They approached the gate. The blood-red crystal above the entrance released a beam of light that swept over Max. The bronze mark on his wrist warmed slightly, and then the pressure disappeared.
No one stopped him. No guard questioned him. No fee got demanded. The devil beside him passed through the gate too, though his face stayed pale since the seal Max had placed inside his body was still there.
The moment Max stepped into Bloodstone City, his gaze sharpened. The city turned out far livelier than he expected. Wide streets stretched in several directions, paved with dark red stone that gave off a faint heat.
Tall buildings rose on both sides, some shaped like towers, some like fortresses, some like ancient temples converted into shops, halls, or resting places.
