Arad walked out of the guild and marched across the street, heading toward the city plaza where he should find Roberta’s shop. He got there but still could see her anywhere.

^I hate it being active all the time.^ Arad growled inside, bothered by his void eyes stuck active. Right now, he could see mana as a faint blue haze coursing through everyone, which was annoying.

He approached one of the shops there and looked at the owner, “Did you see Roberta’s shop anywhere? It could also belong to a man named Geralt.”

The shop owner lifted his head, glaring at Arad’s face for a second before gasping, “The dragon slayer!” She stumbled back.

Arad sighed, “I’m not Alcott. Can you stop overreacting?”

“I’m not!” The shop owner gasped, “After Alcott’s retirement, you’re the one the dragons spoke with!”

“Alcott isn’t retiring. He’s recovering from an injury for the time being, and I’m not even holding his place.” Arad looked at the owner, “Can you answer my question.”

The shop owner sighed, taking a deep breath, “Geralt only set shop here for a few days before switching somewhere else. I don’t know where he’s now.”

“Do you know someone that might know?”

“Go ask in the alcohol shop over there. I saw Geralt stopping by several times. The last one was yesterday. So they might know.” The shop owner pointed at a small building on the other side of the street with a large barrel sigh Dwarven Spirit

“Thank you,” Arad turned around.

He walked to the other side of the street and looked at the large wooden door. KNOCK! KNOCK! “I someone here?”

“Of course, get in.” A loud deep voice boomed from, shaking the door.

Arad pushed the door open and walked inside. The alcohol smell quickly hit him like a truck. He pinched his nose, “What is this?”

From behind the counter, a short and stout man with a large beard glared at Arad, laughing while tapping on his stomach.

“The finest beer, wine, alcohols of all shapes.” The man jumped from the chair he was using and approached Arad, barely standing to his waist.

Arad looked down, “You’re shorter than other people I saw.”

“Cause I’m a dwarf.” The man puffed his arms. His biceps almost tore his shirt off. “We’re stronger than we look.”

Arad looked at the man, “So, did you see a man named Geralt lately? I’m looking for him.”

The dwarf’s face changed, “Hmm, he buys alcohol from me. I can tell him that you came looking when he comes next.”

Arad noticed the change in the dwarf’s attitude, and his eyes were picking up magic all over the shop. The dwarf was hiding something.

Arad bend down and Glared at the dwarf in the eyes, “Where is he? I can tell something is off,”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, or are you just getting drunk off the smell?” The dwarf growled, returning to his seat. “Leave if you aren’t buying anything.”

Arad looked around, “Fine, I will leave.” He walked behind the counter, and the dwarf grabbed him by the arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to see what you’re hiding behind that door,” Arad said with a calm voice, dragging the dwarf with him.

^What a raw strength. Who is this man?^ The dwarf couldn’t believe he was being pulled around like a kid latched to an adult’s leg.

Thud! Arad grabbed the door’s handle. CLICK! It was locked.

“You aren’t getting inside,” the dwarf growled.

Arad pulled on the handle, veins bulging on his forearm. CRACK! He pulled the whole thing from its hinges. “Ah! I broke it,”

It was then that the dwarf started sweating. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Such a monster had come, and there was no way to stop him.

SWOSH! Loci landed on Arad’s shoulder. ~Magic is hiding the place. I can’t see anything inside.~

Arad glared back at the dwarf, “You aren’t just hiding wine inside?”

“Leave! It’s for your own good!” The dwarf growled.

Arad smiled, “I’m taking a look inside.” ｂ𝚍ｎｏ𝚟ｌ.

He walked downstairs into the darkness. After a minute, he started smelling blood. After two minutes, he started hearing screams, and after three minutes the magic surrounding the place got stronger.

He reached the end of the stairs, facing a wooden door. Arad grabbed the handle, but this one opened with ease. CLICK!

“Welcome, the customer.” A butler bowed with his eyes closed as a fancy hallway extended forward. “What are you looking for? The underground arena, the black auction, or the black market?”

The butler lifted his head and looked at Arad’s face. He started sweating, “Dragon slayer!” He gasped, taking a step back as he recognized Arad.

“I don’t care about those. I’m looking for a man named Geralt.” Arad replied with a stern face.

“Yes!” The butler bowed, “Sir Geralt headed to the black auction with his daughter Roberta.”

Arad smiled, “Take me there,”

Thud! The dwarf finally reached the door, “Hoi you!” He growled.

The butler glared back, “Get back to guarding the door. I will deal with this.”

Arad wasn’t the kind of person they could just kick out. From all the rumors, and what happened recently, they concluded that he could destroy the whole place. Their best chance is to treat him with enough respect to keep him from blasting the place away.

After a short time, Arad could hear Roberta screaming, “It was a deal, and it’s over.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I will buy it off you for an extra two gold coins.” A man’s voice came after her.

“I’m not selling it to you. I already got so move out of the way.” Roberta growled.

Arad opened the wooden door and walked into the fancy room. He could see Roberta with Gerald behind her facing five men.

Roberta froze the moment she saw Arad walk out of the door.

The man laughed, “You’re scared. You better sell it to us if that’s the case.” He pulled a knife, “We could pay you a visit later,”

The butler started sweating, seeing veins popping on Arad’s face.

Thud! Arad grabbed the man’s head. Purple magic flowed from his eyes.