The streets of Belmora burned behind them. Klaus Machiavelli and Selene walked under moonlight cloaked in illusions, shadows carrying their last caches of gold and rare vintages. His wolf padded silent, his crow circled high, both tense as the city they once called home receded into the night.
They didn't look back.
[SYSTEM QUEST UPDATE]Belmora Arc Complete.Status: Retreat.New Objective: Establish Shadow Trade in Night City.
Arrival
Night City was no sanctuary. It was a beast, vast and glittering, its towers dripping neon, its underbelly reeking of blood and ale. Criminal guilds controlled entire districts. Mercenary guilds patrolled the gates. And yet—the city was alive with markets Klaus had never seen. Ore from dwarves, elixirs from fae, even dragonbone artifacts smuggled from other realms.
Selene's nine tails brushed against him as she whispered: "This city is worse than Belmora. But it's also richer. If we play it right, Klaus, we can build an empire in the cracks."
The Brewery
They couldn't announce themselves with power. Not yet. So Klaus spent his first gold on something simple: a crumbling tavern at the edge of the Night City docks. Rotting wood, broken kegs, a signboard that read only: Alehouse.
"Pathetic," Klaus muttered.
Selene smirked, silver eyes gleaming. "Pathetic beginnings make glorious tales. Trust me."
Together, they worked through the night. Shadows hauled barrels. Selene wove illusions to hide their repairs from prying eyes. Klaus bled into vats, alchemizing cheap spirits into something new—brews infused with Dream-Seal ash, foxfire illusions, and venom extracts from the Sanctum.
By dawn, the first Shadow Brewery stood.
[SYSTEM ALERT] New Establishment Created: Shadow Brewery (Rank F).Passive: Generates 10 Credits per day from local sales.Special: Vintages may gain random magical properties based on ingredients.
First Brew
Klaus uncorked the first bottle, scarlet liquid glowing faintly. Selene leaned against the bar, sipping with slow delight.
Her eyes widened. "Moonflame… with venom bite. Dangerous. Addictive."
[DIMENSIONAL TRADE SCAN]Shadow Venom Ale —• Earth Value: 20 Credits (cheap tavern swill).• Elven Realm Value: 600 Gold (elite noble delicacy).Profit Margin: +2,800%.
Klaus grinned, crimson eyes gleaming. "Then this little tavern… is the seed of an empire."
Lucifer's Whisper
[Lucifer]: "Oh, how poetic. From debt-ridden strategist to bartender of shadows. But make no mistake, Crown-Bearer—Night City will eat you alive if you move too slowly. Feed it. Poison it. Own it."
The Fox's Vow
Selene raised her glass, tails flicking. "So, my Crown-Bearer… shall we start small and subtle, or make the city choke on your brew until it bows?"
Klaus leaned across the counter, crimson eyes burning with hunger. "Both. We'll feed the poor… and addict the rich."
[SYSTEM QUEST UNLOCKED: Brewery of Shadows.]Objective: Expand brewery from Rank F → Rank B.Reward: Dimensional Brewing Title + Guild Influence.Penalty: Brewery destroyed if neglected.
The wolf howled. The crow screeched. And in the shadows of Night City, the seeds of a new empire began to stir.