The room smelled horrible, as should be expected. The Rorin policemen stood in the corner of the room, one had his nose wrinkled in disgust.

A body laid on the table in front. Deceased. Hadwyn could tell from the paleness of the skin and the bloated chest from trapped air, but more obviously, from the victim’s punched-in face.

“Leave us.” Hadwyn ordered, and they left just like that, leaving Hadwyn alone with the body.

He too wrinkled his nose, what a day. The case had been immediately determined as aggravated SVS assault. It was unknown, however, what degree of murder it was. Not much was really documented on Curt. He was level 14 when he died. Hadwyn had to assume he had gotten into trouble with another hero and ultimately paid the price.

He had already come to the conclusion on the way there that it was, most likely aggravated. But what Hadwyn felt suspicious of, was the fact that there was zero knowledge of who committed it. Summoned, even local or low level ones, had a profile built for them automatically. Curt’s partner was Nick, so Nick was a big suspect. But nothing was confirmed.

Hadwyn grimaced. That fact reminded him that a few years ago, the AFHA lost the right to access hero guild or government affiliated profiles. The right to manage profiles and the information contained in the profiles, was reserved only for the said guild they belonged to.

This made it a whole lot harder, as the AFHA seemed to be the only responsible one for incidents like these. Hadwyn didn’t really know what methods the Iron Legion, Common Adventurers Guild, or other big guilds used to solve problems like this, but he had a strong suspicion that they either persecute a person who fit a description they saw as suspicious, or that they simply swept it under the rug.

Personally, Hadwyn didn’t care. He had gotten used to ignorance of first gens, and he discovered that they were just all a bunch of immature, entitled brats. Every time he heard a story like this happen, like it did every so often in the wasteland, he would wipe an invisible tear and move on. Call it generationalism, but Hadwyn couldn’t recall the last time a violent act had been perpetuated by a second gen or below. Now, one might assume because of his opinions, that Hadwyn was a second gen himself.

But contrary to what most believed, Hadwyn was actually a first generation Aldarian, It had only added to his resentment towards the irreverent actions of the Aldarians who he once found himself surrounded with.

He remembered his first party, a group of people who only sought materialistic and shallow things, they often fought and complained, yet stayed together because they were the only thing that they knew. It was only when he refused, and tried to change the way they did things, that he was kicked out of the party. He quickly found himself on the street, hopping from one gig to the next. The bubble he had been living in up until that moment popped, and he found himself afraid and alienated from the world around him. The guild was merciless, as soon as he was no longer a member, they forgot he even existed.

It was Teresa who pulled him out the hole of alienation from everyone else.

He remembered seeing her walking around the street. Occasionally, when he wasn’t looking, she would drop a whole bag of copper into his hat. Eventually, she came up and offered him a job at the AFHA.

Hadwyn had grown to like his job, not love, just like it. It made him feel like he was doing good, and not just running around for cheap glory.

Anyways, he let his mind wander far too much. He had helped the AFHA make a statement before any guild did.

A fresh blast of air hit him as he opened the door. The first thing he noticed was that Kela was nowhere to be seen. He approached one of the officers standing outside the building.

“Where did she go?” He asked.

The officer pointed towards the dock. “Right around there.”

Hadwyn thanked the officer and headed towards the area. He spotted Kela standing next to a fisherman.

She ran towards when she saw him. The fisherman grunted and tried to grab her shoulder. He whispered something to her while she returned to Hadwyn.

“We just found another body!” Kela said. She looked visibly disturbed but also proud at the same time.

The fisherman threw up his hands. “You said you were alone! Now you're bringin’ another!”

“Show me.”

Kela strode to the body, which was in a boat tethered to a dock.

It was Nick.

“Wha- what?” Hadwyn stuttered.

“Oh, I didn’t find it, I had help.” Kela patted the fisherman’s shoulder. The fisherman grumbled. “Don’t get me involved. I only told you about it.”

“Where did you find it?” Hadwyn pressed, “What’s your name too?”

“Jarvis. And I didn’t find the body, It just washed up and I didn’t know what to do.” Jarvis replied, wiping his nose.

Hadwyn leaned over the body. He ran his fingers across the head of Nick. He had no need to clean his hands, any effects washed away in the river.

“Kela, tell the officers what happened and return to HQ. I’ll meet you there in a bit.”

“Sir Hadwyn?”

“Yes?”

“Did I get the job?”

He pondered for a moment.

“Yes.”

With that, she sprinted away.

“This river?” Hadwyn asked Jarvis.

“Yes, it was.”

Hadwyn followed the stream with his eyes, resting on the waterfall near the cliff’s edge. He opened up his map.

“Am I in any trouble?” Jarvis asked.

“Not unless you killed him.” Hadwyn replied.

{The Head of the Snake}

The dungeon wasn’t far from town, just a couple of Yuts away. Jack killed a few monsters along the way too. He didn’t mind the walk. He checked his level ever so often.

He was level 24, which surprised him. A week ago he fought for five days straight. He had forgotten to check his level.

