Grim’s eyes swept across the crisp parchment, taking in every formal demand, veiled threat, and the location.
Oakhaven.
The name immediately clicked in his mind.
As someone who knew the rough blueprint of this world’s narrative, Grim knew Oakhaven wasn’t just a routine rebel purge. It was a notorious death trap used to weed out side characters and waste military assets.
’A rebellion cleanup in a border city?’ Grim thought, his thumb tracing the heavy wax seal. ’This isn’t an honor. It’s a landmine.’
He looked up from the letter, his ashen eyes fixing on Aster.
"Oakhaven," Grim spoke, his voice flat. "The Monarch wants Wargrave steel to do the bloody work their local garrison is too incompetent to handle."
Aster’s eyes narrowed slightly, surprised by his response."The Crown asked for assistance. Refusing would stain our reputation. Accepting and failing would be worse."
"And you’re handing this to me?"Grim let out a dry chuckle.
Now he understood why he was praised and the man had a soften expression.
"The family discard gets sent to a rebel hive. If I die, the family loses no precious assets where as I succeed, the Wargrave name takes the credit."
"Watch your tongue," Aster warned, a sharp glint appearing in his gaze.
"You wanted to play with guns and posture like a martial artist.Do you really think money grows on tree?"
"The reason you haven’t been barred from enjoying Wargrave resources is because you are expected to repay the due so are you going there or not?"
Grim put a stoic face while emotion boiled inwardly.It wasn’t just the emotion of the current rather the remants of anger harboured at the family by original Grim.
"Why won’t I?I will go or else you will cut the money."
"You leave for Oakhaven at the end of the week."
Grim folded the letter neatly and tucked it into his coat pocket. A cold smile touched the corner of his lips.
’An out-of-town mission away from this suffocating mansion and an opportunity to test this abnormal body in real combat...’
"Fine but I will chose the person to tag along!" Grim said calmly, turning toward the door without waiting for a formal dismissal.
"You may!"
Grim turned around sharply and shoved open the door.
’Burn..I want to burn down this God damned entries place.’
The thought surged in his mind like tidal wave untill the face of cute lovely ashen girl who called her brother appeared.
’Damn!If not for Melissa..’
He grabbed the door and shoved it back.
....
BANG!
The door was slammed open loudly starting Mina who was cleaning the room.
She stared at him briefly,hesitating to speak seeing that rotten face.
Before Mina could speak,Grim headed towards the shelved and drawing out the suitcase ordered."Prepare yourself tonight."
Mina whole body shivered hearing this.
"For what!"
Coubtlesd thoughts churned in her mind but prior to arriving at conclusion,Grim words resounded.
"We need to visiting somehwre."
"Where?"
Grim pulled out the gun and started loading the bullets and tucked them in his waist.
"To the den."
...
A sleek black sedan quietly entered a dimly lit alley in the Outer District.Rain covered the cobbled streets and reflected the neon lights from the signboards above.
A car sped across the street weaving across the ground.Frank eyes through the mirror locking his gaze at Grim and then at maid.
"What?"Grin asked noticing Frank look.
"When did you brought her Young Master?"
"Do I need to inform you?"Grim spoke sharply.
"Of course not Young Master,"Frank kept that everlasting curled smile."It’s just she might pose harm to you."
Grim understand that look.Mina could disguise and hid the flow of spirituality still in the eyes of veteran like Frank,it was just some childs play and he won’t bother to explain.
"Stop looking at her or I will gouge your eyes.I don’t care what you but don’t you dare touch her cause she is mind."
"Huh!"a soft squeal emerged from Mina face that was flushed with a deep pinkish shade.She looked at Grim who was oblivious to this was glaring at Frank.
"Calm down Young Master I had no intention of doing that.I was just worried about your wellbeing."Frank replied softly.
"Hmm!"
Frank drove the car into their usual secluded spot behind an old warehouse and stopped.
Grim leaned back against the leather seat and stared through the tinted window.
From the talks he had with Frank and the property deeds he had checked earlier, he knew that the entire block had been bought under Grim’s name.
’This bastard really spent well,’ Grim thought.
The original Grim had spent an absurd amount of the Wargrave family’s wealth to secure this hidden place in the Outer District.And it wasn’t restricted to the particular place alone.
