As I made my way deeper into the southern districts, the atmosphere grew heavier, as did the 'scent' in the mana.
'Indeed, this veil of darkness, it gets thicker around some places.'
I thought. With my eyes now developing a lot more, I could see more intricate details of the mana around me.
After several more minutes of walking, I reached the location marked on Lira's map—the first hotspot. It was an entrance to a slightly old shopping bazaar, its once vibrant exterior now faded and worn.
The large archway leading into the bazaar was cracked and weathered, with signs of neglect visible in the chipped paint and the creeping vines that had begun to reclaim the stone.
I stood at the entrance, taking in the scene before me. The bazaar itself was partially covered, with a series of narrow alleyways branching out from the main thoroughfare. Stalls lined the sides, filled with various goods, though the activity within the bazaar was indeed less than what one would expect.
