Chapter 5: The Horribly Designed City of Orario

When they said this place was a labyrinth, I didn't think it would be this bad.

The streets were long-winding, practically infinite and if you were lucky enough to reach the end of one, another street, a sharp turn or a dead-end would await your arrival like a hammer ready to smash your spirit.

If it weren't for the white 'Tower of Babel' acting as a beacon in this shit-storm of a city, I would be astray in a matter of seconds.

However, the terrible design wasn't the only thing on the list of mildly surprising things.

There were always enormous crowds no matter where you travelled.

And that wasn't the overwhelming part.

Instead it was the outright diversity, and unfamiliarity, of these said crowds which caught my attention. Long-eared people, short and buff people, dark-skinned exhibitionists and individuals with animalistic traits blended in with the human population and, judging by their reactions, it was totally normal.

"Hmmm." I hummed, observing someone's tail swaying with excitement. Just what sort have circumstances led to such a thing existing?

Once they walked away, my interest flickered away like a weak flame blown away by the wind and I resumed my hunt, a hunt for a place to stay, of course. I couldn't just sleep on the streets now, could I?

So with my possessions in hand, I searched far and wide through streets for an inn able to accommodate my needs. Tens of minutes went by and I had little luck. Inns weren't too common and when I did chance upon one, they were way too expensive for my current financial situation or already filled to their max capacity. I needed to lower my standards and turn my attention towards the less favourable parts of town.

And that's how I ended up discovering a certain glamorous building in a back alley. It had text written on a sign barely clinging to the walls, reading 'The Salty Spitoon' in a peeling, baby blue paint.

The prices below were cheap, that's all that mattered.

I swung the doors wide open with an ear grating creek. My foot followed my arms, and I soon found myself in an area you'd see in Blighttown. The place was constructed with wooden planks wrought with cracks and glaring signs of rot. I swear I also spotted a table with someone's face imprinted into it.

Accompanying the abysmal atmosphere were the occupants, who weren't any better. They all sent death glares in my way while taking sips from whatever they were drinking.

Ignoring the daggers piercing my back, I walked over to the counter and took a seat on a stool.

"One room for a week." I said.

Without a single peep, the man in charge of the joint slid open a draw and plucked a key from it.

"Full payment first." He narrowed his eyes in a predatory fashion.

I rested my hand on the hilt of my weapon.

"I'll pay for each day individually."

"If you insist."

I slammed the coins onto the table and snatched the key. Then I made my up the broken stairs. This all occurred in dead silence. The instant I was out of sight, the patrons resumed their conversation.

I could now drop the tough act. If I had shown weakness, who kind of stunt those guys would have pulled. They all had the eyes of a back-stabbing thief and to them, I was fresh meat; easy prey ripe for the picking.

Leaving that aside, I now needed to find my room. I took a quick look at the rusted key and noticed the number ten inscribed on the surface. The room was right next to me and was as shit as I expected. The only ray of hope was a fluffy bed, which seemed to have brand new.

After I deposited my belongings onto a desk, I peered outside the window. The sun still illuminated the sky in a gloriously incandescent manner. Meaning I had plenty of time to take a quick peek at the interior of the dungeon and browse through the wares of Babel.

So, through the window, I left and to the tower; I travelled.

On the way, I passed by an interesting place called the 'Hostess of Fertility'. According to some locals, the food was in a godly realm when compared to the stones I had to eat when coming here. Resisting the urge to stuff my face, I headed to the tower.

Just like the rest of the city, it was packed to the brim though this time, most individuals were equipped with weapons, armour and other accessories.

"Cheap supporter services!"

"Looking for a supporter who isn't mentally disabled? I got you covered."

"Twenty percent off all magic potions!"

"Buy one potion, get on free!"

I forgot to mention the people with ludicrous backpacks designed to store items and the merchants. They were infuriating. They had sales every two seconds and would never shut up about their deals.

I pushed my way through the crowd and I realised my clothing made me stick out like a sore thumb. Though nobody hurled any strings of abuse when they met my gaze, I was already in battle mode. If the purpose of this city hadn't reminded me, then the inhabitants did. Nowhere was safe.

When I got inside the tower, I wasn't too impressed. It was mostly just a bunch of rookie smiths and other types of shops. Way too many rookie smiths. It was like someone had cloned Andre a million times and placed all of them in the same area to hammer for all of eternity. Clang clang clang, I'd go mad if I had to work here.

The locals also said the quality of the items improves the higher you go, but so does the price. This floor would have to suffice for now.

I browsed for a short while and I found two stores right next to each other. Large amounts of customers flooded into the one owned by a man with a funky name. Meanwhile, not a single person checked out its competitor.

"How much for your cheapest set of plate armour?" I barged into the empty store grandly.

I must have scared the guy witless since a symphony of metal clanging together and a man groaning in pain was the only semblance of response that I got.

"Should I come back later or..."

"No no no!"

The man charged at me and grabbed my hand before I could leave. Where the heck did this creature come from? He was a bearded dwarf who looked to be insane. Sunken eyes and a mad expression, the complete package. I tried not to expose my distaste, but my mouth twitched.

"20,000!" He coughed his lungs out, "20,000 valis for my cheapest set."

"What?" I snarled. "You think I have that kind of money? In your dreams, shorty. I think I'll just wear a set of wooden planks instead of paying such an outrageous sum for your 'cheapest set'."

"Any lower is daylight robbery! You think I'm gonna fall for this attempt at battering?"

"Whatever man, I'm sure Tedward would be quite happy with an extra 17,000 valis in his pocket."

"Tedward? You went to that bastard?" The dwarf bit his nails and his face reddened. "I don't know what evil magic that guy cast bu-WAIT!"

He gripped my arm again, digging his fingers into my bones.

"The lowest I'll go is 16,500, okay?"

"You have yourself a deal."

I left with a suit of silver plate armour covering my body, including a helmet, and with my pouch a much lighter. And now that I had conned someone for some hopefully adequate protection, it was time for the fun to begin.