To the Depth of Abyss
Chapter 2: Abyssal Terra / 1st Floor

Arsen accepted the offer to become a Goods Carrier Specialist who is going to Silver Steel Mountain that morning.

"This is Arsen, guys. Our Goods Carrier Specialist today."

"Hi, my name is Arsen. You can call me, Ars."

The introductory session begins.

"My name is Bob, and this is Hans."

"Yo."

"The three of us are Silver Vanguard who will take care of you."

Three Vanguards in the Party look convincing.

"This old man's name is Wayer. Stone Specialists who will harvest valuable stones for us to sell. Nice to have you here, Ars."

Arsen nodded at the short old man in his 40s.

"I am Ron, your nice and handsome Supporters Medic. Don't be afraid to get hurt if I'm near you, Ars! "

Ron looks like a high-spirited man.

"That's all, we will start moving."

"Wait, don't we have to draw up an exploration plan first?"

The party is ready to go. But Arsen hasn't.

Before going exploring, usually, a party that is formed must first planning their exploration. Such as positions everyone must fill, routes that going to be passed, and plans to escape when their lives being threatened.

"Hm, take it easy, you just need to walk behind us."

"That's right, just walk behind us! Don't worry about upfront, our Vanguard will take care of all the problems!"

Bryan and Ron try to convince Arsen.

Indeed, the work of a Goods Porter Specialist must only run behind the Party. But that does not mean they have to let Arsen follow them without knowing their exploration plans.

"We have also prepared equipment to carry your things. So you just need to follow us from behind. "

Surface / Surface-Floor 1 Terminal

Arriving in front of the terminal, Arsen presented with equipment carrying goods.

A wheelbarrow that can load six barrels of luggage. Six strong-looking barrels. Climbing equipment with a trekking pole made of - "Special material, how is it?"

Wayer explained all the equipment that Arsen could use.

All the equipment made Arsen satisfied with the agreement. But he still doubtful because they still did not tell the exploration plans.

"Then, let's go."

To get down to Abyssal Terra / 1st Floor, the Hunters must board a gondola lift in four terminals in Beginner City.

The terminal has 10 Birdcage that can load up to 2000 lbs (900 kg). A Skylift that will escort the Hunters to pass through a giant hole over 3000 meters deep to the East Station on Floor 1.

The Skylift not only tasked to deliver Hunter up and down. But it also has the duty to load items obtained from Floor 1 to be lifted to the Surface.

The party has got in to the birdcage. Skylift starts running down. The rope in charge of lowering the birdcage produces a special loud voice that always gives Arsen the impression of a beautiful, yet dangerous underworld.

About 500 meters down from the surface, the only view that can be seen is the ground from the surface of the sturdy hole wall. The wall of the first hole is rather dull white. Like the color of marble stones as strong as steel.

Because it was early in the morning, the color in the hole was a little brighter than the surface. Like the enlightenment effect of the medium, when you want to take pictures using a smartphone.

After passing through the first hole, they will see a view of another world.

If you look down, you will see views of the grassy land. [Land of Nod], that's the name given to the safest location in Abyssal Terra.

In front of the Land of Nod stood a black mountain as high as 1320 meters, which was no longer active. The mountain is [Silver Steel Mountain]. The location they will go for exploration this time.

Floor 1 / East Station

They have arrived at Floor 1.

There are several buildings here, like Hunter Care Posts, and several lodging buildings managed by the Guild, but there is no Guild Building. That is why Hunters need to go up and down after hunting if they want to sell their goods.

The station being protected by thick anti-monster walls. Although in that area there are no aggressive monsters that wanted to come close.

"Alright, let's go."

The Party is already in front of the station exit gate.

Bryan has a two-handed long sword on his back. Bob works as a tank that uses a round shield and mace. Hans is a heavy hitter who uses a long hammer rod.

Wayer carried a bag containing his special equipment. Ron carried a small bag and held a healing staff.

Arsen had something he had to say, so he stopped the Party before leaving.

"What's the matter, Arsen?"

"I accept and believe in this Party. But one thing, I don't know how much you want to quote the rock on that mountain. So I just want to be sure. Am I alone that will carry all the weight of the stones? From what I see, this cart can contain at least 250 to 300 kilos. Honestly, I can't pull that heavy burden alone. Also, I'm still confused about how I should use these barrels later."

All of Arsen's party member saw each other. As if to impose a troublesome thing to answer all of Arsen's questions.

"Take it easy, Arsen. When going home later, after making sure that our surroundings are safe, Bob and Hans will help you to push the cart."

"Huh?"

Bob and Hans showed surprised expressions. But Bryan elbowed Bob as if to signal something.

"O-oh, that's right, don't worry. We will help you, right, Hans?"

