A lot of time had passed—at least two hours. Yet, instead of reaching our destination, it felt like we were just circling the same area.
"Are they checking if anyone is following us?" I wondered.
I had come alone, but at the 4th Circle level, they should be able to detect any tail.
However, they were moving cautiously—likely because of the Black Guard.
"Are you guys looking for the Black Guard?" I asked.
The assassins flinched. Even though I couldn't see them, I could sense their surprise.
Of course, they would know about the Black Guard—the back alleys were a vast information network.
I chuckled. "Are you telling me the Black Guard doesn't know your leader's location?"
"It's not that they don't know," one of them replied. "Even the Black Guard can't find it."
"You really don't know much about Arahan, do you?" I said. "The Black Guard I've dealt with wouldn't just know your leader's location—they'd know the full extent of your influence."
The Black Guard operated under the lord's direct command. And since Barhal's servants were also Black Guard members, there was no way the back alleys were completely safe from their reach.
Perhaps many of the beggars were also Black Guard members—including some close to their leader.
"Evading the Black Guard is impossible. Stop wasting time and take me to your leader."
"Do you think the Black Guard is nearby?" one of them asked.
"I don't know. But one thing is certain—you won't be able to shake them off."
The assassins finally changed direction. The foul stench began to fade, and I sensed a faint light through the blindfold.
We came to a stop, and Kinzera untied me, removing the blindfold.
As my eyes adjusted, I realized we were underground. The walls were made of earth, illuminated by a warm, orange glow.
A youthful voice spoke.
"What is this? Did they forget the rules?"
"Sorry," Kinzera said. "He wanted to make a deal with the leader."
The voice ordered, "Take him away immediately."
The speaker was so focused on something that he didn't even glance at me.
I handed a vial of sacred water to the twins—the last one I had, a gift from Johan Chris.
"This is...?"
"Give it to him. He'll recover quickly."
The twins looked deeply moved. I took the opportunity to snatch a book from the leader's desk.
A loud slam echoed as he slammed his fist on the table, standing up.
"What the...! Who dares—?! Ah!?"
"Now you're willing to talk?" I said.
"Arahan?! How did you get here?" he exclaimed.
The King of the Back Alleys was nothing like I had imagined—small in stature, wearing glasses, looking more like a bookish scholar than an underground ruler.
Confirming my identity, he turned to Kinzera with a glare.
"You betrayed me? You trusted these people over me?"
Kinzera quickly shook his head. "No, no betrayal! He swore not to harm our leader or our comrades!"
The leader scoffed. "We've heard that nonsense before."
His name was Edi, likely in his early twenties. He was renowned for his exceptional memory and intelligence.
"I want to trade," I said.
Edi remained unimpressed. "And what could you possibly offer that I'd want?"
I smiled. "Information for information."
Edi's expression shifted—from boredom to interest.
"You think you can trade information with me?" he asked.
"I know what you want," I replied.
That got his attention. He demanded to know how I could possibly know.
"In any world, information is power," I said.
Edi's operation relied on beggars gathering intelligence, which he then turned into profit. But this system created a costly cycle—he had to pay the beggars well to keep their loyalty, lest they sell their information to a competitor.
"Once seen, never forgotten," I said, referencing his legendary memory.
Edi chuckled. He had caught my meaning.
I proposed we trade information simultaneously, but he was skeptical.
"You might not have anything worth my time," he said.
I stood up, ready to leave. "If you're not interested, then let's just forget this."
Edi hesitated but didn't stop me.
As I left the underground hideout, the Kinzera twins followed. Their brother had already recovered thanks to the sacred water.
"Thank you, sir," they said. "Our brother recovered immediately."
I smiled. "That wasn't just any sacred water—it was specially made by Johan."
The twins bowed deeply, full of gratitude.
"May we ask your name?"
"I'm Jed Arahan," I replied.
They bowed even lower. "We will remember it forever, Lord Jed."
Seeing their respect stirred something inside me. Earlier, we had fought fiercely, yet now, I could see their strong bonds and unwavering loyalty.
"Kinzera, right?" I asked.
"Yes… that's what people call us."
They were skilled assassins at the 4th Circle level—three of them.
I made them an offer.
"Come with me."
"What...?"
"I mean, I'll hire you officially. Name your conditions."
They stared at me in shock.