I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Skreek set down the first pouch and reached for the second, examining it with the same enthusiasm. When he looked up at Julian, his expression had transformed completely.

“Skreek will do it,” he said, his smile touching his eyes. “Skreek will contact Elara! Skreek will arrange an introduction! Skreek will provide whatever assistance you need!”

He clutched both pouches to his chest.

“But Sir must understand—this will take time. Skreek cannot just snap his fingers and produce results. The methods Skreek must use are… delicate.”

“How long?” Seraphine asked directly.

Skreek’s head tilted as he considered.

“Two days. Maybe three. Skreek needs to activate certain channels, send specific signals, wait for responses. The communication network that still functions is not fast—it’s designed for secrecy and security, not speed.”

Julian nodded, accepting this reasonings.

“Where should we stay while we wait?”

Skreek’s instincts kicked in again, seeing another opportunity.

“There are hotels near here, Sir! Several good ones! But for distinguished guests such as yourself, Skreek would recommend the Silver Moon Inn. It’s three streets over, closer to the respectable part of town. Clean rooms, good food, discrete staff who don’t ask questions.”

He paused, then added with a slightly embarrassed cough.

“Skreek may have some… financial interest in the establishment. But it truly is the best option for travelers who value privacy and quality!”

Lyanna laughed despite the tension. “Of course you do. Do you have financial interest in everything in this city?”

Skreek’s chest puffed up slightly with pride.

“Skreek is a very successful merchant, fierce lady! Smart investments, good connections, and knowing where opportunities exist—these are the keys to prosperity!”

Julian couldn’t help but smile slightly at the crocodile-man’s shameless self-promotion.

“The Silver Moon Inn it is, then. How will you contact us when you have news?”

“Skreek will send a messenger,” the crocodile-man replied. “A young fox-girl named Mira. She works for Skreek sometimes, running messages and small packages. When she arrives asking for ‘Julian the Hunter,’ you’ll know Skreek has made progress.”

“And if we need to contact you before then?” Cassandra asked.

“Come back here to the shop,” Skreek said. “Knock three times, pause, then twice more. That way Skreek knows it’s you and not some random customer. Though—” he glanced at the rapidly darkening sky visible through his small window, “—Skreek would recommend not traveling through this part of town after dark. The shadowed market is safer during daylight.”

Julian stood and his daughters followed immediately.

“Understood. We’ll go to the Silver Moon Inn and wait for your messenger.”

He fixed Skreek with a serious look.

“But Skreek—don’t try to cheat us or betray us. The money I’ve given you is generous, and I expect results. If you take the payment and provide nothing, or if you alert the authorities about us, you’ll regret it.”

Skreek swallowed visibly.

“Skreek would never! Skreek is a professional! Skreek takes pride in delivering what he promises!” He clutched the coin pouches tighter. “Besides, Sir has been very generous. Skreek has no reason to betray such relationship!”

Julian nodded. Greed and self-interest were effective motivators, in their own way.

“Then we have an understanding. We’ll await your contact.”

Skreek moved to the door, unlocking it once again and pulled it open to reveal the shadowed alley outside. The market was noticeably quieter now—the sun was setting, and honest merchants were packing up their goods for the night.

“Be careful traveling to the inn, Sir,” Skreek said, his voice carrying genuine concern despite his greedy nature.

Lyanna grinned, her hand resting casually near her concealed weapon.

“I almost feel sorry for anyone who will try to rob us.”

Skreek looked at her, then at Seraphine and Cassandra, then at Julian, and slowly nodded.

“Yes, Skreek supposes anyone foolish enough to target you would regret it very quickly. Still—be cautious. Not all dangers come from direct confrontation.”

“We will,” Julian assured him.

They stepped out into the alley, and Skreek called after them one final time.

“Three streets over, then turn left at the fountain! You’ll see the Silver Moon Inn—it has a large silver crescent moon hanging above the entrance! Can’t miss it!”

“Thank you, Skreek,” Julian replied. “We’ll see you in a few days.”

The door closed behind them with multiple clicking sounds as Skreek engaged all his locks. They heard his muffled voice through the wood—”Stay safe! Don’t die! Skreek wants more of your money!”—which drew smiles from all four of them.

As they began walking through the shadowed market, Seraphine moved closer to her father.

“Do you trust him?” she asked quietly.

Julian considered the question carefully.

“I trust that he wants our money more than he wants to betray us,” he replied. “And I trust that he genuinely cares about his source of information and wants us to help her. Those motivations should align with our goals, at least in the short term.”

“But you’re prepared for betrayal anyway,” Lyanna stated rather than asked.

“Always,” Julian confirmed. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It’s kept me alive this long.”

Cassandra was scanning their surroundings constantly, her eyes tracking every shadow, every potential threat.

“What if he reports us to the authorities? Tells them there are outsiders in the city asking dangerous questions?”

“Then we’ll deal with that when it happens,” Julian said calmly. “But I don’t think he will. He’s a survivor, someone who has built a successful business in a dangerous environment. He knows when to keep secrets and when to share them. And right now, keeping our secret is more profitable than exposing us.”

After few minutes of walking, they emerged from the shadowed market into broader streets, where magical lamps were beginning to glow. The architecture here was noticeably better—still medieval by Julian’s standards, but cleaner, better maintained and more prosperous-looking.

Other travelers moved through the streets—a mix of species that Julian was still adjusting to seeing together. A family of what appeared to be cat-folk walked past, the children chasing each other playfully. An elderly human couple sat on a bench, feeding birds. Two elven merchants were closing up their shop for the night.

It was all so… normal. So peaceful.