The papers that lay on the table before him turned into ashes as Karyk stood up. The bartender, a keen observer, watched silently as Karyk left without uttering a word.
Knowing that Karyk had not given him any instructions, the bartender refrained from taking any action on his own. He simply waited, anticipating the moment when Karyk might call upon him. Yet, deep down, he had a sense that the likelihood of that happening was slim.
Leaving the comfort of the bar behind, Karyk walked through the city streets.
He wandered aimlessly, assuming the role of a mere spectator. His steps took him to the grand Mansions belonging to the city's three major families.
From a distance, he observed each mansion and its elaborate security measures. Karyk sought more than just the knowledge he had gained from his reading. He wanted to personally witness it.
His first destination was the area predominantly controlled by the Starfall Family, known to be the weakest of the three.
Despite their perceived weakness, their stronghold was guarded with utmost vigilance. No one was permitted within a five hundred meter radius of the mansion, and the guards were strategically positioned to cover every potential vulnerability.
As Karyk strolled around the vicinity, he couldn't help but notice the watchful eyes fixed upon him. However, he remained composed, revealing nothing suspicious.
Without halting his stride, he continued his journey until the prying eyes lost interest in him.
"They're definitely hiding more than they show," Karyk smiled, believing that he could use this to his advantage.
The City was filled with tension between the three big families. All it needed was a spark, which was his goal. He wanted to burn this city, drawing the Royal Family to this place.
It was only when all the attention was on this city that he could freely enter the Royal Graveyard without revealing himself.
Next, he walked to the area under the control of the Frostheart family, known to be the second strongest.
As he approached the territory controlled by the Frostheart family, he noticed a stark contrast to the previous place. This part of the city was more lively. It was as if this area was the life of this city.
He could also see many casinos in this place as well. Many people that carried the insignia of the Frostheart Family could be seen entering and leaving the various establishments in this area.
If the territory of the Starfall family felt cold and lifeless, then this territory felt more chaotic and filled with life.
The security measures seemed less obvious, but no less formidable. The Frostheart family relied on subtlety and hidden traps rather than overt displays of force.
Karyk carefully surveyed the surroundings and concealed guards positioned strategically throughout the area.
He noticed that the guards were not easily distinguishable from the regular citizens, blending seamlessly into the crowd. Their presence was subtle, but their watchful eyes gave them away.
As Karyk continued his observation, he noticed a particular building that stood out from the rest. It was a towering structure, adorned with intricate frost-like patterns. Curiosity piqued his interest, and he decided to investigate further.
Entering the building, Karyk found himself in a lavish casino filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional shout of excitement. The air was thick with anticipation and a hint of danger.
He navigated through the crowd, trying to blend in while keeping a keen eye on his surroundings. The atmosphere was intoxicating, and he could sense the underlying power play happening within the walls of the Frostheart family's territory.
As he made his way deeper into the casino, Karyk noticed a secluded VIP section. It was heavily guarded, with a private entrance that led to an exclusive area. The guards stationed there were clearly more vigilant than the rest.
He remembered reading about this place. It was where the direct bloodline members of the three major families could often be seen gathering.
As for what happened beyond the door, there was not much information as even his people weren't able to enter to check themselves. They had simply assumed that it was the area where the direct members of the major families could play around.
Intrigued by what secrets lay behind those guarded doors, Karyk approached the bar and ordered a drink, engaging the bartender in casual conversation.
Through subtle inquiries, he managed to gather information about the VIP section. Unfortunately, most of the information he gathered was the same as what his people had given him.
However, there was also one particular piece of information that he found interesting. It was about the people who were currently inside the VIP Area.
With his newfound knowledge, Karyk discreetly slipped away from the bustling casino floor and made his way towards the private entrance.
As he stood before the guarded entrance, Karyk assessed the situation. The guards were vigilant, but he was confident in his abilities to navigate through their defenses unnoticed. With a deep breath, he prepared himself for what lay beyond the doors.
Little did he know that his presence in the Frostheart family's territory would set off a chain of events, triggering a power struggle that would shake the foundations of the city. The spark he intended to ignite was about to engulf the entire city in a blaze of chaos and secrets.
Unbeknownst to Karyk, he was not the only one with a hidden agenda. The other two major families, the Starfall and the Royal Family, had been making movements discreetly.
Karyk finally made use of his abilities as he walked past the guards who weren't even able to see him. Although the guards were strong, when compared to the General he had killed, or the Puppet Master, they were still inexperienced.
Before long, Karyk went past them, entering the place.
....
As Karyk stepped into the VIP section, he was greeted by opulence and luxury. The room exuded an air of authority and power, with influential members of the Frostheart and Silverthorn family present there. The only family that was missing was the Starfall Family.
