This small alchemy workshop boasted a large number of exceptionally dazzling titles, which were directly made into plaques and hung on their shop.
Durin looked around, came to the counter, and asked, "I heard you need someone to help collect debts here?"
The boss behind the counter, wearing greasy work clothes, glanced at Durin and said, "You're late. Someone has already left before you to collect the debt. But it doesn't matter; you can leave now. All I care about is seeing one of you bring the debt back!"
"No problem."
"Let me warn you once, never think about running away with the money. This thing has already captured your appearance. I will issue a bounty for your arrest." The boss patted an alchemy tool on the table that resembled a camera, stating expressionlessly.
"What's the debtor's name?" Durin asked.
The boss pulled out a photo from his pocket, handed it over, and said, "Slaut, hmm… he's a miner, in his forties, quite thin and small."
Then, he deeply looked at Durin's physique and continued, "He's not as… imposing as you!"
"Boss, is your name Reno?"
"My name is Reno Leo, and this is the symbol to prove you are my debt collector." The boss replied while fumbling in the counter for a brass badge, which was engraved with the name of the Reno Alchemy Workshop on the front and Reno Leo's full name on the back.
"Slaut moved here yesterday, room number 603. It's not yet certain if he has moved out."
The boss spread out a map and pointed out an address on it with his finger.
After noting down the address, Durin left the alchemy tool shop.
Half an hour later, he stood in front of an apartment building on the other side of the Entresol Level. The rooms in this apartment building were very small, most units not exceeding 20 square meters, and they were the most common residences for residents of the Entresol Level.
As Durin entered the building, he could feel the air throughout the building was very murky, filled with the smell of decaying wood, and every step he took produced a creaking sound.
The 6th floor was considered high-rise. Compared to where Durin lived, the difference here was that each floor had at least three public restrooms.
Durin followed the address and arrived in front of a unit. After double-checking the room number, he was about to knock. Suddenly, he noticed kick marks and dents on the door, indicating someone had clearly been there before.
But he still chose to knock first. After three knocks with his knuckles, there was still no response.
Perhaps he wasn't home and had gone out; or perhaps he was home but dared not respond.
He needed to ask someone.
The next moment, Durin turned and walked towards the opposite door, knocking on the neighbor's door.
"Who?!"
A hoarse and wary voice sounded from inside the room.
Hearing the inquiry, Durin remained calm and said, "Hello, I have something I'd like to ask."
"…"
After a moment of silence, the door slowly opened, and a head poked out. The man's hair was messy, his beard grew wildly, as if it hadn't been trimmed in days, and there was a clear bruise on his left cheek.
"Who are you again?" the man asked cautiously.
"Is the person living across from you home?" Durin asked with a slight smile.
The man's gaze noticed the short knife tucked into Durin's waist beneath his clothes, and his eyes immediately showed fear. He nervously said, "Why are you looking for him again? Didn't someone just come? He's not home… he went out."
"Where did he go? What is he doing?" Durin raised an eyebrow, quickly asked, placing one hand on the doorframe, leaning half his body forward to prevent the other person from closing the door.
It seemed someone had already gotten a head start on him; he needed to hurry.
"He… he went to the center of the plaza, to the intersection of Second Street and Third Street in the North District. He said he was going to organize a fundraiser there." The man trembled uncontrollably, his words somewhat unclear.
Fundraiser?
Durin was instantly stunned; he clearly hadn't quite processed why the other party would organize a fundraiser. Didn't he borrow a gold cogwheel?
Was that not enough for him?
However, Durin was curious about the man's facial injury, so he extended a finger and pointed to the bruise on the other's left cheek, asking, "What happened to the injury on your face?"
The man hesitated, then after much consideration, replied, "A burly man like you just came. He forced me to tell him where Slaut was, then punched me, saying it was a lesson…"
Durin nodded in understanding, then smiled slightly at the man and gently said, "Thank you. Apply ice to your face; it will reduce the swelling faster."
The man nodded frantically, then slowly retreated and closed the door.
Durin then left the apartment building, jogging all the way towards the intersection of Second Street and Third Street in the North District. He had to find Slaut before the other person did!
The debt must be collected by himself!