The paths of Leviara’s many districts bustled. Energetic singing, dancing, and music reverberated through the eventful night. Wealthy men and women were clearly intoxicated. Slurred speech accompanied by drunken movements, while irritated knights kept them in line. The festival didn’t seem to slow down, or quiet—in fact, with every passing second it grew larger.

  “All right, I think I’ve had enough to drink.… Hehe, think it’s about time I head back to my wife, darling.” An older man said to a woman. He had a slight wobble in his walk, the collar of his shirt loose, and smudges of lipstick on his neck.

  “Try not to fall on your way back.” The woman said.

  Upon reaching the corner, he was dragged into the shadows and slammed right up against a wall. Veyric planted his hand over his mouth.

  “I wouldn’t scream if I were you.” He said. The man’s breathing became a downward spiral—his eyes went wide as he gazed into Veyric’s golden radiance, goosebumps trailing down his skin while his lungs constricted.

  “Where can I find forbidden information?” Veyric asked, removing his hand. The man’s breathing was heavy, failing to slow.

  “The Leviara Underground… Th-that’s where you’ll find anything you desire!” The man said.

  “Where is it?” Veyric asked.

  “It’s behind Lower Sheck!” The man said.

  “What’s the catch? Places like these just don’t let people in.” Veyric asked.

  “Y-yes, you’re right! Th-there’s a password to get in depending on the time of day!” He said.

  “Well, what is it?” Veyric’s grip tightened.

  “Before dawn comes desire!... P-please, don’t hurt me. I’ve got to get back to my wife.” He said.

  Veyric eyed him, noticing the smudge of lipstick on his neck, his loosened collar, and the unbearable stench of alcohol on his breath.

  “I’ve got my intuition to thank for this. Knew you were a dirtbag when you stole from a child.”

  “Stole?!.. What are you—” Veyric slammed his face against the wall, and he fell with a thud. He went through the man’s pockets, taking out a rusty necklace. Veyric stuck to the shadows, continuing.

  Veyric ventured past the point of no return, entering the depths of Leviara. The atmospheric changes in his surroundings were severe. Muck, spoiled food, sour-smelling air, and unscrupulous individuals who gave him the eye. Countless people made the streets their home, their clothes torn and worn, with grime, filth, and dirt caked on their skin. Veyric looked around, his mind wandering further into the environment. A mother sitting on the ground, holding her baby while silently weeping. He felt his stomach coil, and his head spin all the way to his objective. A burly man was sitting on a barrel next to a rusty gate. His eyes shot up at Veyric, scowling.

  “If y’aint got a means of entrance, piss off, assassin. We don’t want your business here.” He said to Veyric.

  “I’m not whatever assassin they’re looking for, and I know the password,” Veyric said.

  The burly man squinted at Veyric, tapping his fingers in his lap.

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  “Before dawn comes desire. Now, let me in.” Veyric said.

  “Heh… All right. Don’t cause any trouble, or we’ll carve out your insides.” The man said.

  He stood and grabbed the gate, pulling it fiercely. The gate groaned, but eventually it scraped open with a reverberating clang. Veyric walked through, descending a flight of steps. The passage down was incredibly narrow, but in the distance, he swore he could hear the vibrance of a lively town. His jaw clenched as he met the last step, facing an open gate and walking through. As he emerged from the open gate, he viewed the flourishing community of the underground. A gang of men played cards nearby on a makeshift table, using boxes as chairs.

  “Argh, you dumb cunt! Using your great seven to trick me, eh!” A gray-haired man said.

  “Pussyfoot it if ya have nothing left to put down!” Another with a large beard said.

  Veyric approached them, his footing steady, and his eyes glazing over the entire group.

  “Ya want to play some cards? I’ll tell ya now, if you ain’t got anything to put on the line, fuck off.” The bearded man said.

  “Not what I’m here for. Where can I get information?” Veyric asked.

  “What kind?” The man gathered all the cards, shuffling the deck for another game.

  “Forbidden stuff,” Veyric said.

  “Forbidden, eh? There’s a woman outside the tavern who might have what you’re looking for. Don’t count on it, though. Forbidden information is a byproduct of chaos.” The bearded man said.

  With that knowledge, Veyric searched for the tavern. After several minutes of scouring the area, he found the woman’s stall that was a bit further from the tavern than intended.

  “Need something, stranger?” She said.

  “I’m looking for information on traveling to the Wyvernlands,” Veyric said.

  The woman crossed her legs, looking at him with a faint smirk.

  “Can’t help you with that one. Even if I did know, I wouldn’t be alive to tell the tale.” She replied.

  “I see…” His jaw tightened.

  “Have any idea where I should look?” Veyric added

  “Ha, you want to look?... You must be eager to die. Look, I can tell you’re not from around here, so I’ll get you on your way before our locals have a chat with you. Either you break into the homes of scribes over at the bay, or you chase the ghost of that mad scribe, Ryul Torkas. Either option is a death wish, but it’s none of my business why you want that kind of information.” She explained.

  “Scribes are allowed to have that kind of information?...” Veyric asked.

  “That’s all I know. Now, show me the money for wasting my time.” The woman said.

  Veyric’s head tilted.

  “Someone like you doesn’t need my money.” He said before walking away. The woman’s expression turned to a scowling one before she pounded her hand against the stall.

  “Fucking crook.” She muttered.