Chapter 7: Lights End
Milo skulked in the shadows until he was forced to step into the lit street and make his way up to the square. There were people entering and leaving, but no one paid a bit of attention to him. While he had the unmistakable look of a new player with his rags and lack of armor, this wasn't uncommon in lights end. Any player who started in or visited Shadowport made their way down here sooner or later.
He made a slow circuit around the open area's perimeter, taking in the various buildings that ringed it. One or two might have been private homes. They were sturdily built of stone and had visible guards at the doors. Most of the rest were bars or brothels. There were a couple of notable exceptions.The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.
A massive wooden building that included a livery stable had a sign that labeled it as 'Deep Mountain Excursions and Assaying'. There was a line of people outside holding sacks or boxes, and in one case a larger person in plate mail was pushing a wheelbarrow full of rocks.
The second strange building was extremely tall, reaching nearly to the roof. It looked like five buildings had been mashed together with different styles showing each time it had been expanded. The sign over the top simply said 'Guild Hall'. A smaller sign said 'Behave or be dead.' Milo noted it had no line to get inside.
The center of the area was a mess of small vendors, carts, and awnings. Milo had seen something similar in the habitat. There was an open area in D Section, where floors 31 to 33 were just one big open area. Plans identified it as a sports center which had never been built. Instead, it was a market for all the junk anyone thought might be valuable. Ancient video games, clothing, tools, bottled water, freeze dried foods. Some things had been traded or swapped hundreds of times there. Milo had gone there only twice, when looking for some specific chips only found in older computers. He'd hated it. Too many people, and he could only run if something went wrong.
Squint smiled and looked at the cats. "See guys. Told you so." He raised his fist in the air. "Kulag!" Everyone else did the same, including Milo. "Here's the deal Milo. I may have some work for you soon. Work for everyone! Big things happening, just not sure when! We have to be ready. I can use a good scout. That sound good to you?" Milo just nodded and said "Sure."
Squint searched around in a pile of junk next to his pillow. "Here, take this. Gives you passage across the bridge. I'll send a note when I need you. Maybe grow a bit bigger if you can. Stuff is mean here in Shadowport. Good talking to you Milo." He tossed Milo a gambling chip that had a large 'k' carved into it. Milo pocketed it. Squint started eating a second bowl of noodles. The guard motioned for Milo to follow him. They went back out the front door.
"You got lucky kid. Sometimes he gives the new guys missions down in the caves. We never see them again."
"Yeah, lucky, so what am I supposed to do now?"
The guards laughed. "Am I your mother kid? How would I know. But here's some advice: Head over to the guild, see what jobs they have. Earn some coin and get some better gear. Because if Squint does have a job for you, you better take it. And he never hands out easy ones."
Milo turned away and wandered to the Guild building. Might as well get started and see what jobs they had. He was still confused about what was going on. What the hell was the 'Eye of Wonder' and what did it have to do with him?
