------------------------------------------------------------------
The sounds from outside the room were distant and muffled, barely penetrating the thick wooden door that separated the bustling tavern from the quiet office. Green, the enigmatic man across from Eve, laid out a series of documents. Some were sealed with a distinctive symbol, marking their importance. Eve waited patiently, idly playing with a coin in her hand, rolling it smoothly across her knuckles with practiced ease.
Green worked with meticulous precision, sorting through the papers before finally producing a small bag of gold. He opened it in front of Eve and quickly counted out the coins. "Three hundred gold, as promised," he said, the clinking of the coins echoing in the small room before he placed them back in the bag.
"Pleasure doing business," Eve said, her tone light and casual. She stood up, ready to leave, but was stopped by Green's sudden command.
"Wait," he said, his voice carrying a weight that made her pause.
Eve turned back to him, her curiosity piqued. Green reached into a drawer and tossed a parchment across the desk to her. It landed with a soft thud, its surface covered in cryptic symbols and hastily scrawled notes.
"An extra reward for completing the mission ahead of time," Green explained, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Eve picked up the parchment, unfolding it carefully. "What is it?" she asked, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar writing.
"Information," Green replied. "Secrets and rumors that you might find useful. I know you've got a touch of adventure in you. Consider it a bonus—something to keep you busy until your next contract."
Eve's eyes flicked back to the parchment. The promise of new leads, potential targets, or hidden treasures was intriguing. She nodded, folding the parchment and tucking it into her cloak. "You know me well, Green," she said with a smirk. "I'll take a look."
Green leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Just be careful, Eve. Information like that can be more dangerous than any blade."
Eve met his gaze, a glint of determination in her eyes. "Danger is part of the job," she replied, turning and leaving the room. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and she reentered the lively atmosphere of The Ebon Chalice, her mind already racing with possibilities.
As she stepped back into the bustling streets of Exist, the first light of dawn casting long shadows, Eve couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. The city was alive with opportunity, and she had a new lead to follow. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready to face it head-on, her blades at her side and the sinister god's whispers ever-present in her mind.
Eve felt the familiar stirrings of wanderlust and excitement bubbling within her. The parchment Green had given her promised new adventures and secrets to uncover, but before diving into another mission, she decided to indulge in a little relaxation. Hopping onto Aggro, she directed her steed toward the Red Light District, a part of Exist that was as infamous as it was enticing.
As she arrived, the district was already buzzing with activity. Taverns lined the streets, their doors open wide to welcome patrons. Women of the night, adorned in eye-catching attire, beckoned to passersby with practiced allure. The air was filled with the sounds of music, raucous laughter, and the unmistakable undercurrent of danger—a heady mix that always drew Eve in.
She navigated the lively streets with ease, arriving at her favorite haunt: The Gilded Serpent. The tavern's sign, a serpentine dragon intertwined with gold, swung gently in the morning breeze. Eve was a regular here, and her presence was as much a part of the establishment as the worn wooden floors and dimly lit corners.
As she stepped inside, the noise and activity seemed to momentarily pause. Various patrons, recognizing her, called out greetings. "Hey!" one shouted. "Assassin!" another added with a grin. It was a title she wore with pride, and the acknowledgment of her skills by these familiar faces brought a small smile to her lips.
Eve made her way to her usual spot at the bar. The bartender, a burly man with a grizzled beard named Farlan, greeted her with a nod. "Usual?" he asked, already reaching for a bottle.
"You know it," Eve replied, taking a seat and stretching her legs out. She watched as Farlan poured her drink with practiced precision, the liquid amber in the dim light.
"Anything exciting on the horizon?" Farlan asked as he slid the drink across the bar to her.
Eve took a sip, savoring the warmth of the alcohol. "Always," she said, patting the pocket where the parchment was safely tucked away. "But today, I'm here to relax."
Farlan chuckled. "Well, you picked the right place. Just don't let your guard down too much. This district has a way of surprising even the most seasoned."
Eve nodded, her eyes scanning the room. The Gilded Serpent was filled with a colorful mix of patrons, from fellow assassins and mercenaries to those seeking a night of pleasure and escape. She felt at home here, amidst the chaos and danger, always ready for whatever came next.
