Chapter 81: A Different Kind Of Help (P2)

The guard soon took off from his job to take me to Aren, it wasn't a particularly long journey to my mouse's shop although, I couldn't exactly tell where I was or where it was.

So, I asked, "Where is this"

He looks at me strangely and then realizes what I'm really asking, "You're confused about where it counts within the strata?" he chuckles when I nod, "Well, this is sort of an in-between place for the first strata and ground zero. It's fancier than ground zero but not nearly as successful as real first strata stores and businesses."

True to his word, the place really had a bit of both levels. It has the same stink to ground zero and the same building flair and power of the first strata.

We walk through some narrow corners and at some point, have to pass through what might be someone's home or place of business to get to the other side. We do this for quite a bit and I begin to wonder if this guy really knows the way.