As I neared the massive foundries, the air grew heavy with smog. I could see groups of crafters pushing around carts full of materials, and I even caught a glimpse of the venerated mechanics operating some large machinery.

  Flames licked at the edges of the strange structures, casting an eerie red glow on the workers' faces. From a distance, it almost looked like a scene from the proverbial hell the nuns in the orphanage used to tell us about.

  Quickly leaving the fiery inferno behind, I then went to locate the main scrapyard, which wasn’t that hard, as it was one of the busiest places around, with many people going in and out.

  Pretending to be one of the young helpers, I stuck to the edges, carefully observing their operation and, most importantly, the buyout price so that they wouldn't rip me off when I brought in my haul.

  Being young and without connections had its disadvantages, especially in a place like this where everyone was scrambling to carve out as much of the dwindling resources for themselves as possible.

  Tough luck… I smirked before swiftly leaving the scene and disappearing into the passing crowd. I have already learned my lesson and won’t let anyone take advantage of me.

  After finding out all I needed, there was no reason for me to remain put. I still had some time before the [Portal]’s cooldown ended, and I could go retrieve my precious cargo. So, in the meantime, I decided to take a little peek around the floor and, most importantly, at the famous Market Street.

  Wow! This is something else… Of course, I knew that people in the craftsman’s district were living very different lives compared to the unseemly shithole that was the Outskirts. Still, walking through these unfamiliar streets and seeing all of this, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in awe.

  The narrow alleys, barely wide enough for two people to pass each other, twisted and turned like the gears of some colossal machine. My boots clanked against the metal grates underfoot, and at every step, I was greeted by the insistent sound of hammering coming from all directions.

  The walls were a patchwork of rust and rivets, telling stories of time and toil, and the air was heavy, carrying a distinct, metallic scent.

  Suddenly feeling lightheaded, I had to pause for a bit. With so many people and all the smoke, it was getting a bit hard to breathe. However, despite this, I noticed that the people here didn't have those sunken faces and empty eyes I was so used to seeing down in the Outskirts.

  Likewise, the children were happily running between the tightly packed houses, laughing, not begging for food scraps or rummaging through trash. It was like I was on another planet, not just a different floor separated by nothing but a few meters of reinforced concrete.

  Well, it was to be expected that the local residents would enjoy the luxury of proper jobs and stable incomes. After all, the work they did was vital for the survival of the whole Shelter.

  As I neared the famous Market Street - the floor’s staple, the crowds began to thicken. The narrow passage then opened into a wide boulevard. Well, calling it a boulevard is probably way too generous. Still, it was one of the most spacious streets in the entire Shelter.

  On my right, in what looked like an open workshop, I saw a group of men in leather aprons, their hands and faces smudged with soot and oil. But they didn’t seem to mind as they were leaning over their small worktables, busily crafting peculiar devices from scraps of the old world. These must be the tinkerers!

  The rumor was that you could find almost anything here, legal or illegal alike, as long as you had enough tokens, that is.

  I had come to this place once before. It was right here where I bought my equipment after borrowing the money from Rowan. Remembering it, I couldn’t help but scoff at how naive I was. Granted, I was now coming here for the exact same purpose. Yet my circumstances couldn’t be more different.

  From time to time, I turned over my shoulder, afraid I was being followed. I knew it was an irrational fear as Rowan’s lackeys couldn’t have sniffed me out so fast, and the man himself held no power on this particular floor.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Still, time was of the essence because I had no doubt he would be able to find me soon enough. So what should I buy? A fancy weapon or a proper set of armor? Or perhaps some enchanted accessory?

  Of course, I'd love to buy everything. But sadly, my funds were still quite limited, so I had to prioritize.

  When it came to weapons, I had my new shiny machete safely hidden inside the Domain. But I knew that it wouldn’t be nearly enough for what was to come, as the monsters' hides were often too tough to be cut by a mundane blade.

