The evening had settled in, and after a long day of searching, we had found nothing. Albert glanced at me, his expression a mix of exhaustion and curiosity. I could tell what he was thinking, and frankly, I was just as tired.


    "Yes, let''s call it a day," I said with a sigh, rubbing the back of my neck.


    "Don’t lose hope, boss," Albert said, his tone overly enthusiastic. "If not today, we’ll find something in a week or two."


    I almost believed he was trying to cheer me up, but I knew better. This guy just wanted to keep getting paid.


    We walked through the slums, navigating the broken roads and crumbling houses that somehow still stood. The air was thick with the stench of decay and neglect, a stark contrast to the bustling city just beyond its borders.


    Finally, we emerged from the maze of despair, stepping into the slightly more civilized part of town.


    "So, are we coming back here tomorrow?" Albert asked, though his lack of enthusiasm was palpable.


    I shook my head. "No, I have other tasks for you starting tomorrow."


    Albert looked relieved but quickly masked it with a nod. "Understood, boss."


    "I want you to investigate Castor. Find out what he’s really up to, and keep an eye on the Lila case as well. For Castor, you can start by visiting his bar and observing. I’m sure there’s more to him than meets the eye," I said as we walked along the side of the road. "He admitted defeat too easily. There’s something he’s hiding."


    Albert nodded. "I’ll get on it first thing tomorrow."


    "You seem awfully eager," I remarked with a raised eyebrow.


    "Well, boss, why do you think he’s involved in something other than running a bar?" Albert asked, his tone uncertain.


    "For starters, you said he’s a brute. Fighting should be second nature to him, yet he backed down when he had a good chance to win. And why would a bar owner need connections with someone like me?" I explained as we left the slums behind.


    Albert looked around, taking in the change of scenery from the dilapidated slums to the slightly more respectable streets of the city’s underbelly.


    "It’ll take time, but I’ll have something for you in a couple of days. For now, I’ll report the missing child case to the Temple of Stars," he said.


    "Remember to do it anonymously. Just send a letter without a name if you can," I reminded him.


    Albert nodded, then hesitated. "But why all the secrecy, boss? Are you some kind of famous criminal or something?"


    I couldn’t help but chuckle. ''Why does this guy want me to be involved in something dramatic? Can’t I just be a normal person?''


    "You don’t want to get investigated yourself, do you?" I countered.


    Albert nodded, understanding dawning on his face. We parted ways, and I decided to take my time heading back to the inn.


    The streets were alive with the hum of evening activity, and I found myself observing the people around me. My silver eyes drew occasional glances, but the fading light made it harder for anyone to notice.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    As I walked, I decided to visit Castor’s bar tonight. If he was hiding something, I intended to find out.


    The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the street lamps flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets. The smell of cooking meat and spices filled the air as street vendors packed up their carts.


    *Cling!*


    The bell above the door jingled as I stepped inside. The bar wasn’t fancy, but it had a certain charm. The dim lighting, the faint smell of alcohol and tobacco, and the low hum of conversation created an atmosphere that was both welcoming and slightly seedy.


    A few patrons glanced my way before returning to their drinks or card games.


    I took a seat at the counter, and Castor looked up from polishing a glass. "You came faster than I expected," he said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.


    "I had some free time," I replied, matching his tone.


    Castor raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Instead, he poured me a drink, which I declined with a shake of my head. "Just something non-alcoholic."


    He grunted and handed me a glass of fizzy liquid that smelled faintly of berries. I took a sip, and the tartness was surprisingly refreshing.


    "Thanks," I said, setting the glass down. "So, what kind of connection were you looking to make last time?" I asked bluntly.


    Castor leaned in, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You’re quite straightforward, aren’t you? Let’s just say I know a few people who might be able to help with your... situation."


    "What situation?" I asked, feigning ignorance.


    Castor leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. "Ah, playing dumb. I can appreciate the caution." He paused, then added, "Do some investigating, then come back. And if you want to keep things discreet, don’t go around blatantly asking questions."


    I nodded, taking the unspoken warning to heart. "Fair enough." I took another sip of the drink, the bubbles tickling my nose.


    Despite my efforts, I couldn’t completely hide my embarrassment. ''He knows I’m investigating the potions or monsters. I really slipped up.''


    Gathering what little pride I had left, I asked, "How many people know?"


    Castor shrugged. "Just a few I trust, and they don’t know specifics. Just that you’re looking for something around the city."


    ''Great. So much for privacy.'' I nodded, finished my drink, and paid the bill before standing to leave. I didn’t want to stick around and risk further embarrassment.


    Stepping out of the bar, I was greeted by the cool night air. The city was quieter now, the streets mostly empty save for a few stragglers heading home. I made my way back to the inn, my thoughts racing with the new information and tasks ahead.


    As I entered the inn, I saw Greth still sitting in his rocking chair, looking as content as ever.


    "Still glued to that chair?" I asked with a small smile.


    Greth looked up, his tired eyes lighting up. "Always waiting for my next customer," he replied. "How was your day?"


    I shrugged. "It was alright. Just some errands."


    "You seem down. Do you know what I do when I feel down?" Greth asked, a grin spreading across his face.


    "What?" I couldn’t help but ask.


    "I tell a joke. Want to hear one? I’ve got a good one," he offered.


    I chuckled. "Sure, go ahead."


    "Do you know who won the neck-decorating contest?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.


    "Who won?" I played along.


    Greth leaned in, his grin widening. "It was a tie!" He burst out laughing, his chuckles filling the quiet room.


    "Pfft—" I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a good one. ''I should try telling jokes like these,'' I thought.


    Hearing me laugh, Greth laughed even harder, clearly delighted to have found someone who appreciated his humor.


    The other patrons in the inn glanced at us, their expressions a mix of confusion and mild horror. One of them muttered, "We’ve lost another one," while the others simply nodded, acting as if the laughing figures didn’t exist.


    ---


    ### Elsewhere


    Hugh sighed as he watched Antra lounging in his chair, looking completely at ease.


    "What’s the issue?" Antra asked, not bothering to open his eyes.


    Hugh gave a wary smile. "I was just pitying the man who’s going to get his memories invaded by a Transcended tonight."


    "It’s not like I’m going to kill him," Antra said dramatically. "I just want to check his memories. Have some trust in me."


    "Sure," Hugh replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.


    Antra shot him an annoyed look before closing his eyes. In an instant, he found himself in a foggy town, the air thick with white mist. A pale light glowed in the distance, and he walked toward it. There, lying in his bed, was Asher, fast asleep.


    Antra had marked him the previous day, creating a path through his own dream to traverse into Asher’s. This foggy town was nothing more than a projection, a bridge between their minds.