I Have a Task Log

Chapter 328: Chapter 327: The Dungeon’s Gate

Colin looked at the others and saw them looking back at him.

’This ability can connect to this many people?’

Just as the thought appeared in his mind, Dorn’s voice came again: [This Mind Link works within a one-and-a-half-kilometer radius and lasts for three hours. If I don’t use energy for other tasks, I can maintain this state indefinitely. Besides that...]

Dorn extended his right hand. A silver light flickered between his fingers, and in an instant, a dagger formed from what looked like starlight appeared.

[This is a weapon made of Mind Power, one of a Soul Blade Master’s main abilities. I can fight with this Dagger or teleport, things like that.]

"Alright, I get it. Can you undo the Mind Link for now? I’m not used to it," Colin said.

Dorn immediately snapped his fingers, and it seemed he had dispelled the effect.

He then asked, "So, when are we heading out? I’m free tomorrow, anyway."

"Let’s rest for a couple of days. After all, Orelia just got back." Colin looked at the Tiefling and asked, "By the way, are you still staying at the Monastery?"

"I can’t. I have to find another place to live. Though most people can’t tell there’s anything special about me, the Cultivators can sense it. If they live with me for too long, the nuns’ Perception Ability toward evil will grow dull."

Although Orelia kept a smile on her face as she spoke, it was clear she was forcing it.

"In that case, why don’t you rest at Ale’s place for the next two days? When Bob gets here, we can ask him if he has any houses for rent. Kase moved into the Dock District recently, too." Colin looked at Ale and asked, "Is that okay?"

"That’s fine with me," Ale said with a nod.

"Kase, you’ll come with me and Dorn to buy some supplies in the next two days. We’re heading into the infamous Undercity this time, so we need to be fully prepared, at least when it comes to logistics."

Colin spoke again. "Oh, right, what about the materials? Do we need to pay you back for them?"

"You already gave us the stuff, so of course you don’t need to pay us back," Dorn said.

What he said made sense, so Colin didn’t press the issue. He continued with the arrangements, "So that’s the plan. We leave in two days."

"Alright, a few of you come with me now to buy some supplies," Dorn added.

Colin asked, confused, "What kind of supplies? Food?"

"We’re going into a real, honest-to-goodness Dungeon. Don’t bring your bad habits from the wilderness with you. This isn’t some rabbit hunt," Dorn said irritably.

"Hunting Demons or whatever else isn’t much different from hunting rabbits," Kase said with a laugh.

"I’m not joking with you, you big oaf." Dorn’s tone was serious. "If you keep joking about things like this, don’t blame me if I let a few ’bad words’ slip."

Orelia smoothed things over. "So, what exactly do we need to prepare?"

"Everyone needs to have five days’ worth of rations, three rolls of bandages, a box of salve, and two splints. These are your personal reserves. Don’t touch them under normal circumstances. If you get lost, this stuff is what will save your life.

Then there’s the communal gear. I remember most of you don’t have sleeping bags, right? Every single one of you needs to buy one now! Getting enough sleep is absolutely critical during an adventure..."

Dorn rambled on and on.

’To be honest,’ Colin thought, ’I never expected this side of the Dwarf.’

’He’s like... a drill instructor.’

’But honestly, having a professional like him in the group was actually very reassuring.’

After talking for what felt like an eternity, Dorn licked his lips and asked, "Alright, so are we buying supplies first, or what?"

"Anyway, the tavern for the Undercity, the ’Gate of the Undercity,’ is pretty close to the grand market. Should we go check it out first? After all, we’ll be entering the Undercity from there in a few days," Ale suggested.

The rest of them turned to Colin in unison.

Colin promptly made the final decision. "Sounds good. We’ll check out the Gate of the Undercity first, then buy supplies afterward."

The group finished their beers and headed out, walking north.

As they walked through the city, Orelia didn’t bother with much of a disguise, maintaining her usual appearance.

The law and order in Thousand Masts City was quite good, so most passersby didn’t pay too much mind to the somewhat strange Tiefling. After all, no matter what, it wasn’t like anything too dangerous would happen inside the city.

Before long, the group arrived at the "Gate of the Undercity."

Colin looked up.

It was a massive, five-story building, a full size larger than the tavern Old Black Heart had taken over. Several chimneys spewed smoke from the roof, hinting at the terrifying scale of the tavern’s interior.

The ground floor was built entirely of stone, while the upper floors were constructed from thick timber. The walls were gray stone brick, the wood looked quite drab, and the roof was covered only with grayish-white stone tiles.

The entire tavern looked bleak and dreary, as if it didn’t belong in this era. Or rather, it looked less like a tavern and more like a small fortress.

Even from the street, they could hear singing, shouting, and hawking from within, making it sound as if a small market was crammed inside.

Colin led the way forward and pushed open the tavern’s main doors.

A surge of heat, thick with a cacophony of voices, rushed out to meet him, as if pulling him into a completely different world.

It was followed by a loud voice that rode the hot air from up ahead.

"Yesterday’s Adventurer lottery results are in! Out of ten rookie teams that went to the first three levels, only five made it back alive! If you bet right, come get your money!"

After a round of cheers, the people in the tavern swarmed toward the counter.

Colin looked around the tavern’s interior.

With no windows on the ground floor, the tavern was rather dim.

The air was thick and foul, filled with the stench of ale, sweat, and stale bodies. The din was incessant, and you had to tilt your head and listen carefully just to pick out individual voices.

The most striking feature in the main hall was the large well in the center, four meters in diameter.

Next to the well were four winches, each with a rope connecting to a corner of a wooden cage. Several burly men stood beside the winches.

That was the entrance to the Undercity—the so-called "Gate of the Undercity."

All you had to do was step into that wooden cage and be lowered down, and you would be in the Undercity.

"Hey, first time here?"

As Colin was taking it all in, a hulking man standing by the door asked, "Judging by your gear and your crew, you’re not rookies, are you? Get inside, don’t block the way for people behind you."

"There’s not a single person behind us, unless you’re doing business with Ghosts," Dorn retorted.