Sebastian pushed open the door and stepped into a room that seemed out of place amidst the digital espionage that characterized the rest of the outpost.
The space was an eclectic workshop, bathed in the glow of overhead lights, revealing a craftsman's haven filled with tools for jewelry making, woodworking, and metalworking.
The air held the faint scent of wood shavings and metal filings. It was an oddity, a pocket of ancient craftsmanship in a den of modern-day thieves.
"AAAAAAAAAH!"
A realization dawned on Sebastian. A surge of excitement washed over him.
"An artifact maker's workshop!" A grin spread across his face.
That there was a space like this in the Nightshades' stronghold was a positive sign of potential wealth.
Artifact makers were known for their ability to imbue ordinary items with extraordinary powers, crafting pieces that were as valuable as they were rare.
Yet, as the initial thrill of discovery settled, a more sobering thought took hold. If an artifact maker had set up shop here, it meant they were in league with the Nightshades.
Worse still, their association with the gang implied a connection to the thespians. That was dangerous.
If somehow they learned about his identity, that could be an immense problem.
Fortunately, the workshop was deserted, its owner presumably elsewhere, likely in Somnium.
This gave Sebastian the opportunity to scour the room without interruption.
At first glance, the workshop appeared disappointingly devoid of any finished artifacts.
Tools lay scattered across the workbenches, alongside pieces of metal, wood, and semi-precious stones, but none of the stuff he hoped to find.
Undeterred, Sebastian began a meticulous search, examining every nook and cranny of the workshop.
"Surely, there must be something of value hidden away," he said, his fingers probing the surfaces for hidden compartments or false bottoms.
As he sifted through drawers filled with mundane crafting materials, his enthusiasm waned.
"Just my luck."
Sebastian sighed, holding up a beautifully carved wooden box that, upon inspection, revealed nothing more than a set of finely made chisels.
"Craftsmanship, but not the kind I'm looking for."
His search continued, with Sebastian lifting, opening, and inspecting each item with a growing sense of frustration.
"HGHJGFJHGFHJGFJHGFHJGFGJHGSJHAGASASGJHASG!" Sebastian made some gurgling, disappointed noise.
"MOTHER FUCKER! WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR STUFF?!"
A workshop full of tools, and not a single artifact, was in sight.
Setting aside a visually appealing piece of intricately patterned metal, Sebastian grumbled, knowing it lacked any magical qualities.
The realization that the artifact maker's most prized creations were hidden far too well or not present at all was very annoying.
Sebastian was hoping to find something, but most of all, he hoped the Artifact Maker was at least of the first tier. If he did so, he could get across something very interesting.
Despite his disappointment, Sebastian couldn't help but admire the skill clear in the workmanship surrounding him.
"To think, such talent wasted on the likes of the Nightshades."
He ran his hand over a smoothly finished wooden sculpture that served no purpose beyond decoration. All that stuff was likely the artifact maker trying to increase his skills.
His exploration took a turn when Sebastian's eyes landed on a compass that seemed out of place among the tools and raw materials.
It was perched on a shadowed shelf, its surface a tapestry of intricate carvings that twisted and flowed like water.
The compass, a deep shade of obsidian with flecks of silver that sparkled under the workshop's light, seemed to pulse with a life of its own. Intrigued, Sebastian reached out.
As his fingers closed around it, he felt a faint trace of mana. It was a whisper of power, so slight he might have missed it if not for his keen sensitivity to the subtle.
With a mixture of curiosity and caution, Sebastian imbued a sliver of his own mana into the compass.
Immediately, the compass needles started pointing toward the east.
"What the fuck?"
Sebastian couldn't understand what this thing did. He gave it a little bit of mana, and the needles moved themselves.
Sebastian searched around, and behind a can, he found a sheet of paper.
"Wanderer's Compass: Points towards fresh water sources, but may occasionally provide inaccurate readings in heavily wooded or mountainous areas."
"Really?" Sebastian said with a grin on his face.
He could already envision its utility. In Somnium, finding fresh water wasn't easy. Most of the times, Thespians had to bring it in backpacks that, as a result, became huge.
It wasn't a problem for higher tiered Thespians, but at low levels it was problematic, often resulting in people having problems fighting if ambushed.
"This will be useful…"
Yes. The only problem was that Sebastian couldn't bring it to Somnium until he reached the third compression level or unless he asked for a courier's services.
The artifact, however, was clearly incomplete. Based on the note the artifact maker left, it didn't often work.
"Well… at least I'm not squandering money on it."
Despite this flaw, Sebastian recognized the potential in such an artifact.
It was a tactical asset, one that could easily save his life.
"A bit of a one-trick pony, but what a trick," he said, turning the Wanderer's compass over in his hand.
With a satisfied grin on his face and the compass in his pocket, Sebastian left the room.
As he retraced his steps through the corridors of the Nightshade outpost, his mind was already racing ahead to their headquarters, nestled deep within the slums.
The artifact from the workshop was a promising start, but he was sure that the genuine treasure lay waiting in the heart of their headquarters.
With each step towards the exit, his grin widened, fueled by the anticipation of what was to come.
As he emerged from the outpost, the cool night air brushed against his face.
The city's skyline stretched out before him, a maze of light and shadow, with the slums a dark patchwork woven into its fabric.
Sebastian's heart thrummed with excitement at the thought of delving into that den of thieves.
His excitement grew as he thought about the money, the artifacts, and the mana he was going to earn.