Another prompt was scribed on the pages of the book. With trembling hands, I delicately read through the ancient pages of the grimoire, my eyes widening with each new discovery. The previously empty pages now teemed with intricate symbols, arcane diagrams, and cryptic incantations. It was as if a whole new world had been unveiled before his very eyes.

The emptiness that once pervaded its pages had been transformed. Intricate markings adorned the parchment, forming an intricate web of symbols and sigils, their meaning shrouded in mystery. The once-vacant canvas now housed a compendium of clandestine knowledge.

The spells and alchemical recipes sprawled across the pages, their contents both fascinating and unnerving. Words of power danced across the parchment, beckoning me to explore their secrets. Transmutation, the art of transforming one element into another, was at the core of these mystical writings. It spoke of a profound understanding of esoteric synthesis, a fusion of the spiritual and the material, which seemed to be the underlying theme of these enchantments.

The city streets, once bustling with life, now echoed with the hollow footsteps of lost souls of the dark. Shadows danced and twisted in the dimly lit alleys, casting eerie silhouettes upon crumbling facades. The air itself seemed to carry a palpable weight, burdened with sorrow and the residue of shattered dreams.

As darkness cloaked the city, a symphony of anguish unfolded, punctuated by the piercing wails of neighbors locked in bitter conflict. Their voices, a discordant chorus, filled the air, drowning out any semblance of tranquility. They never cease to fight every single night, huh?

Amidst this disarray, the streets became a stage for chaos to unfold. The distant wails of police sirens sliced through the night, heralding the pursuit of law and order. The reverberating screech of tires and the thunderous hum of engines mingled with the restless wind, creating an unsettling soundtrack that mirrored the fractured state of existence.

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a dim glow over the desolate streets of Barter. I found myself walking alone- an invisible grimoire in my hand, my thoughts consumed by the enigmatic journey I had embarked upon. As I navigated the dimly lit alleyways- though aware of the possible thugs that may put me in dismay, a distant commotion caught my attention, echoing through the stillness of the night.

Though, I must admit. I'm after something too...

Curiosity piqued, I quickened my pace towards the source of the disturbance. As I turned a corner, my eyes widened at the sight that unfolded before me—a stray dog viciously cornering a small, trembling cat. Instinct took over as empathy surged within me, propelling me forward to intervene.

Without hesitation, I scanned my surroundings, searching for anything that could deter the aggressive dog. Spotting a pile of discarded sticks nearby, I swiftly snatched a couple and gripped them tightly in my hand. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I approached the unfolding scene.

"Shoo! Scram!", I thwarted the dog from attacking the cat. For some reason, it made me feel familiar. This cat reminds me of my pet back in my province. He's dead now though. Ah, shit. Now, I feel worse about leaving Salug. I want to go back... But, I don't want to disappoint my parents... nor do I want to drop school.

With a swift motion, I hurled one of the sticks toward the dog, causing it to divert its attention from the frightened feline. The clatter and distraction bought enough time for the cat to scramble to safety. Sensing its opportunity, the cat darted away, seeking refuge in the shadows.

Relief washed over me as I witnessed the cat escape unharmed. Yet, my attention soon turned to the figure that had appeared on the scene—a sturdy figure of a man. Based on its unchanged uniform, it's a young junior high school student, his forehead marked by a prominent scar. He approached me with a mix of gratitude and awe in his eyes.

Who could this be? I'm afraid. A junior high school thug? Am I going to get beat up?

As I stood before him, I couldn't help but see the man through a peculiar lens, for he evoked within me the spirit of an elephant. Like the mighty pachyderm, he possessed a towering presence that commanded attention, his stature reaching toward the heavens with an air of grandeur. His broad shoulders held a weight of experience, mirroring the massive girth of an elephant's robust form.

"Thank you." the student exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. His posture was relaxed as he bent and held his cat up to his torso. His build was fairly masculine and sturdy. His eyes were hollow and his hair was quite frankly, uncut as it reached the lower levels of his neck.

Oh, he's... kind...

I nodded, a small smile forming on my lips. "It's nothing." I was quite wary of my reply.

As the gratitude lingered between us, a connection sparked—a shared understanding of the struggles that existed within Barter. A moment of camaraderie and mutual support.

"You're from Barter State High, right?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. He seemed familiar. I think I saw his face somewhere in the crowd.

The student nodded, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm a junior there. Name's Narrow.", he sighed. "I've seen you before...", he hesitated to continue. "Are you one of the new slaves of Magnifico?"

"Ah...", I was embarrassed to have a pitiful rank in front of a junior. "Yeah... I'm Juju," I introduced myself, extending a hand. "Don't tell me you're a high rank from another gang..."

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"Haha!", he laughed. "As if...", he sighed. "I'm also a slave of another gang... My family just moved a year ago from another city, and I didn't expect for this city's situation to be this... horrible."

"Oh?", I smiled. "Which gang?"

"The pioneers, haha.", he replied. Addu's gang?!

"...", I remained speechless.

Narrow's hesitation melted away, and he clasped my hand firmly. "Lackeys help lackeys, right?", he reciprocated my smile as if an aura of camaraderie enveloped the both of us. "I found that quote from a book I just read."

"Right..."

With those words, a bond formed—a connection forged amidst the chaos of Barter. I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope, knowing that we were not alone in navigating the treacherous terrain of this city. Though I must admit, I was curious to try this 'Persuasion' I got from this book. However, I wonder. This only works for people, according to the book, who has any history of committing some blasphemy upon Barter. More reason to be wary...

