Chapter 19

In the darkness James just kept digging upward and the more time it was taking the worse it got. Dirt piled up below him cutting off any fresh air as he tried to break the surface from below. Legs pushed up on hole side and his back braced the other while his body was suspended a number of feet above ground. [Perception] was useless in complete darkness but it leveled up twice for some reason. Not like James was complaining.

This is like that one Stargate-SG1 episode where the team is helping that old teammate who replaced the older one when he died and become a god but became mortal again for trying to act like a god. Good times but in that episode they were digging down and I am going up although for both dying of heat and air loss so there’s that

Every time more dirt would be broken off from above it would hit his head and since it had taken a while to find a spot soft enough to dig through James had trouble figuring out how high he had to go. It reminded him of another animated show from japan but that was not important right now the light headedness was. [Digger] increased overall digging speed by 10% so it was helping but not sure if it was enough.

[Digging] has leveled up

So close

The skill had finally reached level 9 and was the closest to ranking up it was just that what happened at the point was unknown. Thinking of this small rock bubble he made himself did no good and even a break could not happen or else air would be wasted. It was when he started to see double that James knew it was pretty much over and that was when a great reward finally happened.

[Digging] has leveled up

[Digging] is now level 10

[Digging] has become [Improved Digging]

[Poison Resistance] has leveled up

[Poison Resistance] is now level 10

[Poison Resistance] is now [Improved Poison Resistance]

Specials conditions met: [Improved Digging] and [Improved Poison Resistance] form and unlock [Iron Lungs]

A rumble could be felt just a little then it became more and more until a shovel burst through the bottom of the cave floor. James quickly pushed his body out of the hole and rolled onto the ground.

Best. Upgrade. Ever

[Iron Lungs]: Allows the user to need slightly less oxygen than usual

That was all that was needed to push the final distance and arriving in what seemed to be an underground passage way. Trying to wipe the sweat away from his baby head proved useless since his entire body had it like a second coat. Instead he just wagged his body like a dog giving unexpectedly good results.

Once again good job James for living through death once again so it’s time for a reward

For a long time James had been saving what was on his back for such a long time he buried it at one point so not to use it early. Unhooking it from his back James drank the liquor that had been saved in his bottle that had been loaded up the night the two of them went into the sewers.

… So good, at it’s thanks to you my greatest friend for your and my hard work in these troubling times. If I had listened to all of those people who told me to spot drinking I would not be alive now

There was still the problem with the hole it was next to the edge of the right wall and to James surprise stood out since the rat don’t seem to dig their own holes. So instead he found the largest rock he could and stuffed it in along with others and put back on top the dirt he just dug out. The tunnel itself was lined with rocks and wide enough for three adults to walk without trouble but it patch of the hole clearly stood out making it only a matter of time before he was found out.

Bottle back on and weapon out James started to sneak down the tunnel following the glow of rocks that gave off a soft light. There was no way to tell the exact time here but given the time spent digging and waiting he guessed it was night time and if true explained why it was as easy as it was to get around.

We must go the final ones are here

Does that mean it is time for the overlord to tell us his grand truth?

Do you really think patrol rats would be told such scared knowledge?

You are right

James overheard the two rats as they got closer to him so he braced himself on the wall, this reminded him of a similar spot so the thought was the same reaction of back then would work. James jumped out from the wall and used [Power Attack] on the nearest one.

What just happened, who are you? Wait you’re just a baby ugh…

Before anything else happened James grabbed the rat and brought it back with him backtracking to the hole he came out of. Quickly a shallow hole was dug into the ground and the rat was placed in it that came up to its head. Since there was no time for waiting James simply started slapping its head until the rat had waking up.

What just happened… o god it’s you, overlord save me!

Shut up or you get hit again, now tell me what is happening here

The rat seemed very worried but refused to answer the question so James hit him again.

Answer me!

You just said not to talk and give you answers so what is it? This is too much pressure

“Rat” started crying making things awkward for James as he just waited now and gave him time to stop.

Okay how about this rat we make a deal: tell me what you know and I let your friends come and dig you out

You would really do that? But humans are killers of us rats who are only trying to feed themselves and they have those horrible creatures you call cats who eat us alive!

… Well you made some good points there so not going to comment on that subject just tell me what is going on

James put down his weapons and sat down next to Rat’s head, one ear listening for any sounds coming closer.

The overlord came to us months ago and brought along with him an object that the elders say will bring our people end his freedom

So he’s not human or rat

Yes but I do not know what he is but it does not matter, if the overlord can save us than anything is worth it even my life. That is all I know and it is all I need to know, that is all I need.

Getting up and stepping back from Rats head James thought over the information but still found it lacking.

Just more pieces, I want to know everything and it seems at this point there is only one thing left to do. Could have saved a lot of time if this was the choice made at the start

Kneeling down James carefully used his hands and started to dig out Rat from his spot.

Why are you doing this, does this mean I am free? You must know as soon as I get out of here I will run and get help

I know and that is fine and don’t worry about me trying to convince you what you think about humans is wrong or anything. The person I am has waaaaaay to many issues to judge you

It became quiet as neither one said a thing as the digging progressed until most of Rats body was free. When it happened Rat shot out of the hole and dashed a few feet away, it stood there for a few moments before running off. James knew what was about to happen so he got ready. James drank the rest of the bottle before putting it back on his back then leaving on the ground the sword, shovel and even shield.

Almost impressed by the reaction time soon enough James was surrounded by dozens of rats but kept their distance out of arms reach.

Seems like you heard about me

Yes we have

A black rat moved closer to James as the front line of rats parted to let it through, it was like a normal rat in looks but bigger and looking very much stronger.

The overlord will be most pleased with me if you are brought so you will live for now and be brought

Before James could respond it suddenly spun around and wiped its tail at his head instantly knocking him out. Two orange rats came up and bite and his cloths dragging him as the entire group went to the inner chamber.