Watg the Coliseum's fight to the clusion provided a single ented token—which was an abysmal rate, at least based on how much she and Vaa had beed from their arena runs. Then again, the average delver couldn't fight through so many rounds, and thus earned less. So the passive geion from the Coliseum was paratively more attractive to a 'normal' person.

  For her part, she doubted she'd be idling around much. Better to hunt for a supply of basic tokens, then perhaps visit the Bordello. That was likely the sed-best way to empower tokens behind official assigs.

  Afterward, their team of five desded into the lobby area and stood in a er for privaatalie and Vaa filled the other three in on what they'd learned. Elida, Clementine, and Faye did the same for what they'd heard aold.

  The only major piece of information—though it was more theory or suspi than crete ihat was brought up besides the Emporium was a suspected method to gain a key. Everyone khat drawing the City's attention could luck a person into getting a copy, but there weren't guaranteed methods. Natalie had heard that story about the girl who'd gotten overly enthusiastic about the pillory, but copycats had had much less luck. Probably, some genuine passion would be required; it couldn't be gamed.

  They had a lead, though. The Ruins of Elysium, which the City of Eros was surrounded by in all dires.

  "Those towers we saw," Natalie said. "And the other buildings. That—that makes seually. But it's not firmed? The person who told you didn't actually clear one himself?"

  "He knew a guy who knew a girl who pleted one and got a key, apparently," Elida said, shrugging. "Even if it doesn't have one, we'll obviously be making a trip regardless. Why hunt the easy open areas? We have one of the best level-three teams in the world, maybe. Of course we'll take the challenge zones."

  Natalie raised her eyebrows at that, because it sounded egotistical to state it ht. But damn. Maybe Elida was right. A team of elites, two of them god-spoheir only major weakness was a ck of synergy and familiarity. By raw stats and talent for their level, they were up there.

  So yeah. Of course they would tackle one of those points of i now that the team had reunited.

  "And we're gonna go do that now?" Natalie asked. "It's a while before the reset." The other three had gotten unlucky with the timing of their arrival. "Vaa and I are low on non-ented tokens anyway. It wasn't hard to ent what we had."

  "Indeed. For that matter, we're wasting time standing around and talking. I won't squahis opportunity." Elida pursed her lips. "But before we go, Natalie, I speak with you privately?"

  Natalie eyed the girl. "Sure?" she said hesitantly.

  Being cordial to Elida hadn't been difficult in this team text—and since she wasn't ag like a major bitch, beyond the smirks and general aura she carried around.

  A private versation might make her ten times more difficult to deal with though. And more importantly, what topieeded secrecy? Only ones reted to their css and to wakiies, Natalie assumed, which was why she was leery.

  Regardless, she stepped aside with Elida.

  "I expected your patron to influehe floor," Elida said with no ceremony, "but this is absurd, Natalie."

  Natalie reflexively looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "It's hardly my fault. Nor even my css's fault. City's been around for—I don't know how long, but a few weeks at a minimum. It's luck who gets pulled in."

  "Maybe for the average person. I refuse to believe we were dragged in by ce."

  That might be fair. "Still wasn't my css. The City existed before we walked in, and has been pulling in all sorts of strangers." She narrowed her eyes. "Is there anything we o worry about from your css, since we're oopic?"

  "Probably not. And if we do, we'll deal with it whe there." She smiled politely at Natalie, and Natalie knew no amount of digging would get further details. A Parda-Halt pyed their cards close to their chest.

  "Isn't it iing how no one's heard of this pce, though?" Elida tinued, before Natalie could try prying. "If it's been around for weeks, as you say, surely some rumors would be floating through Tehere's hundreds of people here. More would've passed through. We certainly aren't the first Teudents. I bet we could find some now, if we looked. Probably not any first-years. Laggard sed-years, perhaps. heless. At least some."

  Iheir team was likely one of only a handful of first-years who could be ohird floor, being ahead of their css. It was a shame Natalie khe rest of her own party would be pying it safe and staying on the sed floor. Maybe divie would've thrust them into the City of Eros alongside Natalie, if not for that.

  "Maybe Te's keepis on lockdown," Natalie said, shrugging. "Maybe there just haven't been that ma students to pass through. There's plenty of expnations.

  "Perhaps."

  "You think it's something else?"

  "There could be stranger reasons. Clearly the typical rules of the dungeon have go the window. Look around."

  "Meaning?"

  Elida shrugged. "I'm not insinuating any ohing. But mind-erasing spells, when leaving? To keep it a secret? Not impossible. Or perhaps once we leave there will be some insurmountable trial no one has made it through. Perhaps we're dead and we don't know it. Simply food for thought. But, ah, that's not why I pulled you aside." She cocked her head. "Truly, this is o you? Or have such events happened before?"

  "You're being stingy with your css, so why shouldn't I be?"

  Elida ughed. "Quite. Very well. I simply wao hear what you had to say. Whether this was … your normal." She peered at Natalie curiously, but Natalie kept her face straight. "It isn't," Elida deduced. "I see. Thank you for hum me. Let's return, shall we? We have tokens to collect."

  Walking back to the other three, Elida tinued speaking—asking questions and making pns, at full volume as they strode over to include their teammates.

  "How many did you earn, anyway? And is there a market for version? Trading unented for ented? Perhaps it could be worthwhile amassing an enormous supply through effit hunting practices, then trading them off. I presume there must be at least some market, because enting tokens es with no risk of death—even those averse to casual sex will reize that and value unented tokens highly. Sex is more enjoyable than nearly dying to even those with reserved personalities, I would figure," she said, ughing. "Food for thought, food for thought. In any case, we need a key to that Emporium, and our best lead is one of those towers. So we'll be expl ardless. Shall we?"