Chapter 33: Black Market (1)
The first class the next day was another theoretical class.
"Today, we will start the second unit of the Mana Theory Class." The voice of the instructor entered my ears. He was not someone that was a named character in the game, though we would see him as a 'Professor' from time to time.
"As we have previously learned, mana is the fundamental essence that permeates our world and all living beings….."
He kept mumbling about the things related to mana, but at the back of the row, I was not listening to him at all.
First of all, the theory he was talking about was something I knew. At least, I knew its main essence since I looked at the course book for a while, and it didn't take too long for me to grasp its essence. As an engineer, it would be weird if I was not good at theory, at the very least.
And the professor was bad at teaching…He may have been good at academics and research, but he certainly was not good at teaching, as his speech was interrupted by himself again and again, making it hard for me to focus.
'In any case, I can study on my own later.' With that thought, I started thinking about what I should do for the future.
'I need money first and foremost.' My bank account was about to hit bottom, and if I was planning to use guns, I needed to be able to afford its expenses.
There were several ways to make money, and the most basic thing for a transmigrator would be buying stocks, as knowing the future of the game would help.
But that also meant I needed funds to invest in stocks first.
'I can solve it by borrowing money from the academy.' I thought.
Each student had their own right to borrow money up to 30000 Valer, which was enough to buy a high-grade gun artifact.
But at the same time, there was no way that I could spend the money I got with a loan in such a way. I knew I needed to invest in stocks, and borrowing money and investing in them looked like a good idea.
'I don't know the details of the stock market too much, but there were quite a lot of small details that would affect the stock market.' I was a nerd that liked to play the games into the details, but even I didn't care about the stocks too much since, as a player, I would rather grind some monsters for money than deal with stocks in a game.
Just like that, I started recounting the small details I had seen in the game to find an opportunity to invest in.
'Hmm…. If I remember correctly, there was a side quest where we would be called by a random girl to join her guild in a dungeon exploration since they were in need of help. And being the good-natured character he is, Ethan would help the girl, and then their guild would suddenly rise in ranks with the help they received.' I thought.
It was a common side quest to help some random NPC to increase the player's reputation and have one more ally for the future. Even though Ethan would help the girl, he wouldn't join her guild, of course. But the girl would still raise their funds and then repay him with her money.
The reason she asked Ethan was since, at first, his rank was low, it was easier to talk to him, and she also knew Ethan was a good-natured kid.
I turned my gaze to the girl that was sitting on the front-right side of the classroom to see the girl, and she was there.
She had a basic school uniform, but even in that simple attire, she managed to stand out as I could see some guys looking at her.
Her name was Emily Anderson, and she had long, flowing chestnut hair that cascaded down to her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue, like the tranquil sea on a sunny day. When she smiled, her whole face lit up, and it was hard not to notice the warmth and kindness in her expression.
But my eyes could perceive what others couldn't. Her uniform, which would be arranged in a stylish way, showed small signs of neglect. Even though she looked stylish, she didn't have any type of ornament on her body at all, though, on her ears, a small hole could be seen for earrings. She was caressing her wrist from time to time, showing that she used to wear bracelets.
Her eyes looked quite tired, and her hands were filled with calluses. I could even see her flinching from time to time when the wind from the windows blew, touching her arms. It was evident that she was injured on her arm, but she was trying to cover it.
From all these alone, I could infer that she was in dire need of money and had no one to ask for it. In the game, she had already used her loan from the Academy, and she was still in need of money.
'Going with her is the best option.' I thought. '30k or 40k investment would be enough, and I should also join their dungeon exploration.'
I had already looked at the guns that I could buy with my money, and there was quite a good amount of those that I could make use of on the internet, though I was planning on checking the black-market and junk artifact collectors first.
Just like that, I started implementing my plan.
And the most important thing was to observe the girl and strike at the most optimal time. There was still a good amount of time for this girl to seek help now, but considering she was the closest opportunity, it was what it was….
"Student Astron, are you listening?"
Though firstly, I needed to deal with the instructor that didn't like me….
********
Just like that, the days went on until the weekend came.
As the last rays of the Friday afternoon sun streamed into the classroom, signaling the end of the week's final class, Professor Williams, the History and Lore instructor, stood up from his desk and addressed the students.
"All right, everyone, before you head off for the weekend, I have a small assignment for you," Professor Williams announced with a warm smile. "As you know, we've been discussing ancient civilizations and their impact on our world.
