You have cast mimic, transforming your visage into that of Jasiah, a level 152 human duelist. Duration: 10 hours.

You have cast enhanced reflexes, load controller, and trigger-cast quick mend.

I returned to the alley wearing Jasiah’s face. All my buffs—except vanish—were cast, and I strode down the center of the narrow street, making no attempt to conceal either myself or my gear.

The two thugs noticed me immediately, but they didn’t break cover until I closed to within five yards of the tavern’s entrance. Then the first crept through the shadows toward me.

Pretending to be oblivious, I let him come—right up until he circled around me and tried to put a knife to my throat. Sidestepping the maneuver, I let the thug stagger past.

You have evaded Ince’s attack!

The half-orc stumbled forward, arms flailing. Reaching out, I grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head back. “This is the correct way to do it,” I whispered in his ear, pressing faithful against his bare neck.

The second thug rushed out of the shadows. “Let him go!” he hissed.

My gaze shifted to the dwarf, and sensing an opportunity, the orc under my blade tensed fractionally.

“Don’t,” I warned, nicking his skin and drawing blood.

Ince stilled.

“Better,” I praised before turning my attention to his companion, Hagfyr again. “Now, you were saying?”

The dwarf scowled. “Let him go, you bastard. I’m warning you, you don’t know who you’re messing with here.”

I chuckled. “Please! Do you think I just happened on this alley by accident? Of course, I know what you two are. Underworld thugs.” I cocked my head to the side. “Right?”

Hagfyr’s scowl deepened and out of the corner of my eye, I spotted his hands curling into fists.

“If you’re thinking of triggering any traps,” I said, guessing what he was about, “Don’t. Matters will only get messy then, and I assure you it will serve no purpose.”

I knew no such thing of course, but the dwarf didn’t need to know that. That there were traps, I didn’t doubt. Unfortunately, they were beyond my ability to detect—I’d tried and failed already.

Hagfyr’s eyes narrowed and for a moment, I feared he was going to call my bluff, but before he could do anything foolish, the half-orc spoke up. “Who are you?” he croaked.

“A fellow thief, of course,” I replied lightly, not taking my gaze off the dwarf.

“Is that so?” Hagfyr scoffed. “I don’t recognize you.”

“I’m from out of town,” I said evenly. “A friend directed me here.”

“Yeah? And who might that be?” the dwarf demanded.

“An under-dweller by the name of Nicola.”

Hagfyr was no actor, and I recognized the exact moment he connected the dots. At the mention of Nicola’s name, the dwarf’s eyes widened fractionally before darting across my face. Then, his expression smoothened so quickly it was almost comical.

“Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” he asked with barely concealed eagerness.

Somehow, I kept from laughing. “Your friend here didn’t give me a chance,” I said with a pretended frown at the orc. “He attacked without warning.”

“I wasn’t trying to kill you!” Ince growled.

“Oh? What were you trying to do then?”

“Hold you for questioning!”

“Like I am doing now?” I asked, deadpan.

“Exactly!” he exclaimed, seemingly oblivious as to the irony of the situation.

Withdrawing, faithful, I shoved him forward. “Well, then,” I said expansively, “I guess we are all friends here.” I eyed the two. “Aren’t we?”

“Of course,” Hagfyr said, looking like he wanted to rub his hands in glee.

Ince glared at me. “We still need to see your chit before we can let you in,” he said, feeling gingerly at his throat.

I smiled at the half-orc. He was either a better actor than the dwarf or ignorant of what was going on.

“Come, Ince, there’s no need for that,” Hagfyr said with oily smoothness. “He’s a friend of Nicola’s. Of course, he can—”

“Here you go,” I said, tossing Ince my underworld token.

The half-orc snatched the chit out of the air and examined it closely. “You’re an apprentice?” he asked in a tone that was equal parts outrage and disbelief.

I shrugged. “What can I say, I’m a late bloomer.”

Hagfyr chortled. “Huh-oh. You let a little bitty apprentice get the better of you, Ince? You’re not going to live this one down!”

Ince’s glare swapped to his companion.

Stepping forward, I reached out and plucked the token from the half-orc’s hand. “Everything is in order then?”

“Yessir, mister apprentice!” Hagfyr replied before Ince could say anything. Reaching behind him, he unlocked the steel door. “Come on in. I’ll escort you.”

