To the Depth of Abyss

Chapter 156: Sci-Fi Time

Abyssal Terra / Floor 2 / Northeast 

Windless Hill / Shadow Cyber City 

Population: 2500 Max.

Fighting Policy: Freewill (Outside Downtown) / Forbidden (Downtown).

Authority: Bounty Hunter Guild / Abyssal Guild (Downtown)

Description: 

[The smallest but the most dangerous region in Floor 2. Located in the Windless Hill pass. Close to the Prohibited Border. Every day monsters will appear from the border and attack the city.] 

[The city has Four Custode Towers that perform "City Self-recovery" functions.]

[The city's motto is: "Everyday Chaos!"]

[Another city motto: "Fight, Live, and Die on your Freewill."]

______________

"Okay, Elisa, I have a few words for you to listen. But there's only one thing I want you to really do."

Elisa nodded at serious Jade.

"Don't give your kindness easily."

Elisa had carried out that order before for a year. Although the sentence is different, the context is the same.

"But-"

When Elisa was about to open her voice, a flying monster fell and crashed into a building behind Jade. Followed by several Hunters who use a device on their back that can make them fly.

What just happened behind them is 'City's Chaos', and not only behind them, but also in parts of the city. 

Elisa had a hard time getting a chance to speak. There, Jade patted her shoulder.

"All right, how about this..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

"All right, let's go guys!"

The party is ready to enter the city. But there is one thing that looks quite strange.

"Seonbae, did her eyes really have to be closed like that?" Hwang pointed at Elisa, who is blindfolded with a cloth.

"She needs it if she really wants to come with us inside."

Jade doesn't feel guilty or sorry for Elisa. 

"It's okay." Elisa calmed everyone down. "I believe in Lady Jade. So, please take care of me."

Well, at that time Jade held Elisa's hand. So if there is anything, Jade herself can take care of the girl. So that's practically safe.

"If there are no more questions, let's get into the vehicles."

[Cyber City Transmission Vehicles (CCTV)]

[Motorized vehicles powered by electricity from the Wireless Powering Tower.]

"It's been quite a long time since I see the chaos of this city."

"For me, I can't see anything."

"Pfft!"

Hwang is amused at Elisa's little joke.

At that time, the three of them were driving a four seat car, with Hwang as the driver.

The other members followed closely behind. Some use open carts. Others ride motorbikes. Enjoy the city chaos.

"Lady Jade, can I ask something?"

"What is it?"

"Were all of those explosive sounds, coming from the battle between Hunters and monsters?"

"Yep."

Actually, it wasn't just the fight between Monsters and Hunters. But also Hunters versus Hunters.

"Everyone lives freely in this place; a city without a crown. Because of that, you can't see what's going on around, girl. Or, it looks like you really wanted to get out of the car."

With her eyes closed, Elisa gripped the Staff of Hope tightly. She is trying to hold something back in her feelings.

"Actually, I can hear some screams coming from around."

Elisa is restless. Her Priest's Soul said she had to get out of the car and use her strength for the sake of people.

Suddenly, Hwang's eyes caught something interesting. "Oof, that guy, his right hand is about to off from his body."

Hearing that, Elisa exploded. "Lady Jade!"

"No. Nope. Hold yourself. We're almost there." 

______________

Shadow Cyber City / Downtown

They had reached the gates of Downtown.

Jade finally untied Elisa's eyes.

"Sorry for the earlier, girl. But I can't allow us to stop over trivial matters."

Elisa rubbed her eyes several times. "It's okay. In fact, I should apologize for troubling you, Lady Jade. Aw!"

Opening her eyes, Elisa felt pain from the bright light of the downtown. 

"Surprised by all the twinkles?"

A downtown full of colorful twinkles here and there. 

"Doesn't have a Ruler, everyone is free to do anything to the city."

A city that has four large towers that surround it. 

"The only ones in town are Hunters, and Creators."

"Creators?"

Far ahead, the Guild Building is visible. Like any other building, the Guild Building of Cyber City is filled with the colors of the lights tied to it.

"Well, you know, creative people who create creativity. They all pour their creativity in this city. Even though they are free, they still have to obey the Abyssal Guild rules that bound Downtown."

The whole city is filled with strange, unique, and also beautiful and mature images.

"Oh My God!"

"Haha, that is one of the reasons why a girl like you should think twice about visiting this place."

