Sanguine Marketplace

Xylothar's eyes were deep, and his head turned from her to the Sanguine Vein. His face didn't change, but the light in his eyes kept flashing.

"Though I found my answer. It only leads to more questions."

Xylothar stood before the Sanguine Vein, his expression unreadable. His crimson eyes studied the strange green light emanating from the bloodstone vein, a mixture of emotions swirling in their depths. Uncertainty, curiosity, apprehension, and excitement all fought for dominance within Xylothar's heart, leaving him conflicted.

"Something isn't right." Xylothar mumbled, his brow furrowing. He couldn't comprehend the variables before him, his brow furrowing in confusion.

One of them was Amaris, her presence enigmatic. He assumed the angels had sent her for a different purpose, her heart intended for the Sanguine Vein. But she appeared too feeble, incapable of even slaying a lowly rank 30 demon. The Sanguine Vein, a precious resource, held immense importance. The angels wouldn't dispatch a mere rank 15 like Amaris down here unless they were testing her abilities.

No, they couldn't be that foolish. The Sanguine Vein, a conduit of mana, possessed the power to rupture the very fabric of space, enabling demons to traverse realms. Though this realm wasn't the mortal world, it resembled a pocket dimension, a marketplace where cunning demons bartered resources and secrets.

Many Sanguine Veins were under the control of high-ranking demons or guarded by angelic temples, preventing unauthorised demon entry.

The angels should possess the same knowledge as him, aware that Amaris was ill-suited for such a task, particularly since she remained oblivious to the existence of Sanguine Veins.

Xylothar pondered further, his gaze lingering on the active Sanguine Vein before him. It was a rare sight, its pulsating energy casting an otherworldly glow. Demons frequented it, harnessing its power for their gain.

In the dim light, Xylothar's crimson eyes flickered, his mind ablaze with endless possibilities. The angels wouldn't send Amaris solely for the Sanguine Vein; there had to be more to this. The angels always concealed something, and this time, Xylothar's unease grew. He also recalled Amaris's explanation of her arrival, a cloud of mystery enveloping their surroundings, leaving him with an unsettling sensation.

"Hmm, it doesn't matter that much. I should use it as much as possible before any other beings come here." Xylothar mumbled.

"But first. Let's take Amaris." Xylothar said under his breath. His body flickered, and disappeared from the location and directly in front of Amaris, who was still sleeping.

Amaris stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she gazed up at the figure before her. Xylothar peered down, his crimson eyes piercing her soul. Amaris scrambled to her feet, startled by the sudden appearance.

"Xylothar? What are you-" Amaris blurted, but Xylothar interrupted her.

"Come with me," Xylothar said, grabbing Amaris' wrist and walking back.

"Hey wait, where are you taking me?!" Amaris asked him, but he didn't respond. He dragged her, and arrived in front of the Sanguine Vein, behind the frozen wall. Amaris looked around, confused.

"What is this? How did you know what was behind the wall? It's like a whole nother room in here." Amaris questioned Xylothar, but he didn't respond. His face remained impassive as he stood in front of the Sanguine Vein, contemplating his decision.

Xylothar's eyes glanced down at Amaris, his expression hard to read. He took a deep breath, his crimson eyes shining with determination.

"Girl, prepare yourself. We're going into the Sanguine Vein, where demons trade resources," Xylothar said, his tone calm and even. Amaris' eyes widened in shock. Her mind flooded with a thousand questions, but Xylothar ignored her. He took a step forward, dragging Amaris behind him. The green light radiated around the two, enveloping them in its eerie glow.

"Wait-" Amaris protested, but her words fell on deaf ears. Xylothar took another step, the world around them growing blurry as they entered the Sanguine Vein. There was no turning back now.

The pair found themselves in a hauntingly eerie place, reminiscent of ancient Japan. The buildings loomed overhead, constructed from weathered dark wood, emanating a sense of age and mystery. The ground beneath their feet was covered in coarse, dark brown dirt, creating an earthy scent that filled the air. The scene was alive with bustling shops and vibrant stalls, each exuding a distinct, otherworldly charm. 

