Money was a minor issue, only a few silver coins at most. What truly made Nolan’s scalp prickle was something else entirely—the dragon scale Evelyn had given him, now lying quietly inside that missing pouch.
Anna noticed the sudden change in his expression and followed his gaze. Understanding dawned on her at once. “A thief? Could it have been that girl just now?”
Nolan nodded, a flicker of embarrassment stirring within him. It wasn’t the lack of money that bothered him. What stung was the fact that he, a seasoned veteran who had roamed the continent of Vaughn for over twenty years, faced down armies of the undead, and delved into the ruins of the ancient golden-blooded race, had somehow been pickpocketed in a beginner-level city.
If his old comrades from the warband ever heard about this, he would never hear the end of it. They would laugh at him for an entire year. It was humiliating—utterly humiliating.
And there was the temperament of that young dragon to consider. No one could predict her moods. If she found out he had lost such an important token, seeking the dragons’ aid would be the least of his worries. He would be lucky to survive her wrath.
Anna didn’t let him dwell on it for long. She quickly took three silver coins from her small purse and handed them to the grinning shopkeeper, completing the transaction with crisp efficiency.
“Thank you for your business!”
Wearing his new chainmail, Nolan stepped out of the blacksmith’s shop with Anna. He drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. “We need to get that pouch back.”
Despite the situation, Nolan showed no signs of panic. He didn’t rush into the streets in a futile chase. Too much time had already passed; the thief was long gone by now. Running after her would only waste energy.
Anna moved to his side, frowning slightly. “Mr. Nolan, Veli City is so large. How are we supposed to find her?”
Nolan recalled the girl’s figure and the direction she had run. “Her movements were clean and precise. Even I didn’t notice a thing. She’s a professional, and people like her have their own circles.” He flexed his wrist, the joints cracking softly. “If you want to find someone like that in this city, especially someone from the ‘trade,’ you follow the trade’s rules.”
Guided by the map in his mind, Nolan led Anna southward, straight into the slums of Veli City.
In stark contrast to the bustling northern and commercial districts, this place felt like a forgotten corner of the city. The air was thick with a musty smell, the streets narrow, and the buildings on either side were worn and crumbling, their walls flaking in large patches.
It was mid-afternoon, yet the streets were sparsely populated. A few idle drifters lingered in the shadows, leaning against the walls and watching the two outsiders with ill intent in their eyes.
Anna instinctively clutched the hem of Nolan’s clothing. She could feel the greed and malice behind those stares. Still, she said nothing. Nolan’s pace never faltered, and he subtly positioned himself to shield her from the hostile gazes. His calm was absolute, as if he were strolling through his own backyard. That unwavering composure eased her unease.
Their time together had taught her one thing: Nolan never acted without confidence.
After weaving through a maze of alleys, Nolan finally stopped at the far end of an unremarkable lane. There stood a shabby tavern with a faded sign.
On it was a crudely drawn boar, its tusks jutting out at awkward angles.
The tavern was called “Boar’s Ribs.”
Nolan let out a quiet breath of relief. Good. His memory hadn’t failed him. The place was still open.
He pushed open the creaking wooden door and stepped inside.
Unlike the usual rowdy atmosphere of low-end taverns, there were no loud shouts or drunken vagrants. The room was empty. Behind the counter stood only a burly bartender with an unkempt beard, head lowered as he wiped a glass with a rag so dirty its original color was unrecognizable.
Hearing the door, the man didn’t even bother to look up. In a gruff voice, he muttered, “We’re not open yet. Come back later.”
Nolan walked straight to the counter. “Since when does a place like this ever close?”
He flicked a silver coin he had borrowed from Anna. It arced through the air and dropped neatly into the freshly cleaned glass in the bartender’s hand, ringing with a crisp chime.
The bartender’s hand paused mid-wipe. At last, he raised his eyes and gave Nolan a long, measuring look.
This is a rule only regulars know.
“Well now, I didn’t expect you to be an old customer.” The bartender curled his lips into a smile that was far from warm. “Don’t think I’ve seen you before. So, what’ll it be? A drink, or are you looking for some entertainment?”
“It’s not dark yet. I’m not here to drink,” Nolan replied calmly. “I’m here for entertainment.” He raised a hand and gestured at about the height of his own chin. “A girl. About this tall. Wearing a hood.”
The bartender let out a low chuckle, idly swirling the silver coin in the glass so it clinked softly. “Buddy, there are at least eighty girls in the southern part of the city who fit that description, if not a hundred.” He set the glass down on the counter and arched a brow, the meaning obvious.
That… isn’t enough.
“And what if I add this?”
Nolan’s right hand settled on the hilt of Mountain’s Resonance. With a sharp metallic ring, the longsword flashed free, its cold light cutting through the dim air.
The bartender’s expression changed instantly. His other hand shot beneath the counter, reaching for the weapon hidden there—a dark, heavy dagger.
But Nolan didn’t advance.
He remained where he stood. His wrist moved so fast it left only a blur, the tip of his blade dancing across the old wine cabinet beside them. Wood shavings fell in soft, steady whispers.
Three seconds later, with a clean, elegant flourish, the sword returned to its sheath as though it had never been drawn.
On the cabinet, a palm-sized engraving had appeared.
It depicted a coiled serpent, fangs bared, clamped around a broken sword. Every line was sharp and precise, impossibly detailed for something carved in mere seconds.
The bartender’s gaze fell upon the mark. His hand, which had just grasped the dagger, trembled violently, nearly losing its grip. The laziness and calculation vanished from his face, replaced by a mixture of shock and reverence.
“The… the Lloyd Mark…!”
His voice shook as he looked at Nolan, his entire demeanor transformed.
In the next instant, he vaulted out from behind the counter with surprising speed for a man of his build. Rushing up to Nolan, he pressed a hand to his chest and bowed deeply, his head nearly touching it.
“I didn’t realize it was you, sir! I’ll arrange it immediately—right away!”
His attitude had turned completely around, so respectful that Anna could only stare in stunned silence.
The bartender straightened and strode quickly to a corner of the counter. He yanked open a concealed hatch in the wall, cleverly disguised as a wine barrel, and shouted into the dark passage beyond, “Fifteen minutes! You’ve got fifteen minutes to drag that brat Vivi back here! Tell her she’s in deep trouble this time—she’s gone and stolen from the wrong fire!”
After barking the orders, he shut the hatch and hurried back, once again wearing that deferential expression. He bent slightly at the waist as he spoke.
“Sir, please—if you and your lady would wait upstairs in a private room. I guarantee you’ll have a satisfactory explanation.”
At the word “lady,” Anna’s face flushed red again. She told herself firmly that she couldn’t interfere with Nolan’s plans.
The bartender personally led them upstairs along a creaking wooden staircase. The private room on the second floor stood in stark contrast to the squalor below. A deep red carpet covered the floor, and a set of soft velvet sofas was arranged neatly within.
It wasn’t the sort of luxury one would find in a noble estate, but in a place like the southern part of the city, it was undeniably first-class.
Once the bearded bartender bowed himself out and carefully shut the door behind him, Anna felt as though she could finally breathe again. She sank into the soft sofa, her pale green eyes filled with astonishment and questions that refused to settle. “Mr. Nolan…” Her voice wavered slightly. “What did you mean by all that just now? And that ‘Lloyd Mark’… what exactly is it?”
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