"You want to ask about the merfolk?" The beggar's voice was deep and raspy, like it had emerged from the depths of an abyss.
Leo and Luna exchanged a glance, immediately understanding that this beggar clearly knew something. Wanting to gather more information, Leo decided to take out some money and handed it to the beggar.
The beggar accepted the coin, a sly smile playing at the corner of his mouth. He didn't seem in a rush to speak, instead staring at Leo and Luna for a long while before finally beginning to speak: "You want to know about the merfolk? This little bit of money isn't enough."
"We know," Leo responded calmly, his gaze unwavering. "Speak first."
The beggar seemed satisfied with Leo's attitude and finally began his tale. "The merfolk were once a brave and warlike species. They were tall, strong, and commanded the power of the oceans. For centuries, humans and merfolk lived in harmony, maintaining the order of the seas together." He paused, his gaze growing dark. "But decades ago, the merfolk changed. They suddenly became violent and began to hate humans. The ships that once sailed these waters were destroyed one by one, and the people aboard disappeared without a trace. I've heard that they devoured all the human corpses."
The beggar paused here, seemingly waiting for a reaction from Leo and Luna. A chill ran through them as the conclusion of the story was far more terrifying than they had imagined. Doubts began to stir in Leo's mind: If Dan was truly one of the merfolk, could he have been involved in this uprising?
"Then why is it that people avoid talking about the merfolk here?" Luna finally asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
The beggar sneered softly and muttered, "Because the people of this city are terrified. The merfolk's uprising not only destroyed their seas but also brought an unspoken fear. Humans betrayed them, and everything they've done since has led them to loathe humanity. Now, except for a few daring souls, everyone else keeps their distance and avoids bringing up the topic."
Both Leo and Luna felt the weight of the words, the atmosphere growing tense. Clearly, the relationship between this city and the merfolk was far more complicated than they had imagined.
"So, what should we do?" Luna asked. "Where can we find Dan?"
A complicated expression crossed the beggar's face. "You want to find your merfolk friend? Then you'll have to go deep into the Tattered Winds Sea. That place is treacherous, covered in thick fog year-round, and even seafaring ships rarely venture close."
Leo's gaze was resolute. "We have no other choice. We must go."
The beggar seemed to have no intention of stopping them, but he offered a quiet warning. "I can't stop you, but maybe… you'll regret it."
They said nothing in reply. Leo handed the beggar a silver coin, then turned and walked away.
"Thank you for the information," Luna said to the beggar as they left, though doubt still lingered in her heart. She knew they had no choice but to continue forward and uncover more truths.
As they exited the alley, the beggar's eyes continued to follow them, a strange smile curving at his lips.
"You'll understand," he muttered to himself, as if speaking to no one, or perhaps foretelling something.
Leo and Luna turned back, an ominous premonition rising in their hearts. It felt as though they had already embarked on a path from which there was no turning back.
"Whatever happens, we must go to the depths of the sea," Leo said firmly. "This path, no matter how dangerous, is the only one we can walk."
They spoke no more, silently leaving the alley, their hearts filled with both fear of the unknown and determination.
Leo and Luna had their dinner in a small inn in Tattered Winds City. As night fell, the atmosphere in the dining hall was lively. Though the outside world remained tense, business seemed to never cease in the heart of the city.
It was a rare moment of relaxation for Leo and Luna.
The restaurant carried a distinct oceanic scent, blending fresh seafood and the salty tang of sea air.
"These seafood dishes look great," Luna said, picking up her chopsticks and placing a piece of fresh sea urchin sashimi into her mouth, her eyes showing a hint of surprise. "It's absolutely delicious."
"Yeah, the seafood here in Tattered Winds City is probably the best I've ever had," Leo agreed, picking up a piece of conch meat with his chopsticks and chewing slowly, a look of relaxation flashing in his eyes. Despite the terrifying rumors about the merfolk they had heard earlier in the day, the warmth of the lights and the delicious food had helped him unwind.
