The morning dawned grey and damp, but Virtue's spirits were bolstered by a hearty breakfast laid out for the guests of the Cockatrice and Bullock. As she looked at the spread before her, she couldn’t help but worry about future weight gain. If she ate like this every day, she was certain she’d end up getting fat. The rich food and lack of real physical activity while riding around in this strange version of London was concerning. The meal the night before had been delicious but indulgent, and Virtue made a mental note to be careful about her diet. She would skip lunch today—she didn't want to overdo it. The table in the common room was laden with steaming plates—eggs cooked just right, with yolks golden and runny. Sausages, rich and savory, with a crisp skin that made a satisfying snap with each bite. A dish of kedgeree sat in the center, its aromatic blend of smoked haddock, rice, and spices filling the room with a warm, comforting scent. There was a basket of freshly toasted bread, crusty and perfect for spreading with dollops of sweet, sticky jam. Mr. Higgins himself poured the tea, strong and brisk, and Virtue found herself enjoying the meal, and the warm atmosphere of the inn.

After finishing her breakfast, Virtue stepped into the inn yard where Saveloy was waiting, his ears perked up as he spotted her approaching. “You wouldn't believe the accommodations here, Virtue,” Saveloy said, a note of smug satisfaction in his voice. “Warm hay, a proper stall, even a carrot or two. Almost feels like royalty.”

Virtue chuckled, shaking her head. “Glad to hear it, Saveloy. I'm loving the food here too.”

Mr. Higgins, bustling past with a stack of linen, nodded to her as she spoke with Saveloy. “You’ll find that we try to make things as comfortable as possible here. It’s not easy, this life, but we do what we can.”

Ned, the stable boy, came over from the stable, patting Saveloy on the neck. “He’s right, miss. Saveloy here’s the best guest we’ve had in a while—doesn’t complain, not like the others.”

“Of course not,” Saveloy said, flicking his tail. “I’m far too dignified for that.”

Virtue smiled, finishing her breakfast. It was time to get to work.

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Virtue opened Paragon, her mind already connecting to the interface. The screen blinked into her vision, resembling a simplified version of a ride-sharing app—like the Paragon app she had used back in the mundane world. The app displayed potential clients, each with a small profile picture, their location, destination, and reward. The distance to the client was indicated, and Virtue had the option to accept or decline each fare. She studied the list until she found one that seemed manageable, just a short trip to start the day.

“Controller, you got anything interesting for me today?” Virtue asked aloud, her voice low.

The Controller's voice echoed in her mind, smooth and almost amused. “All jobs are interesting in their own way, Miss Virtue. But perhaps you’ll find this one amusing—a dwarf in Bermondsey needs a ride to Rotherhithe. Shall I assign it to you?”

Virtue sighed. “Sure, why not. Let’s get this day started.” She pressed the accept button, and a glowing arrow appeared in her vision, guiding her to the pick-up point.

The dwarf was waiting on the corner, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression sullen. He wore a thick coat, a knitted hat pulled low over his ears. Without a word, he climbed into the carriage, his eyes darting nervously about as though wary of something following him. Virtue flicked the reins, and Saveloy trotted forward, the carriage wheels rattling against the damp cobblestones.

The journey was uneventful, the weather turning from grey to rainy as they made their way through the narrow streets. Raindrops spattered against the roof of the carriage, and Virtue noticed the small indicator on her app—Surge Pricing in Effect. The trip earned her a few extra Kudos due to the weather conditions, and by the time she dropped the dwarf off at Rotherhithe, she had accumulated 8 Kudos in total for the ride.

“Not bad,” Virtue muttered, glancing at the app. “Who’s next?”

The Controller's voice chimed in again. “Next fare is in Wapping. You'll need to make your way through the Rotherhithe Tunnel. It’s... a unique experience, shall we say.”

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Virtue steered Saveloy towards the tunnel entrance, the glowing arrow in her vision guiding the way. As they approached, the entrance loomed large—a massive archway leading underground, its edges lined with strange, flickering lights. The Rotherhithe Tunnel was unlike anything Virtue had ever seen. It was vast, like an underground city, with sprawling market stalls and shops lining the sides. People of all shapes and sizes bustled through the space, bartering, shopping, and shouting greetings across the wide expanse.

