The ride into the merchant district felt different. The city, once a chaotic threat I had to navigate for survival, now looked like a map of opportunities. The system's [Threat Assessment] skill flickered at the edge of my vision, labeling the crowded streets with a sea of [Low] and [Minimal] threats. It was a sea of pawns, and I was no longer one of them.
Lady Verne's establishment was an island of pristine calm in that sea. The moment I stepped through the door, the noise of the street vanished, replaced by the hushed tones of wealthy clients and the faint, clean scent of high-quality paper and expensive dyes. A servant, recognizing me instantly, bowed and led me toward the private office without a word. This was the power of a reputation bought and paid for.