There are also a lot of statues and strange objects lying, floating, or sticking to buildings. Everything is really strange and new in Elisa's eyes.

Arriving in front of the Guild Building, Jade stopped and turned to face her party members.

"Alright, tomorrow, ten o'clock, at this place. You are free to do anything, but don't get involved with a problem, and lastly, don't die. Disband!"

All members cheerfully disband, split into several groups, and nothing was left behind. Except for one who choose to stay.

"And you?"

"Come one, seonbae! If everyone leaves, who is gonna guard you?"

"I'm not leaving Downtown. And, are you really asking that of the person who holds the strongest Shield on Floor 2?"

"Ahaha, of course I'm not! That's just a joke! Okay, I just want to be with you. How is that? Am I cool?"

Jade shook her head at the stubborn Hwang.

"Do as you like."

"Alright!"

After that, they entered the Guild Building. Their goal is to check-in and determine their next schedule.

"Then, where are we going next?"

"To a certain place."

"Ooh, I know. Is it the Bounty Hunter Guild?"

Jade didn't answer. She only focused on walking into an alleyway located behind the Guild Building.

"Woah, what's this place?"

The alley has a different atmosphere from downtown. Feels very calm and in control. Hwang felt a little weird because of that.

"I knew it! This is the door to the hideout of the Bounty Hunter Guild which must be opened by password or hidden means -!"

Jade opened the door as usual. Then go inside casually, without the need to do anything special.

The door led them into an underground passage five meters deep. Then they were faced with another door which showed that behind that door is a "The Bounty Hunter Guild hideout!"

A large room, a bar. With a bar table and other tables and lounge chairs.

The barmaid welcomes Jade's arrival. 

"Isn't it the Green Sky Shield holder? Welcome in."

Jade walked in casually and scanned the entire room, only the barmaid was there.

"Why is this place so quiet?"

"The others are on a joint mission. But one will come here to meet you. Until then, what would you like to drink?"

Jade sat in one of the chairs to wait.

Hwang raised his hand. "Um, could I get-"

Jade wiped her face with right hand. Don't know why feel stresses immediately. Like something made her uncomfortable in the Cyber City.

"Aren't you being too relaxed in this city full of chaos, Jade the Green?"

Suddenly someone called her. Jade got a little surprised, because she had previously confirmed that no one was at the bar other than the barmaid.

Jade immediately turned around to take a look. But her eyes couldn't find anyone even though she was already looking at 180 degrees.

"Don't just use your eyes, use your senses too."

After the man spoke again, Jade finally found him. A white-haired old man. With a friendly face, that has a muscular body.

"Roger sir?"

Jade stood up and immediately approached the man who also standing. 

"How are "

Jade hugged the old man without hesitation.

"How are you doing, sir?"

"The same every day but aging."

Jade let go of her hug and looked at the old man with a face full of nostalgia.

"You became an old man now, huh?"

"Well, a swift power requires sacrifice. So..."

The old man, Roger, walked over to the bar table. Jade followed closely behind.

"So, you will participate in the war too, Green Girl?" asked Roger, sat beside Jade. 

"Yeah, someone asked me to come in return for their services. Also, please stop calling me that. It's been a really long time since then, plus, I'm not a girl anymore."

"Haha, that's just 6 years ago. So, the old Green Girl found a guy and brought her daughter here?"

Roger asked that by pointing to a blonde little girl beside Jade. To Elisa.

Being guessed of Jade's daughter, Elisa only smiled wryly.

Jade forgot that Elisa kept following her the whole time she got to that place.

"Oh, stupid me! I'm sorry, Elisa! I forgot to leave you with the others!"

"It's okay, Lady Jade. I got a juice here, anyway."

Elisa's innocence made Roger laugh. "Haha, what a cute little girl. Looking at you made me thinking of a certain blonde woman."

Elisa might have guessed Roger's thinking. "Is that person perhaps is Maria Christina, sir?"

"Ooh, you know her?!"

"Yes, I am her foster child." "We were enemies!"

The two of them directly felt silent after hearing other's expression. 

Since Roger is the oldest, he cleared his throat once, then spoke again.

"Well, whatever it is, you won't wait longer because the person you are waiting for will come soon."

As soon as Roger finished speaking, someone walked into the room. A person of slender build, short red hair and a serious face.

The barmaid welcomes the person. "Welcome home, Arlene."