"Yo, Blue Screen, you said you were the strongest system... Does that mean there are others?" The Seer whispered, lying in his usual spot during the night.
..No, I am the one and only strongest system.
"Yeah, well, you see, I am not inclined to believe you because if you were the only one, you would be called just 'the system' and not 'the strongest system.' Another thing that bugs me is how you have no choice but to respond to me when I call for you, even though you would rather not be here..."
....
"Yeah, alright, get lost. I got what I wanted out of you," and the blue screen once again disappears easily and fast.
***
"Dress up, you are invited to the party," the Seer said with excitement.
Neon disregarded all privacy and barged into his room, waking Tang who was just about to slumber into a deep sleep. He woke with a jerk and put forward no resistance to the Seer's orders.
The Seer certainly dressed for the occasion with plain black mage robes with hoods, and Tang was to do the same.
"Not much of a party attire," Tang said as he put it on and yawned.
"Well, of course, it is. We're going to the Hidden Toad Village. No props given to originality for whoever named it, though," Neon replied. "Oh, also, make sure to not lose the pass that I put in the pocket."
Cao Tang checked his pocket, but to find a placard made of black iron with gold rims running through it. Any sleep he was still feeling vanished as he read the engravings.
"Where the fuck did you get these?" asked Cao Tang, shocked.
"Bahahaha. Contacts. Let's go," and Neon moved out.
Tang sat there admiring its beauty for another minute before he followed the Seer out.
***
The two stood against what looked like a large rock, except for some writings on it and a few very convenient perfectly shaped holes and cracks that would make anyone look like an idiot for not noticing before.
An absurd rock right at the edge of the city gates where hundreds pass every single day without a second thought is the entrance to the Hidden Toad Village.
The formations broke the seals, open the rock began to move in beautiful works of gears, and as they shifted, a path opened itself - a dark path.
"How did you find this place? My god, it's magnificent," Cao Tang asked the Seer as they stepped into the darkness.
As soon as the gates closed behind them, there was more rumbling, and then the floor began to sink into the ground until suddenly there was light. And what a bright and beautiful light it was, especially for one more than the other.
Why would it not be? It was an underground city, so full of life and luster. A city so full of all you can buy or want. At the same time, so free of any regulation and law. But that was not the reason for Cao's instant love for the place he had not even begun exploring.
It was a fleeting flutter, but he was certain his senses did not deceive him for what he had sensed with his whole being. He saw something in the parade that was passing - two beautiful girls.
*phat*
The Seer placed a book on Cao Tang's head, serving to pull Cao Tang back from his thoughts.
"What's this..." He took the book and inspected it. "This is just a children's nursery rhyme," Tang gave his evaluation.
"Yes, but it's written by this guy called Toad Macandal," Neon said with a look that said, "Get it?"
"I don't understand what you are trying to infer. Just tell me," said Tang, who refused to think.
"Dude, the cities and provinces are numbered. What is the number for the one we are in?" Neon pushed him to think nonetheless.
"Errhh, 4?" Cao Tang took a wild shot.
"44," Neon corrected.
Cao Tang raised both his hands and shook his head.
"Open poem number 44. Go ahead, read it."
"Just tell me."
"It says that I'm a genius, but continue reading."
A deep sigh followed by a deep breath, and Cao Tang started reading. It was forced and lackluster, an unenthusiastic reading.
Near the dark, dark city was a dark, dark rock|| However, that feeling disappeared almost instantly.
In the dark, dark boulder, there was a dark, dark path|| And with it, the unenthusiastic tone returned. He put the book down and read.
In the dark, dark path, there was a toad|| "So creative..." Cao Tang spoke as if his neurons were stripped from him.
"I know, zero points for creativity, but hey, hiding in plain sight. The guy is unimaginative but smart," Neon said, all haughty.
"Sounds like someone I know."
"Hey, I am very imaginative."
And the two soon became part of the celebration.
The city bustled with life, with beautiful lighting and stores selling all sorts of wares, various delicacies, and painted and decorated houses.
One could not tell that this city existed underground. It was brighter than most sunny days, or so it felt, at least. It was certainly not the typically dark and gloomy crime-ridden city one would think of when an underground black market, the dark organization-run city is mentioned.
The streets were narrow, and the widest streets were no larger than 14 or 15 meters. It was crowded, and many faces here were legitimate citizens of this city who had never seen the sun in their life.
There was an occupation, currency, housing, and resources. A utopia for criminals to live out their entire life after a big heist or even retire.
"Excuse me, which way to the Middle Finger?" Neon asked a bystander.
"Oh, you see, that far right, take that, then left," the stranger was very courteous and polite.
"WTF, that's the name of the place?" Cao Tang asked, confused.
"Ah, I see it now," Neon said.
Amidst the small houses was a protruding stone between some non-protruding stones. Cao Tang knew in an instant that that was where they were headed.
"Hey, you," someone called, and the two halted to respond.
"If you want to meet Lord Middle Finger, you should instead head to Lady Pinky Finger's hideout first. You will find him there," the guy informed them.
"Ah, thank you, but where is that?" Neon inquired.
"Well, you see, those uncut rocks and the ascending stairs next to it. Follow it, and you will be there. That is Lady Pinky Finger's place," the man told as he pointed his finger towards a grey igloo-looking building with smaller protrusions from the corner of the igloo.
The two bowed and thanked the delightful stranger.