Chapter 85: Ch83. Pain as a teacher (7) - The Black Market
The streets were quieter than usual, but Miles and Sarissa moved with urgency, navigating through the maze of ruined buildings and dimly lit alleys. The air was thick with dust and the lingering scent of burning ozone, a reminder that the world outside was still unstable, still changing.
After Sarissa’s initial – mild – shock at the news Miles had given her, she knew they needed answers as badly as Miles himself did, and she knew, also, that there was only one place in town that they could get that kind of information from.
Mara’s workshop was not far now. Nestled between reinforced buildings unmarked by the [Safe Zone] system tag, the shop stood untouched by the game, yet well-guarded by forces that no player had dared to challenge.
The neon sign flickered against the darkened sky.
Mara’s Crafting & Enchantments.
Miles was the first to step inside, and Sarissa followed, her sharp gaze scanning every inch of the cluttered space.
Mara was hunched over her workstation, goggles perched atop her silver-haired head as she worked on something delicate, a new enchanted blade or a custom-imbued trinket. At the sound of the door chime, she glanced up, her sharp, knowing eyes locking onto Miles.
"Well, if it isn’t the devil himself." She smirked, darkly. "Was thinking about you just now."
"Good to see you too, Mara." Miles rolled his eyes.
"I assume you’re not here to buy something. Or is this a social visit?" She pushed her goggles higher onto her forehead, then leaned back in her chair, arms crossing over her chest.
"We need information." Sarissa, ever direct, stepped forward.