At their table, a group of burly fishermen sat, clearly a crew just back from the sea. Their loud conversations and laughter filled the space.
"Did you hear? Another fishing boat was sunk by the merfolk," one fisherman put down his cup of wine, his voice tinged with anger. "These merfolk are out of control. The war between Tattered Winds City and them is bound to happen soon!"
"I heard the young city lord is closely monitoring the merfolk's movements. He won't let these man-eating monsters get away with it," another fisherman added, his eyes showing signs of unease.
"Yeah, I've heard these merfolk are getting more violent. One ship, two ships—none of it's enough. But what are these merfolk doing in the city?" a third fisherman chimed in, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Maybe they already know about the young city lord's plans and have started retaliating," another fisherman whispered, as though speaking about something dangerous.
The conversation made Leo and Luna's hearts sink. The merfolk's sudden uprising clearly wasn't just a crisis for Tattered Winds City; it seemed like part of a deeper, hidden conspiracy. The conflict between them appeared to be concealing more secrets that no one knew about.
At that moment, the waiter approached, pushing a small cart adorned with vibrant ocean patterns, atop which was a strange dish. It looked like fresh sashimi, but its appearance made Leo and Luna uneasy.
"This is our specialty — merfolk sashimi," the waiter said with a smile, a hint of pride on his face. "You must be from outside the city, right? Many people come here specifically for this dish. Its freshness is unparalleled. Would you like to give it a try?"
Leo and Luna exchanged a glance, a cold shiver running down their spines. Merfolk meat, especially raw, seemed to be a signature dish of Tattered Winds City, but the danger lurking behind it made them hesitant to try it.
"We'll pass on that," Leo replied coolly, his tone firm. "Do you have any other seafood? Just something more ordinary."
The waiter didn't press the issue. He nodded and retreated to continue his work. The atmosphere in the restaurant remained lively, but Leo and Luna's mood had grown heavier.
"Merfolk sashimi... it's become a delicacy on the table," Luna whispered, her eyes flashing with a complex light. "And it contains toxins."
"It seems the city's attitude towards the merfolk is more complicated than we thought," Leo murmured after a moment of silence. "This isn't just about food. There's something deeper going on here."
They continued eating, but their doubts never fully dissipated. Outside, the wind had turned cooler, and the night deepened. The air carried the salty scent of the sea.
The next morning, Leo was awoken by the shrill sound of cart wheels. He sat up in bed, pulled back the curtains, and looked outside. The street was filled with carts passing by, each covered with thick cloths that concealed the objects beneath. Watching these figures hurry by, Leo narrowed his eyes, sensing something unusual in the atmosphere.
He reached out and opened the window, and faint voices reached his ears. Two people were pushing a cart full of goods, but the cloths couldn't mask the stench of blood that emanated from beneath. As the cart slowly passed, Leo saw the body of a merfolk — a dead merfolk.
"This merfolk's meat will be fresh enough; the young city lord will definitely like it," a masked human said in a low voice, his tone tinged with satisfaction.
"Yeah, it'll definitely fetch a good price," another masked human agreed, his voice full of greed.
Leo's heart skipped a beat. He didn't rush away from the window but continued to observe the masked humans. They wore simple clothing, their forms hidden, clearly trying not to draw attention.
"Though, it seems we've been eating a lot of merfolk lately. Why does the young city lord have such a large appetite?" one of them muttered, sounding confused.
The other one chuckled, "Who cares about that? As long as we get paid."
The words hit Leo like a sledgehammer. His mind raced, quickly piecing together some hidden clues: the young city lord's unusual appetite, the large number of merfolk bodies being sold here, and the fact that these merfolk's meat contained lethal toxins. All of this pointed to a much deeper conspiracy.
"What are they doing?" Luna's voice came from behind Leo. She had overheard the conversation and had clearly realized the gravity of the situation.
Leo fell silent for a moment before slowly turning around, speaking in a low voice, "Something's definitely happened between the young city lord and these merfolk."