Night fell on Street 46 of Blackstone City's Lower District. Byrne and Renee walked down the road.
The Lower District at night was a stark contrast to the brilliant lights of the Upper District. Crooked neon tubes flickered on the crumbling exterior walls of dilapidated buildings, casting a pulsating, dim glow onto the pavement.
Renee held the purple crystal chip in her palm. The blue light at her brow flickered slightly as her psychic power spread out like a fine spiderweb, scanning the surroundings. She moved with light steps, her sharp gaze sweeping over every corner along their path.
Byrne walked half a step behind her, hands thrust into his pockets. He appeared to be strolling casually, but he was secretly on high alert. Since receiving the Captain's assignment, Byrne had been accompanying Renee on this investigation. However, he hadn't expected their trail to lead them all the way from the Upper District down to the Lower District.
Heh, this Tzeentch heretic certainly knows how to pick a spot.
He was far too familiar with the Lower District; it was a melting pot of filth. Gang members, black market traders, and desperate outlaws—every kind of villain could be found here. On these streets after dark, unexpected danger could leap out at any moment.
After walking for a while, Renee suddenly stopped.
"The chip is reacting."
The purple crystal chip in Renee's palm was growing warm. A slender purple light pattern appeared on its surface, pointing toward the Rusty Nail Tavern at the entrance of a side alley to their left.
Seeing Renee heading straight for the tavern, Byrne quickly moved to stop her.
"Why are you stopping me?" Renee asked, puzzled.
"You don't know this place. The Rusty Nail is Black Snake Gang territory. It's also one of the three major underground black markets in the Lower District. Only members can get in."
Renee was unfazed by Byrne's warning. She crossed her arms and said with disdain, "Heh, so what? At worst, we force our way in. I can handle those two rookies at the door by myself."
"That won't work. Our mission is to track the Tzeentch heretic, not to pick a fight with the Black Snake Gang. Barging in will only alert the target. If they slip away, it'll all be for nothing."
Renee said in annoyance, "What a hassle. So what now? We can't just give up, can we?"
Byrne chuckled and turned to walk in another direction. "Don't worry, I have a way. Follow me; I'll take you to see someone."
Although Renee was slightly irritated, seeing Byrne's confident expression, she suppressed her anger and followed him.
Byrne led Renee into a different alley, walking for several hundred meters before stopping in front of a corrugated iron shack. He knocked on the iron door over a dozen times, alternating the rhythm like a secret code.
A moment later, the door opened to reveal an old man with a head full of white hair. Seeing Byrne, the old man was about to speak when he noticed Renee standing behind him. He immediately became wary.
"Kid, you're breaking the rules. Why did you bring someone this time?"
Byrne pulled out a silver coin and tossed it to the old man. "Old Sand, don't be so tense. She's a friend; her background is clean."
For the sake of the silver coin, Old Sand lowered his guard. "Fine. Come in."
The interior of the shack was much more spacious than it looked from the outside. Shelves against the walls were packed with various goods of dubious origin: mechanical parts stripped down to pieces, unidentified objects sealed in dark glass bottles, and all sorts of strangely shaped creations.
Old Sand closed the iron door and returned to his seat. He picked up a chipped ceramic cup from the table, took a sip of the amber liquor inside, and asked, "Kid, looking at how hurried you are, you didn't just come for a chat. Speak up. What are you looking for this time?"
Byrne didn't beat around the bush. "Simple. I need to borrow two membership badges for the Rusty Nail Tavern. Right now."
At the mention of the Rusty Nail, Old Sand set down his cup and feigned surprise. "Kid, I think you're mistaken. Why would I have membership badges for that place?"
Byrne didn't bother calling him out. He simply stared into the man's eyes and gave a knowing smile. "Come on, Old Sand. We've been dealing with each other for a long time. One price: six silver coins. How about it?"
As he spoke, Byrne slapped six silver coins onto the table. Old Sand glanced at the coins, then said with a difficult expression, "Oh, badges for the Rusty Nail are hard to come by. You know the Black Snake Gang's rules. These badges..."
Before Old Sand could finish, Byrne saw through the old man's real intent and slapped down four more silver coins.
"Ten silver coins. Not a cent more."
"Deal!"
This time, Old Sand didn't waste any more words. He immediately agreed. He swept the silver coins into his hand, wrapped them messily in a dirty cloth, and tucked them into his shirt. Having taken the money, he stood up and pulled an exquisite wooden box from a shelf behind him.
Inside the box were two black metal badges. The design on the front depicted a black snake coiled around a rivet—the official membership badge of the Rusty Nail Tavern.
"Take them. Just return them within a week."
"Thanks."
Byrne took the badges and gave one to Renee. Renee wasn't used to the atmosphere of underground deals, and she disliked using a forged identity, but she knew this was the most reliable method for now.
As they left Old Sand's place, Renee couldn't help but ask, "How did you know he would have badges for the Rusty Nail?"
Byrne explained, "Don't be fooled by Old Sand's unremarkable appearance. In reality, he's a famous broker in the Lower District, specializing in all sorts of shady goods. Let's put it this way: as long as the money is right, there's nothing Old Sand can't get in the Lower District."
Fifteen minutes later, Byrne and Renee arrived back at the entrance of the Rusty Nail Tavern. As they approached, two burly men standing at the door reached out to block them. "Stop. Show your membership badges."
Byrne remained composed and held up his badge. Renee followed suit and showed hers. The men examined the badges carefully. Once confirmed, they stepped aside to let them pass.
Upon entering, a mixture of alcohol, sweat, tobacco, and cheap perfume hit them, nearly making Renee gag. The tavern's main hall was almost entirely packed. The shouting of men playing drinking games, the clatter of dice, and the giggles of women merged into a chaotic din.
This noisy environment was difficult for Renee to handle on her first visit to such a place. The patrons were mostly men, most of whom were dressed shabbily—either bare-chested gang members or black market dealers with shifty eyes. Occasionally, a few heavily made-up women could be seen weaving through the tables, selling drinks and food.
Renee closed her eyes and sensed for a moment.
"The chip's reaction is stronger. The target is just ahead."