By the time Arin and Ren left the inner districts, evening had already deepened. The cab moved steadily toward the outer zones, and the view outside began to change. The clean spacing of the central districts slowly disappeared, replaced by tighter buildings and dimmer lights. Some signs flickered instead of glowing steadily, and the movement on the streets felt less relaxed.
Ren leaned back slightly and glanced outside. "Feels different already."
Arin followed his gaze. "It is."
The further they traveled, the more noticeable the shift became. People still moved through the streets, but their pace was quicker, and no one stayed in one place longer than needed. Conversations were shorter. Movements were more deliberate.
The cab slowed near a junction and came to a stop. Arin stepped out first, and Ren followed without saying anything. The air felt heavier here, not because it was dirty, but because of the atmosphere. There was a constant awareness in the way people moved and looked around.
They began walking.
The main road gradually gave way to narrower paths. The number of people decreased, but those who remained paid closer attention to their surroundings. Some stood in small groups, speaking in low voices. Others passed by quickly without looking at anyone directly.
Ren lowered his voice. "You sure this is the place?"
Arin looked ahead. "We'll know soon."
After nearly half an hour, they reached a quiet corner. A small bar stood there, dimly lit and easy to ignore if someone wasn't looking for it. Nothing about it stood out, which made it stand out more.
Ren frowned slightly. "This?"
Arin didn't answer. He pushed the door open and walked inside.
The atmosphere changed the moment they entered. Noise filled the space—laughter, voices, and the sound of glasses hitting tables. The air carried the mixed smell of alcohol and smoke. People occupied most of the room, but no one paid them much attention.
That was the first thing Arin noticed.
Everyone stayed within their own space. No one stared for long, and no one showed unnecessary interest in others. Even the noise felt contained, like it never crossed a certain line.
Ren leaned slightly closer. "Feels normal… but something's off."
"Don't relax," Arin said quietly.
They moved toward the counter. Behind it stood a woman pouring a drink into a glass. Her clothes were loose, revealing more than they concealed, but her expression didn't linger on anyone. She smiled when needed, then dropped it just as quickly.
Her eyes passed over Arin and Ren for a brief moment before returning to her work.
Arin placed a card on the counter and slid a small amount of credits beside it.
The woman didn't react immediately. She finished pouring the drink she was holding, handed it to another customer, then turned back. Her fingers brushed the card, and for a fraction of a second, her gaze paused.
Then she picked it up.
Without saying anything, she placed two glasses in front of them and began pouring. During the motion, something small slid along with the glasses, hidden by the movement.
Ren noticed it a moment later but kept his expression steady.
"Drink," Arin said quietly.
They lifted the glasses and drank at a normal pace, not too fast, not too slow. Nothing about their actions stood out. After a few minutes, Arin placed the glass down and stood up. Ren followed immediately.
They walked out the same way they came in, blending with the flow of people leaving and entering.
Outside, the street felt quieter.
They didn't stop.
They didn't speak.
They walked for a while before turning into a darker path.
Only then did Ren speak. "That thing…"
Arin opened his hand slightly, revealing a small token.
Ren leaned closer. "Coordinates?"
"Location and entry mark," Arin said.
Ren exhaled slowly. "So it's real."
Arin closed his hand. "It always was."
They didn't head there immediately. Instead, they returned by a different route, avoiding unnecessary attention.
By the time midnight approached, both of them had changed. Dark clothes, covered faces, nothing that could easily link back to them. Even their posture shifted slightly, becoming more guarded.
Ren adjusted his sleeve and let out a quiet breath. "Feels like we're doing something illegal."
Arin glanced at him. "We are."
Ren gave a small, nervous laugh but didn't say more.
They reached the marked location.
A small house stood at the edge of the area, silent and unremarkable. No lights showed from outside, and nothing suggested activity within.
Arin stepped forward and knocked.
The door opened slightly. A man stood inside, his gaze moving from their faces to their hands. Arin showed the token.
The man stepped aside without a word.
They entered.
Inside, the room looked ordinary. Plain walls, a single table, and a light overhead. Nothing suggested anything unusual.
The door closed behind them.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a low mechanical sound spread beneath their feet.
The floor shifted.
Ren's eyes moved slightly. "...A lift."
The room began to descend slowly. Neither of them spoke as the movement continued. The air felt tighter as they went deeper.
After some time, the motion stopped. A door in front of them opened.
The space beyond revealed itself.
People moved through narrow paths between stalls, forming something that resembled a market, but the behavior was different from anything above ground. No one stayed in one place for long. Exchanges were quick. After buying or selling something, people moved away immediately, blending into the crowd before becoming an obvious target.
Some wore masks. Others kept their heads lowered. A few carried weapons openly, as if there was no reason to hide them here.
The air felt heavier—not from smell, but from awareness.
Ren exhaled slowly. "This place…"
Arin stepped forward. "Stay close."
They moved into the crowd.
Near the entrance stood a board displaying rough sections of the market—weapons, materials, information, and miscellaneous items. No one explained anything. The layout was there for those who could understand it.
Arin looked around as he walked. He didn't stay at any stall for too long, but he didn't move too quickly either.
People finished their trades fast and left without waiting. No one stayed still long enough to be noticed.
He adjusted his pace slightly and kept moving with the flow.