The darkness I had summoned began to move at my will, enveloping the poor man in a chaotic and uncontrollable dance. His eyes widened, and his face visibly paled as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Applying a small amount of mana to my eyes, I directed my gaze towards his mana orb, which shone with a bright brown hue, akin to a small star in the night sky.

I studied his energy carefully, trying to discern any clues that could reveal more about his identity and purpose, essentially looking for any slave marks or the like, but I couldn't detect anything.

The man, who appeared to be around thirty years old, had black hair and light brown eyes. Based on the intensity and color of his mana orb, I calculated that he was of a Max-Bronze rank. This revelation led me to the conclusion that the other spies were likely in the same approximate rank.

It was evident that we were dealing with opponents who, while skilled in their own way, did not pose an insurmountable threat to us.

I glanced at Lysandra and nodded, indicating it was time to proceed. With a controlled gesture, the vines entwining the man began to slowly loosen. The vines blocking his mouth disappeared, allowing him to breathe more easily. His body tensed instantly, and his eyes darted frantically in search of an escape.

It was clear he was aware of the danger his situation posed, and fear was reflected clearly in his gaze.

Finally, his gaze settled on mine, and after hesitating for a moment, he opened his mouth to speak. "Wh-what kind of... information do you want?" he asked, his voice trembling, attempting to disguise his fear but failing miserably in the attempt. It was evident he was willing to cooperate, at least for now, in the hope of securing his own survival.

I nodded internally, knowing such a reaction was to be expected. The instinct for survival is a powerful force, one that can overshadow even the most deeply rooted values and strongest bonds. In desperate situations, humans often show their true nature. It's as they say: you truly know someone when they face extreme adversity.

It's sad but true: some people, when cornered by the threat of death or loss, are capable of betraying their loved ones or even selling them out in order to ensure their own survival. In those moments, others' feelings take a back seat, and the only thing that matters is the primal urge to survive, regardless of the cost to others.

It's a painful reminder of the fragility and complexity of the human condition.

Looking into his eyes, "What are you looking for in this place?"

He hesitated for a few seconds, "You're looking for the product," he said in the end.

I saw from the corner of my eye how Elsa's eyes closed with anger, in the same way Lysandra reacted. During these days, Ema continued to drag Lysandra into her room, always when she did, she looked in my direction, her little eyes staring at me for a few seconds, when she realized that I wasn't looking at her, she ran away with her.

I think she wanted to keep it a secret, her actions are certainly very adorable, because of this Lysandra somehow managed to become fond of Ema.

Lysandra's aura began to emanate from her body, radiating an intense red tone like blood. It merged with mine, increasing the pressure on the man to an almost unbearable level. His tremors became uncontrollable, and he began to cough up blood, suffering evident under the intensity of our joint influence.

With a gesture of my hand, I indicated to Lysandra to stop. Being of Medium-Platinum rank, she was a being far superior in soul and power. The pressure on the man eased gradually, allowing him to breathe with difficulty but more stably. Despite feeling enraged by his attitude towards Ema, I managed to contain my anger.

It would have been easy to be carried away by fury, but I remembered my commitment to stay calm and control my emotions.

At that moment, I reflected on how my sword, my faithful companion, had been my emotional salvation in moments of internal conflict. It's as if it were my personal psychologist, helping me find serenity amid chaos. Furthermore, I remembered the special bond I had developed with Ema.

Despite the circumstances, she was a good and valuable child to me, and I couldn't allow my anger to jeopardize our common goal: to obtain crucial information to protect our family and ourselves.

"What do you mean by product?" I asked calmly in my voice but my eyes glaring at him.

The man looked at me and nodded, confirming his willingness to cooperate. With that confirmation, I proceeded to ask the crucial question: "Who sent you?" The man hesitated for a few seconds before responding, "Um, I don't know his real name, but they call him Vulture. He's the head of the auction house in the black market. From what I understand, he's an elf."

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the man was cooperating better than expected, but I always had to maintain an attitude of caution. Although his words sounded genuine, I also had to consider the possibility that he might be lying.

Thinking carefully, I continued with the next question: "Where is the auction house located, and what is the passphrase to enter the black market?" Honestly, I couldn't remember the passphrase at that moment...

"The sun rises on the horizon, the moon rises in darkness, day and night coexist, but in a silent lament, they may hear those who can endure it," the man obediently recited the entry code. It was a long and complicated code, so I couldn't remember it at that moment. After a few seconds, he added, "The auction house is located in the center of the market.

The boss's office is located at the bottom of the building. However, to enter, you need a credential that only he possesses."

I observed Lysandra and nodded determinedly. The vines surrounding her began to hold the man, who, in a panic, begged for his life desperately. The vines penetrated his eyes, ears, and nose, while small flowers sprouted from the stems, emitting a subtle fragrance that filled the air.

From the man's eyes and mouth flowed a reddish liquid, a sign that the brainwashing process was underway and that Lysandra was verifying the truth of his words.

The process took a few distressing minutes. Finally, the man fell unconscious to the ground, with white foam coming out of his mouth. At that moment, a small black flame emerged from my fingers and fell directly onto the man. The dark flame spread rapidly, consuming his body completely.

Standing up, a small smile appeared on my face, "Then let's go pay a visit."