The village of Valewood bustled with activity as Void and MiraNight returned from their adventure. The NPC merchants and quest-givers greeted them with idle chatter and offers of new wares, but the two of them had only one thing on their minds—what came next.
Void paused just outside the inn, taking in the scene. Players were running in and out of shops, some in a rush to find the next quest, others exchanging items and bartering in the town square. It was a scene that felt familiar and ordinary, but Void knew the calm wouldn't last long. The Silver Fangs were bound to come for revenge, and this time, they would bring everything they had.
"Do you think they'll be back soon?" MiraNight asked, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of the rival guild.
Void adjusted his new Whispered Blade at his side, its hilt gleaming faintly. "They won't wait long. Ironclad's the type who can't stand being humiliated. He'll want to make an example of us as soon as possible."
MiraNight smirked. "Let them come. We're ready."
"Not yet," Void said, his voice low. "We need to be smarter. They have the numbers, and if they catch us off guard, even with this gear, we'll be in trouble."
He opened his inventory, checking the supplies they had looted. Between them, they had a decent amount of potions, materials, and a few rare items that could be sold for gold. But gold wasn't enough. They needed more allies, more information.
Void's mind raced with possibilities. One of the things that had always fascinated him about The Infinite Quest was the vast network of players and NPC factions, each with their own goals, secrets, and potential for alliances. If he played his cards right, they could turn the tides in their favor.
"I have an idea," Void said suddenly.
MiraNight raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"We need to start gathering information," Void explained. "The Silver Fangs are just one of many guilds trying to control key areas of the map. If we know what their next moves are, or if we can predict where they'll strike, we can stay ahead of them."
"You mean, like a spy network?" MiraNight asked, her voice tinged with excitement.
Void nodded. "Exactly. We need to use the resources we have now to gain an edge—not just in combat, but in strategy. Information is power in this game, and there are plenty of players who'd be willing to trade valuable intel for the right price."
MiraNight seemed to consider this for a moment. "I like the sound of that. But where do we start?"
Void glanced around the town square. "Let's sell what we don't need first. Then we'll visit the black market—there's always someone there who's willing to talk for the right amount of gold."
The plan was set. The two of them made their way to one of the local merchants, a grizzled NPC with a permanent scowl and a talent for appraising rare items.
"What've you got?" the merchant grumbled, eyeing Void's inventory with suspicion.
Void began unloading some of the loot they'd gathered from the crypt: enchanted gemstones, ancient relics, and a few pieces of rare armor that neither he nor MiraNight needed. The merchant's eyes widened at the sight of the items.
"Rare goods," he muttered, leaning in to inspect them. "Where'd you come by these?"
"Not your concern," Void said flatly. "How much?"
The merchant grumbled but didn't push further. "For the whole lot? I'll give you 200 gold pieces."
Void shook his head. "400."
The merchant snorted. "You're dreaming. 300."
Void crossed his arms. "350, and you throw in a map of the black market contacts."
The merchant hesitated, narrowing his eyes at Void. "The map? That's valuable information, kid."
"So is this gear," Void said, nodding at the rare items. "Take it or leave it."
After a long pause, the merchant finally sighed. "Fine. 350 gold, and I'll give you the map."
A few minutes later, Void walked away with a heavier purse and a rolled-up parchment in his inventory. He handed 50 gold to MiraNight, who had been grinning the entire time.
"You're a tough negotiator," she said, pocketing the gold.
Void shrugged. "Had to be. The less gold we spend now, the more we can use later."
They found a quiet corner of the town square and unrolled the map. It was a crudely drawn layout of the city's underbelly, highlighting hidden passageways and locations where players could find shady dealers, spies, and even mercenaries for hire. It also had a list of contacts—players known for selling information on quests, guilds, and upcoming events in the game.
"This is perfect," MiraNight said, scanning the names. "We can start building our network from here."
Void nodded. "Let's visit a few of these contacts and see what they know about the Silver Fangs."
-----
The black market was exactly what Void expected—dimly lit alleys, cloaked figures lurking in the shadows, and the constant whisper of deals being made. It was a place where anything could be bought for the right price, and secrets were more valuable than gold.
Void and MiraNight approached a particularly shady-looking player, his username flickering in and out as though his avatar was glitching.
"Looking for something?" the player asked, his voice smooth and oily.
"Information," Void said, keeping his voice steady. "We want to know about the Silver Fangs."
The player chuckled softly. "Ah, the Silver Fangs. Nasty bunch, but predictable. Ironclad's been making a lot of noise lately. He's planning something big, but I don't have the details yet."
"Not good enough," Void said. "We need specifics. What's his next move?"
The player scratched his chin, as if considering whether to share more. "I might know someone who can help. There's a player who goes by the name ShadeHawk. He's been tracking guild movements for a while now, selling intel to anyone willing to pay."
"Where can we find him?" MiraNight asked.
The player smirked. "He hangs out in the Wraithwood Tavern, just outside of town. But be careful—he doesn't trust easily, and he's not cheap."
Void exchanged a glance with MiraNight. This was exactly what they needed—someone who could give them insight into the Silver Fangs' plans. But they would have to tread carefully. ShadeHawk was a wild card, and in the black market, loyalty was often for sale.
"Thanks for the tip," Void said, tossing the player a few gold coins for the information.
As they made their way out of the black market, Void's mind raced with thoughts of the future. The Silver Fangs were just one threat, but the game was vast, and there were many more guilds, factions, and players that would be watching his rise.
He was determined to stay ahead, not just with his skills but with strategy. The battle against Ironclad had proven that brute force wasn't enough. To survive in The Infinite Quest, Void would need to be smarter, faster, and always one step ahead.
And with allies like MiraNight and the beginnings of a spy network, he was ready to face whatever came next.
-----
As the sun set over Valewood, a new message popped up in Void's inbox.
From: ShadeHawk
Heard you're looking for information. Meet me at the Wraithwood Tavern. But come alone. We have a lot to discuss.
Void read the message, his heart racing with anticipation. The game was just beginning.