beneath.

"Tatara Underground Sewers," I muttered, the name etched into the corner of my vision alongside a soft chime that signaled the entry into a new zone.

I pulled out the map the merchant had given me, unfolding it carefully. The layout was a chaotic mess of twisting tunnels, marked with red ink to indicate blocked paths and danger zones. I traced my finger along the path leading to the first reported nest, committing it to memory.

Squeak.

The sound was soft at first, almost ignorable, but it grew louder, more insistent. I glanced up from the map to see several pairs of glowing red eyes staring at me from the darkness ahead. The rats from earlier had returned, but their numbers had tripled.

Their bodies were grotesque, marred by signs of decay and corruption. Flesh hung in tatters from their skeletal frames, and their eyes burned with unnatural malice. Their movements were jerky, as though their bodies were struggling to obey whatever force controlled them.

The First Encounter

I took a step forward, my boots splashing in the shallow water. The sound seemed to agitate the rats further, their screeches becoming a cacophony that filled the tunnel.

"Pathetic creatures," I murmured, unsheathing my Zweihänder in a single fluid motion. The blade glinted ominously in the dim light, its weight familiar in my hands.

The first rat lunged at me, its jaws snapping wildly. I sidestepped easily, swinging my sword in a horizontal arc. The blade sliced clean through the rat, its body falling in two with a wet thud.

The other rats hesitated for a moment, their primitive instincts warning them of the danger. But the corruption driving them was relentless. One by one, they charged, a tide of claws and teeth.

The tunnel echoed with the sound of metal meeting flesh. Each swing of my blade was precise, cleaving through the vermin with an almost mechanical efficiency. Blood and viscera splattered against the walls, staining the already filthy environment.

Despite the overwhelming numbers, I felt no urgency. My movements were deliberate, almost leisurely, as though I were merely practicing a routine.

Aftermath

When the last rat fell, the tunnel was eerily silent once more. I flicked my sword, sending droplets of blood scattering before sheathing it.

"Too easy," I muttered, stepping over the carcasses.

A faint glimmer caught my eye amidst the gore—a small, silver ring half-buried in the muck. I crouched down, picking it up carefully. The design was simple but elegant, with an engraving that had been partially eroded over time.

"A keepsake?" I guessed, tucking it into my pocket. The Subquest notification in the corner of my vision confirmed my suspicion.

Venturing Deeper

The further I ventured into the sewers, the more apparent it became that this place was more than just a nest for Demons. Strange symbols were etched into the walls, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. The air grew heavier, charged with a subtle energy that prickled at my skin.

I paused before one of the symbols, tracing it with my finger. The texture was rough, the grooves deep as though they had been carved with purpose.

"Runes?" I mused aloud, my voice echoing slightly. "Looks like someone's been busy."

The runes were unfamiliar, their purpose unclear. Were they meant to seal something? Or perhaps summon it? The thought sent a thrill of excitement through me.

The Deeper Threat

As I moved further into the depths, the sounds of the sewers grew stranger. The distant dripping of water was now accompanied by faint whispers, barely audible but undeniably present. Shadows seemed to move just beyond the edge of my lantern's light, their shapes impossible to discern.

I tightened my grip on my sword, my senses on high alert. This was no longer a simple extermination mission. Something far more sinister lurked in the depths of these sewers.

"Looks like things are finally getting interesting," I said, a smirk tugging at my lips.

With renewed resolve, I pressed onward, ready to face whatever awaited me in the darkness.