Hudson's let out a pleased hum as he bit into a Sabellian Peach while making his way to the eastern section of Tal'Qamar. The past month had been fairly productive, so he had decided to treat himself by buying the expensive fruit again.
"You seem to be in a good mood, sir," said Rizok, his gaze sweeping through the crowd for any threats. While Hudson didn't know what caused it, High Command had sent down orders for everyone to be vigilant for any signs of unrest, and Rizok was ever the dutiful soldier. "I wouldn't have expected it given how few people you've convinced to join your Cult thus far."
"All in good time, Rizok," Hudson said optimistically. His stoic companion had been showing signs of being more comfortable in his presence recently. The soldier would have never said something that could be considered disrespectful when they first met. "It's no surprise that people aren't exactly rushing to join a new faith that they know nothing about. Things will start to pick up once we actually build a reputation in the city."
The Tal'Qamari were culturally skeptical people, so Hudson had always expected adoption to be slow. He had mostly focused on approaching individuals likely to benefit from Cerebon's Boon and those who showed no signs of worshiping any other gods.
That mostly included artisans who could use the extra physical Stats or regeneration for minor wounds they got while working, such as [Blacksmiths] or [Carpenters]. He had also reached out to a few [Miners] who often faced physical hardship in the large silver mine near the city.
"And besides," Hudson continued, tossing the peach pit into a trash bin and sidestepping a group of children chasing after a makeshift ball. He was truly grateful that the people of this world understood that filth had a tendency to cause plagues. "We're taking steps now to broaden our reach. It's not all about just recruiting, it's more important to develop a favorable image for the future. After all, I'm already starting with a handicap due to my Class."
Rizok hummed noncommittally. "Who is it that you're intending to recruit this time?"
Hudson couldn't help but grow a little nervous at the soldier's question. "Someone rather famous in the Sunrise Slums. If I manage to recruit her, then I have no doubt that she'll help us improve our reputation in the city. You're lucky to have been assigned to me, Rizok, because it won't be long before the Cult of Cerebon is the most popular faith in Tal'Qamar!"
Hudson smiled widely as he waited for Rizok to ask the obvious question, but the lizardkin merely stared at him with a distinctly unimpressed expression. When it became obvious that Rizok wasn't going to ask, Hudson slumped and decided to go ahead and say it himself. "Spoilsport. Anyway, she's an ogre by the name of Gurza, and she's the finest [Baker] in Tal'Qamar as far as I'm concerned."
He couldn't help but laugh as Rizok raised a scaly brow, clearly caught off guard. "A… [Baker], sir? You certainly have peculiar tastes. I don't see how such a person could help you improve your Cult's reputation."
"That's because you never grew up in the Sunrise Slums," Hudson said, unconcerned about his companion's skepticism. "You would understand what I mean if you had. In any case, you'll see what I'm talking about once we get there."
Rizok's expression was one of doubt, but he simply nodded in acceptance and turned his attention back to the crowd of people passing them by.
The crowd began to grow denser as they approached the eastern section of Tal'Qamar officially known as the Sunrise District, but was more commonly referred to as the Sunrise Slums. It wasn't difficult to see why, as the buildings were tightly packed, made from cheap materials, and surrounded by poorly maintained streets. The people were dressed in ragged attire and their faces marked with lines of hardship.
Hudson could already see several people glancing at him, most likely criminals attempting to see if he would be an easy mark. He kept his expression neutral, and made sure his knife was in an easy to reach location.
It should be no surprise that the part of the city farthest away from the oasis was no paradise, but the difference was a bit jarring. Hudson's second childhood had been spent growing up on these streets, and he hadn't hesitated to move away at the first chance he got.
"There are many more gang markers here," Rizok noted as they moved deeper into the slums. "I began noticing them more after you pointed them out, but there were only one or two in the Sunset District. Here, I can see at least a half dozen markers in every alleyway."
The Sunset District was the official name for the western side of Tal'Qamar which contained most of the Guilds and many of the city's [Merchants].
"Organized crime is pretty centralized in Tal'Qamar," said Hudson, his voice quiet as he offered an explanation. "Only the most powerful groups have any influence outside of the slums, like the Red Scar Gang or the Silk Serpents. After all, there's not much money to make here. Most of them have a tendency to use the Sunrise Slums as a sort of training ground where criminals can gain Levels and eventually be recruited in a larger organization."
Hudson had seen firsthand how the System could incentivize crime. Becoming a [Thief] or something similar offered the poor a way to earn money that they would never see otherwise. There were ways to change your Class, especially when you were young, but there were significant detriments to doing so. Once people took on a profession in this world, it was very rare for them to move on to something else.
Therefore, someone with a Class related to crime would be very motivated to continue their current behavior. The fact that they could gain Levels and Skills from criminal activity, becoming stronger or more elusive, only added fuel to the fire.
"Make sure to keep your eyes open," Hudson warned as they passed a suspicious alley, the shadows seeming to loom a bit deeper than natural. "There are people here who would attempt to rob us just for the opportunity to gain a Level. The guards rarely ever came here when the Merchant Lord was in charge."
It still remained to be seen if General Nasrith would be much different, though Hudson doubted it. High Command would only turn their attention to the Sunrise Slums if they had a reason to do so.