The man in the cheap suit, Reymond, walked up to the counter where a woman stood waiting.
She was dressed formally in a neat blouse and skirt, but the fabric was thin and slightly faded, giving her a professional yet inexpensive appearance.
"Welcome back, Sir Reymond."
She said with a practiced, polite smile.
Reymond returned the smile and handed her the small square of yellow paper.
The woman took it, her eyes scanning it quickly before she gave a satisfied nod.
"Right this way, sir."
She said, gesturing for him to follow her behind the counter.
Seth, clinging to the shadows, moved like a wisp of smoke.
He stayed close behind them, his [Null Presence] making him virtually undetectable.
'Is this really a place for illegal substance trading?'
He wondered, his suspicion growing with every step.
They descended a narrow stairway that was surprisingly well-lit, a stark contrast to the gloomy shop above.
At the bottom, a heavy, rusted metal door stood before them.
The woman produced a key and unlocked it, swinging it open with a low groan.
The room inside was dim, lit by a few shielded lanterns that cast long shadows, but it was bright enough for Seth to see everything clearly.
It was a small, windowless space that smelled of old metal and dust.
The woman walked over to a large, intensely locked cabinet bolted to the wall.
She pulled a heavy ring from her pocket, which held dozens of keys.
With skilled, precise movements, she unlocked several complex locks.
Opening the cabinet, she carefully removed two small, sturdy suitcases, each secured with its own set of locks.
She placed them on a central table and skillfully opened the first one.
Inside, nestled on a velvet cushion, was a single, mummified human finger, dark and twisted.
"We have two demonic weapons, both equivalent to the First Circle."
She began her explanation, her voice calm and businesslike.
"This one is made from a thirty-five-year-old man. We named it Finger of Filth."
"Our members used subtle mental suggestions over several months, guiding his mind to believe he belonged in the trash, that he was worthless. We manipulated him until his only desire was to live in a dumpster. We trapped him there, ensuring he remained for a full year, wallowing in his own filth and despair."
She spoke as if describing a manufacturing process.
"After he was killed and transformed into a demon, our members harvested this finger."
She pointed to the grotesque object.
"It contains the First Circle Authority of the Sin of Filth. It grants the wielder the ability to pollute small sources of water and land with a touch. It can also generate minor amounts of dirt, grime, or other foul substances on contact."
She flashed an innocent smile, completely unfazed by the horrifying story she had just told.
She then closed the first case and opened the second.
This one contained a single, pale eyeball that seemed to stare emptily into the room.
"The second is from a young child, we haven't named it yet since it was only officially produced a week ago."
She continued.
"We spent nearly three years psychologically manipulating him. We isolated him and reinforced negative behaviors, guiding him to treat everyone around him with coldness and detachment. The Sin of Coldness festered in his heart until he was a suitable vessel."
"After he mutated into a demon, we acquired this eyeball."
She gestured to it.
"This one has three distinct abilities equivalent to the first circle abilities of the Sin of Coldness."
"First, Frostbite Touch: it allows you to cause painful ice burns upon contact with bare skin. Second, Chill Breeze: you can release a small, concentrated gust of cold wind to discomfort or distract opponents."
"And third, Frosted Grip: you can briefly freeze an object's surface, making weapons slippery to hold or sealing a door shut temporarily."
Seth listened intently, a cold knot forming in his stomach.
'Manipulating people, driving them to sin... that's beyond sinister. It's pure evil.'
His mind then turned practical.
'I didn't know body parts could be used as weapons. Why didn't Phoebe tell me? We could have taken that demon girl's charred arms...'
He quickly answered his own question.
'Then again, although Phoebe is a bit naive, but she has her morals. She wouldn't want to cut up a child's body, even a demon's, and turn it into a tool.'
From the shadows, he watched the transaction unfold.
Reymond studied the two cases, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Which one would you recommend for... discreet personal protection?"
He asked.
"The Frosted Grip ability on the eyeball is quite useful for a quick escape."
The woman replied smoothly.
"It can be more versatile than simply making a mess."
Reymond thought for a moment before asking.
"I see. And the prices?"
The woman replied immediately.
"The finger is 70,000 bathalas. The eyeball is 85,000."
Reymond let out a low whistle.
"That's a bit steeper than I was quoted last time."
The woman's smile tightened slightly.
"The costs of acquisition have risen, Sir Reymond. It takes considerable time to find suitable targets for manipulation. Then there's the manpower required to monitor them and handle the... containment process once they turn."
"Not to mention the constant expense of hiding our operations from the official Covens in the city. The price reflects the risk."
Reymond was silent for a moment, weighing his options.
Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. I'll take the second one. The eyeball."
"An excellent choice."
The woman produced a contract from a drawer.
"Standard confidentiality agreement. You understand, of course."
Reymond signed without reading it closely.
He then handed over a suitcase of his own, filled with neatly stacked bills.
The woman opened it, quickly and efficiently counting the massive sum before nodding in satisfaction.
She closed the case containing the eyeball and handed it to Reymond.
"As you know, since these sins were artificially induced through manipulation, the quality is lower, hence they could only become First Circle demonic weapons."
She said, seeing him to the door.
"But they are still quite valuable. We have other... projects... in development. I can guarantee one of our next products will be at least a Second Circle demonic weapon. I hope we can expect your business again soon, sir."
She guided Reymond back toward the stairs.
As she turned to place the suitcase full of money under the table, a tall, dark-haired figure materialized from the deepest shadow in the room.
Seth, moving with utter silence, reached out and took the heavy suitcase.
He didn't make a sound.
As the saleswoman led Reymond up the stairs, Seth ghosted along behind them, a phantom carrying a fortune, and slipped out the main door unseen, melting back into the alley with his illicit prize.
Robbery was not his usual style, but he felt that these people deserved it