01 21 - Into The Thieves

The view was from a cliff side, through the middle was a large cut in the ground, a ravine but there was water rushing from all sides into the depths of the ground. There were large towering rocks, they were pillars that kept the rocky roof above from falling to the terrain.

"If you haven't noticed, we're currently in a cave. This is called the Chute Daeu, it's like a swamp, it's pretty easy to get through this area."

The white haired male spoke as he headed down to the side of the cliff we were on. The closer we were to the ground of this cave, it was clear it was like a swamp, there were a lot of little streams and the path was always wet, but luckily it wasn't like a muddy look.

The ground was covered with either bushes or very small trees, there were also different kinds of mushrooms and rocks, in some areas where there would be a hole in the sky that allowed the sun to come in, there was the most flourishing plants and trees, then around it would be some grass before it was plain wet dirt that had some mushrooms and bushes.

This place was beautiful, the pillars also had some green plants on it, even with less light, the water that flowed down from the top of the pillars and down into the depths of the ravine helped those plantations grow. As we continued down the path, the louder the rush of water was, we were getting closer to the waterfalls.

"Once we get to the other side of this bridge, I want you to be on guard. Even though it's pretty, this city is mostly filled with thieves, some nobles only live in this city because of it's beauty, that's why it's called the thieves Tree."

I looked at the other confused, Leaf was flying around loving the new scene.

"The capital of this country is over ran by thieves?"

I asked still confused by the boy's wording before he shook his head.

"This isn't the capital stupid, We're gonna check here if there's any clues on that noble's missing item, they might be here, or they're at the capital."

I nodded, though I was still confused, we got closer to the bridge that would cross through the ravine, but even from here I didn't know what he was talking about, there was no city I could see from here, other than the large ray of light that was further past the bridge.

"Just stay on guard."

The bridge was barely large enough for both of us to walk through on the horses, even if it was a game, I was a bit too scared to look down to where the water would fall, and just kept my eyes straight forward.

I could here the other snickering in the background, but I just ignored him and hurried my horse to go faster, the once playful Leaf suddenly went onto my shoulder then stared forward as well, clearly on guard, he was sensing something.

"What is it?"

I asked quietly as I pulled out my sword and kept it in front of me, the other male noticing and moving back to go beside me.

"Act normal, if they see you're a threat it'll be more troubling than now."

I grumbled before putting my sword back into my inventory, then did my best to try and calm the wyvern on my shoulder.

"You know, you never said your name yet."

I asked as we got off the bridge, back on the path, listening to the small streams of water on the ground. Noticing a pair of eyes in the bushes, but they just watched, so I kept my eyes forward.

"well, you haven't said yours yet."

The other said while acting all high and mighty.

"You already know it, considering you also stalked me."

He flinched going silent for a moment before replying.

"Sorry, I'm Beom Hae-il."

I nodded before suddenly thinking, Beom? That last name sound's familiar, but again Beom is a pretty common last name, I think anyways.

"Well still kind of mad that you suddenly brought me to go steal something, but nice to meet you."

He nodded and we continued our walk, Leaf was still on guard, he was also the size of a small cat I would say, he stayed on my shoulder before finding that sitting on the horse in between my legs would be the safest spot, so I let him sit there.

The more we rode forward, the clearer the destination was, there was a huge tree in the middle of where the large hole in the sky was, a tall Tree that reached the top, just barely though. On the tree were multiple trees, there were many different houses connected to the tree and all around the base of the tree as well.

"this base isn't really well hidden if this is the thieves base."

I spoke as we got closer to the tree, there was a water circle around the base of the tree, so we had to cross a bridge again.

"Well, most people would choose the safer way to go to Pasquin, we took this route since we had to stop here, plus if they didn't see my name you would have been killed already before you could even see the tree."

I blinked even more confused, but then it hit me, a red player who's in hiding would be well know with the people in hiding too, it was like the black market, a hidden trading system, like the bar back in AlanVan.

There were more people now, some players, some npcs. We got off the horses and let them roam in the fields that were past the bridge, before walking closer to the tree's base. it was like a normal town, other than the fact half of the people gave such terrifying death glares.

"Stay close, we're just going to the information house aight?"

I nodded and following along.

"Leaf, I think it's best for you to go into the pearl for now."

He didn't seem to want to, but went with it anyways and went into the pearl before going deeper into the Thieves tree. At the base of the tree were large doors, and we were stopped at first, but after seeing the name "Red AI" they backed off and let us through. Looking up, the tree was hallow and it looked beautiful inside, it was fancy, but when I looked back at Beom, he was going towards the back.

"This place is for the leaders and the rich, come on."

I grumbled, I wanted to feel the luxury at least. I followed along, there was a long hallway before it lead us down, it was dark for a moment before we were in front large doors once again. I took a big gulp then opened the door while Beom-shi opened the other one.

"Red AI, hello, how can I help a killer like you?"

The person on the desk was straight to the point, no mercy either. He was an old man, maybe in his 50's, sitting on a large table with two people beside him, a woman and a man. His eyes then looked at me before a hand reached out, pointing towards the couches in front of his desk.

He walked away from his desk and sat on one of the couches, while I followed the white haired male to sit onto the other couch across from the man. This felt very familiar for some reason.

"Hey Mr. Bear, do you know if anyone tried to sell a antique from a noble? It was a music box that's gold-"

Beom was then suddenly interrupted by the man.

"And it had the illegal purple magic stone inside? Yes. Though you should know by now, no information is for free."

The Deja vu was strong, as I just sat there waiting, the other male beside me pulling out a bag of gold coins then throwing it onto the coffee table in the middle.

The old man told one of the guards to grab the coin bag before he began to speak again.

"One of the amateur thieves tried to sell it, no one took it since dealing with the magic stone is too much trouble, seems like he took it without thinking."

He then continued with talking about how the man then went to the capital, most likely going to the bigger black market to sell it there.

"That's about all I know about the boy, anything else?"

The man then looked at me, seeing if I had any questions but Beom stood up saying no, yet there was a question I wanted to ask, I should have asked something regarding my quest, but the info I almost forgot about suddenly flashed into my mind.

"Do you know if there's been trades of a special kind of potion?"

The other male stared at me while the old man seems to know exactly what I'm talking about.

"Well, nothing can be bought for free you know."

I stared at the old man, before turning my eyes to Beom.

"I don't have money,,"

I mumbled before the other male let out a sigh and pulled out a bag of gold coins again.

"You're not getting paid."

He whispered, which made me flinch and hear a break in my heart, but shook my head. I was dedicated now, if I could help in anyway, I'll find out more about it and tell the detective.

"Now, tell us what you know."

To be continued...