Still not enough. He thought.

The shovel had been a lot easier to use, it cut through monsters like a hot knife through butter, speaking of which, he was also in possession of. The knife was more of his sidearm, in case he lost his shovel or something, he heard Aldarians recommended sidearms. The Aldarians might be inconsiderate jerks, but at least they knew what they were doing.

As he got closer to the dungeon entrance, he heard weird whispering. I am the spirit of this cave… If you wish to slay thy beast, I must give a warning, the weak will not last long…

Jack stopped, he saw Aldarians coming in and out of the area a few times. Maybe the monster that laid in the dungeon was not nearly as formidable as one might suspect.

As he entered the cave, the voices immediately stopped. Stone slab steps resembled a stairway. He descended slowly.

When he got to the bottom, it was pitch black except for one torch on one of the walls. A metal door was illuminated directly ahead of him. He opened it with just one hand, drawing his shovel with the other, aiming to strike whatever laid on the other side of the door. It creaked as he pushed it slowly. If whatever lurked in the darkness didn’t know he was there they certainly did now.

Thankfully, there was nothing on the other side of the door, other than a slightly brighter room, more specifically, a hallway. He walked at a normal pace now, his shovel held with both hands. This was a huge step up from what he was doing before, killing monsters in the plains was child's play compared to what Aldarians could actually do. He knew damn well that if he wanted to stand against, he would have to at least match their strength.

He saw another door, he opened it faster this time. It didn’t have the chance to creak due to him lifting it slightly.

The skeleton caught him off guard though.

It came out of nowhere, swinging a horrid mace at him. He dodged, to which the skeleton responded by shoulder slamming him. He didn’t know that something that couldn’t have weighed more than a bag of firewood could hit so hard.

The skeleton got into a fighting position, It leveled its mace at him. Jack kept his body low to the ground and his feet spread out. The skeleton seemed to be trying to come up with his next move.

Jack took the opportunity to strike, swinging his shovel. The skeleton weaved past his attack and jabbed his mace forward.

Jack felt the spikes of the mace in his abdomen, he gritted his teeth, he kicked the skeleton. It stumbled backward. It was like kicking a bag of sand. The skeleton regained its balance. Then it cocked its head, its jaw hinged open, and its skull glowed blue.

“Just what kind of hero are you? You don’t seem very skilled. Perhaps you don’t deserve to see me. But don’t worry, once you perish you will work for me.” The skeleton moved his hand across his empty ribcage, as if to say; You will look like me soon.

Jack was already downing a healing potion. The green liquid dribbled down his chin, as he drank it swiftly. He threw the empty bottle at the skeleton's face. It smashed against his head and shattered. He didn’t even flinch.

“Didn’t you die already?” Jack coughed. “Shame if it happened twice.”

The skeleton got into a fighting stance again, a different one, with the mace lifted at his side.

“I am not a skeleton, I am merely controlling it.” It spoke.

“Then shut up already,” Jack said.

And with that, he leaped forward to attack.

The skeleton swung his mace again, spinning it in his hand with dexterity usually unseen in monsters. Jack intercepted the attack with his shovel, blocking it with the flat side. One of the spikes snapped off, the skeleton jumped back, making a clicking noise as it slid across the floor.

The skeleton gave almost a grin. “Let’s see how you like the darkness…”

The torches began to dim. The once decently lit room became enveloped in darkness.

Jack listened for sounds. He heard none. Any light that could have helped him was ultimately blocked out by the awakened dust in the cave, it shrouded everything. Jack looked left and right, it didn’t matter, it was pitch-black.

The knife.

Jack grabbed the knife, he lowered himself, almost to a crouch, he felt the faintest warmth of the knife, just ever so faint, ready to be drawn at any time.

Jack drew the knife, It ignited.

A click from behind him.

He whirled around and jabbed the knife into the skeleton. It went right through its head, severing the life from it.

The skeleton collapsed instantly, then disintegrated into powder.

The room brightened again. The torches burst into flame. A cackle in the distance.

“Haha… You may pass… Or… you can retreat… you may leave with your life… The choice is yours…”

Jack pressed on.

He encountered another skeleton, it wore chainmail and wielded a wicked barbarian sword.

The skeleton was also much bigger and had a different head shape.

Jack charged at the skeleton, not wanting to give the thing a chance to prepare for battle.

He collected the weapon, and put it on the chainmail. It had a weird smell to it, but he didn’t mind.

He went further, he killed a few more skeletons, and slimes.

Finally, he found himself in a seemingly big room, he didn’t know how big exactly the room was, the doorway being mostly unlit.

Something screeched, and few towards him. A leatherwing.

The thing bared its fangs and barreled towards him.

He swung the barbarian sword, slicing it in half.

It dissolved as soon as the blade exited its body.

Something emerged from the shadows, it slithered along the ground towards him.

A snake that could swallow him whole, raised its head and opened its mouth, but instead of a hiss, words came out.

“What pathetic creature lies before me? Come now, embrace your death.”