"Uh... Narrow."

"Yes?"

"Do you mind giving me a piece of your cat's fur? [Persuaded]"

Holy crap. This shit's dangerous. I'm actually... scared. I took a step back and acted calm. The mere fact that he got persuaded means... he really did have any history of committing something to a certain degree. I don't believe this man is a lackey. I think he's faking it.

"Sure.", I could sense great danger, yet I couldn't act like I feel it. Addu might bail me though, since he's a captain... But, let's be real... Addu doesn't treat me as equal outside.

As we parted ways, I discreetly plucked a small piece of fur from the cat's coat, hiding it carefully in my pocket. It would serve as a symbol—a reminder of the night we crossed paths and the shared understanding that tied us together. Also because the grimoire needed it.

"Bring forth a fearful feline's fur, dress a tormented boar meat with it. Cut three holes in it and pour some spirit of harm. Bury it in the soil. Wake up and feel rejoiceful."- as so it said in its recipe for an 'influential aura' concoction. I need something like that if I wanted to live. Persuasion isn't enough. I need influence.

The book had a long passage about auras and everything about it. It also had other longer content about more barbaric alchemy, but it was too advanced for me to do. Additionally, it was hard to read- having words such as 'Rattledatter' which I have no clue about what it is. Hence, even though how filled the book is now- most of it is useless.

As Narrow and I exchanged some kind of an awkward nod, we reluctantly parted ways, each continuing on our separate paths through the labyrinthine streets of Barter. The night air was thick with a sense of uncertainty, but I pressed forward, determined to accomplish my next task—buying some pork meat from the nearby mini grocery store to satisfy my this weird book. I'm not so sure if that persuasion was proof enough of this book's power, but I'm curious to see what's more.

The mini grocery store I aimed to enter was nestled in a quiet corner of Barter, tucked away from the bustling main streets. Its location felt almost hidden, known only to the locals who frequented the area. After all, I asked Addu where to buy pork meat in the middle of the night.

I have managed to save up to 150 pesos over the span of three days with Magnifico thugs. It seemed like they don't care about the coins they drop on the floor while mugging people in broad daylight. Some day, I will stop this madness. I will curse this land.

Just around the corner from the grocery store was a small Hopia store, it had a humble storefront, its windows adorned with colorful signs advertising its delectable offerings. If only I wasn't mugged by some thugs less than a day after I arrived here, I would have tasted some delicacies from there.

Entering the dimly lit store, the scent of fresh produce and a faint hum of refrigeration filled the air. Shelves were stocked with various items, their labels fading with age. I made my way through the narrow aisles, searching for the section where the meat was kept.

But as I rounded a corner, my heart sank. There, standing near the meat section, were a group of menacing figures—Magnifico thugs. I was hindered by some familiar faces- Daniel's friends? They wore their gang colors with pride, their eyes filled with an aura of intimidation and arrogance. My presence hadn't gone unnoticed, and their gazes locked onto me with a mixture of curiosity and malice.

A surge of unease rippled through me, but I couldn't allow fear to consume my every move. With a deep breath, I summoned the courage to maintain composure, my gaze fixed straight ahead. I reminded myself that in this city, weakness would only invite trouble.

As I reached for the package of pork meat, I could feel their eyes boring into my back. Every instinct screamed at me to hurry, to escape their watchful gaze. But I refused to let their presence dictate my actions.

"Oy, aren't you one of Daniel's slaves?", asked one of the thugs around the area. I could feel some sort of a gun in his pockets. I must remain vigilant.

I stood my ground, refusing to succumb to their intimidation. "Leave me alone, please. [Persuaded]"

Behind my mind, a faint glow began to form. As the glow intensified, some energy surged through my body, electrifying every fiber of my being. It was as if an unseen force had forced the thugs to mind their business. My mind was feeling some widening with a mix of astonishment and uncertainty.

"Alright.", they turned around and resumed their idle chitchat. That's it? He said just that?!

"Huh?", I looked at the book in my hands. What just happened? Is this mind control? Is this more than persuasion?! I pushed my luck.

Let me see about this...

"Bring me some pork meat", I tried to command them.

They charged right toward me. Shit.

"What did you say, you little shit?", one of the thugs who slightly heard my request asked me to reverberate my statement to which I took a step back and moved quickly. They remained in their positions, watching my every move. I was fucking trembling the entire time I was in that building.

I guess it's merely persuasion after all.

As I proceeded to the checkout counter, a heavy silence hung in the air. The tension was palpable, suffocating. But I paid no mind to the threatening aura that surrounded me. I focused on the task at hand—paying for my purchase and making a swift exit.

Fuck. I have almost zero in my overall balance. I need to find some source of income... somehow...

Should I resort to... illegal?

I looked back at the thugs.

Though their eyes followed my every move, the Magnifico thugs made no overt move to confront me. It seemed as if they were content to merely observe, their intentions veiled behind a menacing facade. With a silent acknowledgment that our paths had crossed, I completed the transaction and left the store.

Stepping back out into the night, I couldn't shake off the lingering sense of unease that clung to me. The encounter with the Magnifico thugs served as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in every corner of Barter. I knew I had to remain vigilant, to navigate this treacherous city with caution. And I need to finish this occult shit brought by the book.

Some spirit of harm... what even is that?