As she settled in, her thoughts drifted back to the parchment and the secrets it promised. She would soon dive into whatever mysteries lay within, but for now, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment, the thrill of adventure mingling with the familiar comfort of the Red Light District.
Eve spent the next few hours enjoying her time at The Gilded Serpent, savoring the taste of the alcohol and losing herself in the lively atmosphere. The music, laughter, and the buzz of conversation created a familiar, comforting backdrop. She admired the scenery, her sharp eyes catching details of interactions and the subtle dance of intrigue that played out around her.
After several glasses, she felt a pleasant warmth settle over her, the edge of her tension softened. She reached into her pouch, pulling out a few gold coins to cover her tab and a generous tip for Farlan. "Keep the change," she said with a wink as she handed him the money.
Farlan nodded appreciatively, pocketing the coins. "Take care, Eve. See you around."
She smiled, rising from her seat and heading for the door. "You know it. Until next time," she replied, pushing the door open and stepping out into the bustling streets of the Red Light District.
Outside, the noise and chaos of the district greeted her once more, but her focus was immediately drawn to Aggro. Her loyal steed stood patiently, his dark coat shimmering slightly in the morning light. Eve approached him, her hand gently caressing his head.
"Ready for another adventure, old friend?" she murmured to him. Aggro snorted softly, as if in agreement, nudging her hand with his nose.
Eve chuckled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The parchment Green had given her was a tantalizing promise of new challenges and discoveries, and she was eager to dive into whatever secrets it held. With a final glance back at the lively streets of Exist, she mounted Aggro, the leather of the saddle creaking softly beneath her.
"We've got work to do," she whispered to her steed, guiding him forward. The city's sounds faded behind them as they made their way toward the outskirts, the promise of adventure leading them onward. The sinister god's whispers in her mind seemed momentarily subdued, as if it too was waiting to see what lay ahead.
As they rode through the city gates and into the open terrain beyond, Eve felt a familiar thrill coursing through her veins. The world was full of secrets, and she was determined to uncover them all, one mission at a time.
Eve and Aggro moved steadily through the outskirts of Exist, the landscape shifting from the crowded, chaotic city to more open and rugged terrain. The fresh air and the rhythmic movement of her steed helped clear her mind. She took the opportunity to pull out the parchment Green had given her, her curiosity too strong to ignore any longer.
Unfolding the parchment, she saw that it was covered in neatly organized text. The information ranged from the mundane to the extraordinary, offering a wide variety of potential leads and tasks. She scanned the document, her eyes quickly absorbing the content.
Several rumors caught her attention. There were reports of restless spirits and animated corpses terrorizing a nearby village, unsettling the townsfolk. Another entry detailed a coven suspected of dark rituals in the forests to the north, their activities cloaked in secrecy and fear. There were also numerous monster contracts, with desperate villagers seeking help to slay dangerous beasts that threatened their homes. Among the more trivial tasks were requests to retrieve lost items or mediate disputes between farmers, tasks that were less glamorous but still necessary.
Despite the many tasks listed, one particular entry stood out to Eve, making her heart beat a little faster. Disturbing reports had surfaced about a cult performing mass human sacrifices for an unknown entity. Rumors suggested that Venator assassins might be involved in these acts.
Eve's interest was immediately piqued. The Venator Guild, infamous for its high-profile assassinations of kings, queens, and nobles across various kingdoms and empires, prided itself on its formidable reputation. Its members were known not only for their ability to eliminate the most important individuals but also for their prowess in battling all manners of entities, from beasts to witches. The guild swore fealty to no one, not even the gods, maintaining a fierce independence and loyalty only to their own code.
The idea that members of the Venator Guild could be involved in such heinous acts was both intriguing and deeply concerning. Eve, a master assassin herself, knew the guild's code well. The involvement of Venator assassins in mass human sacrifices was a serious deviation from their usual operations.
She folded the parchment carefully, her mind already racing with questions. Who were these cultists? What was the entity they worshipped? And, most importantly, what were the Venator assassins doing mixed up in such dark dealings?
Eve felt a familiar thrill of anticipation. This lead was too significant to ignore, and she knew she had to follow it. With a determined glint in her eye, she nudged Aggro into a faster pace, the open road stretching out before them.
"Looks like we've got our next adventure, Aggro," she said, the wind catching her words and carrying them away. The sinister god's whispers grew louder in her mind, echoing her own excitement.