For this assignment, I want each of you to pick one civilization that we've studied so far and research an aspect of their culture, art, or technology that intrigues you the most."
"You'll have the entire week to work on this," Professor Williams continued. "On next Friday, each of you will present a short presentation on your chosen topic, and feel free to use any visual aids or props to enhance your presentation."
He glanced around the room, making eye contact with each student. "Remember, the goal of this assignment is not just to learn about the civilization itself but to understand how their advancements or cultural contributions have shaped our world today. So, choose wisely and make your presentation engaging!"
"And one more thing," Professor Williams added, "I encourage you all to have fun with this assignment. History is not just about memorizing dates and names; it's about discovering the stories of our past and how they have influenced our present."
"Have a great weekend, everyone," Professor Williams said, waving goodbye to his students. "And remember, history is an adventure waiting to be explored!"
With that, everyone in the classroom was dispersed as he left the classroom with a smile. However, that wasn't the case for students, as everyone booed after he left.
"Sigh…What a boring class…" I heard Julia speaking with her cheeks puffed. Beside her were Ethan and Irene.
"I know. Let's get this over with. I don't want my grades to drop too much." Julia added while putting her head on the desk.
"Anyway, what are you guys going to do on the weekend?" Irene asked, especially looking at Victor sitting in the front. Though, the said person's eyes were not on her but on a different girl.
"Julia, my guild found a new dungeon yesterday…. It is ranked slightly lower… What do you think? Should we explore together?" Victor said, his eyes were looking at Julia with brightness.
"Okay, I am in," Julia answered with a smile, not understanding what her answer implied. She was a bit air-headed when it came to these types of things. She probably just thought about how she would swing her sword.
"Okay, we can arrange the meeting time later," Victor answered. His serious face was filled with a smile.
However, seeing Victor blatantly ignoring her didn't make Irene happy. With her sly fox mind, she butted in. "Then, I am coming too."
"No, it is-"
"Sounds good. I wanted to see a magician using magic for a long time; why not show it to me."
"Jul-" Victor was about to refuse, but Irene didn't let her be.
"Okay. Inform me when you are going to leave." Irene approached Julia with a smile of her own, but I was familiar with that smile. I saw it in the dungeon, after all.
I could also see Ethan wanting to go to the dungeon with them, but he was too weak to tag along with them for now.
"Ethan, do you have any plans?" At that moment, Lucas butted in as he poked absent-minded Ethan.
"I am going to train."
"Come on, let's hang out in the city." Though in the end, he couldn't convince the workaholic protagonist.
"No. I am going to train."
"Sigh…."
As they were talking amongst themselves, I stood up and left the classroom. With the appearance of the weekend, I could finally leave the academy grounds.
I had trained non-stop all week while also using the ingredients from the game to maximize my training, and the results were pretty bright.
------------------------------------------
▶Name: Astron Natusalune
▶Occupation: Weapon Master (level 1)
▶Talent Limit: 6
▶Passives:
- Vengeful Bane
▶Attributes:
Variable Attributes:
- Strength: 1.4 -->1.5
- Dexterity: 2.1 --> 2.2
- Agility: 2.0 --> 2.1
- Constitution: 1.4 --> 1.5
- Intuition: 2.2
- Magical Power: 2.6
- Mana Capacity: 1.8
▶Traits:
- Perceptive Insight (Unique)(Unchanging)
- Lunar Enigma (????) (Growth Type) (Stage 0)
- Shadowborne (Legendary) (Growth Type)(Stage 1)
▶Arts:
- Lethal Arsenal Ascendancy (????)(%9)
▶Skills:
- Dash
- Keen Eye
▶Body Imprints:
--------------------------------
My strength, dexterity, agility, and, most importantly, constitution increased. In a way, it was one of the most important stat for me.
Right now, I have reached the average stats of a normal adult for all of my stats. But, that being said, an average adult couldn't run at 20 km/h speed; thus, my constitution being average didn't mean it was good.
In any case, for a ranger, that was enough for now. For the past week, I have been observing Emilia and how she behaved, her condition, etc., and for now, I have quite a good amount of time to make some money on my own.
Reaching my room, I started preparing for the weekend trip I was about to do.
Opening my watch, I checked my bank account and saw 40.864 Valer on there.
Wednesday, I made an application for the student loan, and the academy responded at a fast speed immediately.
