Den of Darkness

The metal floor of the sewer pipe was sub-zero, driving a chill straight through Toshio’s wet cotton socks. 

He sat curled in a tight ball, knees to his chest, staring blankly at the dark water rippling past the pipe’s mouth. His black shoes upside down on a stone.

I need to dry myself. Honestly I'm craving some instant noodles now. His brain instinctively tried to fight the cold by fantasizing about warm meal.

*TAK TAK TAK*

A heavy chain of footsteps echoed from deep within the tunnel. He realized he wasn't alone.

Emerging from the darkness was a tall silhouette. Easily seven feet tall, its massive frame wrapped entirely in filthy grey bandages. Even its face was completely bound, leaving only a pair of glowing red eyes exposed to the dim light. 

That person had scales on its feet and nails like some monster claws. 

That's not a human. 

Toshio started thinking about escape plans while clutching his fists.

It looked like an urban legend crawled straight out of a horror story. The creature felt human and non-human at the same time.

The creature grunted with a weird sound. It pointed deep in the tunnels, a faint orange glow of the fire was visible. 

It is asking me to follow...?

The Salaryman had no option. He followed the creature with a 5 feet distance between them.

After reaching the fire the creature sat down, rustling through its own stuff. 

Toshio started analyzing the place by habit.

The fire was surrounded by a makeshift wire frame built out of old metal pipes, likely used for cooking. Shattered but surprisingly beautiful pieces of wood and colored glass lay scattered around. 

This feels like a thrift shop. 

The metal tunnel extended forward into the darkness, on opposite way he could still see the day light from the way he just came. 

This place is a mage.

*CLANK*

A massive rusted knife suddenly dropped right at his feet.

I knew it. I followed a monster like a dumb little chicken! I'm the food.

The monster picked up the knife.

 Toshio closed his eyes by instinct. He was too tired to do anything. He could feel the creature's hand extending towards him.

Bye Bye World. I'm going to die for the second time today. 

He froze from fear and a bit of fever.

A faint but familiar smell of cooked meat rushed inside his nose.

He opened his eyes slowly. The creature was holding a fish like thing grilled on a wooden stick. It was offering him food.

"Are you trying to fatten me before eating? Haha..ha..." Toshio smiled with fear, his voice cracking from the cold. He quickly grabbed the fish. 

I should stop making awkward jokes before I get myself killed. He scolded himself.

The monster didn't answer. It simply melted back into the shadows, leaving the food behind. Almost as if it wanted to give Toshio space to rest comfortably.

Realizing the creature is harmless, he sat down facing the fire. 

He carefully peeled off his soaked jacket and hung it over a rusty pipe near the flames. The water was turning into steam from the heat. He turned his shoes towards the flame. His toes curled by warmth. 

As warmth finally seeped into his skin, the silence allowed his brain to process the situation.

He started eating the fish, ignoring the third eye in the middle. 

I have eaten worse food at the company cafeteria. 

The transition to this world had been sudden. He remembered some things like talking with the great king. The Great Hero. That person was also from his world. But he couldn't remember anything after it. 

He could recall fragments of his former life. The taste of cheap convenience store bento, the hum of office fluorescent, the crushing weight of the 7:00 PM deadlines. 

Only thing missing was his childhood, his family background. He couldn't remember anything apart from his work life. 

His mind buzzed with intense pain.

I feel like I'm forgetting a lot today. He thought while chewing the tail part. 

"Status Screen," Toshio muttered by instinct.

A blue holographic interface snapped into existence, flickered wildly, and distorted like a corrupted Excel sheet. 

No way... it actually worked!

[USER: TANAKA TOSHIO]

[JOB: SALARYMAN (ERROR: ACCOUNT OVERDRAWN)]

[LEVEL: -999 (JUB&W%F**W()]

[HP: ▓▓▓▓ / ▓▓▓▓]

[MP: ▓▓▓▓ / ▓▓▓▓]

He couldn't even read his vital stats. The numerical data was completely scrambled by the negative balance. He was technically breathing, but according to the system he should be dead more than hundred times!

Forget it. I'll need to get away from this place first. 

He started remembering his days as gamer. If this is a curse, I could ask a mage about this later. 

He leaned against the metal wall after finishing the strange fish. It filled his empty stomach.

Just a quick nap, he murmured after looking at his watch.

He remembered some things while asleep. Sunny days with his parents in the countryside, playing catch with his older brother. The fever has made his mind weak.

His rest was interrupted when he heard faint voices arguing.

"Why do you keep picking up weird trash?" An old lady's voice echoed loudly.

"Grrr" The creature replied with an annoyed tone.

"Shut up! Let me see him now. Stop whining and go fetch my bag." She ordered the monster. 

Toshio could hear the footsteps going farther.

"You can stop pretending now. She is a good kid." The old lady came too close to Toshio.

"Umm.. I wasn't pretending." Toshio felt embarrassed a bit. 

The old lady reminded him of his own grandma. She was short but scary looking.

"How did you end up here?" The old lady asked while checking his hands.

"I don't remember much." Toshio played safe. No reason to tell these people anything. I don't even know them.

"Name is Granny Geko." She shuffled through her jacket, "I act as a local doctor around here." 

"Nice to meet you. My name is Tanaaaaa-" 

She suddenly opened his mouth and pulled his tongue by a clamp like thing. She stared inside his throat quickly and let it go.

*Ouch*

That gagged him completely, leaving him coughing. 

What is wrong with this granny?

"What did you say?" She asked casually, wiping the metal pincers down with a cloth.

Ah! I almost gave away my actual name. 

He had forgotten for a second that he was the most wanted criminal right now, with a bounty worth 10 million gold coins.

 "Taro! My name is Taro." He lied as good as he could.

"Well Taro boy. You are sick. Your body is too weak. I'll give you some medicines." She looked behind her,"Where are you lost now?" She shouted in the darkness.

"Grrrrr!" The monster responded while running towards them. It was holding a huge dirty bag

"Don't be mean to her. She was the one who dragged you out of the water and begged me to check on you." Granny Geko whispered as she explained.

Ah, I should thank her properly. Tashio felt bad for calling her a monster.

She was out of breath from running, breathing hard like a train engine. But Tashio no longer found this scary. As this was a his lifesaver.

The granny slipped some medicine into his palm,"Take some right now. Save the rest for future."

She stood up with the help of the Monster girl. 

"She will take you to the surface." She pointed while walking in the darkness. Her small back looked strong as a warrior.

"Thank You Very Much!" Toshio bowed with utmost gratitude. His voice filled with bit shame.

"Take care Tanaka boy..." She waved her hands while completely disappearing into the darkness.

She knew who I was! 

This was second time he judged someone wrong. The monster girl stood besides him while looking down. As if waiting for him to say something.

I forgot to ask her name from Granny Geko! 

Doesn't matter. She is still my savior. 

He grabbed her hands. They were like a lizard, filled with scales.

"Thank You for saving my life." He squeezed her hands softy. This time his bow was more deeper than ever.