Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

William stepped into the city, the oppressive weight of its darkness settling upon him like a shroud. Night had fallen, but the streets still teemed with a disconcerting number of figures, their faces obscured by deep hoods, just like his own. He felt a prickle of unease as several pairs of eyes flickered towards him from beneath those concealing shadows, marking him as an outsider, a potential target.

With each step on the uneven cobblestones, a chilling sensation crept down his spine—the feeling of being watched, hunted. Perhaps it was just his paranoia, a natural consequence of venturing into this den of thieves and cutthroats. But William adhered to a strict philosophy: expect the worst, prepare for the worst. He wouldn't allow himself to be caught off guard.

The ramshackle buildings lining the streets, haphazardly stacked upon each other, spoke of a city born not from careful planning but from desperation and lawlessness. This was no civilized kingdom outpost; this was a haven built by bandits, for bandits.

"Where to first?" William muttered under his breath, scanning the dimly lit alleys and shadowy doorways. No place seemed safe, and his instincts proved correct.

A figure materialized from the gloom, a glint of steel flashing in their hand as they pressed a dagger against his back. "Hand over everything valuable," the voice hissed, rough and demanding.

William could sense the meager trickle of magical power emanating from his assailant. This was no formidable foe. With a swift, fluid motion, he spun around, seizing the attacker's wrist in an iron grip, rendering them immobile.

Surprise flickered across the would-be thief's face, quickly replaced by a nervous attempt at a placating smile. "Whoa there, friend," they stammered, "Just messing with you, haha!"

Who would be foolish enough to believe such a blatant lie?

While being accosted at knifepoint wasn't ideal, William saw an opportunity. He fixed the bandit with an icy stare. "I think we need to have a little chat."

Disarming the man, William dragged him into a nearby alley, its darkness swallowing them whole. The lack of security in this city, while disconcerting, was proving rather convenient.

"You're going to tell me everything I need to know," William's voice cut through the silence, sharp and cold, "and I'll know if you're lying."

Even in this precarious situation, the bandit's bravado remained. "And why would I do that? Death is inevitable in my line of work. You can't threaten me with what's already a certainty."

A chilling smile played on William's lips. "Death? No, my friend. You're far from dying by my hand. But that doesn't mean you won't suffer."

The bandit scoffed, mistaking William's words for empty threats. Surely, this young man wouldn't have the stomach for true cruelty. He was wrong.

William retrieved the fallen dagger and began to systematically carve into the bandit's flesh. Each cut was precise, agonizing, yet carefully calculated to avoid any vital areas. The man's screams echoed through the alley, pleas for help that went unanswered.

Passersby glanced into the alley, their eyes widening at the gruesome scene, but none dared to intervene. In this city, minding your own business was the key to survival.

After what felt like an eternity of pain, the bandit finally broke. "I'll tell you anything! Just make it stop!"

"Not so tough now, are you?" William said, retrieving a cloth and tossing it to the man.

"Now, let's start with a simple question. Anything I should be particularly worried about in this city?"

This city was a viper's nest of rogues and scoundrels. While most were weak compared to William, there were bound to be powerful figures lurking in the shadows. He needed to tread carefully.

"There are some strong individuals here, but if you keep your head down, you should be fine. The hostility is usually reserved for the weak. If you project strength, you'll be left alone, maybe even find some opportunities."

"Good. And what do you know about the bandit hideout nearby? Northeast of here, I believe."

The hideout was William's ultimate objective, the place where he would face a gauntlet of bandits and retrieve the artifact his lord desired.

"You mean the Desert Serpents' lair? Bad idea, friend. Their leader is formidable, and most of their members are no slouches either," the bandit warned.

William had anticipated as much, but confirmation was always valuable.

"And how do you know this? Is information about this gang so readily available?"

The bandit, sensing William's interest in the Desert Serpents, gave him a wary look. "I might know someone who used to be part of that gang. They might have some useful information, for a price. But I can't guarantee anything."

