The flames had already completely consumed the building's windows.
What had once been an absurdly luxurious façade hidden inside the black market now looked like a giant torch made of black stone and orange fire.
Wood creaking.
Glass exploding.
Internal columns collapsing one after another.
The heat was so intense that even from several metres away, it was uncomfortable to stand still.
Max watched the fire with a growing sense of discomfort in his chest.
Not exactly fear.
But definitely an unease that was hard to ignore.
"They're taking way too long," he muttered.
Beside him, Chloe kept staring at the building with wide eyes.
She was still wearing Max's cloak draped over her body, with soot smeared across her face.
"Are they still in there?" she asked.
Max slowly nodded.
"Yeah."
Neros stood completely still. Too still.
Arms crossed. Eyes locked on the smoke-covered entrance.
His feline ears barely twitched, tense.
Another minute passed.
Then another.
Nothing.
