Whenever Selene saw all kinds of magical and fantastical things, she would always feel as if she were in some grand epic. But that illusion usually wouldn't last—Thel Street, dirty and chaotic, was a place she frequented, and the only connection it had to epics was that you could spend a few coins to have a poor poet in a tavern sing you a song. The instruments were out of tune, the performers’ voices were off-key, and it sounded like someone sawing wood, with sawdust flying in her mind.

“…That gambling den is a tavern during the day. It’s also one of the few… well, clubs in town. It’s called the Merry Drinking Club,” Selene led Richter into a small alley. She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

A disgusting mix of alcohol, smoke, and rotting food filled the air, along with the faint smell of excrement lingering in the corners. The sounds of excited shouts and people hitting tables came from the buildings on both sides.

“Their main business is selling alcohol, the kind that’s more expensive and higher quality than what you find in taverns. Occasionally, they even have superhuman potions—the low-level kind, the ones that have been diluted to the point of being useless, only the special effects remain.” Selene covered her nose, her voice strained. “To get to the gambling den, you have to go through the back door of the club. But there’s a shortcut I know. You can go through the second floor and get to the gambling den directly.”

She detailed her plan,

“The target is a security guard at the club. He usually wanders between the gambling den and the club. You enter through the front door and order some drinks like a normal customer. I’ll go through the back door. If one of us doesn’t find the target, we’ll go to the other location…”

Then she put a few coins in Richter’s hand, saying with some reluctance,

“The guards at the back door won’t let you in if you look unfamiliar, so you say, ‘I’m here to see Mr. Edmond. I have some personal business with him.’ Then you give him the money, and he’ll let you in.”

Richter nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. He saw that Selene seemed to be hesitating about whether or not to say what was on her mind, so he asked,

“Is there a problem?”

“No… well, sort of.” Selene hesitated and nodded, a little puzzled, “I just didn’t think you would actually work as an ‘assistant.’ After all…”

This guy clearly had ulterior motives, so why would he waste his time running around with her?

Seeing her puzzled expression, Richter sighed inwardly, knowing that she had voiced her concerns directly. If he didn’t give her a reasonable explanation, although she wouldn’t say anything more because of the money, she would definitely distance herself from him… He thought for a moment and simply said,

“My purpose is to find someone, but I currently have no leads.”

That was enough. He was confident that Selene would fill in the rest herself.

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Selene thought for a moment, then suddenly understood.

—It wasn’t likely that someone from Mittal would have acquaintances thousands of miles away in Lanstier. Richter hadn’t made any public announcements or asked around after arriving in town. He had given up the most effective method, most likely because he didn’t want many people to know.

This paid employment wasn’t that simple. It was a covert hiring. He was borrowing her power to help him find someone. A detective looking for someone wasn’t unusual and wouldn’t attract too much attention. It also provided him with a convenient, inconspicuous identity… I see!

Selene's thoughts raced. She patted Richter’s shoulder responsibly.

“After we finish the station’s business, everything will be easier to manage. I’ll do my job for the money.”

Richter nodded with a smile. They had reached a tacit understanding, even though he had no idea what her thought was.

The brief exchange eased Selene's wariness. After all, a business relationship based on mutual benefit was the most stable.

After a few more reminders about the target’s appearance, Selene and Richter parted ways. She turned and went into the deeper part of the alley.

Richter silently watched her as she turned and disappeared into the alley. He sighed.

He wasn’t sure if he was doing the right thing, whether this would bring them closer or push them further apart. But doing something was always better than doing nothing… And, based on his understanding of Selene, the environment she couldn’t adapt to, the one she wanted to escape from most, was the unknown, and the thing that made her most uneasy was when strangers offered unprovoked kindness…

This should be a good start.

Richter rubbed his nose, which was a little numb from the strong smell. He sighed.

“You really have completely forgotten me… That’s probably for the best.”

...

After a few turns in the alley, Selene found a rusty iron gate.

She quickly knocked seven times, conveying a sense of impatience. About a dozen seconds later, a man in a heavy coat opened the door. He looked at Selene, his brow furrowed, and said,

“This is private property…”

Before he could finish, Selene slipped three coins into his hand. They were worth half a silver coin in total.

“I’m here to see Mr. Edmond. I have some personal business with him.”

The man in the coat immediately changed his attitude. He relaxed slightly, confirming that the code was correct. He glanced at the coins in his hand and stepped aside.

“First time here? I thought you were…”

“A friend recommended me,” Selene answered in a low, masculine voice. She paused, then added, “Someone from the guild.”

The man immediately understood and rubbed his forehead with a headache, complaining,

“Damn it, it’s that loudmouth Wilson again! This is an underground gambling den. It’s illegal! How can he not understand? Telling everyone—”

While he was talking, Selene walked right past him, into the dark hallway. The man didn’t stop her and continued with his duties as a guard.

As she entered the gambling den, the stench from the alley intensified, but at least there wasn’t the smell of excrement. Selene could handle the smell of sweat and alcohol.

About twenty steps later, she came to a staircase. A brightly lit hall was on the left side of the stairs. A one-way transparent screen blocked the view of the hall, but the patrons in the gambling den could see everything inside.

Selene saw the disguised Richter being led by a server, sitting down at a three-legged wooden table. Another server immediately brought him some drinks. After enjoying his drink, he naturally stood up and mingled with the crowd in the hall, chatting with a patron.

Selene noticed that it was a heavily made-up, voluptuous woman.

“Tsk, he’s adapting well.”

Selene muttered to herself, confirming that he didn’t need her help. Then she went up the stairs.