"That's enough for me."

Leaving the whimpering bandit in the alley, William made his way to another, less secluded alleyway. He knocked on the wooden door of a small shop, its sign creaking ominously in the night wind.

Despite his repeated knocks, there was no answer. The shop was closed. William had hoped to find the former Serpent member tonight, but it seemed fate had other plans.

He needed a place to rest. There were several taverns scattered throughout the city, and William chose one that seemed relatively calm, situated in a more well-lit area.

But even this tavern was far from peaceful. The stench of ale and sweat hung heavy in the air, punctuated by the raucous shouts of patrons arguing, brawling, and engaging in other, more carnal activities. The sounds of women's moans echoed through the dimly lit space.

'Are all the taverns like this?' William wondered, grimacing.

Though tempted to check out other establishments, he had a sinking feeling they would be no better, perhaps even worse.

Approaching the barkeep, he inquired about a room for the night.

"Got one in the back," the gruff man replied, "Five copper coins."

William had money, but the currency used in this kingdom was different. Though made of similar materials, the symbols stamped on the coins were foreign.

"I don't have any local currency, but I have this dagger. Lifted it off some fool a while back. Interested?" William offered.

The barkeep, who was also the tavern owner, snatched the dagger and appraised it with a practiced eye.

"I can give you 120 silver for it," he declared. "Worth closer to 170, but I need to make a profit, you understand."

"Quite a profit you're making," William noted dryly.

The barkeep hesitated, then said, "140. Take it or leave it."

"Deal."

William deposited the pouch of coins into his inventory as he entered his room. It was spartan, but thankfully clean, which was a small victory in this city.

"Well, at least we have some spending money now," Stuart's voice chirped from William's pocket. "But the real payoff comes when we complete this mission."

"Definitely. Hey, can you keep an eye out or use some magic to make this place a bit more secure? I have a bad feeling about this tavern."

"What place in this city doesn't give you a bad feeling?" Stuart chuckled. "But yeah, I can do that."

Stuart cast a camouflage spell, concealing William from prying eyes. They moved the bed to the other side of the room and, with another spell, rendered it invisible. Then, Stuart conjured an illusionary bed to replace it.

The night passed without incident, and William, reassured by Stuart's precautions, managed to get some rest. In the morning, he headed straight for the shop owned by the former member of the Desert Serpents.

A sign hung on the door, indicating it was open. William entered, the bell above the door jingling merrily.

But despite announcing his presence, the shop seemed deserted. Shelves overflowed with a bizarre assortment of goods, from trinkets and baubles to an impressive collection of weaponry.

'This guy must be fencing stolen goods,' William surmised.

After a few moments, a figure emerged from the back room. It wasn't who William expected.

He had braced himself for a hardened brute, a man etched with scars and an intimidating aura. Instead, he found himself facing a woman of striking beauty, her smile both alluring and disarming.

"How can I help you?" she purred, her voice like velvet.

Uncertainty flickered in William's mind. Was this the former Serpent he sought, or merely an employee? He chose his words carefully.

"An acquaintance suggested I pay you a visit," William began, "He mentioned someone here used to be part of the Desert Serpents."

The woman's smile vanished, replaced by a guarded expression. "That part of my life is over. I have nothing to say about it. If that's all you came for, you can leave."

William, unsure how to navigate this unexpected encounter, decided to probe further. "First, tell me," he asked, "do you regret leaving the gang?" Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire

The woman's eyes hardened, a flicker of anger igniting within their depths. "Regret? Never! They're a pack of ruthless bastards. I'm glad to be free of them. And honestly," her voice dropped to a venomous whisper, "if I had the chance, I'd go back and kill every last one of them for what they did to me."

A spark of opportunity ignited in William's mind. This woman's resentment towards the Desert Serpents was a powerful tool, one he could potentially use to his advantage.