Far different from the picturesque town that the Leaky Lighters inhabited, Sanchi found himself stepping into a city of black.

That was to say, covered in coal dust.

Perhaps some time ago the city may have been one of beautiful red brick, but that time had long passed.

The streets, the brick buildings, the lampposts… even the sky itself was darkened by the amount of coal dust floating through the air.

Still, not a single particle of it landed on Sanchi as he kept a thin layer of mana surrounding his body. It kept him suspiciously clean, but he’d rather find trouble than inhale enough pollutants to give his immortality a run for its money.

According to the people he’d passed on his travels since departing Ava’s bed, this city had recently seen quite the amount of criminal activity—even compared to normal.

A mysterious force had come into the city, armed with strange equipment such as guns that shot bright lights, explosives that could be activated remotely, and some sort of clothing that made their gang members invisible.

That last piece of equipment had resulted in the swift and brutal assassinations of each of the city’s previous gang leaders—all seven had been brutally gutted the same night, left on the doorsteps of each of their residencies for the morning passerby to discover.

Sanchi looked up and down the street, then proceeded forward. Despite it being the middle of the day, paired with the incessant clanking from the industrial part of the city, the residential area was completely devoid of life.

At first glance, at least.

Sanchi could feel dozens of eyeballs staring at him as he slowly made his way toward the city center.

As he neared an intersection, the sources of those stares revealed themselves.

Two dozen men, dressed in what seemed to be an all-black uniform of some sort, stepped around the corners to face him in a straight row, while several more appeared atop the rooftops. Every single one pointed a revolver, pistol, or rifle at Sanchi, yet they held their shot.

A man stepped out from behind the row of gunmen and slowly turned to face Sanchi.

“Hey there, stranger,” he said.

“Why, hello there!” Sanchi enthusiastically responded with a bright smile and exaggerated waves of his hand.

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“Stop right there, now.” The man raised a revolver of his own and pointed it right between Sanchi’s eyes. “You see, we’ve had a bit of trouble in the city recently. ‘Specially with newcomers, so, I hope you won’t hold it against me if we ask why you’ve come to our fine city.”

“Oh, no need to worry about me!” Sanchi grinned. “You see, I’m just a traveling bard!”

“Bard?” The man raised an eyebrow. “Ah, like the people who go around telling stories and singing songs, right?”

He lowered his revolver a tad. “Alright then. Perform for us. Here on the street. If you’re not what you say you are, though…”

There was some shifting as those in the vicinity aimed their guns.

“Then forgive us for painting the street with your blood.”

“Not to worry, not to worry.” Sanchi pulled a harmonica out of his pocket. “I play instruments too, see. How ‘bout it?”

The man gave a curt nod.

With that, Sanchi began to play an uplifting, jaunty piece of the harmonica. It was one he’d played back in the day for many a dance party, for nobles and soldiers alike.

It felt out of place to hear such uplifting dancing music in such a dreary, ash-covered city, but that was precisely why Sanchi had chosen such a song.

It started with a single man, tapping his toe against the ash-covered road. Then a few shoulders started falling and rising. A few hips started swinging.

Even a few doors in the area began to open, and people began to slowly approach.

Before they could get too close, though, the man fired his revolver—the bullet paused just a few inches from Sanchi’s face as it collided with Sanchi’s invisible mana barrier.

The man frowned at the sight. “I don’t know what shit you’re trying to pull here, but I’ve seen enough. I can’t tell how you’re doing it, but if you continue to try your witchcraft on us, it won’t matter if you can somehow block bullets. I’ll tear you limb from limb with my bare hands.”

The man didn’t even flinch as the bullet clattered harmlessly to the ground. To their credit, not a single one of his men moved, either, despite the incredible sight.

Observant, Sanchi thought. There were dozens watching and listening, and he was the only one to realize I was using my mana to influence them. The others aren’t anything to care about, but they’re well trained.

If they’re not my enemies, they could be useful.

He lowered his harmonica. “Very well. I come in peace, anyway. I’m just looking for someone.”

“Oh? And if you find this ‘someone’, you’ll leave?”

“Depends on what happens when I find them.”

The man lowered his gun. “Heh, at least you’re honest. I can work with that.”

Sanchi made a mental note. Level-headed and open-minded. I rather hope he’s not an enemy.

The others—including the ones on the rooftops—lowered their weapons too, and retreated into nearby alleyways. The man, however, walked forward with his hand stretched out.

“I’m Jack. And you are?”

“Sanchi.”

“So who are you looking for, Sanchi?”

“Have you heard rumors of a spectral dwarf?”

Despite Jack’s best efforts, a flurry of emotions flashed across his face. “Is that who you’re looking for?”

“It is.”

“If you find him, will the both of you leave this city?”

Sanchi chuckled. “Forget the city, we’ll leave this entire world.”

Jack raised an eyebrow and stared into Sanchi’s eyes. Like with Ava, Sanchi could tell that there was something special in this man’s eyes, a glimpse of something greater. A certain instinct for survival, perhaps?

“Fine. Come to the bar with me. We can talk over a few drinks.”

“No complaints there.”