Nyaogi eased through the tavern's back entrance, her heart racing. Each step towards her room intensified the burden of her secret magic. The tavern buzzed with noise, a blend of chatter and laughter. She hoped this din would mask her covert actions.

In her room, she swiftly locked the door and glanced around. Her potion-making gear, once a source of pride, now loomed as a risky secret. She began packing vials, herbs, and ingredients into boxes, her hands shaking.

The sounds from below filtered through the floor, a constant reminder of the outside world. Laughter and conversation contrasted with her urgency. She had to be silent to avoid suspicion.

Nyaogi's thoughts raced. She was pained by the thought of leaving her makeshift lab, but Core City's increasing scrutiny gave her no choice. Today, the room was a refuge; tomorrow, it could be a trap.

The gentle clink of glass vials echoed loudly in the quiet room. She paused, listening for any sound above the tavern's noise. Her anxiety grew with each amplified sound.

Remembering her unregistered kynik crystal, Nyaogi patted her pocket, feeling its familiar, smooth surface. This crystal, a key to her magical prowess, was both a lifeline and a liability. Keeping it hidden was paramount.

Nyaogi reached for more herbs when a sound halted her. Footsteps, distinct and purposeful, approached her door. Her heart surged, fear and dread pulsating through her.

Quickly, she scanned the room. Spotting stray herbs on the table, she swept them into a drawer. She pushed the satchel under the bed, only partly hidden, and stood motionless, barely breathing.

Positioning herself between the workbench and the door, she tried to shield the alembic with her body. The footsteps neared, steady and deliberate. Nyaogi stared at the door, muscles taut. She hoped it was just a passerby. The thought of it being the Core City investigator t sent chills through her.

Time dragged as she waited. The footsteps halted outside her door, plunging her into a tense stillness. She held her breath, focused on the tarnished brass doorknob.

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Time crawled. Finally, the footsteps continued and faded down the hall. Nyaogi exhaled, her breath quivering, realizing how close she had been to exposure.

Shaken by the encounter, fear lingered. She knew she couldn't risk another mistake. With extra care, Nyaogi resumed packing. She gently padded each item with rags, ensuring no glass clinked or rustle was loud enough to reach beyond her room.

The room's mood shifted; Nyaogi's once hurried packing turned into a silent, measured process.

With everything safely packed, she stepped back. She double-checked the room, making sure her potion-making was completely hidden. She disguised the containers among everyday items. To anyone glancing in, they'd seem like normal travel belongings.

Her heart still racing, Nyaogi gave a small nod of approval. The boxes concealed the room’s true contents. The recent scare had fueled her urgency. It was time to transport her supplies discreetly.

#

Nyaogi cracked her door open, she crept down the stairs, then eyed the tavern's bustling common area. Her heart sank at the sight. The inn was crowded, filled with laughter and chatter. It was far too busy for moving her supplies unnoticed.

She stepped back and went upstairs. She shut the door, leaning against it, she tried to steady her thoughts. Now was the time for careful planning, not panic.

The danger of storing her potion supplies at the inn was growing. Core City officials were hunting for illegal magic, making staying put risky. Yet, moving her items in such a public setting was dangerous too. She risked being spotted.

Pacing her room, Nyaogi thought hard about her options. Waiting for a quieter time meant less risk of being seen but increased the chance of her supplies being found. Moving them now in the crowded tavern could lead to getting caught.

Each choice was risky, but inaction was not an option.

Standing in her room, Nyaogi felt the walls closing in. The fear of her supplies being found clashed with the hope they'd stay hidden. She imagined Core City officials lurking, threatening her secret potion world.

She weighed her options. Acting now, amidst the tavern's noise, risked attracting attention. But leaving her supplies hidden in the room felt equally risky, stirring anxiety within her.

After tense thought, Nyaogi decided. Moving her supplies now was too risky. She'd wait for a quieter time. It was a gamble to leave her items in plain sight, but a necessary risk.

She eyed the boxes again, doubting their safety.

With a heavy heart, Nyaogi accepted her choice. Caution was key, more important than haste. She'd wait for a safer moment to act. For now, she needed to blend in, unseen in the tavern's lively chaos.