Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 56: [55] Sarasota

-Third Person POV-

Arkan leaned back in his wooden chair, staring at the map spread out across his desk. The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the serious expression on his face. He knew this wasn’t a problem he could solve alone.

"Rainer isn’t suited for a task like this," he murmured to himself.

What he needed was someone who could move in the shadows, someone who understood the underworld and could gather information beyond the reach of the nobility.

A fragment of the novel flashed through his mind—Sarasota, a shadowy organization known for carrying out clandestine tasks.

The Sarasota Organization

Sarasota, known in the underworld as a group of mercenaries and shadowy assassins, was a legend in Noctarion. Their structure was unclear, but their actions were always effective and lethal.

People called them the Nameless Shadows because their existence was nearly impossible to track. They had no permanent base, and their members were identifiable only by a small symbol tattooed on their wrists—a crescent moon crossed by three lines.

In Destiny Warrior, Sarasota played a minor yet pivotal role. They appeared at critical moments, sometimes aiding and other times obstructing the protagonist, depending on who paid their price. Loyal only to gold, they were a double-edged sword that anyone could wield.

But in this altered story, Arkan knew he had no choice but to take the gamble.

"I need Sarasota," Arkan said to himself.

However, finding them was no easy task. Sarasota didn’t just appear when summoned. He would have to approach them indirectly.

"Are You Serious?"

"You’re serious about this?" Rainer asked, his expression confused as Arkan outlined his plan.

"Absolutely," Arkan replied firmly. "I know they’re a double-edged sword, but in this situation, they’re our best option. No one else is as suited for this task as they are."

"But how do you plan to find them?"

"It’s simple," Arkan said with a faint smile. "Sarasota doesn’t show themselves publicly, but they’re always watching the underworld. All we need to do is give them a reason to approach us."

Arkan began formulating a strategy to catch Sarasota’s attention. He knew they monitored the activities of major merchants, nobles, and anyone who could potentially become a client.

The first step was to spread rumors. Arkan instructed his people to talk in taverns, subtly hinting that someone was looking for specialized help for a secretive mission. The message was vague enough to spark interest while avoiding suspicion.

The second step was to use bait. A small shipment would be intentionally left lightly guarded, designed to draw the attention of those watching from the shadows.

-Arkan Lawrence-

Three days had passed, and there was still no word from Sarasota. My patience was wearing thin. If things continued like this, the robberies would only worsen, and the business I had worked so hard to build might collapse before it truly flourished.

I decided to take matters into my own hands.

"Rainer," I called out, interrupting him as he reviewed the latest shipment reports.

He glanced up. "What is it?"

"I need some fresh air. I’m heading out for a bit," I said casually.

Rainer nodded. "Alright, but be careful. The streets can be dangerous."

I gave him a small smile. "You worry too much. I’m just going for a walk."

Stepping out onto the streets, I was reminded of how bustling the city was. The marketplace was crowded with merchants shouting to advertise their wares, and the aroma of spices and roasted meat filled the air.

But my mind was too preoccupied to enjoy the sights or smells. I walked purposefully, searching for a way to catch Sarasota’s attention more directly.

Amid the crowd, I noticed an old one-armed beggar sitting in the corner of a busy street. His tattered clothing and deeply wrinkled face made him stand out, but his eyes... there was something sharp about them that made me stop in my tracks.

-Arkan Lawrence-

I approached and crouched before him.

"Hot day, isn’t it?" I said, starting with casual small talk.

The old man glanced at me with suspicious eyes, then gave a slow nod.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a gold coin and slipped it into his hand. As I handed it over, I spoke in a low voice, almost a whisper. "Shadows walking among the stars. That’s the passphrase, isn’t it?"

For a brief moment, his eyes widened before narrowing again. He didn’t reply but gave the slightest nod.

Standing up, I patted his shoulder lightly and continued walking. Deep down, I knew my words had hit their mark.

I headed toward a narrow alley behind the marketplace, searching for a quiet place. The damp smell of old brick walls greeted me as I leaned against the wall, waiting.

Minutes passed in silence. Then, someone emerged from the shadows. Their movements were nearly soundless, their face hidden beneath a dark hood.

"You talk too much," the man said coldly. His voice was low, almost a whisper, yet every word carried an unmistakable threat.

"I needed your attention," I replied calmly, though my heart was pounding. "I’m looking for Sarasota."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "And you thought mentioning our code in public was the best way to get it?"

