The shopkeeper, who had been walking ahead with enthusiasm, suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around. "You already know someone you want to talk to?" he asked, his voice laced with surprise.
"Yes," Derek replied calmly.
"And who might that be?" the shopkeeper pressed, sounding skeptical.
"Denvar," Derek said casually, as if it were nothing extraordinary.
But that single name hit the shopkeeper like a thunderbolt. His eyes widened in shock.
"You… how do you know Denvar?" he stammered, pointing a trembling finger at Derek.
"I just heard someone mention that he's one of the best. I don't know him personally," Derek said evenly.
The shopkeeper didn't respond right away. He kept staring at Derek, as though trying to read something hidden behind his calm expression.
