A month had passed, and for Sebastian, describing this period as challenging would be an understatement.
To track down the Rust Reapers and dismantling their operations demanded every ounce of his skill and determination. It took Sebastian a lot to find and destroy them.
These individuals were problematic because they were considerably more powerful and had significantly greater financial resources than the Nightshades.
Besides, since they got words of someone targeting the three minor gangs, they resorted to use couriers.
Couriers were thespians who gave up on conquering Somnium and getting more power, and dedicated themselves to bringing in and out of Somnium items, those they could, of course.
That was something only thespians at the third and forward compression levels could achieve.
It was remunerative, since there was always a need for their services.
Thespians increased every day, and were forced to return to Somnium each day until they reached the third compression level.
This meant there were many people in need of their services, and a lot of money to make.
That also meant having powerful thespians around. More than once he had been forced to follow them in order to find outposts from which he could find some information about their treasures.
Sebastian had to sneak into the outposts, timing it carefully to avoid detection by the Couriers.
The Rust Reapers had around a hundred people joining them, with each of their outposts housing about thirty individuals.
In his search for the primary target, Sebastian razed two well-fortified bases, resorting to arson in the end.
Luckily, these raids weren't without their spoils. Among the various assets he secured, automatic rifles stood out, proving instrumental in his last confrontation with the Rust Reapers.
In the end, not only he found what he was searching for but also amassing enough wealth to secure a new home and identities for his mother and brother.
Sebastian found himself in a precarious situation after returning to the past.
His physical strength didn't come with him into the past. He was weak.
But if the strength didn't come, the madness that had ensnared his mind after years of conflict remained almost as potent as ever.
In his final years before regressing, Sebastian had jumped inside the chasm of insanity, yet his power shielded him from the gravest dangers.
This reckless abandon wasn't innate; his descent into madness had been a gradual corruption of his psyche.
In his initial years, Sebastian had been more cautious, his actions measured and his risks calculated.
However, now, with his sanity hanging by a thread, he found himself making increasingly erratic decisions.
On one occasion, driven by a perverse sense of humor, he infiltrated a small Rust Reapers outpost during a courier's visit.
He did that for a simple reason: He found it funny.
Yet, the aftermath of such thrill-seeking endeavors left him with a profound sense of anxiety.
That was the closest he had been to die since he regressed, and he didn't know if the pendant he wore on his neck was going to bring him back again.
But what if that happened? What if he was sent again to six months in the past, or even farther, and he had to start all over?
The looming threat of being reset, catapulted months or even further back in time, and being forced to restart his journey again dreaded him.
He couldn't allow that. He couldn't allow that madness to make him risk his life against auditors. FUCKIN' AUDITORS!
"I must solve this problem before entering Somnium."
Sebastian had always thought about getting something to help him stay calm and manage his wild emotions. But he never had the time for it.
Between going to school so his mom wouldn't get suspicious and hunting the Rust Reapers, he barely had a moment to himself.
He wasn't even sure if there was anything out there that could help with his issue.
But now, with money in hand, he knew he couldn't put it off any longer.
To find something to help him keep his cool had become too important to ignore.
With his new financial situation, Sebastian realized it was time to look for a solution.
This wasn't just about making his life easier; it was about making sure he could do what he needed to do without his emotions getting in the way.
"But will the money be enough?"
Securing new identities and a safe place for his family hinged on a crucial factor: Sebastian's ability to manage his finances wisely.
The success of his plan depended heavily on not overspending on these necessities.
As he navigated the dimly lit alleyways of the slums, Sebastian made his way towards the Black Market.
This hidden underbelly of commerce was where he knew he could secure the vital components of his plan.
The Black Market buzzed with vendors peddling all manner of illicit goods, including identities.
However, finding a reliable seller was akin to navigating a minefield.
Many who dealt in forged identities were notorious for exploiting their clients, resorting to blackmail to squeeze more money out of them later on.
This unsavory practice was no secret to Sebastian, yet he was not deterred.
Amid the sea of deceitful dealers, he knew of one individual who stood out for his reliability.
Known only as The Hound, this guy was as mysterious as the services he offered.
His reputation for discretion and trustworthiness made him a beacon for those desperate to escape their pasts and start anew. It was to him he was going.
Sebastian then arrived at the very same Black Market's entrance he had been months prior.
With a knock, Sebastian signaled his arrival, the sound echoing in the alleyway.
Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing the familiar face of the gatekeeper, a man whose features were as much a part of the Black Market as the goods it concealed.
They arrived at the room that housed the hidden staircase, a crucial juncture between the world above and the underworld below.
Sebastian closed the entrance with the mattress used to conceal it and started his descent.