Robb nodded silently. In a world ruled by supernatural forces, even the most unassuming creatures could possess unexpected abilities.
"Lizard Alley," Andrey explained as he led the way, "was originally named because it was where Lizardfolk merchants first gathered."
"Lizardfolk have a natural knack for trade. Their homeland was once in the southwestern marshlands, but as human territories expanded, many bordering non-human tribes were forced to migrate. A group of these lizardfolk traders discovered the Black Mist Forest's outskirts were suitable for survival—and more importantly, loosely governed. So they settled here and started small-scale trading."
He brushed aside a thick cluster of mushrooms, revealing a clearer path.
"Now it's become a diverse trading district, and you can find almost anything there."
Suddenly, he stopped and turned to face Robb, his expression more serious than before.
"But there's something else. The merchants in Lizard Alley are notoriously crafty. They love messing with outsiders. What Otto did with the counterfeit test? That's the bare minimum. There are far worse tricks waiting."
"Understood." Robb gave a confident smile. "You saw how I handled the material identification earlier. With my upgraded perception after becoming a low-level apprentice, I should be able to deal with most scams."
"I hope so."
Andrey sighed, his expression complicated. He had always envied Robb's advancement and alchemical talent.
"The stuff here may be hit or miss in terms of quality, but prices are usually more negotiable than within the Order. With your appraisal skills, we could even stock up on some standard materials while we're at it."
They passed through a forest of dead trees, the dry branches snapping underfoot and the air thick with the scent of decay.
Eventually, they reached a narrow stone-paved path—surprisingly orderly compared to the chaos of earlier trails.
Stone pillars lined both sides of the path, each carved with a multi-headed dragon totem. Many of the carvings were weathered, but their fierce expressions remained recognizable.
"We're here," Andrey said in a hushed voice. "This is the entrance to Lizard Alley."
Robb immediately felt how different this place was from the Sundown Tavern—the ambient magic was chaotic and turbulent.
Energy traces from various supernatural systems and bloodlines swirled together in a wild mess. There was no clear pattern, yet somehow it all held together in a fragile equilibrium.
The moment he stepped onto the stone path, a faint tingling sensation shot up from the soles of his feet—like something was scanning him.
Robb instinctively tensed, but Andrey remained calm.
"Relax. It's just the entrance security scan," he explained quietly. "They're checking for highly destructive supernatural items. Personal weapons are fine—but don't try to bring in alchemical bombs."
Robb exhaled and continued forward.
Beyond the stone pillars forming a crude archway, the sight that greeted him was astonishing.
This was no "alley" at all—but a narrow, sprawling market street, crammed with makeshift stalls and ramshackle shops on both sides.
Unlike the hidden nature of the Sundown Tavern, trade here was completely open. The shouts of vendors, bargaining arguments, shouting matches, and bursts of laughter created a strange kind of chaotic harmony.
Weird and wonderful beings roamed the street:
Scaled lizardfolk in colorful fabrics, their metal jewelry jingling with each movement;
Short, sharp-eared goblins, eyes darting around like they were constantly assessing pickpocket targets;
Even towering trolls nearly three meters tall, hunched over to avoid smashing their heads on the low canopies, their rough skin etched with tribal tattoos.
There were plenty of humans, too—mostly exiles or adventurers. Their clothes were worn, their expressions alert—a stark contrast to the pampered apprentices in the Order.
"Look for those symbols," Andrey pointed out certain signs hanging above the stalls: "Red triangles mean supernatural materials. Blue circles are for weapons and gear. Yellow squares mark exotic curios. We'll focus on the red triangles."
The two of them strolled through Lizard Alley, stopping now and then to browse stalls marked with the red triangle.
Most stalls carried common herbs—snakefang grass, moonlight petals, silverglow mushrooms, and the like.
Occasionally, they spotted rarer ingredients like dragonbeard grass or firecrystal orchids, but nothing from Lady Ellen's more exotic list.
They turned down a narrow side alley, Robb carefully avoiding the trash and unidentifiable liquid puddles underfoot.
The air was thick with a strange blend of herbs, rotting meat, and non-human body odors.
"Over there."
Andrey pointed to a crude tent made from stitched-together animal hides. Outside it sat a small green-skinned goblin, fiddling with a mess of jars and bottles.
"That goblin's an alchemist. Not the most skilled, but he keeps a wide selection of materials—especially stuff for physical enhancement and knight cultivation."
As they approached, the goblin looked up. His yellow-brown eyes glinted with sharp intelligence.
"Well, well! Rare customers! What treasures are you looking for today, boys?" he said in heavily accented Common Tongue, flashing a mouthful of sharp yellow teeth.
"We're looking for ingredients for blood and vitality potions," Robb said calmly, eyes scanning the goods in the tent.
"Firecrystal root, red ironleaf, and dragonblood leaves—if you've got them."
The goblin's eyes lit up.
"Ah, a young bloodline practitioner? Not too common around here!"
He dove into the back of his tent, rustled around, and returned with a few cloth pouches and glass vials.
"Here you go! Top-quality stuff. Fair price, too!"
Robb activated his [Herb Identification] skill to examine the items.
The firecrystal root glowed faintly red—an indicator of excellent quality.
The red ironleaf had fine, serrated edges and gave off a sharp, metallic tang on touch.
The dragonblood leaves, stored in glass vials, were a deep, rich crimson, still retaining a trace of vitality.
"Not bad. These materials are fresh and of very good quality," Robb said, satisfied. Then he asked, "How much for them?"