Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 174: Fair Price

Ren stopped just outside the narrow alleyway, glancing at Thorn, Elias, and Valen behind him.

"Wait here." He said, glancing to see if anyone was watching them. "This won't take long."

Thorn raised an eyebrow. "You sure you don't want backup?"

"I'm sure. Lilith's enough." Ren replied.

"Awwwn." Lilith smiled sweetly beside him, her hand already fingering her collection of throwing knives in their hidden locations on her. "I love you too."

Thorn wretched dramatically while Valen nodded in acknowledgment, leaning against the wall. Elias folded his arms silently, watching the alley with narrowed eyes.

"Be right back." Ren turned and led Lilith into the alley.

The walls around them were cracked and moldy, the scent of mildew clinging to the air. A crooked wooden sign swung above the worn wooden door. The lettering was faded, but Ren already knew the name.

The Trash Heap.

He'd visited this place many times in the game. This was one of the hidden trading centres for outlaws, informants, and currency launderers. Basically anything illegal that had to do with money. It was especially useful if one didn't want to leave a monetary trace for the authorities.

They stepped inside and immediately, Lilith sneezed. The shop was dark, the only light streaming in was from the thin windows fixed high up on the wall. The shelves were a shoddy collection of trinkets, dull weapons, and dusty scrolls.

A bored-looking man sat at the counter, scratching something into parchment with a cracked quill. The whole shop was designed to look as uninviting as possible.

Ren approached and leaned slightly over the counter. "Hello. I hear that the nearby baker's oven burns hotter near the eastern farms these days." He said casually.

The man paused mid-scratch. His eyes flicked up to meet Ren's, narrowing in interest. "Depends who's asking." The man replied.

Ren didn't answer. He just met the man's gaze.

After a few seconds, the man stood and walked to the back wall. He pulled a lever beneath the shelf, and with a faint grinding sound, a section of the wall slid open.

With a nod at the man, Ren and Lilith stepped through into the backroom.

It was darker here. The only light came from a pair of oil lamps bolted to the stone walls. At the far end sat a hulking man with a shaved head and arms like tree trunks. Two guards flanked him, each armed with short blades.

"You're not from around here." The man said without looking up.

Ren stepped forward and pulled a heavy pouch from his belt. He loosened the string and poured a handful of Albion gold coins onto the table.

"Thirty gold coins. I want them exchanged." He said. "I want them in Elnorian gold weights."

The hulking man finally looked up and gave a slow, crooked grin. "Albion coins, huh?" He picked one up, examining it with mock interest. "Old. Dull. Not worth much this far from the border. I'll give you two weights per three."

Ren frowned. "You're joking, right?"

The man chuckled, placing his palm on the table and leaning forward. "Do I look like a joke to you?"

Ren didn't move. Lilith did.

A throwing knife appeared in her hands, which blurred, embedded into the man's hand. He screamed as the blade pinned his hand to the wooden table, blood oozing around the hilt.

Lilith leaned in, her voice as soft as a lullaby, yet cold enough to freeze the air. "Do we look like a joke to you?"

The guards started forward, reaching for their blades.

Ren chuckled and drew Freedom halfway from its sheath, the sound ringing in the air. "By all means, step forward." He glanced at the hulking man. "If you want to see your boss's throat opened."

The guards froze.

A wide grin bloomed on Lilith's face as she slowly twisted the knife. The man's cries of pain filled the air, Lilith's gaze boring into him. "Are you sure the exchange rate is correct?" She asked. "Why don't you try again?"

The man let out a choked sob, tears welling in his eyes. "Alright! Alright! I'm sorry! Seven per five! Seven per five!"

Ren stepped closer, nodding approvingly. "Now we're talking."

Lilith pulled the knife free. The man clutched his bleeding hand, biting his lips against the pain as he gestured to one of the guards. A few moments later, a pouch of gleaming gold weights was dropped on the table.

"Fair price." The man whispered.

Ren scooped it up and turned to leave. "Pleasure doing business."

Lilith smiled sweetly as she followed. "Let us know if you ever need your other hand pierced."

The wall slid closed behind them and Ren gave the man at the counter a gracious nod before stepping out of the shop.

He walked back to the end of the alley, tossing the pouch to Thorn, who caught it out of the air, the cubic golden weights clinking. "Rich." he smirked.

"Stay close." Ren walked back into the cramped streets of Rainhold, leading the group through them.

The sun was a deep orange as it began the journey to the edge of the horizon, the evening light spilling all over the top of the tall, whitewashed buildings.

On the street, the sea of people moved shoulder to shoulder, making every step seem like a negotiation, everyone pressing through the crowd with no concept of personal space.

"Gods." Thorn muttered, clutching his pack tighter to his side. "It's a good thing we stashed the horses at that rented stable. I can't believe how many people are out here. Can't even scratch my nose without elbowing a stranger in the ribs."

"Elnorian cities were always overcrowded but this is new." Valen said, his eyes scanning every person that pressed past him. "But with the plague pushing people out of villages and towns, cities like this became the only safe havens."

They moved slowly through the bottleneck of a food market, the scent of roasted meat wafting up to them. If anyone tried stealing here, they'll be caught before taking three full steps.

Lilith pressed herself to Ren, her eyes never resting in one place for long. Elias kept at the rear, a hand on his sword, even though he'd have a hard time drawing it in this kind of crowd.

Eventually, Ren stopped in front of a tall inn, leading them inside and approaching the innkeeper.

A few coins and some hushed negotiation later, Ren had secured a single room at the top floor.

"Just one room?" Thorn asked as they climbed the narrow stairs.

Ren gave a smirk over his shoulder. "You'll see."

They crammed into the room, everyone except Ren taking in the place. The walls were bare, save for a small bed, a table, and a single chair pushed into the corner.

Ren crossed to the window and flipped the wooden latch. The shutters swung open with a quiet creak, and a soft breeze drifted in.

Outside, standing tall over the sea of rooftops, was a gleaming marble building. Its twin spires pierced the sky, gilded with gold and reflecting the last rays of sunlight.

"The Church of the Shivering Tree." Valen murmured.

Ren turned back to the group, eyes serious.

"That," he said, nodding toward the cathedral, "is our target."

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