Chapter 67: Dyrne Alley [1]

Chapter 67: Dyrne Alley [1]

The otherwise bustling market was filled with the chants of shop vendors and sellers, peddling their wares...like always.

Caught up in the crowd, I found myself being addressed by a beastwoman.

Her feral hair was that of a wolf's mane, and her vertical slids gave her piercing gaze of a cat.

She called at me with an outstretched finger, "Hey, you! Young man! You could use some these blood fruits. You look rather pale. Only a hundred De-." Before she could continue insulting my sexy complexion, I interjected, "No, not interested."

In front of me, vendors lined the streets, offering an array of items: from delectables and potent potions to crafted metalwork and peculiar tokens.

But I was not here to make any purchases. Not here atleast.

Swiftly navigating my way through the clustered streets, I directed my footsteps to blacksmith's alley.

When I entered the alley, my eyes were greeted by samurais, swordsmen, and knights crowding the road, their presence creating a blended atmosphere that whispered of both feudal Japan and medieval Europe.

Stretching along the lane, rows of forges stood.

Coming closer, I set my sights on a particular shop. Its humble exterior looked that of a small hut.

The blacksmith alley had a unique quality: it was as a hotspots for information gathering.

Adventurers, hunters, brokers, and informants always came to blacksmith alley, seeking new weapons. Weapons had a short lifespan which kept the alley always busy.

Fighting monsters took significant toll on a weapon's durability.

That's why offensive relics were valuable because they had exceptional resilience.

But even more prized and coveted were the defensive relics.

"So the bottle shop should be straight ahead?" The shopowner only nodded to my question.

"And a slight detour to the right is enough to reach smritis?" I confirmed, promptly handing over a token of good will.

As I turned to leave, the shop owner called out, "Pleasure doing business with you, cat mask!"

'Ah, yes, the cat mask...should I reply with a "meow meow"?' I shook my head. Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

I decided to don a cat mask when I entered Dyrne alley.

And considering how most others were wearing their own makeshift disguises, I believe my

choice was right.

With determined strides , I made my way towards my destination.

I trailed behind him, venturing deeper into the establishment until we arrived at a private chamber.

Instructing me to wait momentarily, the guy disappeared into another area, leaving me to contemplate in solitude.

Eventually, he returned, clutching a small piece of white parchment and a Dulhana knife.

It was n unbreakable oath, a taboo item only used by demons or influential families.

.

.

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***

"Any specifics?" the bartender inquired, leaning against the counter.

I was currently in a bottleshop.

The same one that I learned about in blacksmith alley earlier.

The place was called 'Old wine upside down'. Quite a weird name, if you ask me.

Having already completed the online transaction with smritis, paying a hefty sum of fifty thousand dens for the unbreakable oath, I wasted no time in making my way here.

"Yes, his name is Nathan Rivers. But I believe it would be easier for you to locate him using his code name", I replied to the bartender, my voice muffled by the cat mask.

Curiosity evident in his deep voice, the bartender asked, "And what would his code name be?" His gaze seemed focused on unraveling my true identity behind my mask.

"Crimson Viper", I replied, keeping my eyes fixed on the table in front of me.

"Consider it done", he assured, acknowledging my request.

In appreciation for his assistance, I subtly slipped him a generous tip.

Crimson viper...the guy had a history with 'Jackson' the same person who crippled Edward Wilson. And not a good history.

In a later arc of the novel, the protagonist and his team mistakenly perceived Crimson viper as a hidden villain solely based on his moniker.

As the story unfolded, it became apparent that he was merely a regular guy working as a mediator.

When the devastating 2nd cataclysm happened, Crimson Viper will emerge as one of the most essential figures for the latter parts of the novel.

He could also potentially become one of my biggest allies in this world.

That's why I brought an unbreakable oath with me.

What was that saying, obey or die?