Virtue guided the carriage slowly through the tunnel, her eyes wide as she took in the sights. There were merchants selling enchanted trinkets, food stalls with roasted meats and steaming pots of strange stews, and even a shop displaying an array of mechanical gadgets that whirred and clicked with intricate gears. The tunnel walls were damp, dripping in places, and the entire space had an otherworldly, steampunk quality to it.

There progress through the tunnel was halted abruptly by a troll, enormous and hunched, standing beside a crude booth. He wore a patched uniform, and his voice was gravelly as he called out, “Toll for the tunnel! One Kudos, no exceptions!”

Virtue sighed, opening her app and watching as one of her hard-earned Kudos was deducted. The troll nodded in approval, stepping aside to let them pass. “Safe travels,” he grumbled, his yellow eyes following them as they moved on.

Further into the tunnel, Virtue spotted a strange sight—a towering character, someone Virtue recognized from history books—Isambard Kingdom Brunel, or at least, a version of him. He stood on a platform overlooking a team of small, stout workers, their red hair marking them as Celtic. They were busy shoring up a leak in the tunnel wall, their hands moving quickly as they packed mud and stone against the seeping water. Brunel wore a long coat, a pair of brass goggles pushed up onto his forehead, and he barked orders with a commanding tone that carried over the noise of the marketplace.

Virtue stared, unable to suppress her curiosity. “Is that... Brunel?” she murmured.

Saveloy snorted. “A version of him. Though I bet he’s a bit more mechanical than the history books ever let on.”

Brunel turned, catching sight of the carriage as they passed, and tipped his hat in their direction, a knowing smile on his lips. Virtue nodded back, feeling the strangeness of the entire situation settling deep into her bones.

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When they finally emerged from the tunnel into Wapping, the rain had eased to a drizzle. Virtue pulled the carriage to a stop at the designated pick-up point, her eyes scanning the street. Two figures emerged from a nearby alley—vampires, swaddled heavily in long coats and scarves, their hats pulled low to shield their eyes from the faint daylight.

The vampires climbed into the carriage, their conversation continuing as if Virtue weren’t even there. “It’s all set then,” one of them said, his voice low and raspy. “The girl’s secure. We’ll keep her in the catacombs until the Blood Moon. Nosferum will be pleased.”

The other vampire grunted, then asked, “What’s her name again?”

“Faith,” the first vampire replied, a grin spreading across his face.

The second vampire let out a harsh laugh. “Faith? How fitting. Let’s see how much faith helps her now.”

Virtue’s heart clenched, her hands tightening on the reins. The girl? Could they mean Faith, her sister? Her pulse quickened, panic rising in her chest. She glanced at Saveloy, her eyes wide with fear.

The vampires continued talking, their voices low. “We slipped through the portal into mundane London and snatched her from Stepney,” the first one said, a cruel smile on his lips.

Virtue’s fears were confirmed, and her stomach dropped.

“Drive,” one of the vampires commanded, their tone cold.

Virtue flicked the reins, her mind racing as she tried to process what she had just overheard. Faith. They had Faith. She couldn’t waste any time.

As soon as she dropped the vampires off, Virtue urged Saveloy into a gallop, her heart pounding as they raced through the streets. She needed answers, and there was only one person she could think of who might have them—Mr. Null.

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Virtue pounded on the door of the massive gothic mansion on Regent's Park Inner Circle, her breath coming in ragged gasps. It felt like an eternity before the door swung open, and Mr. Null appeared, his eyes widening slightly at her disheveled state.

“Miss Virtue,” he said calmly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“They’ve got my sister,” Virtue blurted out, her voice cracking. “Nosferum—they’re planning to sacrifice her during the Blood Moon. You have to help me!”

Mr. Null regarded her for a long moment, his face unreadable. Then he shook his head slowly. “I warned you that this place was dangerous, Miss Virtue. The Nosferum are not to be trifled with. If you wish to save your sister, you must grow stronger. Only then will you stand a chance.”

Virtue clenched her fists, tears stinging her eyes. “I don’t have time, Null. They’re going to kill her!”

Null’s expression softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. “Then you’d best make haste, Miss Virtue. Work hard. Level up. Become strong enough to fight them.” He paused, then added, “I will keep an ear to the ground, but the rest is up to you.”

Virtue swallowed hard, nodding. She turned away, determination burning in her chest. She would save Faith—no matter what it took. She had no choice but to grow stronger, to level up, and to take on whatever challenges Paragon threw her way.

“Let’s go, Saveloy,” she whispered, her voice steady. “We’ve got work to do.”