Catalyst Chapter 2: Sunk Cost

Read chapter 2 of Catalyst by dumbhd on NovelPedia.

Click. Click. Click. Terra looks to his side as he repeatedly taps the button on the elevator, the filthy alleyway devoid of human contact. Grime has formed on the walls, vines covering the sides of the elevator's metal frame. “These nob-head construction workers couldn’t make an elevator correctly even if it killed them…” A rat scurries past Terra's leg, its nose wiggling as it sniffs around. The rat squeaks. Terra glances to his side again, then to the floor. " Rat? " The rat looks up, freezing, its beady eyes reflecting the rays of light from above. In the hands of the rat is a piece of moldy cheese, it takes a bite out of it, still looking up at Terra. " Squish. " He stomps his foot onto the rodent, blood splattering onto the walls. Terra snickers. The “OUT OF ORDER” sign dangles loosely, swaying weakly to the wind, a middle finger drawn crudely onto the wooden board. The elevator arrives. He enters, shakes his cloak to dry the blood, and presses the only functional button: -100. Leaning on the elevator wall, he sighs. It drops violently— he’s used to it after years of many different elevators with the same problem. As the elevator slows down at the bottom, a screech comes from the gears as it struggles to slow to a halt, before finally landing, creating a cloud of smoke. Terra coughs while leaving the elevator. "Never gets old." The Undercity opens before him: homeless, rogues, criminals, crude shops barely standing. Flashing neon signs. The Undercity, a buffet of anyone and everyone, all you can kill! Or steal... Kids run past Terra in hoods, swinging their arms while making explosion noises, some with R.C.T symbols on the back crudely drawn, trying to capture the hooded ones. It seems the locals here don't like the R.C.T at all... But Terra knows that all too well, because this is his home, the place where he feels like himself. Plus the horrible deals: Jerry’s Meats (90% Sale on Volcano-Larva Flesh!) Pawn of Dreams and stuff (We’ll buy anything from you!) — followed by runes and bloodstains. A spore-born bumps him, ranting in "Shroom-language" as Terra calls it. Terra ignores him. People normally wave at Terra—he’s known—but today they only stare or frown. Even familiar faces seem… different. His usual vendor closes early without a word. Strange. As he approaches the Black District, the flashing neon lights are scarce; this place is dark and shady. People are seen in huts and houses, some being kicked out, others being murdered, and others trading relics and other things. Terra made it by as a child by doing jobs to get relics, usually travelling Undercities, then trading the money from the relics and gems for food. Well, edible mush. Most food in the Undercity isn't very food-like. Terra keeps walking, whistling. A grenade flies past his head, exploding in the distance. He doesn't even flinch. As he approaches a small stone hut, acid lands close to him. He turns to look over. A green mutated bird stares at Terra, each of its eight eyes blinking after the last. It defecates onto the ground next to Terra's bare feet. Terra waves his hands. "Shoo!" he yells to the bird. It flies away. As Terra opens the door, he sneakily shoots a small crimson orb of energy toward the bird as it flies, hitting it directly. It explodes into green feathers. Terra enters the hut, the door closing behind him. He looks around. Jug is sitting on his stool, leaning on a table covered in relics, examining one with a magnifying glass. "As always... The relics." “Ah, Terra!” He turns from his magnifying glass, rubbing his eyes. "Well, can't be selling any fakes, can we?" He chuckles; it sounds like a broken diesel engine. Terra hands him the gem. Jug inspects it. “As always, you got it done. Reliable Umbral, huh?” He chuckles again, before leaning down to open a cloth-covered safe. Four beeps are heard before it unlocks, popping open. He grabs a few stacks of cash before handing them to Terra. Terra accepts his payment, smirking. "Big money, for a