Shadows and Threats

Garin bid goodbye and headed back into the Adventurer's Hall. Lucy adjusted her pace to match DK's as they walked through the bustling streets toward the transport center. "Should we maybe stay in a lodge and leave only during the night. I don't want my family to know what I have been up to and why do I look so banged up" DK said. 

Lucy glanced at DK, her expression thoughtful but tinged with concern. "You could stay in a lodge for the night," she replied, keeping her voice low. "But if Conrad or anyone from the Association is already tracking us, then the city itself is far more dangerous."

DK frowned, his hand brushing against the glowing orb hidden beneath his cloak. "I just don't want to walk into the Lin mansion looking like this," he muttered, gesturing to the dark veins that still pulsed faintly along his arms. "If they see me like this, they'll start asking questions I don't have answers for."

Lucy nodded, her brow furrowed. "I get it, but staying in the city isn't any safer. If what we're carrying is what Conrad thinks it is, it won't take long for others to catch wind of it. Staying in one place makes us an easy target."

DK sighed, running a hand through his hair. The weight of the orb and its implications pressed on him heavily, like an anchor he couldn't shake. "Fine," he said finally. "But how do we get out without drawing attention?"

Lucy smirked faintly, her calculating eyes glinting. "We don't need to draw attention. We just need to blend in. There's an old route near the transport center—a cargo network that bypasses most of the main thoroughfares. It'll take longer, but it's safer than chartering a standard transport."

DK arched an eyebrow. "And you just happen to know about this route?"

"Let's just say I've had to get out of the city unnoticed a few times before," Lucy replied, her tone casual but leaving little room for further questioning.

As they approached the transport center, Lucy veered them toward a quieter side entrance. The faint smell of oil and the distant sound of heavy machinery signaled they were near the cargo docks. She motioned for DK to follow her down a dimly lit corridor lined with crates and barrels.

"Is this where we're hitching a ride?" DK asked, glancing around nervously.

Lucy nodded. "It's not glamorous, but it'll get us out unnoticed. I know a merchant who owes me a favor. He runs supply transports out to the smaller regions, including Lin territory."

Before DK could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed from behind them. Lucy froze, her hand instinctively moving toward her staff. DK tensed, gripping the hilt of his blade beneath his cloak.

The footsteps stopped, and a low, gravelly voice called out, "You two lost?"

From the shadows emerged a man clad in nondescript leather armor, his face partially obscured by a hood. His posture was relaxed, but the sharp glint of daggers strapped to his waist betrayed his readiness. Two similarly dressed figures flanked him, their hands resting on weapons.

Lucy's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

The man smirked. "Nothing much. Just happened to overhear that you might be carrying something… valuable."

DK's heart sank, his hand tightening around the orb. How had they been found so quickly? His mind raced, but Lucy stepped forward, her expression cold and unyielding.

"You're making a mistake," she said, her voice steady but laced with warning. "Walk away now, and we won't have a problem."

The man chuckled, clearly unfazed. "Oh, I don't think so. See, word travels fast in a place like this. A disappearing dungeon? Unstable mana energy signatures? That kind of thing gets people talking. And when people talk, we listen."

Lucy's grip on her staff tightened, and she shifted into a defensive stance. "DK, get ready to move. I'll handle this."

DK's pulse quickened as the tension in the air thickened. The glow of the orb beneath his cloak seemed to respond to his anxiety, its faint pulse quickening in tandem with his heartbeat. "Lucy, there's three of them—"

"I know," she interrupted, her tone sharp. "Stay behind me."

Before the confrontation could escalate further, a sudden wave of oppressive mana swept through the corridor, making the air feel heavy. The man and his companions faltered, their expressions shifting from confidence to unease.

From the far end of the corridor, a cloaked figure stepped in their view with a very dominating presence that almost choked both the groups. 

"Who are you? And what business do you have with interfering with us? Do you even know who you are dealing with? I belong to the Blacktide Brotherhood guild and any scratch on me will bring hell onto you." DK's attacker tried to scare the cloaked guy away.