✵ ✵ ✵

The tavern’s main door opened into a narrow corridor that sloped gently downward. Affecting a relaxed air, I trailed after the dwarf.

The thieves’ main hideout lay beneath the tavern, which accounted for the passage’s sloping. There was more to its design than that, though. The corridor served the thieves as both backdoor and escape route. And while there were no guards, that did not mean the passage lacked defenses.

It was trapped, of course.

Given the passage’s length and narrow confines, it would be a death trap for any assaulting force. However, based on Hugo’s information, I knew the front entrance was even more heavily guarded—and not just by traps. There were multiple thief squads roving above, all tasked with watching the patrons and the entrances to the below ground level.

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It was why I had chosen to ‘sneak’ in through the backdoor. This way, there was a decent chance I’d come face to face with Dinara without having to wade through each and every one of his minions.

And all it took was offering myself up as bait.

You have crossed through a tier 6 concealment barrier. All entities within the barrier are hidden from outside detection.

You have entered an adept dampening field. Your tier 1 to 4 mana, psi, and stamina abilities have been inhibited.

Your spells, load controller, quick mend, and enhanced reflexes have been dispelled.

Impregnable mind and mimic have resisted dispelling.

My musings came to an abrupt end as the Game messages dropped into my mind. Hugo had warned me about the field and barrier, and I’d know to expect them. However, I hadn’t been entirely sure how accurate his information was, and it was a relief to find out he was spot on.

My wariness about the dampening field was another reason I’d chosen to make my entry through the backdoor. If it had stripped me of my false visage, I knew I would have an easier time of concealing my face from Hagfyr and Ince than a tavern full of people while I made my escape.

Thankfully that was no longer necessary.

Admittedly, though, the strength—or lack thereof—of the dampening field surprised me. On a positive note, it meant I’d have access to my tier five abilities—backstab, vanish, mimic, and slaysight amongst them. On the other hand, it also meant Dinara and any other elites in the basement would enjoy the same advantages.

Which could be both good or bad.

It all depended on what abilities the other elites had.

“Caught you by surprise, did it?” Hagfyr asked with a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, though, the barrier and field are there for everyone’s sake.”

Ha! That was unlikely to be true. Given the field’s design, it had probably been configured solely for Dinara’s protection. With the other thieves’ abilities inhibited, the den chief wouldn’t have to worry about being stabbed in the back.

I didn’t pursue the subject further, of course. “Where are we going?” I asked instead.

“To visit the chief,” Hagfyr answered airily. “He’ll want to see you.”

“Oh, why’s that?” I asked, concealing my delight.

“Dinara—that’s his name—always insists on meeting any newcomers to the city,” Hagfyr replied easily. “You know, to make sure you’re properly welcomed and all that stuff.”

I bet.

“I see,” I murmured. “Well, I look forward to meeting him myself.”

✵ ✵ ✵

A little later, we entered the underworld complex proper, and despite thinking I knew what to expect, I drew to an involuntary stop. Hugo’s words had not done the place justice. He’d labeled it a private club. But the underworld den was more than that.

Much more.

The passage had spilled out into a wide-open seating area. Couches, divans, and even throne-like armchairs were strewn across the chamber. The carpet underfoot was plush, translucent silk curtains pretended to partition off the room, trays heaped with extravagant dishes graced every table, drinks were in abundant supply, and everywhere I looked there were muscular and near-naked servitors—non-players all—serving the guests.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Hagfyr asked proudly.

“That’s one word for it,” I muttered under my breath.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing,” I replied, studying the ‘guests’ again. They were all players. High-ranking thieves was my guess, but none of them was the one I sought. “Where’s Dinara?”

Hagfyr snorted. “Not here amongst the riffraff, of course. He has a private suite further back for his own enjoyment and that of his… special guests.”

“Of course,” I murmured. Extending my arm, I waved the dwarf on. “Lead on.”

Turning around, the dwarf proceeded to do just that, but he didn’t get far before a hulking brute barred our progress. “Hagfyr,” the thug greeted the dwarf before turning my way. “Who’s this?”

“A friend of Nicola’s,” the dwarf replied, beaming from ear to ear.

The brute blinked slowly. “Nicola?”

Hagfyr nodded with ill-concealed smugness. “That’s right. This one here is an acquaintance of the under-dweller. I’m taking him to see the chief.”

