Chapter Forty-One: The Final Bargain and Farewell

[You sense danger and leave quickly.]
[You return to the Mouse’s Nest. Thanks to the Flower Spirit Potion, your body is unharmed.]
[But your mind is weary. Leaning against the wall of the Mouse’s Nest, you close your eyes in exhaustion for a brief rest.]

At least, for now, it’s safe…

Chen Qi takes out the Book of Black Prison. The book isn’t thick, just over fifty pages.
He opens it—strange symbols fill every page, indecipherable at first glance. Yet, tucked inside are three sheets of notes.

At that moment, a new prompt appears in the game.

[You have obtained the Decayed Elder’s three pages of notes.]
[Notes of the Decayed Elder:
The notes are densely packed with translations of the first five pages of the Book of Black Prison.
They also express his hatred of the Sewer Rats. He believes that, as a descendant of the old royal line, the sewers should rightfully belong to his family. He has long plotted to destroy the Tree of Rebirth and annihilate the entire upper structure of the sewers.]

So, the Decayed Elder was not only a royal descendant but also a schemer.

Chen Qi examines the notes in his hand.

Hmm?

The writing on the notes is just as foreign as the book’s, but clearly not the same script.
Simply looking at the Book of Black Prison fills one with unease, while the script in the notes is far more approachable.
Chen Qi blinks—he notices similarities to his own language, and senses that, with practice, he could learn to read it.

This book will require careful study.
First, I’d better photograph it, back up the knowledge...

Just as Chen Qi is reading, his phone suddenly vibrates.

[As you rest in the Mouse’s Nest, your eyes snap open—a wolfhound nuzzles your foot!]
[The temperature of the air around you rises gradually.]
[You feel it—the Houndmaster is here.]

The Houndmaster!

Chen Qi touches his ear. Another wave of trouble.

One Decayed Elder is enough of a headache.
Now the Houndmaster as well!
The Houndmaster commands a loyal pack and seems to wield fire. Even in the Lightless Abyss, Chen Qi would likely perish alongside him.

His breathing quickens. He feels suspended in a void—he must find a way to deal with the Houndmaster.

[The Houndmaster emerges from the darkness, speaking hoarsely and wearily:
“Child, give me that book. I know you crave power.
But it is written in a special script you cannot comprehend. It will bring you nothing but danger.”]

[You look ahead. The Houndmaster’s arm is severed, blood pouring freely.
The fire in his eyes has dimmed to embers. Clearly, the battle with the Decayed Elder, and forcing his way through the newly-lit abyss, have cost him dearly.]

So, in the end, must the book be handed over...?

[“That book isn’t with me.” You take a deep breath, spreading your empty hands to show you hold nothing.]

A thought surfaces.
A book, unlike other objects, is valuable for its knowledge, not its form.
Maybe the game’s shadow can create a copy of the book.
Just in case, Chen Qi grabs his backup phone and snaps photo after photo of the Book of Black Prison.

[“I’m old, but not deaf or blind. I know the Decayed Elder came after you—and that he died by your hand.
In the Lightless Abyss, there was a flash of light.”
The Houndmaster, exhausted and wounded, steps before you.]

[The scalding heat and sharp scent of blood drive you back a step.]

[“Child, give me the book. That power is terrible—it will destroy you.
I can give you something better, something that will help you escape the Night Watchers’ hell. That power will serve you far more.”
The Houndmaster reaches for you, greedy flames flickering in his heart.]

Must I really surrender and hand over the book…?

Though the words seem gentle, they are charged with years of obsession and murderous intent.
I need more time!

Chen Qi keeps photographing, storing every page of the Book of Black Prison on his phone.

But the next prompt startles him.

[Slash! A cold gleam flashes!]
[The Houndmaster’s outstretched hand is pierced by a long blade—blood spurts out!]

A long blade—this is...

[“I told you, I hate failed deals. I just saw greed in your eyes, Houndmaster.”
Debt Collector Li sits atop a house, legs crossed, regarding the two of you with icy detachment.]

[“I mean no harm, Li. I only want the book.
The child cannot understand it—it will destroy him, and draw the attention of the Knowledge Hunters.”
The Houndmaster pulls the blade free, speaking in pain.]

[“I can’t read it either. He can’t read it. Can you? If the child will be hunted, so will you, Houndmaster.”
Li yawns above.]

[The Houndmaster looks at Li, then at you.]

[Somehow, though you should be weak, you seem a giant in his eyes.
The deaths of the Decayed Elder and the Eyeless One have inspired in him an unexpected reverence for your youthful frailty.]

[“Li, are you shielding him?” the Houndmaster asks, lips trembling.]

[“I’m not protecting him. If he dies, my deal with him falls through. I simply hate failed business.”
Li’s voice is cold.]