And here it was. My money that I would use in order to get some good equipment. The academy lets the students use the weapon supplied by them outside, but one would also be using the same weapon on the exams, joint training sessions, and assignments. Therefore, if you lose your weapon, then you are basically dead….Until you buy a new one which is 100k Valer each for normal weapons.
And this guy on my back is more expensive than normal weapons because it values around 125k….
In any case, that is the reason why most of the students prefer using their own weapons outside of the academy, but I don't care too much about it.
This is a risk I need to take for now.
Just like that, I left my room heading to the train station of the Arcadia Train station.
On the way, I found out that it was the same guard that let me out last Friday, and seeing me getting out again, he put on a knowing expression.
"Family, right?"
'Family, huh?'
"Yes." Though, I didn't bother with his misunderstanding and nodded in response.
"Good…Passing time with your family is good, but make sure to come before the curfew on Sunday."
"Thank you, sir." With a nod, I left the academy grounds not long after, reaching the train station.
Thanks to the fact that the Hunter Academy students were allowed to travel anywhere without paying, I booked a seat for the Ariopolis, where the place I aimed located.
Just like that, my weekend started fast…..
Chapter 34: Black Market (2)
What is the most common reason for artifacts to be sold at a lower price than normal?
Finding the answer is not that hard.
First and foremost, why one needs to sell the item at a cheaper price should be the question. When you rack your brain a little bit, you can see that either said person did obtain the item by abnormal means or the item is damaged.
But both of them open the same door.
The item can not be sold in legal ways. Therefore a place for the sake of illegal trade should be created.
And that place has one simple common name.
'Black Market.'
A place for such things to be sold.
That was the place I was making my way towards right now. Of course, there are several Black Markets that one could have access to. Even inside the capital, Arcadia City, there are two different Black Markets, each ruled by a different society. There was also a special virtual black market called 'Crimson Enchantora.'
But, being in the capital meant they were under the eyes of the Federation. Therefore their security was tight, which meant it was hard for me to enter there. My strength was also quite low, so choosing a less crowded place would be optimal.
And mostly, the items there are more expensive than this place. Capitalism is everywhere, not that I minded.
In any case, that was why I was in the Ariopolis – a city that was 4 hours of train ride from the capital.
The black market.
A place that resembled the demon world. The chaotic world of the demons was where this place was.
A world separate from the realm of laws and morals, where Villains and Heroes could coexist because they were ruled under the iron fist of the strong.
That's where I found myself now.
Guests were required to wear masks when entering the black market to conceal their identities. As a precaution, the measure was taken to prevent government agents from tracking down anyone who may have infiltrated the location.
But at the same time, I knew this was all a façade. There was no way that a random mask could hide one's identity from the eyes of those with special skills that were solely devoted to tracking others. You could fake your face or hide, but you also needed to be careful about your mana imprints, small DNA traces, and many other small details that you would be tracked, thanks to.
Ensuring that my mask was tightly secured, I stood before a massive metal door.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
I knocked on the door three times.
-CREAK
Moments later, two bulky individuals in neat suits emerged from behind the door. The amount of pressure they were giving was nowhere close to the Headmaster or Instructor Eleanor, but it was still high for my fragile body.
But that didn't mean it was something I had never been subjected to. No, different from what you would expect; I was subjected to such an aura before by the Hunter Friends of Aaron, the Hunter that brought me to the orphanage and trained me before entering the academy.
In any case, two bulky guys scanned my body for a little while, but they soon furrowed their brows.
"What are you here for, kid? It is not a place for little kids like you." one of the bodyguards said, underestimating me based on my appearance.
Thought that was to be expected since even I would doubt myself in a place like this with such a body.
"I heard from a passing bird that you were looking for entertainers," I replied, using the first part of the secret code.
The two bodyguards exchanged glances, seemingly intrigued by my response. I was pretty sure none of them expected I would know something like this. "Entertainers, huh? And what kind of entertainment can you offer?" the other guard asked, crossing his arms.
"I'm a skilled musician and dancer."
The bodyguards looked at each other again, their expressions now more curious, as one of them put his hand into his pocket as his hands touched the button. "Impressive. We could use some entertainment around here." He said with a smile.
"Show us what you've got." And the other guard made a motion to attack at that exact moment, trying to scare me.
-SWOOSH!
Seeing him moving, I instantly grabbed my dagger from my belt and swung it into my right side while maintaining eye contact with the bodyguard.
