I Have a Task Log

"I brought some Antidotes to counter their poisons."

Dorn took out a few small ceramic jars. "I also have some Flash Bombs. These will work against those bastards. Just smash them on the floor, and they’ll let out a blinding flash. It won’t affect us as much, though."

"That’s right," the Drow Boss nodded. "Because we live Underground year-round, our eyes are very sensitive to bright light, even when they’re closed. Ordinary sunlight is enough to make us uncomfortable."

Drow Darkvision is much stronger than that of other races; they can see about twice as far.

That’s also why they’re so afraid of bright light.

Just as he was thinking this, Colin said, "But the problem is, Darkness can block all non-magical light, so Flash Bombs won’t solve the issue."

Dorn shrugged. "Nothing we can do about it. After all, the ones making trouble for us are the biggest tyrants in the Underworld, right?"

The room fell silent.

Colin looked out the window.

A continuous creaking of swaying wooden planks came from outside the door, the harsh sound grating enough to cause a headache.

’Mist Harbor seems so chaotic right now. Maybe those Drow won’t dare spare anyone to deal with us. No matter how you look at it, blockading the slave market to grab "fresh stock" is the more efficient option.’

’So we might not actually have to face a Drow hunting party on the way back.’

At this thought, Colin rubbed his eyes.

’It seems like most of the time when I think things will be fine, something ends up going wrong. This feels like a bad omen.’

"Let’s change the subject to something lighter. Why did you join the Five-Stringed?" Colin shrugged. "After all... you know what I mean."

The Drow Boss shrugged and said, "To be honest, I used to believe the sun was an evil thing created by the Surface Gods specifically to burn the eyes of mortals. I thought they used the sun’s Power to enslave everyone on the Surface, and that the only safe place was Underground."

"How could that be possible!" Orelia said earnestly. "The sun is what allows plants to grow, animals to live healthy lives, and people to be happy and cheerful. The sun is a wonderful thing."

"Yes, I know that now. But the vast majority of other Drow believe it."

The Drow Boss summarized, "Because our Gods want us to think that way."

"That’s pretty normal. All the gods claim their way is the right one. As for who’s actually right or wrong, we just have to figure that out for ourselves."

The moment Kase finished, Dorn said in surprise, "For you to be saying something like that... you’ve got some nerve, Kase my friend."

"There’s a lot of truth in that," the Drow Boss said with a smile. "Besides me, a few other like-minded Drow have also joined the Five-Stringed. We’re primarily responsible for operations in The Underdark."

After speaking, he paused for a moment before adding, "Please, tell me your route. If any of our people return soon, I’ll send them along that path to support you."

"That could work," Colin said, nodding at Dorn.

The Gray Dwarf pulled out a map, spread it on the table, and explained their route to the Drow Boss in detail.

Sitting nearby, Orelia looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated. Seeing that Dorn and the others were still busy, she didn’t dare interrupt, instead just looking at Colin and blinking.

’I really didn’t expect there to be a group of Drow like this in the Five-Stringed,’ Colin thought.

’Still, it’s a good thing. It means that even creatures traditionally seen as evil can walk the right path. This must be an uplifting piece of news for Orelia.’

After they had shown him the route, the Drow Boss looked at Colin again. "Sir, we have a piece of intelligence that needs to be delivered to the Surface. Could I entrust this task to you? Consider it a commission; the payment will be settled along with everything else."

"It’s on our way," Colin agreed with a nod.

The Drow Boss smiled, took an envelope from his pocket, and handed it to him.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I’m very glad to have met you all. Thank you for coming to my tavern."

As Colin took the letter, Ale asked, "Why do you say that?"

"Because I am a Drow. Regardless of my allegiances, that is an unchangeable fact. I can see from your eyes that your hostility toward me isn’t that strong."

The Drow Boss gave a wry smile. "For me, that is something to be very happy about. I thank you all."

Colin exchanged a glance with the others.

He spoke frankly. "To be honest, I was startled too when I first came in and saw the boss was a Drow. I had to brace myself."

"I know," the Drow nodded.

"Even so..." Colin trailed off, then nodded. "Until next time, sir."

"Until next time, everyone." The boss gave a slight bow. "There’s a secret passage in the tavern’s cellar. The exit leads to the bank of the Dark River. You’ll be able to leave here without anyone being the wiser."

"Will you be alright, Mr. Drow?" Orelia asked, a bit anxious.

"Compared to a Half-Elf sacrifice, I doubt they’d go to the trouble of fighting Mist Harbor over one lowly male," the Drow Boss said with a smile. "If things get too complicated, I’ll probably just be transferred somewhere else. In any case, don’t worry about me."

Colin nodded. "Goodbye, then."

After bidding the boss farewell, the group first went to the market, where they each bought a bottle of Antidote. Then, they followed the secret underground passage beneath the Delicious Maggot, heading toward the riverbank the boss had mentioned.

Even though it was nearly time to sleep, leaving as quickly as possible was the best option under the circumstances.

A corresponding task appeared in Colin’s Task Log.

-----------------

[Commission: Deliver the Letter]

[Status: Not Started]

[Reward: TBD]

-----------------

As they walked through the secret passage, Colin looked around.

The tunnel beneath the Delicious Maggot was clearly a natural underground passage. It was lined with moss-covered stones and looked as if few people had ever passed through.

"Speaking of which, how was a secret passage like this made?" Colin asked Dorn. "Was it just dug out?"

"The walls and floors of the Undercity are magically reinforced; you can’t dig through them. This passageway is most likely a natural formation," Dorn said, leading the way as he glanced down at the map in his hand. "As for how it ended up in the hands of those Wandering Poets, I have no idea."

Colin nodded silently.

’After hearing all this, he couldn’t help but feel this whole Undercity was like some bizarre game of hit-and-run, as if it had been deliberately designed that way.’

After walking through the natural underground passage, the sound of flowing water reached their ears.

Continuing forward, the group emerged from a hidden exit onto a pebble-strewn shore. Before them rushed an underground river.