Halven walked into the market, his eyes scanning the stalls until he spotted a familiar face. "Hey, Mr. Kurten!" he hailed, his voice carrying across the crowded market.
Kurten looked up, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Hey, kid! How are you? You got any goods for me?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting.
Halven shook his head, his eyes locked on Kurten's. "Nope, sir. Just came to talk to you about something. Can I?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
Kurten's expression turned curious, and he nodded for Halven to continue. "What's on your mind, kid?" he asked, his voice encouraging.
Halven leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Kurten, how can I leave this hellhole? I need to get out of Avna before it's too late."
Kurten's expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded slowly. "I've been thinking the same thing, kid. This place is a death trap. But it's not easy to leave. The village chief has a tight grip on this place."
Halven's eyes locked on Kurten's, a determined glint in his eye. "What if I provide the money we need to get out of here?" he asked, his voice firm.
Kurten's eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned back in his chair. "How do you plan on getting that kind of money, kid?" he asked, his voice skeptical.
Halven smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I have my ways," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
Kurten raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I think we can work something out, kid. But we need to be careful. The village chief won't take kindly to us trying to leave."
Halven nodded, his eyes locked on Kurten's. "I know. But I'm willing to take that risk. Are you?" he asked, his voice firm.
Kurten nodded slowly, a determined glint in his eye. "Yeah, kid. I'm with you."
Halven smiled, a sense of relief washing over him. He had found an ally, and together, they could escape the hellhole that was Avna.
As Halven walked away from Kurten's stall, he felt a sense of hope that he hadn't felt in a long time. He had taken the first step towards escaping Avna, and he was determined to see it through.
He walked through the crowded market, his eyes scanning the stalls until he spotted a small food shop. His stomach growled with hunger, and he quickly ordered a plate of hot noodles and pork.
As he waited for his food, Halven's mind wandered back to the wallet he had stolen. He had assumed it was loaded with gold, but he hadn't had a chance to check yet.
Finally, his food arrived, and Halven dug in with gusto. The noodles were hot and flavorful, and the pork was tender and juicy. He ate slowly, savoring every bite.
As he finished his meal, Halven felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. He had eaten a good meal, and he had taken the first step towards escaping Avna.
He walked out of the shop, his eyes scanning the crowded market. He spotted a familiar stall and quickly made his way towards it. Kurten's stall was closed, but Halven knew he could crash there for the night.
As he settled in for the night, Halven's mind wandered back to the wallet. He had to check it, to see if his assumptions were correct.
He carefully dug up the wallet and opened it, his eyes scanning the contents. And then he saw it - eighteen gold coins, glinting in the dim light.
Halven's eyes widened in shock, and he felt a sense of excitement wash over him. He had hit the jackpot, and he knew that he could finally escape Avna.
But as he lay there, his mind racing with excitement, Halven couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. He looked around, but there was no one in sight.
Shrugging it off, Halven settled in for the night, his mind racing with thoughts of escape and freedom.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious room, the white-haired man sat on a chair made of gold and fine beast leather. He held a wine glass, spinning the wine slowly as he stared into the distance.
"Gin!" he called out, his voice low and smooth.
A man in a black bow tie and white shirt with black pants walked in, bowing low. "Yes, sir?" he asked.
"I'm hungry, chef Gin," the white-haired man said, his voice dripping with sophisticatied
... "What would you like, sir?" Chef Gin asked.
" Surprise me," the white-haired man replied, a wide smile spreading across his face.
The room was a testament to the white-haired man's wealth and power. The table was made of the finest polished wood, and the rug was crafted from the skin of a rare and exotic beast.
"What do you think about the boy from earlier today?" the white-haired man asked, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
The man in the black suit spoke up, his voice dripping with disdain. "He's from the slums, sir. Nothing good comes from there."
The white-haired man smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
As the night wore on, Halven lay on the ground, his mind racing with thoughts of escape and freedom. He had eighteen gold coins, and he knew that he could finally leave Avna behind.
But as he drifted off to sleep, Halven couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. He looked around, but there was no one in sight.
Little did Halven know, his life was about to take a dramatic turn. The white-haired man had taken an interest in him, and nothing would ever be the same again.