In the novel, Nero didn't head to the Eastern Continent. Instead of going to Shaolin, he went to the City of Wolves.
That's right, he visited Wolfshire.
For what reason, one might ask? Well, his master asked him to buy a relic which was in possession of one of the noble families here.
But that is not the important part.
The thing is, during his trip, Nero stopped by an opulent cafe nearby.
The cafe was close to his hotel room, so he decided to enjoy a lavish dinner there before returning.
Unfortunately, that evening was ruined for him when Nero spotted a suspicious lady posing to be a customer in the cafe.
Soon, he realized everyone in the cafe was acting a little strange… All of them were a bit erratic.
Everyone seemed… lifeless.
Before long, Nero himself began to feel a bit odd.
It didn't take him long to understand that someone was trying to bewitch him. He was falling under a mind hex.