Riding a hired carriage, Adam and Silver Bell cut through the neon-lit streets of Athens, stopping at a small tavern on the edge of town—just like Rat had said: come here at night, and you'd find him.
Yu Jia had refused to go out with them ever since seeing Adam and Silver Bell's wanted posters. He insisted on staying home, guarding the house. Tonight was no different. Adam didn't argue; he had no real reason to drag Yu Jia along.
They stepped down from the carriage. Above them, the sign read: "Tavern of the Fallen."
"Odd name. Not exactly a place for the proper folk," Silver Bell teased as they pushed open the door.
The tavern fell silent.
Inside, a handful of tables and a bar were packed with people of all shapes and sizes. Some had leering faces, others ugly scowls, and most were thick with scars or rough skin. Not a soul looked trustworthy.
All eyes turned to Adam and Silver Bell. Even a poor minstrel strumming a lute froze mid-chord. Some stared at Silver Bell's beauty, others at Adam's muscular frame. In this place, they stood out like a pair of strangers from another world.
Adam's gaze swept the room—no sign of Rat. He exhaled and, ignoring the curious stares, led Silver Bell further inside.
Their footsteps echoed through the silent tavern, drawing more attention. Silver Bell shivered.
"This place… it's strange. They all look… fierce. Why are they staring so hard?"
"Only at us," Adam said. "We're strangers here."
They slid onto stools at the bar, awkward in the quiet. Then, a man waved wildly from across the room.
"Hey! Over here! I'm here!"
The mercenary they'd met the first night in Athens—the one who had introduced them to Rat—bounded toward them. His arrival stirred the tavern back to life. Drinks poured, cards slapped down, bawdy laughter rose. Even the prostitutes resumed their games.
Navigating through the crowd, Adam and Silver Bell reached his table. Two burly men sat with him, their hands roughened from years of wielding knives.
"Two barrels of ale! And five pounds of beef!" the mercenary shouted to the bartender.
The bartender grinned. "Morca, found yourself a mark again!"
Laughter erupted across the room. Morca stood tall, chest out. "I find them because I can!" he said, laughing.
Adam smiled faintly, studying him. Even with casual effort, the man had caught a tossed coin with precision. Most humans would have fumbled it.
Soon, two small barrels of ale appeared, roughly ten liters in total. Adam dropped a few silver coins on the counter.
"I'm looking for Rat. Do you know where he is?" Adam asked, sharp and direct.
Morca hesitated. "Odd… haven't seen him today." He slid a cup toward Silver Bell, pouring her ale.
"Rat? Heard he got roughed up today. Should be at home," one of the burly men added, cracking peanuts.
"Beaten up?" Morca looked up.
"Yeah. Five, six guys at the market this afternoon."
"Who did it?" Adam asked.
"Don't know. Maybe caught stealing. Nothing strange there," the man shrugged, raising his mug. "First meeting, bottoms up!"
Adam ignored him, turning back to Morca. "Can you take me to him? I'd like to see him myself."
The man's brow furrowed. "Sure, but we finish our drinks first. Free of charge! Just a thank-you for tonight's round."
"I don't drink," Adam said.
"Stop lying! Be a man and drink!" Morca pressed.
"I'm serious," Adam replied.
Yet Morca persisted, the burly men egging him on. Reluctantly, Adam pulled out a small bottle, took two pills—one for Silver Bell, one for himself—and swallowed them.
"Taking medicine?" Morca asked.
"My body can't handle alcohol. I need this," Adam explained, raising his cup.
"What about her? Same problem?"
"She's my cousin. Family condition," Adam said. That settled the burly men.
Soon, the drinks finished. Adam, Silver Bell, Morca, and the two burly men left the tavern, walking fifteen minutes to Rat's home—a small wooden shack on a rooftop.
Morca, slightly tipsy, banged on the door. "Rat! Open up! It's me, Morca!"
Inside, candlelight flickered. A warped, bandaged face peeked from the door. Rat limped forward, supported by a cane, his hands wrapped in bandages, his face bruised.
"A wealthy friend is here for you!" Morca announced, pointing at Adam.