This was an old warehouse at Pier Seven in the Canal District of Emerald City.
In the center of the warehouse, many local "bosses" of some standing took their seats one after another around a large round table. They all looked different and dressed differently. Some had fierce, menacing faces covered in thick flesh, while others wore glasses and looked refined. Some were extravagantly dressed and exuded wealth, while others wore shabby clothes and looked utterly unkempt.
"Abu, I heard you made a killing off those grain smugglers?"
"Made a killing, my ass! Those stingy bastards have us doing nothing but dirty work. Last week, we disguised ourselves as the Baron's men to threaten farmers. This week, we dressed as rioting farmers to smash up manors. They're utterly vile and despicable..."
"Hey, don't let Montero hear you say that. He's sworn brothers with those grain smugglers..."
The "bosses" clearly knew one another well. Good Guy Tommy whispered with his neighbor Tarimi, discussing business in low voices. "The Barber" Barta joked around with his men, bursting into laughter from time to time. Gamandia, who ran the gambling den, glared viciously at all the bosses, while "Newspaper Seller" Frango traded barbs with "Newspaper Seller" Zeka.
"Hey, Zeka, you're still alive? I thought the Water Corpse Ghost had swallowed you by now."
"Yeah. How about this? To celebrate the fact that I'm still alive, I'll take you out to the open sea sometime. How about it, showman?"
"The open sea is so boring. Tsk, tsk. How about beneath the open sea?"
"Hey, you two, put your claws away. Dogs without teeth should bark less..."
As the host, Duro sat among them with a smile as well, trying to join the conversation. But the bosses treated him coldly. After greeting him, they ignored him