Chapter Thirty-Four: The Abyss Without Light

Chen Shi scratched his head and spoke, “Yes, by the way, my forum ID on the Day Wanderers’ Club is also ‘Trace Seeker.’ How did you find out?”

Chen Qi explained calmly, “When we first met, I noticed your keen sense of smell and sharp observation. Also, when I browse the Day Wanderers’ forum, I see that every Trace Seeker always has a standard hunting dog.”

Chen Qi often browses the Day Wanderers’ forums, which is filled with talented people. The fact that every Trace Seeker has a hunting dog can be found in the forum’s professional encyclopedia. Coincidentally, Chen Shi happens to have a well-trained Doberman.

“I see,” Chen Shi said, his face lighting with understanding. He smiled, “That’s correct. I’m a Trace Seeker from District 8 of Xindu. Whether in real life or in the game, if you need to find someone, or track something down, you can always come to me for help.”

Chen Shi glanced at Chen Qi; in his mind, Night Wanderers were also highly observant. He recalled the Umbrella Man incident. Even though the Umbrella Man was large, his real strength was not in combat, but in his ability to escape. The black mist he conjured could mask the scent of blood and sound, drive others mad within it, and he possessed boots that allowed him to move across all terrains. During multiple attempts to capture the Umbrella Man, he always escaped thanks to these abilities! Perhaps luck played a part, but this showed that Night Wanderers’ tracking abilities were formidable, able to spot the faintest clues and follow them.

Seeing Chen Shi’s confident answer, Chen Qi said, “Senior Chen Shi, I might need your help very soon.”

If his suspicions were correct, Trace Seeker Chen Shi must have close ties to the Dog Keeper—he might be able to get information about the Dog Keeper from him! This division captain was a decent person, without the airs of a superior, always gentle to them as newcomers, and, like them, young. He had even been anxious when trying to rescue him, though ultimately unsuccessful.

This reminded Chen Qi of Brother Jiang Zan, who had helped him a great deal at university, so his impression of Chen Shi was rather favorable.

“Oh?” Chen Shi’s eyes brightened; it seemed this talented newcomer had finally run into trouble. Was he short of money for medicine, had something stolen, or was he simply lacking a weapon? If he didn’t get another chance to show off in front of the rookie, his authority as captain would truly fall to zero!

Chen Shi patted his chest. “Don’t worry—if you need anything, just come to me!”

With matters settled, everyone went their separate ways, returning to their rooms to continue the New Sun game.

…

Chen Qi returned to his own room and logged into New Sun. The timing was perfect!

[You hear the Rocksmith’s cheerful shout and awaken from your rest.]
[Your spirit power and health are fully restored.]
[In the cold, shadowy place, the Rocksmith beams with a sunny, healthy smile, retrieving a flawless Shadow Dagger from the black-smoke-belching forge!]
[You take the Shadow Dagger, feeling the dense force of shadow entwined around the blade!]
[You have obtained the newly repaired Shadow Dagger.]

Finally, it was fixed! The Shadow Dagger! Chen Qi excitedly opened its status panel. The damage of Shadow Strike had increased by three points. In addition, the Shadow Dagger had gained a new skill!

[Shadow Soul:
Description: You can sense that the will dwelling within this weapon has not dissipated; it still thirsts to continue its slaughter beneath the endless black rain, to let the black blood of the shadow beasts soak the land!
Effect: You can summon a Shadow Wraith whose strength and agility match yours (up to a limit of 50 points). The wraith fights according to your will, is lighter of body, and possesses exceptional leaping and agility.
The wraith has 30 health; if destroyed, it must rest before being summoned again. Keeping it summoned for long periods drains your sanity.]

Is this shadow boxing? Without a doubt, this skill was a significant boost to his power! The money had not been spent in vain. Chen Qi closed his eyes, and with a thought, the Shadow Dagger appeared in his hand. It emerged from the flesh of his right hand, gleaming cold and sharp! Compared to before, it looked slightly longer, and in the White Dove’s vision, a black, chilling aura coiled around the bright blade!

His strength had advanced once more! Though it was still just equipment, it brought Chen Qi some peace of mind as he navigated the undercurrents. Suddenly, his phone vibrated!

[Debt Collector Li, wielding a crimson blade, has returned! You see fresh blood on his sword.]
[The Debt Collector tells you he has uncovered the Night Watcher’s movements in the sewers!]
[You have obtained intelligence: Night Watcher Ford, led by an Eyeless One, headed to the Lightless Abyss. When he returned to the Rat’s Nest, the strange-language book he had held was gone.
Evidently, the Night Watcher sold the book to the Decaying Elder beneath the Lightless Abyss.]

The Lightless Abyss and Decaying Elder. At last, he had found it! Chen Qi could feel it: with the Debt Collector’s help, he now knew the ancient book’s final destination!

Yet, judging by the names alone—Eyeless One, Decaying Elder—acquiring this book was not something a mere newcomer could hope to accomplish! Chen Qi felt a flicker of worry.

[The Debt Collector states his mission is complete and your agreement is now in effect. He hopes you will not break your word.]
[As he departs, he warns you: in the depths of the sewers, the Lightless Abyss is the most terrifying place—pure darkness. Without the guidance of an Eyeless One, even he would not dare step into that dreadful chasm! It is the most fearsome place in the sewers. The decaying ones lurk behind the Lightless Abyss. You will most likely go no further—this is not a place for you.]
[The Lightless Abyss will consume your greed and ambition, snuffing out the faint lamp that flickers in your heart!]

That description...

Was it truly impossible for him to obtain the book by his own means? He did not wish to stop here. Even if he could not possess that book, he needed to venture into the depths, to reveal more of the map.

After the Debt Collector left, Chen Qi chose to keep exploring, pushing on into the deep sewers.

[Chill winds rise from below, making you hug yourself tighter.]
[You mutter to yourself: you were not born a stone, immobile on the earth, but a white dove destined to tread every corner of this world.]
[You steel yourself and press on towards the deepest part of the sewers!]
[As you advance, the roots of black trees and signs of buildings dwindle. The roads grow ever more tangled and complex, and signs of human presence gradually vanish.]
[Darkness slowly engulfs everything. The sewers before you resemble a chaotic and pitch-black labyrinth, riddled with bottomless pits. You have no way to know how to proceed.]

There was no way forward...

Was this truly the end of the line for him? Should he turn back?

Yet just as Chen Qi was despairing, the next line of text made him start in shock, holding his breath, a fierce fire blazing in his eyes.

[Lamp Aspect triggered!]

Again? Chen Qi’s feelings toward the Lamp Aspect were now deeply conflicted—a mix of fear and fascination.

[You have heard the call!
In your vision, you see yourself holding a book ablaze with the fire of life, burning away your past cowardice.
A blade’s path of black fire burns beneath your feet.]

[You, who have wandered into this place by misfortune—already, the path of blades has brushed against your fate. Will you follow the Lamp Aspect’s call and step toward that fearsome abyss?]