NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Day & Night
The morning sun bathed the cobblestone streets of Eryndor in warm light as Bruce strolled through the marketplace. He wore a simple white buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled just past his elbows, tucked neatly into fitted black pants. A leather belt secured a small pouch of coins at his waist, and sturdy brown boots clacked softly against the stones.
His dark hair was slightly tousled, and despite his attempt to remain inconspicuous, he still turned a few heads.
"Who is that?" whispered one woman near a fruit stall, glancing up from arranging apples.
"I don't know, but look at him. He's definitely not a laborer," another replied, giggling softly.
Bruce caught the comments, but his expression remained unreadable as he adjusted the strap of the satchel slung over his shoulder. He slipped easily into the crowd, moving with the confident ease of someone accustomed to blending in when necessary.
...
The guild hall buzzed with energy, adventurers boasting about their latest conquests or haggling over rewards. Bruce walked in, maintaining the air of someone curious but slightly disinterested.
He approached the quest board, scanning the available requests. Most were menial tasks—delivering supplies, clearing out small packs of goblins near the outskirts, or gathering herbs.
"Not my usual line of work," he muttered, but he plucked a few of the easier quests anyway. Information gathering required blending in, and that meant starting small.
....
Quest 1: Goblin Clearing
The goblin nest was hardly a challenge. Armed with nothing but a short sword he'd borrowed from the guild armory, Bruce dispatched the creatures swiftly, using precise strikes and quick movements.
[Quest Complete: +25 XP, 5 Gold Coins.]
He sheathed the sword and wiped his brow, already evaluating the terrain. Goblins were pests, but the signs of crude weapons and traps suggested someone had been arming them. Another mystery to investigate later.
Quest 2: Herb Gathering
Bruce found himself crouched near a riverbank, pulling herbs from the soil and placing them in a pouch.
A group of passing women paused nearby.
"Did you see him?"
"Those arms—he's definitely a swordsman."
"And his face… he's too pretty to be just a mercenary."
Bruce ignored the comments, offering only a faint smile as he stood and walked past them, brushing dirt from his hands.
"Playboy," one muttered, though her tone suggested more admiration than disdain.
Bruce smirked slightly to himself. Playing the role of Bruce Wayne came naturally—distracting, charming, and aloof. It was another mask, one he wore as easily as the one at night.
....
Nightfall.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bruce donned his modified suit. The adjustments he'd made gave it a slimmer, more tactical appearance suited to his younger frame. The reinforced plates remained, but the cape had been trimmed slightly, making it easier to maneuver in tight spaces.
The shadows welcomed him as he moved through alleyways, boots silent against the stone.
His first stop was near the slums, where he'd overheard rumors about a gang extorting local merchants. Bruce perched on a rooftop, watching as three men cornered a young woman in the alley below.
"Money. Now," one of them snarled, raising a dagger.
Bruce dropped silently behind them, his shadow stretching unnaturally long against the wall.
The nearest thug turned—and froze as Bruce stepped forward, his glowing lenses catching the faint moonlight.
"What the—"
Bruce moved.
A swift elbow strike sent the first man crashing into the wall. The second lunged, but Bruce sidestepped, sweeping his legs out from under him before delivering a precise punch to the temple. The third tried to run.
Bruce fired a grappling line, catching the man's ankle and yanking him back to the ground. Before the thug could scramble to his feet, Bruce loomed over him.
"You're going to tell me who you're working for."
The thug stammered, eyes wide with fear. "W-We're just freelancers! No one special, I swear!"
Bruce crouched, lowering his voice to a dangerous whisper. "Wrong answer."
The shadows seemed to thicken around him, and the thug broke.
"Okay, okay! It's a gang! The Black Serpents—they control most of the slums! Please, don't—"
Bruce knocked him out cold.
The woman stared, trembling but unharmed.
"Go home," Bruce said, stepping past her. "And stay out of the alleys."
She nodded quickly, her eyes wide with awe.
....
Later That Night.
Under the cover of darkness, Bruce infiltrated the guild's archives, scanning maps and records. He marked key locations—underground tunnels, abandoned buildings, and suspected gang hideouts.
The Black Serpents weren't the only threat. The system's earlier alerts about the Abyssal corruption still lingered in his mind, and the Dark Crystal Shard pulsed faintly in his satchel.
He exhaled, closing the last ledger.
The night wasn't over.
[System Alert: Night Quest Completed.]
[Reward: +100 XP, Skill Scroll (Silent Step), 20 Gold Coins.]
Bruce examined the scroll, its intricate markings glowing faintly. A new skill—another edge in his fight against the growing darkness.
But even as he prepared to return to his room, he couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows were watching him back.