Upon entering Rory's mother's brothel, Vicente paid little attention to the girls who were clearing the tables around the entrance hall. In this space, customers usually gathered to drink and chat before choosing their company.
No half-naked girls were present at the moment, so neither of these young men saw anything inappropriate for people of their age.
While they looked more like adults than children, by local regulations, they were still classified as juveniles, and it would be better to avoid profane places like this.
However, neither would mind even if they saw something there.
Rory had grown up seeing breasts and asses anyways. At the same time, Vicente carried his memories from his previous life when he was on Earth and was involved in criminal activities.
"Vice, Rory, please, have a seat," a beautiful redheaded woman welcomed them as she noticed their arrival in front of her office.
Seeing Rory's mother, Vicente greeted her politely and avoided lingering on the woman's beautiful cleavage.
Heidi Point possessed a very attractive body with bountiful dimensions, although she was no longer in her prime.
"Miss Point, Rory told me you wished to speak to me..." Vicente said, looking into that woman's brown eyes.
She glanced between Rory and Vice before addressing them, "I wanted to speak with not just with you, but rather to both of you.
I know you and Rory have been very close friends since you were little and have been through a lot. So now you guys are growing up and getting close to becoming adults, it's time for us to have a conversation."
In Polaris Realm, children didn't have many rights until they turned 10. At that time, they would typically start working if they couldn't study in special academies and gain a little more education.
It wasn't until they went through the Awakening that they gained full independence from their families and earned many rights and freedoms.
From the age of 14, one could join sects or any clan, leave their family and start another, try to subordinate themselves to a higher power, etc.
Parents had little authority to stop a young person of that age from doing whatever they wanted, so Rory's mother was worried about her son and Vice, for they would soon reach such an age of greater independence.
Both had displayed their ambitions with their recent behavior, and she believed the two would leave the village soon.
She said, "I have noticed you and Rory have found unique methods of negotiating and protecting yourselves. Given some of your recent moves, I think you are planning to embark on your journey in one of the provincial cities, particularly through the underworld.
So answer me honestly, is that what you intend? To expand your partnerships using the contacts that you can acquire in the underworld of our society?" She inquired, peering at Vicente with seriousness.
The underworld of society was not necessarily related only to groups of murderers, thieves, etc. There were even some underworld groups that were supported by some noble powers because they had easier access to opportunities, information, and much more.
While a few had the courage to expose their real intentions and conduct transactions of some resources in broad daylight, much of what was in great demand in this society was not openly sold in the market and was made available in the shadowy underworld.
It wasn't easy to establish contacts to be able to take advantage of this kind of offer, but if one were to get deeply involved, getting information and resources like this would be simpler.
In this work, they would have to put in a lot more resources, get a lot more influence, and openly compete with powers that were far greater than them.
For someone growing from a small position, investing in normal growth methods was not conventional!
Vicente chose not to express his thoughts for this woman's wisdom and remained silent.
"Hmm, you don't need to tell me." Heidi Point smiled as she propped her back on her chair. "You don't need to say anything. I can see that my assessment is right. So let me give you some advice.
I have lived in the world that you want to enter, so I am familiar with the dangers that will lie in your path and how difficult it will be for you to get out once you enter that journey.
I honestly would rather prefer that both of you stay here in the village, but both of you have a determination that is beyond my understanding...
So if you are set on taking that narrow, dark path, at least do it the right way." She said, sighing before continuing.
"What do you have in mind?" Vice asked, intrigued by what she wanted to suggest.
She looked at him and responded, "I believe you two will start with Millfall, right? If that is the case, then you should look for someone named Aaron Wilson in The Broken Vial. That is a magic item store in that town, and he is an old friend of mine. Just tell him that 'Sweet Cheeks' sent you."
"Aaron?"
"Sweet Cheeks?"
Both Vicente and Rory expressed their confusion.
Even Rory, who had heard his mother's story, had never heard her mention her past by specific names. Whenever she told him anything, it would always be rather vague. She would always hide many of the details that really needed to be hidden.
Heidi nodded positively to both of them. "Aaron owes me a favor and will assist you. However, you must make it clear to him that I will not be involved in this. He should only help you, and I personally do not wish to be contacted. That will end the debt he owes to me."
"Who exactly is Aaron?" Vicente asked, seeking more information.
"In the light of day, he works as a salesman in that magic store. But in the shadows, he's a local dealer, someone who has numerous contacts. He can introduce you to the right people and steer you away from potential pitfalls, but he can also become a threat to you.
Therefore, don't step on the ball with him. Be straightforward with him, and don't try to pull the wool over his eyes. He's not the type to forget, whether it's for good or ill," Heidi replied, looking at them seriously.
Seeing the two young men looking at each other, she closed her eyes briefly before concluding, "When you start your activities, be careful regarding whom you encounter. Take a good look at who or what is behind the business you intend to involve yourself in.
It is a common mistake for newcomers to the underworld to assume that they have stumbled upon the business of the millennium and try to get entangled in things that already have owners...
Moreover, refrain from offending anyone unless it is extremely crucial, and ensure that you have at least one ally.
However, never expect that an ally will be eternally loyal to your alliance or even that they will be your friends."
Hearing that, Rory was thrilled, recognizing that his mother was supporting him even as he was venturing away from her and going down a path that most parents would be disappointed to see their children take.
Vicente was grateful, feeling a genuine sense of motherly care from Heidi.
"Thanks for the tips, Miss Point. After my mother, you are the only person who cared about me the most. I won't forget that," Vicente said as he stood up and kissed one of Heidi's hands.
"As long as you take care of Rory, there is no need for you to worry about me," she said before asking Vice to leave for her to speak with her son alone.
After Vicente departed from Heidi's office, she turned her attention to her son, speaking in a resolute tone, "Rory, when you leave with Vicente, support him, but understand that SUPPORT doesn't always mean that you will always need to stand by his side.
At times in his journey, you will have to provide support for him from a distance and not get involved in the same predicaments as he does.
I say this for not only your well-being but also that of your friend. In the underworld, the worst thing for people involved with what they shouldn't be is their vulnerabilities.
If you are always together, each one of you will be the other's vulnerability. Then, there will come a day when someone will use this against you.
Be prepared to take the risk, or you will both lose yourselves at that point."
"I understand," Rory replied in a hushed tone before leaving to join Vicente for their upcoming meeting.