After sleeping to his heart content, Arvin woke up in his room. He looked out of the window. From the brightness outside, he assumed that it was still noon. He then got up and then stretched his legs and body and then got ready. He disguised himself in the form of the cruel middle-aged man and checked out of the inn.

He had decided that first, he would go shopping. He needs food and water for the upper floor. He still had a lot of water but it was better if he could buy some more. So Arvin started roaming around the market and went on a shopping spree.

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He bought a lot of food, water, some extra clothes, ropes, boots for sand, etc. After shopping Arvin was free now, so he thought that before going to the red gulf why not find out more about the recent events. While he was at it, he would also like a map of the 3rd floor if he can. The map of the second floor had proven itself quite useful. That is why he would also like a map of the 3rd floor.

So Arvin changed his disguise again. He changed himself to an old man with a military haircut. He then started roaming around the city asking big shops about the map of the third floor. But none of them had a map of the third floor. But one of the shopkeepers gave Arvin a clue that the biggest inn of the city was owned by a man that had ascended once. Then he came back and now runs that inn.

There was a very small chance that Arvin would be able to get his hands on a map there, but he could at least try. So Arvin started making his way towards the inn…

The biggest inn in the city is called Heavenly Palace. It was 5 stories tall building which looked very luxurious. Arvin was impressed as he saw that building. He then started strolling inside the building. He had to pay 2 gold coins as an entry fee, but he didn't mind it. As he entered the inn, he saw that there was a huge reception desk in front of him. While on the far left there was a dark hallway in front of which there was a lovey board…

DESIRE CLUB

Besides the name, there were three signs made on the board. One of the signs signified alcohol. While the other two signified male and female. Curious about what the club was Arvin started walking towards it. At the end of the hallway, two bulky men were standing.

"What would you like to have today sir?" one of them asked as Arvin got near him.

"I would like to drink something," Arvin said.

"This way sir." the man said then he opened a gate to his right.

Arvin walked into the room and saw that this room was like a club. It was very dark. It had several females walking here and there with revealing clothes. While some were plain old naked. As Arvin entered the room, a swarm of women got attracted to him. Everyone tried to charm him by showcasing their breasts. But Arvin ignored them all and started walking towards the bar.

Although he was very tempted by the offers of those lovely ladies, he had a task on hand that he had to accomplish. So he didn't want to waste any time here. He went towards the bar and sat on one of the stools there. He sat next to a guy who had his head down and looked like was sleeping on the bar table.

Arvin ignored him and called out to the bartender. The bartender was a woman who was practically naked. But there were some stickers attached to her nippular area and crotch area to hide the valuables. And that was technically naked. Arvin ordered the most valuable wine that they had. He paid upfront so the bartender was more than happy to comply with his order…

"FUCK!!!" the man beside screamed with frustration. And then raised his face from the table. It was then Arvin noticed that the man screaming beside him was none other than Xander himself.

"Woah Woah… Easy their big guy." Arvin said nonchalantly.

"I am sorry. It is just that, I am a little bit frustrated right now." Xander apologized to Arvin.

"It is ok. I tend to scream when I am too frustrated. But I never thought that the calm and intelligent Xander of the Aurora clan would have a mental breakdown beside me." Arvin said.

"You know me?" Xander said.

"You are a famous guy. Of course, I know." Arvin said.

"Once again I am sorry… I just got a piece of very frustrating news. So I am just a little bit over the edge… Maybe I am not in my right mind. Maybe I should go now." Xander said.

"Wait… Come on. You are frustrated. I have heard that talking to someone about your problem may help you get calm." Arvin said.

As he said that a fennec fox that was also buck naked returned back with a glass of wine. Arvin knew that to gain Xander's trust, this is the best chance that he will get. Arvin had heard the talk between city lord of the Dry Wind City and him and Xander was a hell of a racist. He didn't like fennec foxes a little bit. Arvin didn't know the reason for his hatred but as he heard and seen for himself that he was racist, he didn't need anything else to know.

When the fennec fox put the glass of wine in front of Arvin, he took the glass aside….

"FUCKING MUTT! How dare you touch my glass. Bring me another one that is not tainted by your filthy hands!" Arvin screamed.

The bartender was shocked as Arvin threw the glass. When he screamed at her, she started crying a little bit and ran off. The whole room was filled with silence as they heard what Arvin said. But none of them tried to confront him...

"You fucking hate that too?" Xander asked as he saw how Arvin reacted.

"Yeah… Mother fucking mutts. Trying to be cozy with me. If it was up to me, I would have skinned that bitch alive and piss all over her." Arvin said.

"What is your name, my friend?" Xander asked.

"Wine Seller," Arvin said.

"That is your name?" Xander asked.

"Well the organization that I work for, don't really allow me to give someone my name. So hence my name is Wine Seller." Arvin said. As he said that the bartender from earlier appeared again before Arvin and served him some wine.

"What organization would that be?" Xander asked.

"You don't wanna know," Arvin said while sipping some wine.

"If you don't want to tell me, then it is ok. Here let's cheers to our friendship" Xander said while bringing his glass of alcohol closer to Arvin's wine glass. Arvin also smiled at his gesture and then they both clinked their glasses together.

"So tell me, my friend. Why the hell a man like you is doing down on the second floor?" Arvin asked.

"Oh, nothing… I have been hunting for a man. You would have heard about him…. You know the Merchant." Xander said.

"Then you are on the wrong floor, my man. You should be on the upper floor to catch the Merchant." Arvin said.

"On the upper floor?" Xander asked.

"Yes. The last time I heard, the Merchant was on the 40th floor." Arvin said while sipping his wine.

"You know who the merchant is?" Xander asked with disbelief.

"Of course I know who he is. Everyone from the upper floors had heard about him. He was a very dangerous man." Arvin replied.

"Well, he killed the son of General Ruth. And the last I heard that he was at the Palm springs. So maybe he is on this floor." Xander said.

"No… No…no… That is Bakemono. He is sort of like a henchman of the Merchant." Arvin said while acting that he was getting drunk.

"REALLY?" Xander asked.

"Yes…" Arvin said.

…

At first, Xander asked many questions about the Merchant and what he does. Then asked who was Arvin and how do he know him? But Arvin only answered the relevant question about the Merchant. Then they both shifted the topic to mutts called the fennec foxes. Then they started talking about work and stuff.

Arvin and Xander spent the next 4 hours talking. In that talk, Arvin was able to get the maps of the third floor for free. Xander had one map and he was not using it so he was more than happy to give him that map.

Then the topic also shifted to the sacred temple of the fennec foxes. From what Xander told him, the Aurora clan seemed to give a lot of incentives to catch Bakemono dead or alive. He then also told him that the atmosphere of the third floor right now….