-CLANK!
Deflecting a flying small dart aimed at my neck.
"Ho…." The bodyguard that just tried to scare me smiled. "All right, kid, you can go in."
Just like that, they let me enter the black market.
'Just as I expected.' I thought.
The secret code was split into three parts. Two of them were with words, and the last one with the body.
If you didn't know the existence of the dart, you would be dead since that dart's presence was almost nonexistent, and the poison contained was a special position only a handful of people had access to its antidote.
As I stepped inside the black market, I was immediately struck by the contrast between its modern appearance and the illicit activities that transpired within its walls. The place resembled an underground mall, with a labyrinth of narrow alleys filled with stalls and booths selling all sorts of questionable merchandise.
Neon signs and flickering lights adorned the walls, casting an eerie glow over the bustling crowd. The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and the acrid smell of electronic gadgets. Strange, otherworldly music blared from hidden speakers, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
The stalls were adorned with holographic displays showcasing their wares - from illegal weapons and advanced technology to rare collectibles and mysterious data chips. Each vendor seemed to be competing to catch the attention of potential customers, calling out their deals in a blend of different languages.
In the end, even though only one language was spoken in the federation, the languages of the past didn't disappear, and there were some who spoke such.
As I moved through the crowded alleys, I saw a diverse mix of people and creatures, some wearing stylish and futuristic outfits, while there were some with eccentric antic outfits like robes of magicians, assassins, or armors of knights. There were even cybernetically enhanced humans, augmented with mechanical limbs and glowing implants.
Beside them were beings with glowing tattoos, their appearance hinting at some form of genetic modification.
Despite the sleek and modern aesthetics, the black market had an unmistakable undercurrent of danger. Enforcers dressed in dark, cyberpunk-style armor patrolled the area, keeping a watchful eye on potential troublemakers. It was clear that this was a place where the law was bent, and the powerful thrived on the fringes of society.
Even though it was such a place, it was also supported by the government. After all, even though it was a space filled with evil destruction, that meant the appearance of another place like that. Therefore rather than destroying this place, it was better for the government to have more and more access to its functions for the future, and they knew it better.
Hidden within the market were virtual reality booths and holographic projections, offering illegal experiences and shady dealings in the digital realm. The clandestine nature of the transactions was enhanced by the use of encrypted data transfers and blockchain technology, making it nearly impossible to trace.
In a world where both magic and technology existed, entertainment was never limited to physical pleasure one would get just by mixing their body…..
The smell of some effective drugs entered my nose. Even though they were unfamiliar, at the same time, they were easy to discern since I could feel my body shaking slightly even after only smelling them from afar.
-MUSIC
As I ventured deeper into the heart of the market, I noticed concealed entrances leading to secret backrooms and hidden lounges. The place was like a high-stakes casino, where every move had consequences, and trust was a rare commodity.
I adjusted my mask while also constantly controlling my mana to never leak. I got gloves on my hand.
In any case, deciding to let go of my observation, I headed to the place I had in my mind. If one reason for me to come here were this place being cheap, the other would be a special person working here.
And not long after, I reached my desired location. Neon lights of various colors illuminated the area, drawing me closer like a moth to a flame. This was the street where the artifact sellers congregated, and it was always preferred by the veteran players who knew where to look at for artifacts.
I could see a lot of weapons out there, ranging from swords, bows, staffs, axes, spears, whips, katanas, daggers, knives, and guns.
'Crescent Alley.' I thought. It was a street that was bending constantly; thus, you couldn't see the end from the start. It was a place for unknown blacksmiths and thieves to sell their products.
I could see a katana displayed in a good fashion; it was made from the horn of a Black Rhino, a special material that was hard to come by.
But seeing the price tag on it, I knew it was a scam.
'100.000 Valer for a sword on the backstreets…. What a scam.' I thought. But that didn't mean everything here was like that.
For those that could discern good products from bad ones, in other words, for those with good eyes, it was actually a good place.
And my eyes were quite special for this case.
Just like that, I started looking at the artifacts while also looking for a person, though I didn't mention his name.
As I continued down Crescent Alley, my eyes scanned the various artifacts displayed by the vendors. I was specifically on the lookout for a high-grade gun artifact, something that could complement my skill set. The challenge was to find a reliable seller amidst the sea of scammers.
