Chapter 20: Ser Modell
Eren Vale ascended the final steps of the underground alley with calm strides, feeling the humidity finally give way to a drier night air, though still tinged with the stench of smoke, old grease, and sweat that defined Barovik.
Behind him, Kaela was breathing heavily, her broad shoulders rising and falling in controlled movements, while her feline eyes still gleamed with the reflection of the dim light below.
Nyssa was almost glued to his leg, her slightly shimmering goo-like body plopping anxiously with each step, exuding that wet hiss like a frightened child trying to be brave.
He said nothing.
His hands were busy holding bags and bundles: inside them, sealed vials of cheap poisons, two small grimoires of rudimentary spells — likely pirated copies with inaccurate runes — and some pieces of reinforced leather, still dripping from the tannery. Nothing legendary. Nothing epic. But efficient.
Profit margin: 22% over cost. Payment in current currency, accepted at the brothel, in the taverns, even in bribes. Net value above average for the area. Acceptable outcome.
The cold night wind swept across Eren’s sweaty face as he adjusted the load, distributing the weight to not upset his center of gravity.
He watched Kaela carrying a small barrel of oil — bought at a joke price for "emergency fuel."
Nyssa, in turn, kept small vials within her translucent interior, hiding liquid contraband as if she were a living safe.
They stepped onto the main street — if you could call that dirt track, marked by wheel ruts, animal droppings, and dried blood stains a street. The oil lamps flickered on nearly rotten wooden masts, casting elongated, almost living shadows.
The city of Barovik never slept. It was a living, cancerous organism, pulsating with black market, smuggling, prostitution, and violence camouflaged by a veneer of "order" bought at the price of bribery. Eren knew such systems well. They were like rotten servers running improvised patches to avoid crashing completely.
He took a deep breath, cold and calculating, as his eyes scanned the perimeter.