Hans gave a thumbs up as a sign of agreement.

Then it was Mayer's old man's turn to answer Arsen's other question.

"Your question about how heavy our luggage will be, it depends on the results we get, of course. Maybe it could be less than you thought, maybe it could be just right. Then, the barrel can contain the remaining 45 kilos of rocks, depending on how big the stone we will take. We also won't have a single way to fill all the barrels. For three hours we will try to fill three barrels, then for an hour of rest, after that, we will try to fill the remaining three barrels. "

Special climbing equipment used is enough to help Arsen to climb the foot of the mountain. With one barrel carried on the back, and two more tied at the waist as a substitute barrel when the back barrel is full.

At that time they were at the foot of Silver Steel Mountain to the north. Start their operations to collect valuable rocks that can be sold.

During the previous trip, they had no problems at all. The route taken is truly effective in avoiding monsters.

The monsters on the grassland, the Land of Nod, are also not aggressive monsters that will come to the Hunter to attack. Most of them are passive grass-eating herbivorous monsters. But they will attack you if you attack them.

Like Lamtri, a giant sheep monster who has very thick white hair. Their size is three times that of ordinary sheep. Hunters used to hunt them for their hair and flesh.

In addition, there is also Deeri, a deer monster that can run fast. If you can catch it, we can sell the skin. We can also catch them to be used as animal pulling transport.

Most of the monsters in the Land of Nod are only monsters that manifest the more dangerous wild animals. But they are still monsters that can kill low rank Hunter easily.

_____________

Floor 1 / Silver Steel Mountain

Noon /

At that time they were at the foot of Mount Silver Steel in the north. Close to Prohibited Border.

Prohibited Border is a limit that even experienced Hunters should not approach. Because the boundaries that reflect shadows from the inside can routinely release monsters.

Arsen looked at the Boundary for the first time he could see it close. Prohibited reflects the shadow of Silver Steel Mountain, indeed it is very far away, but Arsen can also see his shadow at that limit. Like a very large glass wall.

"Hey, Arsen, don't just stand there!"

It's been over two hours since they started exploring. They did not rise too high, because the footing above was more dangerous.

Plus, there were huge bull monsters weighing one or two tons more. They are Bullsteel. Their movements are very slow, but they keep going up, and if they fall because they slip, that would be a deadly situation for Hunters.

A monster with a weight of one or two tons fell from the top of the mountain, and if there was a group of hunters underneath, it was certain that the percentage of surviving is just under 20 percent.

At that time, Arsen's Party was moving quite slowly. Bob and Hans looked around. Bryan close to old man Wayer to pick up the rocks. Ron, he just relaxes because he has nothing to do. For Arsen, he struggled to get on with the last barrel containing nearly 30kg of rocks.

The rocks that can be taken are the stones of the former Bullsteel footing. The monster won't attack, it's difficult to move anyway. But their strong footing can destroy a large rock they are walking on. They can take rocks that have iron elements that have become gravel.

"How is it, old man?"

"Hmm, this one is rather special, maybe we can pocket it ourselves so it doesn't mix with the others."

Wayer is holding a little more special pebble. Special gravel usually has a material element besides iron in it, and the price can be more expensive than ordinary gravel.

"Bob, do you think the bull above changed direction?" asked Hans.

"Hmm? Maybe it's just you. Even if it changes its direction, we still have time to get down."

The key to hunting rocks in that place is to not be in the down position of Bullsteel who is going up. Because at least, there are two to three Bullsteel that fall every day. Even though they are 10 meters away from Bullsteel's falling path, it is still dangerous, because fragments of rock could have hurt the Hunters.

Ron, who was lucky to replace a wide rock he could make a bed, glanced at Arsen.

"Hey, Ars, if you're tired, sit here! This stone is so comfortable!"

Ron could easily say that because he didn't know what Arsen feels. Arsen can move forward in just five seconds is already good.

"All of you! It seems like it's time for us to take a break and replace a new route to ride!"

Bryan decided to end the first hour of their exploration.

"Ah, too bad, Looks like you can't enjoy the pleasure of sleeping here!, Ars."

Ron rose from his sleep. Then start walking down to the bottom. Passing Arsen with a look of insult.

"Arsen, you can put the barrel down now."

Wayer and Bryan walked closer. Arsen did as he was told, lowering the barrel, letting Wayer put the rock he got, closing the barrel, then dropping the barrel down for later.

The method of rolling the barrel down is an effective way to save energy. Barrel 1 and 2 are also below in the first hours.

"Bob! Hans! Come on down!"

"Okay!"

"Roger!"

After that, they all started going down.

Arsen walked slowly behind, trying to be strong against the second hour later.