After settling his thoughts, Iske walked over to the makeshift bed on the floor and picked up a pair of round glasses resting beside it. As soon as he put them on, he felt a wave of comfort wash over him.

They are normal glasses, non-prescription glasses. Iske has no vision problems. The glasses have other effects, magical effects.

'The first effect is to make me appear intelligent and increase my persuasion, which seems very silly, but sometimes it's useful, and the other effect is to conceal my eye color'

The first magical effect is something that Iske Grace previously used to gain an advantage in some situations, shamelessly using the glasses to swindle poor people, however he only used it a few times. The latter effect is the reason why he has the glasses in the first place.

Crimson eyes symbolize fire, iron, and blood—emblems of war. The race which represented the crimson eyes were the demons, the race known for carrying the banner of war.

Iske Grace is half demon—his mother was from that race, while his father was a noble human. He inherited many traits from his mother's lineage, including the crimson eyes, which are often viewed with disdain in society due to a war that happened thousands years ago.

'It's not that bad nowadays, but I don't want trouble, so it's better wearing it and concealing my eyes.'

Then he left the tiny room.

Stepping out of his apartment, he locked the door and looked at the surroundings.

He took his right. Reaching the ground, a very unsightly landscape greeted him.

The garden was in poor condition, with overgrown bushes reaching up to Iske's shins. A crumbling rock path wound through the tangled undergrowth, leading to a dilapidated fence barely clinging to its posts.

Iske frowned at the scene and looked back.

He saw a dilapidated three-story building, its walls a sickly yellow from neglect, with vines creeping up its crumbling façade. Visible damage marred several sections, and a large wall facing the street was covered in graffiti of a bizarre beast.

Looking beyond the fence, Iske noticed that the entire neighborhood reflected the dilapidated state of the building behind him.

'That guy has the audacity to come to people's houses and threaten them over rent when the building is in this state,' Iske thought, sighing in frustration.

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Then he began to walk, passing the fence and making his way down the street. He reached the main road, which, despite its name, was devoid of cars. Instead, people stroll casually down the middle of the street.

Iske began descending the winding, zigzagging streets. As he walked, he passed countless people in dire situations—homeless individuals huddled in doorways, alleys filled with dealers selling drugs and other illicit goods, and a steady undercurrent of criminal activity.

'This is the Crime alley, an entire district of the Topaz city, which the most poor live in. Crime, drugs, prostitution, hunger and death hide in this place'

'After the Conquest, many cities have this same sight'

The Empire of Lasim unified the entire continent through a massive fifteen-year war, which started two decades ago. Following the conquest, the empire transformed into a republic, ushering in a golden age for the continent.

However, the war left deep scars, one of which is areas like Crime Alley. Here, many who lost their homes, jobs, and families sought refuge. This district quickly became a hotspot for criminal activity, evolving into a thriving center for drug dealers and criminals who preyed on the desperation of its inhabitants.

'And I live in such a place… I should find a good place to move in when I make some money.'

Despite the place being filled with criminals and drug lords, Iske walked with confidence, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding dangers. He wasn't alone in this attitude; everyone around him carried on the same way, living their lives and even finding enjoyment, indifferent to the darkness lurking in their surroundings.

Because despite the countless dangerous people in the place, the entire Crime Alley follows rules.

'One of the unspoken rules here is to leave civilians alone—unless they cross a line. In this district, people who steal or commit any other crime usually pay for it with their lives, even those connected to criminals and drug lords.'

Such an order only exists thanks to the Boss of Crime Alley. Despite their questionable morals and methods, they typically have enough honor to keep innocents out of their dealings.

'Jasper is probably the current boss, and if he isn't, he will soon take over, and the thing he'll need the most when reaching that position is connections. Because becoming the Boss is easy, the hard part is to keep being the Boss'

Iske's thoughts paused as he arrived at a cliff crowded with people waiting in line to board a magical cable car that would take them into the city.

The line was considerably big, yet Iske decided to wait.

'It's way faster reaching the city using the cable car, unless you're up for a fifty-minute walk to the city.'

Iske glanced at the cable car. Small, yet impressive. 'These cable cars are enchanted with magical properties, allowing them to almost 'float' in the air, with the cables serving only to guide their path.'

'It's pretty cool. I wonder if, when I learn magic, I could use these cables for rappel. That would be awesome', Iske thought, completely disregarding the fact that the countless meters of freefall below would instantly kill anyone who dared to fall.

As he daydreamed about using the cables, he waited his turn. The line wasn't long, and after just five minutes, he boarded the car with fifteen other passengers.

As the cable car descended the towering mountain where Crime Alley was built, Iske gazed out at the stunning landscape. The deep blue ocean stretched out below, framed by a sunny sky on the horizon. The salty breeze filled his nose, while the hum of the cable car and the soft murmur of conversation surrounded him, creating a strange contrast to the world below.

Only ten minutes later, Iske disembarked from the cable car and stepped onto the ground, entering the bustling city of Topaz. As he took in the sights for the 'first' time, he couldn't help but notice how much it resembled the old cities of the 1900s.

Tall, ornate buildings made of brick and stone lined the streets. These buildings featured intricate carvings on their facades. Horse-drawn carriages decorating the streets, being illuminated by glowing magical ink, casting a warm glow as dusk settled.

The air buzzed with the sounds of street vendors calling out their wares. In the distance, modern skyscrapers rose abruptly from the city's historic landscape, their sleek, steel-and-glass structures feeling strangely out of place, standing proudly yet almost surreal amidst the older buildings.

'It's kinda cool, old and new mixed together with magic'

The world of Outer Tales is set in a distant future, after an unknown disaster that nearly wiped out humanity. Most of it was lost—knowledge, lives, and landmarks—leaving only fragments behind.

The historians knew as the Cataclysm the disaster.

People rebuilt what could be saved and restored, like those modern skyscrapers. But everything else had to be rediscovered and learned anew, from the ground up.

Iske stared at the scene for a few moments, intrigued by the contrast, before shaking his head and refocusing on his goal. 'To the museum.'