Within the Underworld, there was an odd hierarchy.

Not just by the height of the place you lived in, such as the structures attached to the ceiling, but also by the light dyeing each area.

If I were to give an example, it would be the eerie glow I noticed as I wandered along the narrow streets lined with stalls on each side, just on the outskirts of the Underworld. There was also a slave trading right in the corner, which was only dimply lit by a smattering of torches.

The lights shifted toward a scarlet tone as I got closer to the center. I also spotted some vibrant purple signs attached on top of serval buildings that stood out among the sea of red.

My nose scrunched as I caught the foul odor emanating from a man passing by. If the stench of alcohol wasn't enough to persuade you, perhaps his wrinkled clothes and wild hair would. But it was the way he rested his hand against a wall just as he was about to stumble which told me he was completely out of it.

He licked his lower lip, approaching a woman in a revealing attire. When she saw his bloodshot eyes, she seemed as appalled as I was.

Then he took out his money and paid her before she led him into the building after exchanging a couple of indiscernible words.

I blinked, puzzled by what I had witnessed.

So you're telling me the reason this place is dyed bright red is... Okay, I get it now. To put it plainly, this is an area heavily orientated toward intimate relationships.

Regardless of my discomfort, I should try to see the good side of things. My business had nothing to do with this place.

That thought was thwarted by a pair of heels clamping against the ground.

Someone was approaching me. I measured her from head to toe. There weren't any accessories to speak of, but she nonetheless stood out by wearing a modest, knee-length gown. Compared to the woman I was just ogling at, there was no makeup on her innocent face.

She didn't give off the impression of someone coming out of a brothel, but rather, a college student returning home. She appeared... out of place. As Ethan said when we first met; an easy target to pick on.

If there was anything I could complain about, then it would be the smoke departing her lips as she threw me an alluring smile.

I feigned not noticing her and averted my sight, which enticed her interest even further.

"There's no reason to be shy," she said. "I just want to chat with you for a bit."

For a second, I wondered just how many other people she had approached in the same manner.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"I'm not interested," I muttered, not bothering to avoid her intense stare any longer.

She was obviously appealing, but I'd rather avoid doing something I'd regret later. I was willing to do some dubious things, but not to throw everything away.

Her eagerness quickly gave way to disappointment. "Don't tell me you view me as a whore that'd sleep with anyone simply because I approached you this way?"

"No, you misunderstood me. I never intended to upset you in any way—" I halted, realizing I was apologizing once again habitually. It was something I'd done way too many times before, so it was difficult to keep under control.

That's why I failed her test.

"Apologizing just like that..." She chuckled as she traced her finger along my shoulder. "You're not from around here, are you?"

At that point, I had already regained my composure and took a step back, avoiding her touch as I shot back: "It's none of your business."

Whether I was from here or not had nothing to do with her.

"You may be right," she added, raising her hand to indicate she didn't mean any harm whatsoever. "However, I took a liking to you."

I couldn't figure out what there was to like about me in the first place.

"Mind if I?" she asked, and without my consent, brushed her warm fingers against my cheek. As she moved in closer, the aroma of lavenders flooded my senses. "Your eyes are gray, aren't they? I couldn't tell from afar, but you're attractive up close... Could you please tell me what your name is?"

My mind went cold as she mentioned that. I might have played along for a little bit longer if you hadn't brought up such a personal matter, but now...

"Does your perfume have any aphrodisiac properties?"

I was only speculating, but judging by the slight convulsion of her body, I knew I was right. That's why, even after I declined her approach, she continued to stay close to me. I would grow more and more attracted to her as I kept inhaling her perfume, which was bound to make me commit some mistakes during our conversation eventually.

I yanked her wrist away from my face. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her smile unable to reach her eyes.

There are a lot of regulars in this part of the Underworld. My appearance, on the other hand, suggested nothing about my suitability as a target. She was probably only testing the waters by approaching me. To check whether I was someone she could mess around with.

"I'm flattered you're interested in me, but I have to get going."

I didn't care what she did for a living, but if she was the kind of person who would go as far as to drug her customers, then I wasn't going to waste any more of my time talking to her. I'd rather not get involved with her at all if that was the case.

She sighed and grabbed my sleeve, which deepened my frown even further. If I were to put in a bit more power, I was certain I might drag her along. I'd rather not cause a scene, though.

"Just listen to me," grumbled the lady, and let go as soon as she realized I wasn't leaving.

"Some brothels around here have workers who slip medication into their customer's beverages," she explained, trying to keep her irritation at bay. "They're quite addictive. If you're looking for anything specific, go elsewhere. The higher the price, the safer."

Although I never had any intention of visiting a brothel, any information about the Underworld was welcomed.

"Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Ugh, I have no idea why..." she rubbed her arm in distress, looking away. "I admit I approached you thinking you'd be an easy target, but I changed my mind."

So she's definitely... in that line of work, but something caught my attention in her words.

"'Target,'" I asked, pressing further with the eyes she was fond of. "A target for what exactly?"

Her mouth quivered as she realized her blunder. "I—"

'Caught her,' I thought, assuming this was a chance to squeeze more information out of her.

Nobody could blame me for taking advantage of her since she tried to do the same, am I right?