Chapter Twenty-Seven: Journey Through the Gutter

This could also be considered a type of constitution-enhancing item. Chen Qi brought the spiritual power potion into the real world—a bottle filled with a pale green liquid, crystal-clear, housed in a slender tube-shaped vessel.

The upper limit of spiritual power was currently the attribute he most desired to improve. Barring any unforeseen events, all future attribute points could be devoted to spiritual power. He drank the potion in one gulp...

Gulp, gulp.

It tasted dreadful...

A thick medicinal flavor lingered, but after drinking, Chen Qi felt vitality flow from his throat, gradually spreading throughout his body, like the warm sunlight of summer, bringing comfort.

"Not bad," he murmured.

Checking his attribute panel, he saw his spiritual power limit had reached sixteen, meaning he could use his Morning Star Search three more times.

He tapped the note in his inventory.

[This note records a secret message from the Dog Master to you.]

[No matter what profession you pursue, vast knowledge is essential.
Your former boss, Ford, once had the fortune to obtain an ancient book, containing forbidden knowledge born before New City—not just before New City, but predating even the Steam Age!
It was through cultivating the book's arcane wisdom that Ford descended into madness.
According to the Dog Master's intelligence, Ford has since sold the book cheaply, and it is likely hidden deep within the sewers of District 8 in New City.
The 'rats' in the sewers are not friendly to outsiders. The Dog Master will gather rat tokens to ensure the team can move freely through the depths.
He advises you to avoid the Luminous Lands for now, prioritizing your safety. If you help him recover the book, he is willing to assist you in becoming a canine trainer.]

[After you finish reading, the Fire Hound snatches the note from your hand and spews flames upon it, burning it to ashes.]

So, the note was burned—likely to prevent others from discovering its contents...

Chen Qi reviewed the information; this task would not be easy.

[You have obtained critical intelligence: "The Ancient Book"]

The ancient book, the sewers...

Suddenly, everything became clear. Whether it was the Trackers searching for Ford or the Dog Master's abrupt employment, their true motives almost certainly revolved around this enigmatic ancient book!

Apparently, the Dog Master's own strength alone would not suffice to obtain the book safely, hence the need to assemble a team.

At this point, the game character had entered free mode, allowing him to travel anywhere he wished.

The usual locations remained: the prison interior, the sewers, the Luminous Lands, the Trackers' headquarters.

Wait!

According to the narrative, the Dog Master had not yet ventured into the sewers because he lacked a rat token.

During his previous expedition in the Gluttonous Lands, besides the most important Bloodblade Fruit, Chen Qi had also acquired the rat token belonging to the diary owner, Vigel.

Which meant he could head to the sewers right away!

Why wait for a quest to begin before traveling somewhere?

He opened the laptop in his room. Yesterday, Chen Shi had given him a temporary account for the Daywalkers' forum and a laptop—only specific computers could access the forum.

The laptop was loaded with numerous security and monitoring programs, and Chen Qi marveled at its safeguards.

He logged into the forum.

The homepage was filled with various tasks, including bounties for members of the Sacred Disaster Association. At the top, there was news announcing the conclusion of the Umbrella Man's bounty.

Should he visit the branch and claim a reward?

He looked up the bounty for the Umbrella Man: mostly petty cash from Earth, fifty Moon Silver coins, and a handful of Daywalker points.

Among players, New City's currency had already replaced cash.

According to Chen Shi, in the early days, some tycoons traded cash for New City currency.

But now, even a million in cash could scarcely buy a single Moon Silver coin from players.

Chen Qi entered "sewers" in the forum's search bar.

[Sewers: The largest underground marketplace in New City, offering countless businesses.
Here you can forge weapons, hire assassins, mend clothes, purchase potions, sell gems, and more.
Each district's sewers are unique, but their systems are largely similar.
Players lacking funds or with relevant needs are encouraged to visit. Those with long-term requirements can buy or earn a rat token, currently priced at 2 White Day coins.]

Two White Day coins—more than all the money he had!

Chen Qi was startled. The rat token was surprisingly expensive.

[Popular Guide 1: Through merchants, you can purchase a rat token and increase your income, but never borrow from Debt Cleaners—their tracking abilities surpass the Trackers a hundredfold.]

[Popular Guide 2: Remember, never leave the commercial zone of the sewers. The sewers are vast—the underground is a bottomless abyss, the deeper you go, the more terrifying and dangerous it becomes!
Especially for Lantern Aspect players! Resist the urge to wander!]