"Blacktide huh! Is the kid Marcus still the head of your guild? Tell him Viktor says hi" The cloaked man replied.

"Are you Viktor the Shadow Rogue? If you are, we mean no harm to you and we are just normal adventurers who are heading back to our village" Lucy immediately tried to make an excuse to leave the place. 

"Now Now. Don't be in such a hurry. I mean no harm to you. I come on behalf of the Adventurer's Association to extend my welcome to DK which I am assuming is the person behind you Lucy. Rifght?" Viktor coldly greeting the Lucy and DK 

Lucy's grip on her staff tightened, her mind racing as she processed Viktor's words. The air was heavy with tension, and the oppressive mana surrounding the corridor made it feel as though the walls were closing in. DK, still clutching the orb beneath his cloak, felt a chill creep down his spine. This man—Viktor—exuded an aura of lethality that made it impossible to gauge his intentions.

"You're from the Adventurer's Association?" Lucy said carefully, her tone making sure not raise any threat. "Funny, they didn't mention sending anyone to greet us."

Viktor smirked, his sharp features partially hidden beneath his hood. "The Association doesn't usually announce when they send someone like me," he replied. "But this isn't your typical situation, is it?"

The man from the Blacktide Brotherhood, who had been so confident moments ago, now paled visibly. "We didn't know," he stammered, taking a step back. "We didn't know he was one of yours."

Viktor's eyes flicked toward the man, his expression cold and devoid of amusement. "You're lucky I'm in a charitable mood tonight," he said flatly. "Leave. Now. And speak to no one about this."

The Blacktide members didn't need to be told twice. They retreated quickly, their footsteps echoing down the corridor as they disappeared into the shadows. The tension in the air eased slightly, but Viktor's presence remained as stifling as ever.

Once they were gone, Viktor turned his attention back to Lucy and DK. "Now that the pests are gone, we can have a proper chat," he said, his voice smooth but still laced with murderous intent.

Lucy stepped in front of DK, her posture guarded. "What does the Association want with him?" she asked, her voice firm. "We've already submitted our report. And DK is just a rookie and he is a complete amateur."

Viktor chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Oh, the report was just a formality. What the Association really wants is to understand what happened in Verdant Grotto—and to see for themselves the artifact your friend is hiding."

DK stiffened, his grip on the orb tightening. "How do you know about that?" he demanded, his voice sharper than he intended.

"Come now, DK," Viktor said, his tone almost mocking. "You're walking around with a dungeon core—or something very much like one—and you think no one would notice? The mana it's leaking is enough to turn heads in every major guild within a day's travel."

Lucy's jaw clenched. "If you know what it is, then you also know why we can't just hand it over. Whatever this thing is, it's unstable. And DK…" She hesitated, glancing at him. "DK isn't exactly in the best shape to deal with this."

Viktor's gaze lingered on DK, his piercing eyes seemingly seeing straight through him. "That much is clear," he said. "But you're not in a position to decide what happens next. The Association wants answers, and they're not the only ones. If you think you can run, you're wrong. The longer you wait, the more dangerous this situation will become."

"Then what do you suggest?" DK asked, his voice steady despite the anxiety roiling in his gut.

Viktor's smirk returned. "Simple. You come with me. I'll take you to someone who can help stabilize that artifact—and maybe help you figure out what's happening to you."

Lucy exchanged a glance with DK, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "And if we say no?"

Viktor's expression darkened slightly, though his tone remained calm. "You won't like the alternatives. But I'd rather not resort to unpleasant measures. The Association is offering its help, DK. It would be wise to accept."

DK hesitated, his mind racing. The orb pulsed faintly beneath his cloak, as if responding to the tension. Finally, he glanced at Lucy and gave a faint nod. "Fine," he said. "We'll go with you. But if this turns out to be a trap…"

Viktor raised a hand, cutting him off. "It won't be," he assured them. "I have no interest in harming you. My job is to make sure you—and that artifact—get to the right people before it's too late."

Without waiting for further protest, Viktor turned on his heel and began walking down the corridor. Lucy and DK followed reluctantly.