Demons of various shapes and sizes roamed the streets, their presence felt through the eerie echoes of their footsteps. Xylothar, with his piercing crimson eyes, scanned their surroundings, his senses heightened and alert. Beside him, Amaris felt her heart racing, her eyes wide with bewilderment, as she took in the surreal atmosphere that enveloped them.

"What is this place?" Amaris murmured, her voice full of wonder.

"This is the Sanguine marketplace." Xylothar replied, his gaze locked ahead. Amaris looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Sanguine marketplace?" she echoed, her mind spinning. Xylothar didn't elaborate, and continued walking, Amaris trailing behind him. The marketplace was filled with a diverse array of demons, each with their unique traits and abilities. Xylothar expertly navigated through the crowd, Amaris struggling to keep up with his pace.

"Hey, slow down will yeah?" Amaris yelled at him, but Xylothar remained silent. He weaved through the bustling streets, his expression indifferent. Amaris puffed her cheeks, annoyed at Xylothar's behaviour. She activated her Pink Widow form so she could catch up with him.

After some time walking, Xylothar stopped in front of a shady-looking stall, Amaris bumping into his back.

"Oi, what are you-" Amaris grumbled, but her words faltered as her eyes landed on the stall. The owner was an intimidating-looking demon with jet black hair, sunken eyes, and dark grey skin. His lips curved into a menacing smile as he locked eyes with Amaris, sending a chill down her spine.

Xylothar seemed unfazed and stepped forward. He took out an icy gem and slammed it on the table.

"How much?" Xylothar asked, his crimson eyes cold. The demon eyed the gem, his grin widening. Amaris peered at the icy gem. Her curiosity piqued.

"Hmm, not bad. Where did you get it?" the demon asked, his voice raspy. Xylothar remained stoic, his expression unreadable.

"None of your business," he responded, his tone icy. The demon chuckled, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Fine, fine. You're not very nice now, are you?" the demon teased, his lips curled into a sinister grin. Amaris felt uncomfortable, the tension palpable. Xylothar narrowed his eyes, his gaze unwavering.

"Well well then. A tier three soul gem. Seems to be that of ice. It should also be an attribute enhancer gem. Hmm, I'll give you 30 Tamashii for it?" the demon offered, laughing out loud.

Xylothar stayed silent, his expression hard to read. Amaris watched from the side, observing their exchange. She couldn't understand what the two were talking about, and felt lost. Tamashii? Attribute enhancer? Soul gem? Amaris furrowed her brow, deep in thought.

Xylothar snapped her out of her thoughts when he agreed to the demon's offer and exchanged 30 Tamashii. Amaris tilted her head, perplexed by the currency exchange. Xylothar noticed Amaris's baffled expression and explained the Tamashii.

"It's a demonic currency," Xylothar responded bluntly. "It's crystal filled with spiritual powers. Not very useful for you."

Amaris was about to open her mouth, but Xylothar interrupted her and dragged her through the crowds of demons, not explaining anything else.

'This guy is cold,' Amaris thought to herself, agreeing with the demons' comment from before.

Amaris and Xylothar traversed through the marketplace, their senses on high alert, as they avoided drawing any unwanted attention. The streets were bustling with activity, a myriad of smells and sounds bombarding their senses. Amaris observed Xylothar's composed demeanour, his face expressionless as they weaved through the crowds, a stark contrast to her anxious behaviour.

As they walked, Xylothar's crimson eyes noticed a sign of a building that read 'Jiuguan', its wooden walls painted with vibrant colours. Amaris noticed Xylothar's pause and observed his curious expression.

"What's Jiuguan?" Amaris asked Xylothar, her curiosity growing. He pointed to the shop and explained.

"It's a place that sells information." Xylothar said simply. Amaris rolled her eyes, her expression deadpan.

'Way to explain, man...' she thought, annoyed at Xylothar's terse words. Nevertheless, Amaris followed Xylothar as they entered the Jiuguan, greeted by a peculiar atmosphere.

The walls were lined with intricate murals depicting mystical scenes from the past. An old, mysterious-looking demon sat in the centre of the Jiuguan, his gaze fixated on an ancient-looking scroll. Upon noticing Xylothar and Amaris's presence, he raised his head with a smile. The two of them reflected in his eyes.