It was still drizzling outside, but that didn't stop me from carrying out my plan. The streets, for the most part, were deserted. I assumed most people would be spending time with their families during these hours, which was rather enviable.

I strolled inside yet another pharmacy, hoping to find the medication I was looking for.

"Good evening," said the pharmacist, her polite smile gradually giving way to a disappointed expression. I removed my jacket's hood and stepped into the greenish glow emanating from above, which appeared to have eased her worries. "What exactly are you looking for?"

"Sorry for the inconvenience. I'm looking for clarinadryl."

"We do have it. Let me go get it for you," she said, her dark eyes sparkling like jewels as soon she heard what I wanted. "Do you happen to be a hunter?"

"I'm not," I answered honestly.

I might enroll in Artemis soon, though, but there was no reason to reveal too much about myself. Especially not when I wasn't completely certain I'd even get in.

"So you're a mercenary, then?" probed the pharmacist as she stood on her toes, reaching for one of the upper shelves. "But you seem rather young..."

That was a misconception. Mercenaries were frequently associated with battle-hardened veterans. Scarred behemoths with muscles. Hunters, on the other hand, frequently interacted with the public via social media, altering their reputation over time. If they had to be compared to anything, it would be celebrities.

"I'm not a mercenary, either," I answered, not being comfortable enough to lie about my profession.

"Hey." She tapped the box against the counter in mild annoyance. "Then why are you looking for clarinadryl? Are you here on someone's errand or something?"

"You could say that..."

She snapped her tongue, as though she was dissatisfied with my response. "You're aware that this stuff is pricey, right? I'm not into humiliating others, so I'll just tell you the amount and let you decide."

When I heard the pharmacist, my face turned even paler. I assumed the costs on the internet were exaggerated, but that wasn't the case...

It's not like I wasn't aware of any of that. I'd gone to serval pharmacies before coming here, but I never expected the price to be so expensive in an establishment as shady as this one.

"Make this easier for both of us and just leave," she muttered, and I complied without saying anything further. "Gosh, what exactly do you think this place is? The Black Market? You think we can just negotiate things..."

"Black Market," I caught that part as I left.

Logan couldn't have been there in person (Ava wouldn't have let him), but he told me several stories about it... I wasn't sure where it was, but what I did know was the fact that, at the rate things are currently going, I'll be compelled to return to my mundane life...

I couldn't allow that.

I glanced the other way, not just because I was trying to get rid of my unpleasant thoughts, but also because there were no cabs to be seen.

"Just my luck..."

All I could do was look for cover, which was thankfully nearby.

It was one of those vintage bus stops, with glass that filled the stainless steel frame, making it look more like an antique than anything else. When we were younger, those siblings and I got curious about them. We searched through the internet, only to discover these types of stations were common decades before cabs were established.

Coincidentally, I played a game with Reyna and Connor before, trying to find out all the stations within the neighborhood. A treasure hunt of sorts. Looking back, it was just a waste of time.

I took a seat, which thankfully wasn't wet due to the shabby roof above.

I leaned my shoulder against the glass, enjoying the chill I felt through my jacket. Albeit occasionally, there were moments when no cabs were available. That's when I'd take the bus, which wasn't really an option now.

Cabs, on the other hand, offered a wider variety of locations, but they only carried around a single individual.

"Which means that even if I ride the bus, I wouldn't arrive where I want..." I murmured, half-closing my eyes as I watched the bus drive away.

Figures pass by me. I recognized none. They didn't even bother to spare me a glance, which wasn't all that bothersome. I wasn't that important, and perhaps I'll forget about their existence soon.

I was familiar with the feeling of not caring about anyone but oneself. You're too absorbed in other problems to notice what's going on around you. I was deliberately trying to put myself in that state. It made things... easier to cope with.

I considered pulling out my phone and scrolling through it for a while but opted against it. I'd hate if I were to miss something just because I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings.

That's when a miracle occurred. It finally arrived. A sleek, circular vehicle came to an abrupt halt. A man in a business suit existed after, his head covered by a suitcase to prevent the rain from ruining his gelled hair. I didn't care who he was as I got right inside the cab. If I had been playing on my phone like any other sensible human, I would've missed it—or so I reasoned as I met the gazes of other passengers hoping to get in the cab.

It felt good to get the best of them.

I took the pass from my wallet (which was about to expire) and pressed it against the screen before placing it back into its place. The reddish color disappeared, indicating that the transaction was completed, revealing in detail Cernasea instead, our pentagonal-shaped city, and all of its five enormous districts. I zoomed in and out for a few moments before tapping my finger on the desired location.

My eyes landed on those behind me. It took some serious effort not to shoo them away with my hand as the cab moved forward. Like a monarch, often bothered by his filthy servants.

I'm insane for even considering something like that...

"No," I declared, knitting my brows as I saw some people squabbling over the cab behind me. "The world around me is insane."

My surroundings steadily changed from the humble neighborhood within the 3rd District where I resided to the huge structures in the 1st, which I couldn't see the end of. That wasn't the kind of place I was seeking, though.

I had to confess that this cab is quite comfortable. I wanted to take a nap, but I decided against it. I bit my lower lip, trying to stay awake as I stared at the lane ahead. There was no way I was going to fall asleep.

If I did, I was fully aware there was a chance I might not even wake up.