There were several vital spots left behind from Grim to check which he learnt today when he set out.
’Dead yet whispering something.’Grim mood became sombre.
’Either he was too competent leaving behind signs hidden in seemly inconspicous things or a totally non chalant idiot.’
"We are here, Young Master," Frank said from the front seat.
Grim didn’t answer immediately.
He checked the custom pistol hidden inside his coat and made sure it was secure before glancing at Mina in the passenger seat.
She sat stiffly with her hands tightly clutching her coat. Her pale face showed how nervous she was.However it was anything but fear.
"Keep up," Grim ordered.
He opened the door and stepped into the cold night air.
Mina swallowed nervously and quickly followed him.
They walked through several narrow passageways. Rusting dumpsters and old fire escapes lined the walls around them.
There was barely anyone outside.
Only the sound of rain and their footsteps could be heard.After walking for a while, they reached a heavy steel door beneath an old archway.
A red neon sign flickered above it.
[THE PIT]
Two huge bouncers stood in front of the entrance with their arms crossed.
Their cold eyes immediately fell on Grim.
However, the moment they recognized his face and noticed the golden crest engraved on his ring, their expressions changed.
They quickly stepped aside and lowered their heads.
"Welcome Young Master."One of them pulled open the heavy steel door.
"It’s nice to have you after so many days.I hope you have a pleasant night."saying,they turned to look at Mina.
A faint suprise flashed on their face as this was first time he had brought a woman.
Grim walked inside without saying anything.Mina followed closely behind him.
The moment the door closed behind them, everything changed.
The silence of the alley disappeared.
Loud voices filled the air followed by laughter,curses,screams and clattering of gambling chips.
The air was hot and heavy with the smell of alcohol, cigar smoke, blood and cheap perfume.
Mina frowned slightly at the smell but continued following Grim.
They descended a wide flight of stairs.
At the bottom was a massive underground gambling hall built beneath the city.
Smoke hung beneath the high brick ceiling while chandeliers cast a dim light over the crowded hall.
The place was packed.
Commoners surrounded the low-stakes tables. Some tightly held their last few coins while others screamed with excitement as the dice rolled.
A few weren’t so fortunate.
One man sat silently at a table with an empty expression on his face. There wasn’t a single coin left in front of him.
Nearby, another man was being dragged away by two guards while desperately begging for another chance.
On the upper level, wealthy merchants and minor nobles sat comfortably in private booths. Expensive wine filled their glasses while piles of coins covered their tables.
Along the walls stood mercenaries and gang members.
Some had scars covering their faces while others openly carried weapons.Their cold eyes constantly moved through the crowd.
The entire place felt dangerous.
One wrong word could easily start a fight and get ourselves killed.
’Now that I am seeing this place..It’s dangerous.’
"Can you feel them?"
"I can sense 5 for now."Mina answered.
Five sounded small but that just means there might be more hidden.
"You can protect me right?"Grim asked Mina who gave him an incredulous look.
"Young Master,I assume you know me well..I not a melee fighter.My Linege doesn’t grant good comant skills."
’Did I made a mistake by not bringing Frank.’Grim face crunched.
’Is it too late to to go back and come with him.’
"Ohh!Lord Grim you are here."
Grim snapped out of his thoughts and stared at slit eyed man.
"Why!Canr I be here Lance?"
He didn’t know him from Grim memories but from game.
"Of course you can Lord Grim but this was first time you came on Sunday and that’s too on 27."
"Sunday..."Grim muttered feeling a throbbing headache unable to concentrate for a moment.
"What is it on Sunday?"
"Nothing special but it’s 27..the last Sunday..The occasion for Gathering of secret whispers to collect dew."
Grim eyes bulged and his body shook.
"What did you say?"his voice came out loud unbeknownys him and he jumped forward grabbing Lance collar.
"Say..Say it again?"
"Uh...It’s gathering..Don’t you know?"he stuttered in fear sensing a deadly aura rising from Grim who threw him back against the wall and grabbed his face.
’Fuckkkk!’
’STUPID..STUPID..FUCKING STUPID SON OF BITCH!"
’How the fuck did you forget such an important dat-Wait a fucking a minute.’he paused feeling goosebumps crawling up on his back.