Chapter 46: Chivalry (?)

Chapter 46: Chivalry (?)

Tom wasnt having second thoughts.

Okay so maybe he washaving a few reservations as he followed Aleph down a dingy, derelict alleyway that seemed even more run-down than the usual Nameless District experience. Maybe he wasnt entirely comfortable as Aleph pushed open a rickety wooden door that spilled out into a abandoned diner of sorts, with half a dozen wooden tables that were caked with dirt, grime and fungus, a few broken wooden chairs littered across the floor and an elongated stone table that was placed a little before the south wall. The char marks upon its surface gave credence to his theory, though Tom still couldnt see why they had come here.

Aleph walked over to the stone counter and began to push. Toms instincts told him to help her out, but almost immediately in succession the heavy counter began to slide backwards.

Fantasy world. Right.

A familiar glow cut through the darkness dominating the foul smelling diner, startling Tom. The only reason why he had been able to roughly make out the diners features was due to the light filtering in through the open door and his own Proprioception stats. Now though, as Tom walked over to Alephs side, his eyes flashed with recognition. Before him lay a crystal trapdoor, its luminescent sheen akin to the crystals Aleph had manifested earlier.

Sure enough, a flick of her wrist was all it took for the blockage to shatter into crystal dust.

Silence reigned in the diner as the two stared down a flight of stone steps that receded deeper into the earth.

After you, my lady, Tom offered, doing his best to sound as refined and sophisticated as he could; feigning the air of a distinguished gentleman.

Aleph chuckled, shaking her head lightly before she took the first step.

Inwardly sighing in relief, Tom followed.

The final thing of note he took in was the weights piled behind the sofa, a mat spread across the ground to facilitate training.

Tom had never been a fan of lifting weights back on Earth but he supposed that would have to change if he wanted to survive.

Aleph? Tom muttered aloud.

Yes?

Uh, how did you find this place, again? Tom asked, honestly surprised by how well she had managed to do for herself when almost all the nameless district lived in a mediaeval era hut.

I caught someone squatting down here a few months ago, when I was looking for a secluded place to operate from.

Um, did you own the place?

What? No. I did offer them money to leave though, but Aleph trailed off.

But? Tom pushed, raising his eyebrows.

Well, they refused. So I had to beat them up until they took the money and agreed to keep their mouths shut.

Tom let out a long, weary sigh.