With a faint, melancholic smile, Neo turned toward the bustling market.
He unfolded the list in his hand and began looking for the materials one by one, his pace unhurried as the crowd flowed around him.
The market was enormous, far larger than he had expected.
It wasn't just a place to trade goods. It felt like a city within a city.
Wide stone roads stretched in several directions, each lined with long wooden stalls and tiled roofs.
Red and gold banners fluttered overhead, bearing the symbols of merchant guilds and ancient clans.
The architecture leaned heavily toward ancient country from the pre-apocalypse era of Earth in style. There were curved eaves, carved pillars, and hanging lanterns that glowed softly even in daylight.
The air was filled with layered sounds.
Vendors called out their wares in loud, practiced voices. Bells rang as carts passed through.
