From the market district, I wandered through the industrial district and then to the red light district. If Gerard Viscoti was going to be living at the academy or in a hotel, then my other identity would need a separate place to stay. The flamboyant types either lived in flamboyant places, like the red light district. Or they lived in rather unassuming places, like the slums.

Either way, I was sure I could find a room to rent in one of those areas. Tonight, I'd check out the red light district. Drink. Relax. Maybe listen to some music. Watch some dancing.

The red light district was pretty barren during the day. Some places remained open, and the bathhouses, saunas, and massage parlors were always open for business. At night, the district really came to life. Red lights and all. Everyone dressed differently. All different types in all different shapes came here to play. I was just one of many, and I liked that.

The night was warm, so I stopped at a tavern for a drink. I sat alone outside again, but this time I ordered a glass of wine and watched the patrons as they came and went. There wasn't a single person in the place who wasn't talking to someone else. Even the bartender was chatting with his regulars.

Across the courtyard, a brothel was attracting customers with a song and dance. Another next door had viewing windows lit up in neon and scantily clad dancers enticing passersby. This would be a great place to mold a new, eccentric personality. I finished off my glass of wine and ordered another.

The moment I picked it up, a woman took the seat across from me without asking. She wore a white dress with lace sleeves. Her long black hair was tied into a braid. Her eyes were black like Father's. Would this go like when I met Alis?

"Sorry to bother you," she said. "Do you have a moment to talk?"

"Sure." Last time this had happened, I'd found myself a business partner and a magic tutor. If the System had put her in front of me, that meant this was an opportunity for something.

Though, by that logic, the convenient Quest completions when I hadn't accepted them in the first place and the rewards the System offered were all opportunities as well. Ones that I'd declined.

"I'm Dina. What's your name?"

"Gerard."

"So, what brings you to the red light district in Brugge of all places?"

"I'm looking for a place to stay actually."

"Oh, are you traveling through town?"

I'd given her my real name, so I had to stick to my original story. I said, "Yeah, though I'm hoping to stay for a while."

"Well, I could always use an extra hand if you'd like to stay with me for the night. Would you like to work with me tonight?"

"What kind of job is it?" I had a good idea what she was asking, but I needed to stall to figure out what I wanted to do. There was a lot I could learn if I did, and I wasn't opposed. I'd just been hoping to do a different kind of reconnaissance tonight.

"It's called 'entertainment,'" Dina said with a smirk." We dance and sing and take off our clothes. The pay is pretty decent too."

"And you want me to do this?"

Dina smiled. "I'd like to do with you. I think you're handsome. And I see now that you're charming. Or, if you'd prefer, I could do it for you because I need the money and you seem like you have a lot."

I chuckled.

"I'm flattered, but—" Always best to refuse first.

"Don't worry. I promise I'll treat you nice."

[Notice]

Congratulations!

You have completed your Quest [Find Someone to Show You the Red Light District]. Mastery of the [Lucky Number 7] Skill has increased by 1%.

Now it wasn't even offering me rewards I could decline.

"Let me get you a drink and we can get to know each other. Where are you from?" I gestured to a waiter to get us a bottle and another glass.

She smiled big and reached across the table for my hand. She was certainly good at this. "Praor Swa. You?"

That made sense. The island city of Praor Swa was known for its beautiful women who used magic to change their appearance on the regular. To look younger or older. To look more beautiful or less attractive. They were masters of disguise. Luck indeed.

"Naedoven," I said. "It's a boring place. Tell me about Praor Swa."

"We have many beautiful temples and gardens. The people are friendly and helpful. There are lots of festivals and parades and dances. People wear colorful clothing and put flowers in their hair. Our houses are painted brightly and the fruit is always sweet."

"Sounds nice. Do you miss it?"

"From time to time. I'm trying to save up enough money to buy a ticket back. This was only supposed to be a short stay." Her smile fell a little, but she covered that quickly. "Do you not miss Naedoven?"

"Haven't been away for long enough to miss it," I said.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"I have two older brothers, but I don't want to talk about them."

I smiled and poured her a glass when the waiter brought it over with the bottle of wine. "Tell me more about you. I want to hear more about this short stay you planned. How short has it been?"

"A few months now," she said. "I'd rather not talk about it. I shouldn't have brought it up. I could get in trouble."

Now that was the information I wanted. "With who? I'm not from here. I don't know anyone. There's no one for me to tell to get you into trouble."

[Notice]

Mastery of the [Silver Tongue] Skill has increased by .05%.

She chewed her lip. Then she leaned in really close and whispered, "The Triam Drana."

I leaned in and gave her my most devilishly handsome smile. "Sounds scary. I want to hear more, but after we finish the bottle and you show me around."

And show me around she did. The red light district was full of dancers and sex workers and musicians and actors. Artists. Writers. The most honest of people.

There was also the Triam Drana, Brugge's most powerful gang. I loved organized crime.