A few hours had passed since they left Finn’s hideout. And ever since then, Max had started to realise something very important about the little goblin.

He was absurdly difficult to keep up with.

Max and Neros moved through the black market streets, weaving through an increasingly dense crowd. It seemed to be one of the busiest hours of the day.

Which was terrible news. There were too many people. Too much activity.

Too many chances to lose sight of the one individual who actually knew where they were going.

Finn was walking several metres ahead of them. Or at least... they thought he was.

Because the goblin seemed to move through the crowd like a shadow. Fast. Light. Disappearing between legs, robes, cloaks, and makeshift stalls as if he knew every gap in the market.

Every time Max thought he had spotted him, the little thief was already somewhere else.

"How the hell can he move that fast with such short legs?" Max muttered.

Beside him, Neros walked stiffly. His eyes scanned the entire environment with absolute focus. Hooded figures. Criminals. Mercenaries. Suspicious vendors. Cages. Weapons. Everything about the place radiated discomfort.

But on top of that... there was something else clearly souring his mood.

His ex-wife.

Or more specifically, the fact that he wasn’t near her.

’I hope she’s alright.’

Neros frowned slightly.

’Even if she’s with Dorian...’

That did not help at all. Not even a little.

And right in the middle of that internal conflict...

THUD.

Neros walked straight into someone. Or rather... someone enormous.

The impact was heavy.

A gigantic hooded orc lost his balance and fell flat onto his back.

A brief silence followed.

Max’s eyes widened.

"Oh no."

He placed a hand over his face.

"Perfect. Exactly what we needed."

The orc growled from the floor, clearly irritated.

Max reacted quickly and immediately stepped forward.

"I’m so sorry!" he said, raising both hands peacefully.

He leaned slightly towards the orc.

"My friend is pretty clumsy. I’m sure he didn’t mean to bump into you."

Neros remained perfectly still. Clearly trying not to explode. He didn’t answer. Didn’t look at the orc. Didn’t say a word.

Max sighed. He jabbed him lightly in the stomach with his elbow.

"Do something," he muttered through clenched teeth. "We can’t get into trouble here."

Neros slowly exhaled, as if he were being asked to make some enormous personal sacrifice.

Then extended a hand towards the orc. With visible reluctance.

The orc glared at him, but grabbed the offered hand and pulled himself back to his feet.

He dusted off his clothes.

"Watch where you’re walking next time," he growled.

Neros stared back with exactly the same hostility. But remained silent.

Max intervened before things escalated.

"We’re very sorry," he said quickly.

He forced an awkward smile.

"My friend is mute."

Silence.

The orc stared at him. Blinked once.

"I don’t know what that means," he replied with complete honesty. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Max blinked.

"...Oh."

That was not the response he expected.

The orc crossed his arms.

"But if you don’t want trouble..."

He pointed a finger as thick as an oversized sausage at Neros.

"You’re going to need to manage your friend’s clumsiness better."

Max nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, of course."

Diplomatic smile activated.

"Thank you very much, Mr Orc. Have a wonderful day."

The orc grunted something unintelligible and finally turned around to continue on his way.

Max let out a sigh of relief.

But just as he was about to turn away as well... he saw it.

On the back of the orc’s neck. Peeking out from beneath the collar of his cloak. A tattoo. Black. Bold. Unmistakable. A seven-pointed star.

Max’s eyes focused instantly.

’Bingo.’

His expression shifted. So Finn did know what he was doing. They were on the right path after all.

Max looked forwards again.

"Come on," he said quickly.

Neros glanced at him.

"What is it?"

"Just keep walking," Max replied quietly.

He started moving again.

"And ignore the orcs, the people, and literally anything else that annoys you."

He glanced sideways at the cat man.

"We need to stay unnoticed."

Neros exhaled sharply through his nose.

"That is exactly what I’m trying to do."

He looked around once more.

"So where are we heading now?"

Max pointed forwards with very little confidence.

"We just need to keep following Dorian’s friend."

Pause.

His eyes scanned the crowd.

Left. Right. Stalls. Cloaks. Cages. Shadows.

Silence.

Max came to a sudden stop.

"...There is one small problem."

Neros narrowed his eyes.

"What problem?"

Max looked ahead again. More carefully this time. More concerned.

"...Where the hell is Finn?"

Both of them froze in the middle of the path, staring at the endless tide of people.

There was no sign of the goblin. No lantern. No long hair. No black clothes. Nothing.

They had lost him.

Neros slowly closed his eyes. Took a deep breath.

"...I knew it."

Max dragged both hands down his face.

"Fantastic."

He sighed.

"We lost the only person who knows this place like the back of his hand."

He crossed his arms.

"We are officially screwed."

***

Meanwhile...

In another part of the black market.

Seraphine and Dorian were already standing in front of the supposed shop belonging to the Seven-Pointed Star clan.

Or at least... that was what Finn’s map indicated.

The building’s façade was discreet. Almost too discreet.

A dark stone and black wood shop, its windows covered by thick curtains and only a small red lantern hanging beside the door. No flashy signs. No visible offers. Nothing indicating what the hell happened inside.

Which, in a place like the black market, somehow made it even more suspicious.

Seraphine observed the building carefully. Then glanced sideways at Dorian.

"I still don’t understand how you’re capable of interpreting that map."

Dorian smiled with mild self-satisfaction.

"There’s a reason Finn and I have been friends since childhood."

Seraphine arched an eyebrow.

"For your supposed friend..." she said, crossing her arms, "he didn’t seem particularly happy to see you."

Dorian let out a small nervous laugh.

"That’s just a joke between us."

Brief pause.

"I think."

Seraphine stared at him silently for a moment.

"...That sounded deeply unconvincing."

Dorian cleared his throat and quickly pointed at the shop to change the subject.

"Anyway, that doesn’t matter right now."

His expression grew a little more serious.

"We just need to go inside, buy time, and distract them while Max, Neros, and Finn handle their part."

Seraphine smiled faintly.

"Very well."

She turned slightly towards him.

"Then tell me..."

Her eyes narrowed with curiosity.

"What exactly is the plan to convince them we’re genuinely here to buy something?"

Dorian opened his mouth. Then closed it again. Clearly, he had not thought that far ahead.

"Ah."

He stood there quietly for a few seconds, thinking. His gaze drifting slightly.

And for some reason...

He thought of Neros. Probably having an awful time being away from Seraphine. Most likely tense. Uncomfortable. Jealous. Irritated. And that thought brought a small smile to his face.

"I know."

Before Seraphine could ask anything, Dorian stepped a little closer. Then casually linked his arm through hers with complete naturalness.

Seraphine blinked once.

Dorian smiled with total calm.

"We’re going to pretend to be a couple interested in buying a slave."

Seraphine looked at him. Then at their linked arms. And finally let out an amused little laugh.

"Clever."

Her smile widened slightly.

"Though I must admit..."

She glanced sideways at him.

"I’m beginning to suspect this idea is meant to annoy a certain someone."

Dorian smiled as if he had no idea what she was talking about.

"I have absolutely no clue what you mean."

Seraphine laughed again.

"Of course."

The two adjusted their cloaks slightly. Straightened their posture. Adopting a far more relaxed and elegant appearance. Like two wealthy clients with money, curiosity, and absolutely no moral scruples.

Perfect for a place like this.

Dorian inhaled deeply.

"Alright."

He looked at the door in front of them.

"Time to perform."

Seraphine nodded.

And together, they walked towards the shop entrance.