Bar

The best way to run past a pack of angry dogs is with a bottle of energy drink. The Duty post will shoot the dogs if they give chase in a fit of courage. You're in the Bar area. This is the central area where stalkers come to relax, socialize, have a drink at the bar, or fight in the Arena.

The bartender will be your next quest giver. The documents mention a secret X-18 base somewhere in the Dark Valley area. The door to the laboratory requires two keys. The bartender will give you one, and you'll have to get the other from a bandit nicknamed Borov, who has set up camp near the laboratory entrance. To the Dark Valley.