The brute raked me over with a lazy gaze.

You have passed a mental resistance check!

Hed has failed to pierce your disguise.

Snorting softly, Hed stepped out of the way, clearly perceiving me as no threat. “Go on ahead.”

✵ ✵ ✵

We crossed the chamber without incident.

Along the way, I spotted more lurking thugs but none of them attempted an approach. No doubt, they’d spotted Hed’s earlier interception and noted his decision to let us pass unhindered.

It was clear that despite the obvious opulence of the lounge, the thieves had not forgone their security measures altogether, a fact I was reminded of again when I spotted the two elites lounging outside the shut door that was our destination.

The target is Darkdawn, a level 225 elven fencer.

The target is Horus, a level 230 human blademaster.

“What are you doing here, Hagfyr?” Darkdawn drawled, not bothering to get up from the couch he was sprawled across.

“Yeah,” Horus chipped in, sipping deeply from his mug. “Aren’t you on door watch?”

Hagfyr rocked back on his heels, his excitement barely contained. “I have a present for the boss.”

“Oh?” the elf enquired.

The dwarf stuck his thumb in my direction. “This is the one.”

Horus barely glanced my way while Darkdawn didn’t even bother with that much. But despite the pair’s seeming insouciance, I did not miss the keenness of their gazes, nor the many buffs layered over their persons. The elites were alert and ready to act on a moment’s notice.

“The one?” the human repeated, stifling a yawn. “Is that supposed to mean something? ‘One’ what?”

“Yeah, Hagfyr, tell us what’s got you so all hot and bothered,” Darkdawn added. “And don’t deny that’s the case. You’re practically oozing—” He paused, then widened his eyes theatrically. “Wait, don’t tell me. Has Hagfyr finally found a partner? Is he the one? Have you come to ask the boss’ permission?” The elf got no further. Clutching his sides, he broke down into laughter.

“Congratulations, Hagfyr,” Horus said solemnly. “But I hate to break it to you, the boss doesn’t go in for that sort of—”

The dwarf’s face grew heated. “Shuddup, you fools!”

Darkdawn’s mirth vanished as quickly as it appeared. “Easy, Hagfyr,” he said softly. “Don’t forget your place.”

The dwarf gulped audibly.

“Now report,” Horus rasped, his own face scrubbed clean of expression. “Properly. As you should’ve done in the first place.”

Visibly stiffening, Hagfyr inhaled sharply. “This here fool is the mark the boss is looking for. The under-dweller’s associate. Walked right up to the door, he did.”

Two sharp gazes fell on me.

You have passed a mental resistance check!

Horus and Darkdawn have failed to pierce your disguise.

Ignoring the elites’ scrutiny, I stared at the dwarf, affecting shock and confusion. “What’s going on here?” I demanded. “Your boss is looking for me? You didn’t mention that! What does he want?”

Ignoring my outburst, Horus addressed the dwarf, “How do you know he is the mark?”

“Uhh… he said so.”

Darkdawn rolled his eyes. “He just upped and turned himself in, did he?”

Hagfyr’s flush deepened. “No. He claimed to be the under-dweller’s friend, and I saw no reason to doubt him. He fits the description, after all.”

The elf pursed his lips, but he didn’t mock the dwarf further. “Hagfyr is right about that,” he murmured in an aside to Horus that I was sure I wasn’t supposed to hear. “He does look like the one the chief is after.”

Horus nodded minutely. “Go tell the boss. I’ll keep an eye on him so long.”

Not saying anything further, the elf slipped through the closed door behind them.

“Is someone going to tell me what’s—” I began.

“Shut up,” Horus ordered. “And don’t move.”

Glaring at the elite with what I hoped seemed like helpless outrage, I let my right hand slip closer to my hip.

“Don’t,” Horus warned. “You’ll be dead before your blade leaves its sheath.”

I doubted that, but my gambit was working and there was scarce need for further playacting. Folding my arms in front of me, I set myself to wait patiently.

But only a moment later, the door behind Horus opened again and Darkdawn stepped out. “The boss will see you now,” he said, staring straight at me.

Concealing a smile, I stepped forward. It looked like I was finally going to get my wish: a private meeting with Dinara. And all without killing anyone or a single slipup.

I must be getting better at this.