  The lack of armor is also quite a serious problem. I thought as the image of the death stalker's sharp fangs flashed through my mind. Yeah, if that wolf had bitten me, I would be dead in an instant.

  I couldn’t keep relying on simple luck or the ill-fated hope that I would always somehow wing it—that would be a fool’s errand.

  Deep in thought, I continued weaving through the crowded market, dodging peddlers and avoiding eye contact. The last thing I needed was to be recognized. Up ahead, a weathered sign reading 'Roric's Armory' creaked in the musty breeze generated by the air filtration unit.

  Smiling, I slipped inside. The store was dimly lit and smelled of old leather and oil. Yet, my heart pounded with excitement as I looked at all the unnervingly sharp weapons hanging on the walls - swords, axes, spears, and even a few rusty firearms tucked away in the corner.

  This wasn't anything like those shady stores in the Outskirts where one had to rummage through a pile of junk in hopes of finding something useful.

  On the opposite wall, the shelves were overflowing with various pieces of gleaming armor, beckoning me to take a closer look. But before I could, a rugged voice sounded from behind me. "What's a scrawny thing like you doing in my shop? Looking for trouble?"

  I hurriedly turned around and finally registered the grizzled old man who sat behind the counter.

  “Good day to you, sir!” I nodded respectfully, trying to exude an air of confidence.

  “Well, can I help you with something, boy?” he grunted.

  “Oh, please excuse my intrusion, sir! I’m just running an errand and…” I replied, looking down evasively.

  The burly shopkeeper chuckled, smiling knowingly before scoffing. “Hmph! So nowadays, the great Hunters are too lazy even to pick up their own gear, is it?”

  I said nothing, letting him come to his own conclusions. Happy that my little trick worked, I then smiled innocently. “Would you help me, sir?”

  When the shopkeeper found out I had no nefarious purpose and was apparently sent here by some lazy Hunter, his demeanor quickly changed, becoming much more helpful. He even allowed me to check all his premium gear without any suspicion.

  “So, what does your esteemed employer require?” He asked after a while.

  “Well, he said he’d like to upgrade his weapon and maybe pick a sturdier armor if the budget allows,” I said, eyeing the broad selection before me with hardly concealed excitement.

  However, after seeing the prices, my eyes almost popped. 1200 tokens for a stupid mace? Granted, it was made from some special steel that was enhanced with added toughness, so in able hands, it could apparently crack the skulls of E-category monsters like it was nothing. Exactly what I need, but still.

  Bats or maces were the most popular weapons among the Hunters. They were cheap and easy to master. A few good smacks over the head worked just as well as any sword strike would, or sometimes even better. Not to mention, apart from a few posh people from the upper floors, nobody down here had time to learn how to fence.

  But looking at the prices of enhanced gear, it seemed I had severely underestimated how much I would need. So, after excusing myself, I quickly exited the fancy store.

  I lingered around the market some more before heading back toward the scrapyard. This should be far enough… I nodded to myself as I made my way behind a nearby empty storehouse. Then, not wasting a moment, I promptly activated the [Portal] and disappeared from the alley without a trace.

  Only then, when I was finally safe and alone, I allowed myself to slump down, grimacing. “Damn it all!”

  This was supposed to be my triumph, my hidden ace. Yet even if I somehow managed to sell the whole pile, it wouldn’t be nearly enough to buy me just a single enhanced item! It’s like everything I touch is destined to fail. And now, all that is left is to wait for the inevitable death when those monsters barge in.

  If only I never went on that stupid expedition in the first place… Well, if I didn’t, I would still be a classless, indebted slum rat. I chuckled self-depreciatingly.

  Still, what good did my new Class bring me? So far, it had been nothing but suffering and hardship. I’d much rather be a live rat than a dead hero… I reasoned. Let’s be frank: that whole expedition was a giant folly from the very start. Even that rumored treasure trove amounted to nothing. If there ever was anything there, it’s now buried forever.

  …Wait! Buried? Suddenly struck by a certain crazy idea, a crooked smile began slowly spreading across my face.