Days passed by in a blur and three nights have passed since then.
"There's too much food today."
My lips turned into a frown as I looked at the plate of food in front of me. They were excess from our meal earlier.
"Meow!"
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, I heard a purring sound nearby. My eyes wandered to the backyard of Shin's house but I couldn't find the source.
'Was I imagining things?'
Maybe it's because of the growing tense atomosphere that I've become a bit paranoid and started hearing shit.
Sighing deeply, I turned around and was about to walk away when the purring continued, slightly a bit louder this time.
'Okay, now that's not my imagination.'
This time, I was able to locate where it came from. I peered above me and saw a grey kitten gazing down on me from a thick branch.
"Meoooow."
"Are you hungry?"
"Meow!"
I chuckled and started climbing the tree like a monkey. Though to others, I may look more like a lizzard than a monkey.
Thankfully, there was barely anyone around and the trunk was sturdy so I didn't experience any unceremonious fall. That would have been embarrasing, even if no one is watching. Also, the branch the kitten was staying at wasn't very high so I didn't need to climb much.
"Hmm?"
When I got there, I saw an even more peculiar sight.
The grey kitten pranced towards me. She looked docile but very experienced in moving through the little branches.
"Here."
I placed the plate of food down the bark.
The kitten sniffed at the plate before dragging it with her mouth towards a slightly big nest at the end of the branch like a mother bird dragging worms to her babbies.
Inside the nest were a little black crow and a newborn golden frog.
'A grey feline is feeding a crow and a poison frog. I guess strange situations like this do exist.'
And really, this came from a person who got transmigrated. That's saying something.
Curious, I observed the three of them for half an hour before feeling sore on my limbs. After that, I went back inside the empty house.
Recalling what happened for the past few days, the three of us spent most of the time in the Black district's main streets to observe the atmosphere. We changed streets from time to time whenever we noticed the rising tension which, contrary to my expectations, was growing too rapidly.
The amount of people playing surveillance was higher than I initially thought. I have a hunch why but I didn't want to think about it.
'Is there another event brewing along with the naming ceremony? Fucking hell, you've got to be kidding me.'
My eyebrows started to knit.
When writing a book, it's never recommended for amateurs to write a dual event since it's a bit complicated to pull off.
It's like saying you'll merge two different arcs in one.
That's Eiichiro Oda level.
Sure, there were times when a new event pops in another event but mostly in that case, it's usually mild signs and serves as a catalyst for the next event which is why it's usually implemented in an ending of an occuring arc.
But that's not the case in this one.
Forget mild, the signs that there's an event brewing other than the 'naming ceremony' is clearer than my future.
'I have to observe more or else we might get involved in some kind of annoying shit.'
My plan after getting names was lay low. If we carelessly move right now, we might get dragged in that other event immediately after the first one. We don't want that and that's the last thing we need.
On another note, the increase of movements not only brought me some ominous news but also came with advantages.
River and Shin could now move without being too obvious.
Today was their third day of doing their respective tasks. River was out for information and Shin had also started to steal maps and blueprints.
Both of them left at dawn and won't be back until ten in the evening. It was currently noon.
Before they left, the two made sure that I wasn't bored and had something to do.
"Make yourself at home."
"Buy food."
Though I sent them off with a thankful smile so they can focus on their tasks, I instantly wiped away the fake smile on my face as soon as they were out of sight.
'I will wait for them. There is nothing I can do.'
If I say that to myself, I probably went crazy for some reason or I'm sick.
To me, it's this kind of pathetic thinking that makes a person be inferior. Needless to say, I'm not inferiority's number one fan.
'Sorry to them but I have no plans of just relaxing here.'
I grabbed a pouch of money and reminded myself of my current limitations.
CLANK!
The metallic noise of money rattled against my palms.
'This should be good enough.'
With a plan I had in mind, I slipped the pouch into my pocket and went outside. More particularly, the streets of the main district.
As usual, the main streets were buzzing with people. New items came pouring through the district, more nobles were staying in inns, and the place looked like a beautiful alternative of a vibrant field of flowers.
I held back a scoff.
'Yeah, as if.'
Dragging my feet towards a familiar store, a sense of nostalgia filled me as I check the sign board.
I was standing in front of the first store I saw when I arrived here with River. Prepping internally, I sighed and prepared myself.
'Here goes nothing.'
I pushed the door open and almost instantly, I was assaulted by the aromatic smells of herbal powder.
DING!
The door chime, in the form of a little bronze bell, made a little sound as I entered. Bright lights flooded the insides of the store as it was filled with lamps and candles, illuminating even the farthest corners. Glass made the walls, giving off a greenhouse ambiance.
Looking up, dried plants hung from the ceiling, swaying gently with the slight wind that came as I entered.
With one sniff, one can smell the pungent scent of damp earth and wood that remained sharp in this enclosed space.
In the center of the room, a counter can be located with numerous equipments such as mortar, pestle, and other botany associated materials visible for anyone to see.
As a lover of details, this fantasy setting is without a doubt something that a fantasy-genre fanatic would beg to see in real life.
'Crap. I almost cried.'
My hand went to my heart as I clutched the fabric over my chest.
'Should I thank God that I got transmigrated?'
It's like an achievement of my life got crossed off my list in that moment.
Though I wanted to celebrate, I can't since there were two more people here inside apart from me.
Both of them were wearing aprons that had 'POISON BAR' neatly embroidered at the chest part, obviously stating that they're workers of this wonderful establishment.
I fixed my posture and looked at one of them. The slight gesture did not go unnoticed.
"A customer?"
The person I'm looking at stopped whatever she was doing and faced me back.
"Welcome to Poison Bar! Please state what kind of concoction you're looking for."
The greeting came from the female inside the square counter. Strands of her auburn hair barely reached her shoulders and it was tied in a low ponytail.
