CHAPTER 1

Melfis, the city of the rich. It was a place known for its rich people and lavish parties, top markets and grand hotels. However, there was also another face of the all-too-charming city, a face that often went ignored - it was also known for its people's obscene food wastages, disgusting behaviour and deceit. Ironically, it was due to this very nature that people were all too oblivious to underground events - they were too busy serving their own interests to bother. And it was because of this that no one really questioned it when someone went missing (unless that person was very influential) or something suspicious appears in the local market, therefore making it a very likely place for the Obscure Keys to turn up, as Shalnark had guessed.

The Phantom Troupe had been in Melfis five days before the auction. However, since this was a big auction, discreetly hosted by one of the big politicians in Melfis, security was high. There was heavy military presence at the auction venue (I repeat, the auction was hosted by an influential big shot) and the Phantom Troupe has yet to locate the warehouse wherein the goods are kept. It was a special case wherein it would be appropriate for the Troupe to carry out an attack equivalent to the Blitzkrieg - massacre, kill, steal, kill, massacre and then escape - compared to a stealthy theft. The piano was bulky, after all, and they doubted that the auction host wouldn't realise the disappearance of one or two security guards.

Therefore, the Troupe planned to take everything from the auction on the day before the auction itself. The plan was similar to that in York New - kill all the guards and henchmen, and take the piano. On top of that, manipulate key persons using Shalnark's ability and sell the rest of the junk they didn't want, and pocket the money themselves. Simple as that.

But it wasn't that day yet. It was February 4th; they'd just arrived yesterday, leaving three days to the start of the auction. Their accommodation was settled for now, and while most Troupe members wanted to rest in their rooms, Feitan thought it would be better for them to wander around Melfis to get any additional strand of information they could on the piano.

And thus, here Phinks and Feitan were, in a bar.

It was common sense, was it not? The best place to get information without dirtying one's hands was the bar. It was where depressed or drunken people, or perhaps both, felt safe enough behind the heavy doors of the bar, safe enough to spurt out jewels of information unwittingly. And this bar seemed perfect for that. The bar was nice; it had a rich ambience, it wasn't as packed as it was on the streets and a large variety of liquors and the bartender was quite pleasant. He'd treated them well, and had even recommended them suitable cocktails for "not getting quite drunk" (although they had declined that and chose to go with beer instead.)

"You two aren't from around here, are you?" The male bartender asked, as he was filling their mugs from the keg.

Phinks nodded. "How did you know?"

"Experience," the bartender replied softly as he set their drinks on the tabletop. "And I'm betting you came here for information, too. A lot of people do."

Feitan narrowed his eyes but said nothing, as the bartender set the two mugs onto the table. Phinks did not miss this. "Hey, bartender, what's your name?"

"My name? I have a lot of names," Bartender replied cryptically. "But you can call me Bart." The bartender was obviously avoiding the question. "My turn. What information are you guys here for? Maybe I can help."

"We won't know if you lie." Feitan interjected pointedly. Phinks drew a deep mouthful from his mug.

"You can infer," came the cheery reply, as the bartender set about mixing another customer's cocktail.

"Well, then..." Phinks started. "Do you know how to play a piano?"

Feitan kicked him under the table.

"Roughly," the bartender replied, amused. "I learnt only the basics, but if given time, I can decipher and play a song by ear."

Feitan stared at the bartender. "Then, do you know about the mythical piano?"

Now, Feitan and Phinks knew that, when questioning people, there are telltale signs which show that a person is lying, or is about to lie. More often than not, it would be a pause, a hesitation, or some weird action that that person in question does. And the bartender had just displayed it, although very slightly.

The bartender had paused shortly before replying, "The Obscure Keys?"

Phinks nodded.

Bart laughed. "As you've said, they're mythical. They're a myth, nothing more. Because trust me, if that wish-granting piano was real, this state would've already made a business out of it through and through. You should know about the true nature of this city if you're here looking for information."

Feitan was about to question Bart further, but Phinks stopped him. "That's true," Phinks replied amiably, and promptly ended the discussion. The two finished their beers, paid for their drinks and exited the bar.

"Why did you stop me, Phinks?" Feitan asked, irritated. "He was lying."

Phinks started walking in the direction of their hotel. "The bartender probably has no intention whatsoever to tell us anything," he replied. "Moreover, I think he's strong."

Feitan scowled beneath his mask. "He won't outlast us. I can extract the truth from him. You're overestimating him."

"It's not a question of who's stronger," Phinks replied. "We can definitely capture him. But you know what, Fei?"

Feitan kept silent.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't think even your torture techniques could force something out of this person."

.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx- At one of the Spider's hotel rooms -xxxxxxxxxxxxx

.

When the Phinks-Feitan duo reached their room, everyone else was there already. The Shizuku-Franklin-Nobunaga team didn't last very long after they ate lunch (which was probably the only productive thing they did today, except for pinpointing roadblocks) and the Shalnark-Machi-Kalluto team had returned from spying on politician Orenaldo. Kortopi and Bonolenov had stayed in the rooms the entire day.

"Shalnark, I need you to dig up information about the bartender on 5th Avenue," Feitan said. "There's only one bar there, so it should be easy for you. He's shady."

Shalnark nodded. "Got it. By the way, I think something big's going to happen soon. Orenaldo seemed pretty panicky just now. Some interference with the auction, maybe?"

"I think the auction might start a few days in advance," Machi said. "Or maybe postponed." Upon receiving a raised eyebrow from Nobunaga, she replied, "Inituition."

"There were also an abnormally high number of guards at his residence, more than yesterday." Kalluto confirmed. "He seemed really freaked out by something, but I can't tell what."

Feitan considered this for a while. It would be unfortunate if something happened to the auction, as Machi predicted. They'd have to act before that something happens. "Does anyone here have a list of the things for auction? Also, where were the roadblocks located?"

Franklin nodded and handed the binder to Feitan, and a map with red markings on it. "The binder's the list. The red markings are the roadblocks, and the triangles are where the tanks are. And the lines are..."

A few minutes and some discussion and brain wrecking later, the troupe had roughly guessed the general location of the wares. The strategic roadblocks and military presence only helped the troupe to narrow down the possible areas for the piano, and the troupe decided that they would be "visiting" the wares tomorrow. They'd use the remainder of today for preparations.