Chapter 22: The More, The Merrier! (1)
"I messed up, didn't I?" Adrian mumbled, scratching his head.
He had hurriedly left the pub, heeding the pub owner's warning regarding the Raven. But unfortunately, Adrian forgot he barely knew the layout of the slum.
The revolting, filth-filled streets all looked uncannily similar. The place was like a maze Adrian hadn't entered before. Besides, he had no idea where he would find a shop in the mess of a place.
Adrian scratched his head, realising he had to ask someone for directions. But he was in the Slums, not the Central city. People around here didn't hand out help for free. So, it boiled down to paying strangers to open their mouths or pounding them till they did.
As much as he liked the idea of roughing up strangers, Adrian knew he'd attract attention, the kind he didn't want on himself. Moreover, he preferred to avoid making more enemies in unfamiliar territory.
"Don't want anyone snitching about me to the Ravens... It's better to pay someone, even though I don't like the option."
Opting for the second approach, he spotted an elderly man sitting on a rusty metal crate, his eyes clouded with age. As Adrian approached the old man, he waved Adrian off like he was some pest.
Adrian's anger flared up a bit. But given his tattered attire and the shady neighbourhood, he couldn't blame the old man for being dismissive. So, he took a better approach.
The old man's face completely changed as Adrian retrieved a Lumen Shard from his pocket. Instead of looking repulsed, the man's eyes now invitingly shone over Adrian as he walked up to the man.