Mae moved straight to the bookshelf without wasting any time. Her hand skimmed over rows of thick, dust-covered titles until it landed on a single volume bound in dull green leather.
Tropical Venom Bestiary.
She opened it roughly, the pages creaking, then stopped at the index. Her fingers traced quickly.
"Viperpink… Viperpink…"
Found it.
Mae flipped to the page and narrowed her eyes at the first line.
Viperpink: a venomous snake species endemic to the Southern Continent.
Her gaze moved down, reading fast.
Viperpink venom was recorded as one of the rarest neurotoxins in the central world. It was difficult to extract, had to be fresh, and its price was absurd. It usually circulated only among high-ranking nobles as a high-risk stimulant—used for dangerous pleasure, not cheap assassination.
Mae half-closed the book and let out a small snort.
"This isn't something you buy in some back alley."
She reconsidered the information.
Lina.