Hmm... Even from outside the screen, Chen Qi can feel that Debt Collector Li is clearly taking his side.

[The Houndmaster sees the shadow of his youth in you. He glances at the cold gaze beneath Li’s bandage.]
[You have slain the Decayed Elder, crossed the Lightless Abyss. The Houndmaster sighs, his face etched with age, exhaustion, and loneliness.]

[“Child, I sense that one day, you may surpass me. No, perhaps you will set foot beyond the walls of the New City.”
The Houndmaster lowers his head and draws out a Record Book from his black robe.]

[He explains: this is a special book, able to quickly copy the text of another. He had meant to use it to beg for mercy from the Decayed Elder.]

[The Houndmaster withdraws 10 Day Coins and hands them to Debt Collector Li.
“Li, you’re still in the witness business, aren’t you?”]

[Li accepts the coins, saying, “Indeed. Any who break their word will be hunted by me. But this isn’t enough.”]

[The Houndmaster adds another 10 Day Coins and turns to you.
He won’t harm you. Since you have claimed the book, it is yours. He only wishes to exchange for its knowledge.]

[Money is of little use to him now. He will soon leave this prison to seek one who can decipher the book’s contents.]

[In exchange, under Li’s witness, he will introduce you to a higher path and gift you his prized possession.]

[Do you accept the Houndmaster’s terms and Debt Collector Li’s witness?]
[Please make your choice.]

No need to hand over the book—only the knowledge within?
And in return, a chance for advancement, and a rare treasure...

A good trade.

Chen Qi considers. At this moment, he likely has no room to refuse, nor does he wish to.

He accepts.

After ensuring every page is photographed, Chen Qi returns the book.

[You draw the Book of Black Prison from under your clothes and open it page by page before the Houndmaster.]

[The Record Book’s cover opens a blue eye, and its pages rapidly copy the content.]

[Recording in progress…]

[The Record Book completes its task and closes slowly.]

Once the copying is done, Chen Qi promptly retrieves his book.

[“Thank you, child. May you live long, and may you, one day, reach the heights above.”
The Houndmaster clutches the Record Book, sinking down in exhaustion.
He closes his wrinkled eyes as blood drips steadily from his body. Dog after dog licks his wounds; he is gravely injured.
“Li, I need a doctor.”]

[“10 Day Coins.”]

[“Fine…”]

[You watch the Houndmaster collapse, spent, the damp chill seeping into you.
You realize you have gained all you could—it is time to leave the sewers.]

[Do you wish to leave the sewers?]

Yes.

…

[Every journey must turn homeward; it is time to depart.]

[You reach the entrance to the sewers once more, seeing the boatmen who once plotted against you.
Smelling the blood that still lingers on you, they panic and leap into the river.]

[You emerge from that dark, damp place.]

[Daylight shines on your face. Your little donkey, hiding nearby, senses your return and hops joyfully toward you.]

[As you prepare to set out, you hear Debt Collector Li’s voice.]

Chen Qi is taken aback. Could Li also want the book?
But during this journey, thanks to Weigel’s Rat’s Token, Li has helped him more than once.
Since he has already shared the knowledge with one, Chen Qi doesn’t mind another.
But by rights, if Li truly coveted the book, he should have dealt with Night Watchman Ford long ago.
Strange...

Chen Qi looks to the prompt.

[“It’s been years since I saw daylight. It’s blinding, really.”
Li leans against a tree, drawing the long blade from his waist, and says,
“Night Watchman, I hear from the Houndmaster that you lured the Decayed Elder to his death in the abyss?”]

[You turn, nodding wearily.]

[“There’s no personal grudge.
In the sewers, that damned Decayed Elder dreamed only of destruction.
I thought daily of crossing the abyss to kill him, and I had his bounty as well.
Now you’ve done it. As the overseer, I must reward you—otherwise, I’d lose face in the sewers.”]

[Li glances at the blade at his waist:
“Night Watchman, the dagger you carry is a fine weapon, but it's small and not fit for long use.”]

[With a flick of his left hand, Li hurls his long blade at you!]

[Thanks to your dynamic vision from the Blood-Edge Fruit, you barely catch Li’s blade.]

[You have obtained Debt Collector Li’s Long Blade.]

[“Farewell, Night Watchman. I can sense you’ll become a legend, like Weigel.
But the world outside is too cruel. I’ve hidden in the dark too long—so many legends are born in these sewers, but none ever return.
May we meet again, Night Watchman—one unlike any other.”
Li gazes at the daylight one last time, closes his eyes, and turns back into the darkness.]

[You lift your head, mount your little donkey, and, bathed in the warm glow of day, begin your journey home.]