I offered a faint smile. "If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t be standing here now, would you?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The man paused, then stepped closer. "You’re either very bold or very foolish to think you know anything about us."

"I know more than you think," I said sharply. "And I know the location of Hassan-i Sabbah’s ledger."

Suddenly, something cold and sharp pressed against my neck.

"You... Watch your words!"

I had anticipated this reaction. Sarasota wasn’t just a group obsessed with gold—they had their own objectives, one of which was seeking the lost writings of Hassan-i Sabbah, containing the ancient techniques of legendary assassins.

"Oh?" I said, unfazed, my tone deliberately laced with confidence to push the conversation toward negotiation.

The man moved closer, and I could feel the chill of the blade against my skin. His breaths were slow, but the underlying menace was impossible to ignore.

"You’re playing with fire," he hissed. "That name is not something to speak of lightly. Do you even know what you’re doing?"

Swallowing hard, I kept my composure despite the hammering in my chest. "Of course, I do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t waste my time standing here, looking for you."

The man tilted his head, keeping the blade steady. "You’re oddly calm for someone in a position like this. What do you want?"

I gave a faint smile. "I want a negotiation. You know who I am—a merchant successful enough to be repeatedly targeted by thieves. You also know I’m not foolish enough to talk without a plan."

He growled softly but finally pulled the knife away. "Talk. But one wrong word, and this ends here."

Rubbing my neck, relieved to find no blood, I continued, "I’m not just here to hire Sarasota’s services. I’m here to discuss something much bigger. Something that might interest you."

The eyes beneath the hood narrowed. "Go on."

I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "I know where Hassan-i Sabbah’s ledger is hidden. Or at least, I know the first clue to finding it."

The blade returned in an instant, this time hovering just in front of my face.

"Stop playing games, Merchant. If this is a joke, you’ll regret opening your mouth."

Meeting his gaze unflinchingly, I held firm. "Do I look like I’m joking? Listen, I have no reason to lie. This information is useless to me, but to your group? I know how valuable it is."

He remained silent for what felt like an eternity before lowering the blade once more.

"Speak," he growled. "What do you know?"

I smiled again, more confidently this time. "We’ll get to that. But first, we need an agreement. I provide the information, and in exchange, Sarasota resolves my problem. Information for protection."

He paused, clearly weighing the offer. Finally, he stepped back and sheathed his knife.

"I can’t make a decision this big on my own. But I’ll report this. If what you say is true, you’ll hear from us again."

I nodded. "I’ll be waiting."

Before disappearing into the shadows, he turned back. "And if you’re lying..."

"I know," I interrupted. "I won’t see another sunrise."

He didn’t reply, vanishing into the darkness like a phantom.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. It was a dangerous game, but I knew that to deal with a threat of this magnitude, I had to take risks.

"Let’s hope I don’t regret this move," I muttered, turning and making my way back to the main streets.

-Third Person POV-

Amid the bustling streets of Vryse, a weary-looking man pulled a wooden cart piled with meat. His steps were slow, as if the task had become a monotonous routine. His expression shifted, however, when another man approached him and handed him a small slip of paper.

He unfolded it slowly, scanning the contents. A faint smile crept across his face, betraying an air of intrigue.

"So, he’s no ordinary merchant, is he?" the man murmured to himself.

"Hurry up! Get moving!" barked someone behind him, impatience clear in their tone.

Startled, the man glanced back apologetically. "Ah, sorry! Please, go ahead."

He pulled his cart to the side, allowing the wagon behind him to pass. Once it had, he stood still for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

Moving with quiet purpose, he parked his cart outside a modest yet well-kept clothing shop. Without wasting time, he entered the shop.

The elderly shopkeeper greeted him with a silent nod, asking no questions, as if the man’s presence was a routine occurrence.

The man walked to the back, shedding his worn clothes and replacing them with something cleaner and far more refined—a long black cloak with fine embroidery on the shoulders. The tired face of a laborer gave way to someone exuding authority and confidence.

He stepped out of the shop with a firm stride, leaving his cart behind without so much as a glance. His destination was clear: to meet the person who had dared to speak the name of Hassan-i Sabbah.

"Let’s see if you truly know what you’re talking about," he muttered, disappearing into the crowded city streets, blending seamlessly with the bustling shadows.