One stall caught my attention, with an array of guns showcased prominently. The seller, a tall man with a greasy smile, immediately approached me. "Looking for something, kid? I got the finest guns in the market!"
I examined the guns, and they did seem of good quality, but experience had taught me to be cautious. "What's the price for this one?" I asked, pointing to a sleek, black pistol.
The vendor stroked his chin. "For you, young one, a special price! Only 80,000 Valer!"
I raised an eyebrow. "That's quite expensive for a pistol. How about this one?" I pointed to another gun, slightly more worn in appearance.
"Ah, that's a classic piece, my friend. Only 50,000 Valer!"
I feigned interest while internally scoffing at the blatant attempts to swindle me. "Hmm, interesting. Let me think about it."
Moving along the alley, I spotted another stall with an impressive collection of guns and rifles. The seller, a shifty-looking woman, greeted me with a sly grin. "Welcome, young one! Looking for some firepower?"
I nodded, keeping my guard up. "Yes, I am. Show me what you have."
She presented an array of guns, each one seemingly more impressive than the last. "This rifle here can pierce through any armor, and this pistol has an enchantment for improved accuracy."
I listened intently, examining the guns with a discerning eye. I knew all of the things she had stated was a scam. Most of the time, it was not the guns that would make the difference but the bullets. "And how much are they?"
Her smile widened. "For a talented young hunter like yourself, 90,000 Valer for the rifle and 60,000 Valer for the pistol!"
The prices were exorbitant, and I knew better than to fall for such tactics. "I see. I'll keep looking around."
"Tch!" Though the woman understood from my tone alone that I saw through her façade and immediately turned back.
I continued my search, wandering through the winding alleyways, dodging shady sellers trying to catch my attention with their flashy merchandise and false promises.
Just as I was about to move further, a weird-looking store caught my eye, and a weird feeling involved me at the same time.
'This place was not in the game….'
Chapter 35: Black Market (3)
'This place was not in the game.' That thought entered my brain immediately after seeing the store.
It was a store that I was seeing for the first time. I knew this place quite well since I visited this place quite frequently while playing the game, and my memory was good, so I was sure.
Then the memories of the game came. The way the stores were scattered around made me remember the store, which was supposed to be here normally, after comparing the neighboring stores with the original.
"Ah, right….There was another store here…Though they were scammers too." I mumbled.
Deciding to check it off, I entered the store.
As usual, it was a simple and same-store filled with swords, bows, etc. However, my eyes didn't miss the small tucks of dust and the neglected-looking weapons.
'This place is going to be closed.'
I immediately concluded. It was obvious from the information before my eyes, and the information came from the game.
After all, a store that was neglected, coupled with a bunch of signs of attacking, I knew this store was on the verge of being closed.
In any case, as I perused through the selection, my eyes landed on a sleek handgun tucked away in a glass case.
It was like any other gun I had seen in the market, but at the same time, it was not. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the design seemed to fit my hand perfectly. I could feel a strange connection to it as if the gun was calling out to me. It was probably the design since even though it was a handgun, it also felt aesthetic.
Pitch black color all over the pistol, but small engravings were over there, even though they were also pitch black colored.
Curious, I gestured to the store owner, a middle-aged man with a weary expression, to unlock the glass case. He was reading a book with a tired expression, like he wanted to get away from here as soon as possible.
He obliged, seeming surprised that someone was showing genuine interest in the gun.
"Ah, that one's a special piece, kid. Not many people appreciate its worth," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
I picked up the gun, testing its weight and grip. It felt natural in my hand as if it was meant to be an extension of my arm. "What's the story behind this gun?"
The store owner sighed. "It's a custom-made piece forged by a master blacksmith who used to run this store. He poured his heart and soul into creating it, but then... well, he disappeared."
"Disappeared?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," the owner continued, "He got mixed up with the wrong crowd. The villainous types who wanted to exploit his talents. They threatened him and forced him to create weapons for their nefarious schemes. But when he refused, they threatened him more, and then he vanished without a trace, leaving me here all alone."
"And now you're closing the store?" I asked, putting the gun back in the case gently.
The store owner nodded sadly. "Yes, I can't bear the pressure anymore. They keep coming back, demanding that I know the location of him, but I actually don't. And since they never believe me, they are always threatening me with this store. I no longer care since he is not here anymore."
Looking at him and the small scars on his arms, I could see he was attacked quite a lot of times. His nerves must also be on the edge since I could see his posture was scared. I could also sense the sorrow in the store owner's words.