She also wore clothing similar to that of a larp healer.
"We have all kinds of poisons. And by that, I mean every possible one. Not to brag but there's a good one for excruciating pain, we also have painless ones, truth potions too but they cost a lot-"
She started blabbering excitedly, her green eyes sparkling from behind a round pair of glasses.
How do you brag without saying you're bragging? Follow this woman who started naming all the potions in her shop.
'That is interesting and all but I don't have all day.'
Time didn't wait for me so I cut her off and made my way to the counter.
"I'm looking for something simple."
The woman stopped and her cheeks glowed pink in embarassment. Personally, I'd rather not cut off a woman when she's speaking but if I hadn't done it, I had a nagging feeling that she would continue chanting her products like a curse.
Thankfully, she didn't take my rude behavior to heart.
In fact, she clasped her hands together before placing them on her knees.
Silently, she sat on a stool while observing me with slightly glowing emerald eyes.
I took it as a cue to continue.
"I need two things."
My smile didn't falter as I bluntly said words that didn't suit my gentle face.
"First, a sleeping drug. Another is an aphrodisiac. Please put them in separate containers."
Her lips curved upwards and her eyes twinkled even more.
"Mister, you are requesting such interesting things. The first one is not a problem but the second one is going to cost a lot."
Still keeping my smile, I took half of the money inside the pouch I had and placed it on the counter. This was probably more than enough.
'Good thing I came prepared.'
"Oh my."
Her emerald eyes widened and she quickly put on a business smile. If I may add, it was a terrible job at acting.
"Anything you would like to add, Mister?"
"The first one needs to be scentless, tasteless, and slow acting. Also, can you make the second one smell attractive to females but scentless to men?"
She contemplated for a bit before answering.
"The first request, I can do. But the second one is not possible. I'm the top store here and the latest aphrodisiac I have can entice both genders. You see, I highly believe in equality."
"What bullshit-"
I stopped myself and fixed my faltering smile.
'Equality, my ass. I bet she just didn't want to admit she doesn't have the type of potion or she's scamming me to buy a costly product.'
Naturally, I didn't believe the 'top store' bullshit because that's what everyone says. However, in all seriousness, I have no time to check out other stores.
Any more roaming around and my plan might get damaged.
Sighning, I asked.
"Is there nothing else?"
Whether she noticed my hostility or not, the woman kept an oblivious facade.
"Sir, on a second thought, there are female-specific aphrodisiacs but the ability to entice degrades."
My lips twitched again.
'See? So she did have one. The quality might be shit but that's not the point.'
I thought about it for a bit and shook my head.
"Never mind then."
Honestly, I was slightly disappointed.
I was sure something like a strong, female-specific aphrodisiac already exists but it seems that it's hard even for the Black district.
There were only two possibilities for this.
'Going by her words, it's either it's not invented yet like she said or it's invented already somewhere but not generally distributed in the market.'
And thinking of how she tried to scam me, the former answer doesn't look reliable.
As if she could read my thoughts, the woman responded.
"Mister, the aphrodisiac can be developed further. I have the materials and resources for it. The problem here is that I have no lab rats for experimenting."
"Lab rats?"
"I mostly used animals but if they are people, making the perfect aphrodisiac is possible with time and research."
My mind thought of a certain possible event in the future. If it goes well, not only will we have an official name but I can also make a connection with 'that' woman.
Though I can only assume that certain 'event' will actually happen since I never included it in the prologue.
Still, it's a common thing to happen in an underground setting so my hopes are high.
Even if it's a waste of resources, I should still invest on it.
Satisfied with my line of thoughts, I smiled innocently.
"Do genders matter? Those lab rats, I mean."
She reflected my smile.
"One female and one male, alive. Those two are enough but in case of emergencies, having another set as a backup is preferable."
"Two male and two female, alive."
Repeating her words, I contemplated for a bit before taking the other half of the coins inside the pouch and placing them on the counter.
The metallic noise of money must be music to her ears but to me, hearing them hurts.
I only love the song of money if they're coming to me.
Pushing these thoughts away, I spoke to the woman.
"Do you have a concoction that can instantly make a person unconscious as well as make them weightless? It's best if those effects are mixed into just one potion."
"We don't have a potion for that but making it is not impossible. However, I predict that the duration would expire in about half a day at most."
Half a day? That's more than enough.
I prepped myself to leave.
"When will my orders be ready?"
"In two days. Should I deliver it?"
"No. I will pick it up."
I answered quickly.
'Survival lesson 101, don't give your address that easily.'
I tucked the empty pouch back inside my pocket and fixed my clothes, even though nothing about it is crumpled.
The woman politely smiled as I did so.
"Is Mister going to provide the lab rats?"
"Expect a delivery in two weeks."
My eyes lost their light and sharpened as I heard her ecstatic-sounding question.
'Already assuming that I'm someone who can do that? How bold.'
I like bold people but she's a bad news. That's why I decided to wrap myself back in mystery and vagueness.
"Will you come personally?"
"Who knows?"
"I won't pry."
She understood my intention and bowed down.
Nodding to that, I turned around and ignored the other worker that acted normally despite being near enough to hear our suspicious conversation.
TING!
I opened the door, hearing the little bell ring again, and was about to leave when the woman at the counter spoke up.
It was back to that lively, yet tinted with a slight madness, voice that I heard when I entered earlier.
"I am called Aspen! Mister, please come again if you need more potions. I'll give you a discount. Consider it a payment for sharing interesting information."
Glancing at her for the last time, my feet headed out of the place feeling somewhat drained.
'God, I thought pretending to women is tiring enough but I didn't know that talking to women was even more so.'
I sighed and blended again with the shadows.
My footsteps left the busy district.
It was time to go back home.