Massive, sleek buildings lined either side of the broad, cobblestone road, their facades polished and imposing, reflecting their wealth and power.
Stalls were neatly organized, the pathways were spotless, with carefully arranged greenery adding a touch of nature.
Continuing to follow the direction of the E-map, he walked along the path straight. This time there were no noises, no hustle, just a simple walk.
After what seemed like a few minutes, he spotted a massive building, standing out from all the other structures around it.
It was located at the intersection.
As he approached the building, his heart raced with anticipation.
Standing over fifty meters tall, it had a sleek design made up of white-tinted glass.
At the center of the facade, a striking emblem shaped like an open book drew his attention.
Piercing through the center of the book was a sword, its blade glinting.
He took a deep breath, recalling the details of the building from the game—that was it.
As he approached the building, he suddenly sensed a shift in the air behind him.
Instinctively, he turned just as a figure came barreling toward him at high speed.
His reflexes took over, and he narrowly sidestepped the incoming body, feeling the rush of wind as it brushed past him by a hair's breadth.
The figure stumbled and crashed into a wall, sending clouds of sand into the air.
Dust swirled around them, blurring everything for a moment.
Through the haze, that person struggled to regain balance, the sand entering his eyes.
Zuxe quickly stepped forward into the swirling cloud, extending his hand.
"You alright?" he asked, a smile etched across his features.
The person groaned, shaking off the daze from slamming into the wall.
Sand clung to his clothes as he pushed himself halfway up, squeezing his eyes through the haze.
Glancing up, he noticed an outstretched hand.
The person gritted his teeth and reached out, gripping the offered hand.
With a sharp tug, Zuxe pulled him up to his feet.
Still wiping the dust off his face, he straightened up, muttering, "Name's Kairo, I didn't mean to crash into you... I was just testing a new tool."
He said, offering a faint smile.
Zuxe tilted his head slightly, scanning the figure in front of him, who appeared a foot taller than him.
"Kairo, huh?" he said, brushing off a bit of sand from his own sleeve as well.
He continued, "You've got a unique way of making an entrance."
Hearing those words, Kairo scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Name's Zuxe," he added after a pause, still watching him carefully.
"Where are you going? I can help you. Despite how I seem, I am pretty influential here," Kairo said, pursing his lips, his tone serious.
"The building is right in front of you. I don't want to reveal my identity... but do you really think you can help me?" Zuxe said, following with a question of his own, smirking.
Kairo giggled before answering, "Well... I owe you a favor after all."
He glanced at the building before turning back to Zuxe. "The Revenant Consortium... I might be able to help you with this."
"Really...?" Zuxe confirmed, his eyes showing a tinge of excitement.
"Yeah."
The Revenant Consortium.
In the game, it was an organization that seemed like another merchant guild dealing in rare but ordinary resources—exquisite metal, herbs, and tools sought by collectors and craftsmen alike at a very low price.
To outsiders, they were nothing more than a well-connected trade network.
Merchants smiled, deals were made in broad daylight, and customers left satisfied with their purchases.
But behind the respectable front, under the guise of legitimate business, they secretly trafficked in forbidden books, spells, Soul Essence techniques, implantation, and dangerous exorcism tools—items outlawed by the clans.
"Follow me, bro," Kairo said, and Zuxe followed suit.
The transactions were handled with utmost secrecy, whether normal or illegal.
'And not to mention, they also had a specific arc and a major role in the later parts of the game,' Zuxe pondered, entering the establishment, a bit confused as to why they weren't stopped by the guards at the entrance.
'Well... he did say that he's pretty influential here. He might be a regular customer or something similar.'
Zuxe had initially considered showing the guards at the entrance the clan crest on his katana to easily pass by, but that would obviously risk revealing his identity, causing a chain reaction.
But now, he entered the building without showing his status with the help of another person, which would obviously work in his favor.
Walking, they passed by the reception area, shelves of rare items on display reinforcing the image of their wealth, without any check-in or booking.
The receptionist didn't stop them.
It was then that Zuxe's eyes widened, and a question lingered in his mind, which he didn't hesitate to ask before stopping.
"Wait... Kairo, who really are you?"
Kairo turned around swiftly, flashing a grin as he said, "Hmm... I am the son of the chairperson of this branch. I thought you would have figured it out."
Straightening his posture, he replied, a hint of pride in his eyes as he continued, "If you need anything, you can talk to me. I'd like to help you out if I can."
Zuxe flinched, his eyes widening in surprise, but he quickly composed himself before whispering.
"Thanks for the offer. I might need your assistance sooner or later."
Kairo seemed unfit to be the son of an illegal organization—he was too generous.
What could he do? It wasn't his fault for being so lucky.
"Well, then, I am going somewhere. If you want to contact me, talk to the receptionist."
Kairo pursed his lips, waving his hand, leaving the building after saying something to the receptionist.
Now Zuxe stood alone in the central hall. It buzzed with quiet tension, merchants scattered across the floor, their eyes constantly scanning with suspicion.
Low whispers of negotiation filled the air as they moved through the dim space, watching every transaction and sizing up anyone unfamiliar.
The room, though bustling, carried an underlying paranoia, where every glance was measured and every deal veiled in caution.
"Now... now... I will have to reveal my identity after all, huh?"
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