The creature's eyes glowed, but the main luminosity came from its mouth, light made its way through small gaps in its razor-sharp teeth, which it bore along with a nasty hooked tongue that looked as if it could lick a bone dry.

The glow from the snakes mouth illuminated its surroundings, piles of skeletons litter the floor

Jack swallowed, and took a step forward.

The creature hissed. “Take not another step! I am Serpent Prince Zag. If you have heard of that name, then you know now. Do you, perhaps, intend to become one of my warriors? If so, please continue.”

Jack hesitated. He expected the creature to have been slain already, as many Aldarians have been in and out of the cave. Aldarians were ruthless and cold-blooded, so why didn’t they kill the serpent?

Maybe they were afraid of it.

Or maybe…

“You will refer to me as Prince Zag from now on. If you do not, I will kill you where you stand.”

Jack finally spoke. “A choice between death and death? Too good to be true.”

“Do not joke with me, fool. The choice is between death and violent death. If you choose to willingly sacrifice yourself, meaning giving your mind and soul to me, I will spare you the suffering. If you, however, choose to fight or resist, you will have no use to me, thus, you will die slowly, I will rip you limb from limb while you still breath. The choice is yours.”

Jack’s throat felt dry, he tried not to think of the creature that could kill him in an instant. The serpent ran his tongue quite a lot, maybe, just maybe, Jack could stall long enough to come up with a plan to slay the beast.

Can I ask a few questions, since I’m about to die?”

Zag made sort of a grin, his forked tongue stuck out like a loose thread on a smooth carpet. “Well of course! Ask me anything.”

“What’s the point of life?” Jack asked, experimentally.

“To die and become my servant.” Zag said. “Next.”

“Why have you not been slain by the Aldarians yet?” Jack asked.

That wiped the smile off Zags face. “None have been stupid enough to come to fight me.”

“What about the pile of skeletons behind you?”

“They fought me, but they failed.” He boasted proudly.

“I see them walking out, explain that please.”

Zag hesitated for a moment. “They are cowards, you see, so sometimes they slip away.

I have a sword, a shovel, and a knife, which I don't think he knows about. I have a bunch of potions, I have a potion of resistance, haste, healing- Wait a note?

“I heard most people in the land worship you.” Jack said, changing the subject.

Zag grinned again. “I was unaware of how great I am, perhaps the people finally appreciate-

Jack reached into his satchel while the creature monologued. He fished out the note.

Bel wrote it.

Jack, I assume you don't know much about potions, But please read this is very important!

I gave you various potions, DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, DRINK MORE THAN ONE POTION IN UNDER AT LEAST SIX HOURS. The potion of healing is pretty non reactive… BUT, DO NOT TAKE THE CHANCE!

Wish you the best Jack.

-Bel

Jack grunted. Not much use to him, since he was gonna die.

There was just no way he could land a hit on the creature without killing himself. It didn't matter how sharp his shovel was, if he got mortally wounded during the fight, there was nothing he could do.

Also there was no proof that his shovel was anything magical.

Wait…

He had an idea.

He grinned at the snake. “Have you heard?”

Zag looked intrigued. “Heard what?”

“How beautiful your head is. Everyone thinks that you might be the most handsome Serpent and all of the land.”

Zag grinned wide, his fangs showing. “Might? Of course I am. I cannot even be compared to that of a simple mortal.”

Jack put his hand on his chin and narrowed his eyes at Zag. “You know what I would do if I had your head…?”

Zag cackled, an ugly hissing noise that sounded like a cicada dying. “Keep dreaming, you will never look as gorgeous as I!”

Jack chuckled to himself.

“I would put it on my wall.”

Zag roared. “THEN YOU CHOOSE DEATH!”

It lunged forward grabbing him and tossing him in the air. Jack put his shovel between the molars of the snake. It struggled to close its mouth.

“DIE! DIE! DIE!” It hissed at him.

Jack held onto Zag’s mouth with dear life, one wrong move and he would slip into the creature’s maw.

He unhitched his satchel and jumped out of Zag's mouth, the acid eating at his leggings.

He landed on his back, which hurt like hell, but the creature whipped its head around to face him. It gulped down the shovel and the satchel.

Zag snarled. I know that you are no hero, you nearly died to one of my minions.

“So you are a boss, makes sense considering that you hide here all day, letting your underlings do the dirty work, yes, definitely the making of a prince of serpents.”

Zag tense as if he were about to lunge, but then he stopped, foam began to leak from his mouth.

“He squirmed, whipping his tail around in pain, smoke seeped from his skin, he made a sound that pierced the sound barrier and shook the whole cavern.

“What did you do to meeeeeeeeee?!”

Jack took a step back.

Just as quickly as it started, it stopped. Zag slowly got up, he seemed surprised to be unharmed, but he quickly became enraged.

The healing potion.

Shit.

“You are a clever disgusting human, but unfortunately, your potions helped me recover as well. Now, I will rip your arms, then your legs, then your organs all out! Then, I will-”

Zag’s head exploded.