Chương 6: 4A. The Scavenger's Hall

The Inhuman hung in the display case, spread-eagled like Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. At a glance, the body looked no different from a human male blessed with excellent genetics and a peak physique. It looked like a perfect specimen. Almost too perfect. If not for the Y-incision and hooks holding the body open, Sam would've assumed he was looking at the remains of a powerful awakened with several condensed stars, except their body would be treated with more dignity. The insides appeared metallic and fungal.

A lion's mane mushroom appeared to reside in the solar plexus. Mycelium stretched from it to every other organ, weaving through muscle tissue and wrapping around the few recognizable organs. The strands darkened the farther they extended from the core, taking on a metallic sheen. A deadness also lived within the body. It wasn't the dead and rot of decomposition but corruption. It appeared active. Alive. Despite his best efforts, Sam failed to tear his attention away from the Inhuman.

The intense, vacant eyes seemed to follow him as he moved around the room. The oversized irises and unusually white sclera were starkly different from what haunted his nightmares, but Sam couldn't help but find similarities. Corruption Manifested. Inhuman 68 Captured by Seeker Squad 16 on Level 4, Quadrant 3, the Rainforest. The plaque affixed to the glass offered no helpful information about the Inhuman. As far as Sam knew, no one had yet figured out their origins, purpose, or goals.

His professor used to call them the Abyss's most significant threat. Theories existed, but no concrete evidence. He had learned never to venture too deep into the wilds or stray far from established roads beyond the city's limits. Inhumans had never been seen around Bastion, but stories of them rampaging through other Level One havens circulated. Sam knew intimately that they were more than bedtime tales to scare children.

It apparently took entire squads of three-star-or-higher awakened to take on the weakest Inhumans. Even then, killing them was apparently nigh impossible. Capturing and keeping them frozen, asleep, or in stasis was the most they could do. The specimen before him was no different. Sam, as a mortal approaching his thirties, had no chance against an Inhuman. His last encounter with such a creature had almost killed him. The nightmares still plagued his nights.

He had spent years avoiding jobs that required him to leave the safety of a city. Now, circumstances left him with no other options. Questions plagued Sam.

'Why is there a stasised Inhuman in Scavenger's Hall?' was at the top of the list. It belonged in a secure research or study room, and far from the heart of Bastion.

"Recruiters incoming." The guard captain yelled, almost making Sam jump out of his skin. A pair of guards followed, faces pale and eyes wide, marching in stride with her. The pair looked like they had seen a ghost. When none of the room's shabbily dressed and equipped occupants moved, the woman continued, jaw set, nostrils flared.

"I'm not kidding. If you want good money and a chance at a long-term contract, line the fuck up. This lot isn't your standard mercenary or Ranger crew." Sam's fellow scavengers didn't look convinced. The captain claimed a finder's fee from the ascended and had a reputation for connecting them with awful employers, promising riches. Even though his last employers were part of the Rangers Legion, they had let one of their employed scavengers die and then reneged on Sam's promised bonus.

He received nothing extra besides the technique manual from Thomas. He knew better than to complain. The Rangers Legion paid more than most other employers. Most of the haggard men and women appeared far more experienced than he was. They had more equipment, and the pieces also appeared well-worn. A couple of coats had been repaired so many times that they seemed more patchwork than the original fabric. The boots were a similar story.

Meanwhile, Sam's garments and footwear bore a few stains and scuffs but otherwise seemed in good condition. He hoped the difference wouldn't work against him. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Everyone hastily moved into a rough line. A pair of larger men blocked Sam just as he tried to find a spot, pushing him back. He had no choice but to move to the far end.

Sam just about got into position before the VIPs entered Scavengers' Hall—a name his colleagues used. He felt the trio long before seeing them. It was like a distant heaviness pressing down on the back of his head. Sam dared a glance. A pair of women casually strolled in, walking side by side, and a short, squat man trailed behind them. They weren't dressed for the road like the scavengers.

Instead, one wore what could be described as medieval fantasy cosplay, and the third looked like she had walked out of a fancy, black-tie gala.

"We need two," the woman in the form-fitting ball gown said. Her jewelry glimmered, emitting unnatural, arcane lights. She marched to the middle of the line, scanning everyone as she passed.

"Knowledge of Levels Two and Three is useful but not necessary. We need muscles and scavenging experience."

"May I recommend—""No." She cut off the captain.

"Useless would be a generous term for your previous recommendations." The woman's eyes wandered to the scavengers by the door. A pair stepped out of line and left the room. Sam knew them. One was the older man who tried to shoulder-check him days earlier. Recognition followed as his eyes moved between the women and the Inhuman. He had caught a glimpse of them in the cargo hold. The party had to be crazy or wield incredible power and resources to bring a conscious Inhuman onto an airship and into Bastion.

Sam wanted to say something, highlighting the danger they were putting everyone in, but kept his mouth shut for the time being.

"We intend to do things differently this time. First of all—" She pointed at the Inhuman. Her movements were elegant and precise, like those of an orchestra conductor.

"I'm sure you've seen this dashing creature. We captured specimen sixty-eight during our last mission and might do so again on this one. It isn't our objective. However, our mission goals seem to draw them in.

"If you'd rather not encounter an Inhuman, feel free to leave." Murmurs rippled down the line; several moved toward the door. Sam was among them. However, he, along with more than half of the others, froze when she held up a hand, gesturing for them to pause.

"If we encounter an Inhuman, the bonuses will be significant. They'll increase if we manage to defeat the creature and capture it."

"Our destination is on Level Three, and descent should be swift using our routes," the hooded woman added.

"Inhuman or not, it will be dangerous. You can ask your colleagues who departed earlier. We take our porters' protection seriously. But that doesn't mean we are perfect. The rewards in question will include awakening seeds. We might also be willing to help out with finding compatible spirits." Everyone froze, guard captain and her entourage included. A heavy silence hung over the room as eyes moved between the woman and the Inhuman. A quarter of the scavengers departed. The rest returned to their positions in line.

Even though there were openings, Sam returned to the end. It was a tempting prospect, but given the high mortality rates of scavengers in such encounters, he didn't like his chances. Listening and observing first made more sense.

"That's right," said the trio's only male member. He stood several inches shorter than she and also appeared significantly older. His heavy armor didn't seem to impede his movement. The man opened the satchel slung across his torso.

"The job has its risks, and protecting your sorry asses adds to the burden. Only the right candidates will do. So, we prepared a test." He approached a random scavenger and offered him the bag.

"Take your pick."

"Really?" the man asked, his surprise apparent.

"If you find a live essence, you can keep it," the well-dressed woman said.

"You may consider it a signing bonus." The man took his time, digging through the bag, and pulled out an oblong black rock. It was translucent and glassy, almost like obsidian.

"Do I pass?" The short man didn't answer or reclaim the stone. He moved on to the next scavenger, heading toward Sam.

"What about us?" someone from the other end of the line demanded.

"Are we not good enough?" Her neighbor demanded.

"You're free to go," the other woman said after staring at the pair for a moment. Her hood cast a long shadow, concealing most of her face. Only her eyes were visible through the darkness; they glowed brighter than the gemstones her gown-wearing companion wore.

"If you've been ignored, you lack what we need."