Why specifically mention Lantern Aspect...

I'll do my best to resist, Chen Qi thought.

He realized he possessed Vigel's rat token, and had a considerable sum of money left unspent—perfect for a trip to the sewers.

If he could gather intelligence ahead of time, all the better.

Without hesitation, he clicked "Sewers" and chose to depart.

[The Daylight Fire once again dispels the Laughing Moon, future lanterns burn anew within your heart, refreshing your prophetic dream.]

[Bathed in sunlight, carrying a fortune, you ride your little donkey, humming as you head for District 8's sewers in New City.]

[You recall, as a Night Watcher, you had countless urges to earn money in the sewers, but fear always held you back.]

[But you are no longer that timid soul.]

[Hopeful, you advance...]

While traveling, Chen Qi stepped out of his room to visit the Daywalkers' headquarters.

He glanced at his arm, now showing clear, solid muscle—muscle requiring plenty of energy.

Most importantly, he needed food...

A pity. Yesterday's luxurious 2,000-yuan takeout remained uneaten, now likely wasted!

In the Daywalkers' public hall, the Calamity Messenger Lin Yuxing sat in a corner, watching the weather forecast.

She was practicing how to predict ordinary weather.

Yesterday, the two had entered the New Day game together and chatted at length.

Chen Qi had coaxed some information from her: once she mastered her abilities, she'd become a child of the weather, able to summon wind and rain, and strong enough to hammer everyone in the branch—including Chen Qi.

For now, her level was too low, requiring protection.

Chen Qi had discovered that Lin Yuxing was far more confident than her appearance suggested.

Like him, she was constantly seeking ways to strengthen herself.

Chen Shi, as branch captain, was extremely busy.

He rarely accepted forum tasks, but always reviewed incidents—homicides, fires, explosions—in Baihe District to determine their relation to the Wanderers.

After finishing his tasks, he would find Chen Qi to update related information.

Chen Qi made his way to the cafeteria.

The Daywalkers' meals were excellent—diverse, plentiful, prepared by master chefs, and delicious.

Best of all, everything was free!

Driven by hunger, Chen Qi indulged in a lavish feast, choosing a secluded spot to eat while playing the New Day game.

[You have reached the entrance to the sewers, a chill seeping into your body.]

[You secure your little donkey and prepare to enter.]

[It is a structure reminiscent of a drain, with a vast underground river before you. To access the commercial district, you must cross this black river.]

[At this moment, five black boats appear, each with a boatman whose head is a ragged cloth doll. Seeing a newcomer, they row briskly toward you.]

[The boatmen's doll heads are tattered—they are merchants abandoned by the marketplace.
Their money is nearly gone, but greed still burns in their eyes.]

[They offer to take you to the commerce district for just ten copper coins.]

[Your gaze turns cold; these doll-headed figures remind you of the merchants from the Luminous Lands, and the scent of blood lingers on their boats.]

[Will you pay and ride to the sewers?]

Chen Qi checked the boatmen's levels—all only level three. But on the river, even with sufficient combat power, drowning was a real risk.

Getting on the boat wasn't wise.

Wait—underground river...

He suddenly remembered an important piece of equipment he hadn't equipped—Black Rain Boots, won from the Umbrella Man.

The underground river meant there were walls on either side!

He refused to pay, then equipped the Black Rain Boots.

The Shadow Touch of the boots enabled him to walk vertically along the walls.

[You put on the Black Rain Boots; the black Shadow Touch works with your steps, letting you walk easily on the wall, ignoring the dark river.]

[Black Rain Boots are worn only by the most elite rat hunters!
The boatmen, seeing your unusual movement and recalling their malicious intent, are instantly terrified.
They frantically row away, some even falling into the river in panic.]

Chen Qi was startled—rat hunters held such high status? The diary owner, Vigel, had also been a rat hunter.

[You seem to hear the rustling of shadowy creatures.]

He activated the Nightwalker Cloak's abilities, guarding against sneak attacks.

[Moving stealthily along the wall...]

[After a while, warm firelight shines upon you and the sound of crowds reaches your ears.]

[You are now close to the trading district of the sewers.]

A highlighted message appeared.

[A man in a black silk top hat sees you walking on the wall.]

[He bows, smiling politely: "Friend from afar, would you like to see some magic? True magic."]