noveldrama
Chapter 99 : Black market
Chapter 99 : Black market
Boom!
The door of the bar swung open with a loud bang that echoed throughout the lounge, its interior embraced by the warm tones of brown wood. The place was packed with tables and chairs occupied by a diverse clientele, filling the atmosphere with laughter and lively chatter.
However, the hubbub vanished instantly as the abrupt sound of the door caught everyone's attention, causing their gazes to converge towards the entrance.
Two mysterious figures, shrouded from head to toe, burst into the establishment and strode purposefully towards the counter. The reporter present in the place watched them closely, and a sense of tension quickly seized the air, transforming the joy and clamor into somber silence.
Faces that had previously radiated happiness turned serious and gloomy, as if a shadow had suddenly fallen over the place.
The lounge, which moments ago had been full of life, plunged into a sepulchral silence as all present fixed their gaze on the two enigmatic figures, as if awaiting some indication to act. Uncertainty hung in the air, charging the atmosphere with a palpable tension that left everyone on edge.
Step! Step! Step!
The two fully cloaked individuals walked slowly towards the counter, everyone never ceasing to follow them with their eyes. After a few seconds, one of them approached the counter, sat on one of the chairs available, and waited in silence.
The man behind the counter observed the mysterious figures for a moment, and then, with unnerving calmness, broke the tense silence with the words: "What would you like to drink?" His casual tone seemed to be the signal everyone had been waiting for.
Conversations and laughter, which had been drowned out by intrigue, suddenly resurfaced as if a spell had been broken. The somber and silent atmosphere dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, and the lounge was once again filled with noise and joy.
Tables resounded with laughter and lively chatter, as if the brief moment of tension had never occurred. It was as if time had stood still only to make way for a fleeting whisper of intrigue before plunging back into the routine of enjoyment and camaraderie.
A deep, enigmatic voice emerged from the darkness of the hoods. After a few moments of silence, the mysterious individual spoke in a low but penetrating tone: "The sun emerges on the horizon, the moon rises in the darkness. Day and night coexist, but in a silent lament, the voices of those who can bear it resonate."
The words, laden with an aura of mystery and melancholy, hung in the air, plunging the atmosphere into an even more palpable tension. However, the bustle and revelry of those present continued as if the words had left no trace on them. They seemed immune to the aura of intrigue that had enveloped the place.
The owner of the establishment watched them with an intense and serious gaze, and then, with an imperious gesture, indicated for the enigmatic figures to follow him. Sliding his right arm over the surface of the table, he revealed a hidden mechanism that opened the way to what appeared to be a concealed elevator. With a determined gesture, the man pressed the only available button.
After a few minutes of waiting, a door opened, revealing a space that differed in nothing from an earthly elevator. Following the indications of the enigmatic man, the two shrouded figures entered without issue. Before the doors closed, the man wished them luck with a tone that resonated with mystery and anticipation.
Once again, the button was pressed and the elevator began to descend at a moderate speed. A sinister and desolate melody filled the space, enveloping the occupants in an aura of unease. After a few more minutes of descent, both the music and the movement of the elevator came to an abrupt halt.
The doors opened slowly, revealing two individuals dressed in impeccable black suits. They wore no masks, but their gazes were piercing and fierce. Both seemed to be around forty years old, and their presence exuded authority and determination.
With a careful inspection, it could be discerned that both were gold-rank hunters, experts in their field and knowledgeable about the clients who come to cause trouble. Despite being in what appeared to be a simple settlement, the intensity in their eyes suggested they were ready to face any type of situation that got out of control.
After that brief exchange of glances, the hunters allowed the two figures to advance, receiving a nod from the latter. As they left the small settlement, total darkness welcomed them. It was as if a perpetual night had settled over the market, contrasting with the bright lighting that flooded the rest of the city.
The shops glowed with their own light, and the streets, though of a deep black, also seemed to emanate a soft luminescence.
Along the winding streets, buildings of dark stone and ancient wood rose up, with leaning towers and roofs covered in moss. Commercial establishments and market stalls clustered around the central square, where vendors offered an astonishing variety of products, from magical potions and enchanted artifacts to rare herbs and objects of unknown origin.
Among the shadows of this clandestine market, a diverse crowd of enigmatic individuals could be observed. Some of them did not hide their identity behind masks, walking calmly among humans with somber countenances.
Elves elegantly dressed, with silk capes and gleaming hair, mingled with wizards adorned with tattoos of ancient symbols; all shared space with agile thieves and mercenaries hardened by battle.
The inhabitants of this hidden city were a mix of permanent residents and temporary visitors, all drawn by the promise of freedom and opportunity offered by this clandestine world underground. Here, in the depths of the city, the darkest dreams and the most forbidden desires could come true, as long as one was willing to pay the right price.
The two people stayed in the same place looking at the magical and enigmatic nature of this place, although it seems like a simple city, nothing is what it seems.