071 THE PRISONER WANTS MEAT
071 THE PRISONER WANTS MEAT
They soon approached a gate in a secluded part of the city, where Kasshyek flashed a token to the guard.
"A Black Market token from Gomora? What business do you have with the Assassin Guild of Sodom?" the guard asked.
"None of your business," Leo shot back.
The guard gave a satisfied nod. "Correct answer. You may pass."
Kasshyek glanced at Leo in surprise as they passed through. "How did you know the password?"
"I didn't," Leo replied with a shrug.
They descended a narrow staircase carved into the mountainside, winding through dark tunnels until they emerged in a hidden part of the city—Sodom's infamous underworld, where the Assassin Guild operated.
Soon, they reached the largest building in the cavernous market- The Assassin Market.
"What can I do for promising assassins like you?" a figure asked, eyeing them curiously.
"I'm looking for poison," Leo said, surprising Kasshyek.
"What kind of poison?" the vendor asked.
"Something that could evade the detection of high-tier Svad mages," Yun-Yun added.
"We have a range of such poisons. Which would you prefer?" he asked.
"I'll take them all, but I'll need you to teach me about each one," Leo replied.
"Not a problem, I'll throw you a book on poisons for free."
After their shopping for poisons, they moved to another part of the marketplace, where bounties and secrets were traded.
"What secret are you looking to buy? Or are you here for a bounty?" asked a merchant.
Leo leaned in. "Actually, we are looking for bounties."
The merchant raised an eyebrow. "What kind of bounties would you like to take on? Bandits or Thieves?"
"Spies from the Eastern Kun Empire in Port Sodom. How much would that fetch?"
The merchant considered this. "Depends on the threat level of these spies."
"High-tier Svad mages. Five or six of them. Definitely up to no good coming here."
The merchant's eyes widened. "If there are so many strong spies coming to Sodom—a major plot might be unfolding. Come with us. We'll need to verify your lead first."
Leo nodded. "Please lead the way."
-----
"Why haven't those damn mages made a move yet? Wasn't the plan to ambush them at the empty jetty?" Kasshyek asked, a deep frown creasing his forehead.
"The Amara women has already set everything up there."
Leo shook his head. "I have no fucking idea."
Kasshyek let out an irritated huff. "We should just use that pricey poison you bought from the Assassin Guild and be done with it."
"Poisoning high-level mages isn't that straightforward," Yun-Yun interjected. "They have magical senses that can detect most toxins or harmful substances. Only very specific poisons, under very specific conditions, can slip past their defenses."
"Then why the hell did you even buy those poisons?" Kasshyek asked, throwing his hands up in frustration.
"To poison them, obviously," Leo replied with a smirk.
Kasshyek rolled his eyes. "Brilliant plan, Lilleo. Just brilliant."
Yun-Yun spoke up, her voice thoughtful. "They're probably suspicious of the information we fed them. That's why they haven't shown up yet—they're being cautious."
"They should've at least sent scouts if the lead was important," Leo muttered, glancing toward the city.
"Maybe they're waiting for confirmation that the Relic Stones have actually arrived," Yun-Yun suggested.
"You might be right," Leo said, suddenly remembering. "Back in the Amara settlement, those mages used some kind of device to check for the Relic Stones. If they couldn't detect the stones here in the city, that could be why they haven't taken the fucking bait."
"That's possible," Yun-Yun agreed.
Leo let out a frustrated sigh, "Looks like I need real bait. These bastards aren't as gullible as I hoped."
-----
"Are we really not going to the jetty?" Ma-re asked, still hopeful.
"It's too risky. If it's a trap, we'd be sitting ducks," Ma-san replied, pointing at the map. "The jetty's surrounded by mountains there is no escape route if we are attacked. We are in enemy territory."
"We can't miss this chance to recover our holy relic," Ma-re insisted.
"And what if the information is false?" Ma-san countered. "Our magic compass hasn't detected a thing. The relics aren't even here yet."
Ma-re sighed, nodding reluctantly. "You're right. If the relic was at the jetty, we'd see it on the compass." He clenched his fists. "That fool tricked us out of so much money for false leads."
"We have to stay cautious," Ma-san agreed.
Beep. Beep.
Suddenly, their magic compass vibrated with a steady, pulsing beep. It had picked up the trace of the holy relic.
"This is it. The relic's signal. No mistaking it now," Ma-san said, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Where's the signal coming from?" Ma-re asked.
"From the jetty," Ma-san confirmed, eyes narrowing.
"The runner wasn't lying after all?" Ma-re confirmed.
"What about the bitch? We can't just leave her here unattended," Ma-re reminded him, gesturing towards the captive with a vicious and perverted smile.
"You're right. The girl's important. If this lead falls through, she's our backup. One of us should stay to guard her."
"I'll stay," Ma-re volunteered.
"Fine, but don't do anything stupid, yet."
With that, Ma-san and the others left, heading toward the jetty while Ma-re stayed behind to watch over Princess Bara. Alone, and slightly annoyed. Ma-re lounged by the cage, feeling a twinge of boredom guarding the woman.
Suddenly, Bara was kicking at her cage bars.
"What do you want now?" he sneered.
"Please, I'm starving. Just a little food," she begged, eyes fixed on the dim sum on the table.
"Oh, you mean this?" He held up a piece of meat, smirking. "Then beg."
"I am begging you," she replied, desperation in her voice. "Please."
"Want it that badly? Well, there's a way you could earn it. Suck me."
"No!" she shouted, turning her head in disgust.
"Too bad," He waved the meat just out of her reach, savoring her frustration.
Finally, unable to bear the hunger, Bara's resolve cracked. "Fine. I'll do whatever you want."
Suddenly, Bara began to touch herself, moaning softly, Ma-re's eyes widened. He was caught off guard, his usual smugness replaced with intrigue.