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.

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.

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***

Smritis.

The shop itself presented as a modest open store, its walls adorned with books and parchments.

Infront of the shop, sat the owner, awaiting customers.

The shop before me looked nothing more than a humble convenience store, specializing in paper-related goods.

Approaching the merchant, I made my request known, "I would like to purchase a contract."

His gaze momentarily lingered on me, sizing me up, before he responded, "What type? A mana contract, blood contract..." he trailed off, only to be abruptly interrupted by my, "An unbreakable oath."

Just that much. Two words. But that was enough as the strong reaction came with his eyes widening significantly.

He was evidently taken aback by my choice of words.

"AN UNBREAKABLE-"

Before he could finish his sentence, I quickly shushed him, my finger pressed against my lips.

"We don't sell such things here!" The shop owner glared at me with a fury that made me want to roll my eyes.

"Aren't you 'smritis'?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He squinted his eyes, his gaze sharpening. "This is not a smritis shop. Now, leave-"

"Relax, old man," I interrupted again, waving my hand dismissively. "I'm not a custodian. If I were, wouldn't you be more worried about reputation enforcement?" I asked with a knowing smirk, watching as the shop owner began to sweat bullets.

Right, although Dyrne Alley was like a black market, it did have its own rules. Especially rules against selling taboo items like unbreakable oaths, as it would affect the reputation of this place. Even thieves had their codes of conduct, after all. But that didn't mean that such things weren't sold here. It was just that only a select few had the privilege to deal in such dangerous merchandise.

And obviously smritis was not one of the select few, how do I know that? I am the fucking author.

Anyway.

Gradually, the commotion settled as I was able to sway the merchant.

"What do I care...right. Do you have the money?" he finally asked, his eyes shooting unnecessary daggers.

"Plenty, lead the way" I confidently replied.

Motioning for me to follow, the shopkeeper opened a small door, seamlessly attached to the front of the shop.

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?