Though, I didn't feel anything. I didn't care about a random person in the first place. I was here to take the weapon and leave; that was it. But that didn't mean I was going to miss this opportunity.
"I'll take the gun," I said, signaling the suitcase. "I'll make sure this gun continues his legacy." And added with a sad tone.
The store owner's tired eyes brightened with gratitude. "Thank you, young one. It brings me comfort to know that this gun will be in the hands of someone who understands its true value."
After all, it was that easy to fool a person who was constantly on the edge.
As he prepared to close the deal, I noticed the stack of bullets on the counter. "How much for the gun and the bullets?" I asked.
The store owner paused for a moment, then sighed. "Given the circumstances and the fact that I'm closing the store, I'll let you have both for 10,000 Valer."
And as expected, because he liked the way I spoke, he gave me quite a discount. Comparing this gun to the guns shown in other stores, I could easily say that it is valued at least 100k.
"Deal," I said with a smile and grabbed my smartwatch, paying for it immediately. Though the way transactions worked in this place was slightly different. First, you would put your currency in the form of crypto, and then it would transfer it. A special artifact that was the reward for the tower enabled it for a wider scale.
The store owner nodded, a mix of relief and sadness in his eyes. "Take good care of that gun, young one. It may be just a weapon, but it carries the hopes and dreams of its creator."
I assured him that I would, then left the store with the pistol and the bullets in the suitcase. As I stepped back into the Crescent Alley, I could finally put an end to the act.
'This is quite a good haul.' I thought, looking at the gun in my hand. I even got at least one thousand bullets in the suitcase, and it was damn heavy to carry, to be honest, but at the same time, it was fine.
I also asked him if he had other weapons, but he said he couldn't sell me other weapons at lower prices because the person who would be buying the store would highly likely want to see the weapons inside. A gun might be overlooked, but other weapons wouldn't.
Just like that, I was left alone with 30k on my account.
'Now, let's grab the spatial artifact first.' I thought. I have been looking around not only for weapons but also some artifacts that would make my life in the dungeon easier.
I already had a tent which was enough for now, but carrying everything in my backpack was not a good idea for starters. And I knew a place to find a spatial bracelet and such artifacts.
Just like that, I made my way toward a less crowded and more discreet area. It was a place that had once been bustling with artifact shops and traders, but now, it was filled with discarded junk and forgotten treasures. This was the place where items that had lost their value or were considered defective were dumped.
With my knowledge from the game, I knew that hidden amongst the junk; there was a spatial bracelet that had been overlooked or deemed useless. Normally most of the time, the artifacts would always get defective by the sweepers that designed the find specific types.
But that spatial artifact was actually missed. It was because it had a special property of never being detected. I didn't know its origins, nor did the game reveal it before, but it was an artifact that was one of the most broken one's out there.
Because it was simply perfect for stealing unless someone didn't record you or they didn't have a special barrier that blocked the spatial transfer, and perfect for bringing special weapons into the academy. And finding it was also hard; you can even say it was an easter egg….
Just like that, I entered the junkyard and started tossing the metals around, looking for the bracelet.
CLANK CLANK CLANK
As I sifted through the piles of discarded items, my eyes scanned each piece carefully, looking for any hints of hidden treasures. Most of what I found was indeed junk – broken artifacts, scratched gadgets, and old trinkets that held no value.
TOK CLANK
But then, my eyes caught a glint of light buried beneath a pile of rusty metal. I carefully reached in and pulled out a small, tarnished bracelet. It looked like nothing more than a worthless piece of scrap, but I knew better.
Holding the bracelet in my hands, I activated my mana to inspect it further. As suspected, it was indeed a spatial bracelet hidden amongst the junk.
Looks like I found what I was looking for," I said to myself.
It was a good utilization of my knowledge from the game. Not only I acquired the artifact I had been looking for, but I also managed to buy a weapon at a low price.
With the spatial bracelet in hand, I quickly activated it, and immediately the bag on my back disappeared, entering the bracelet.
'That's good.'
Its design was also something that I liked, a pitch-black color with silver ornaments over it.
Feeling satisfied with my newfound spatial bracelet, I decided to leave the junkyard. I no longer needed to stay in this place after all.
Though before I left, I saw a couple of throwing knives buried under some swords. Even though they were not of high quality, I decided to bring them.
Who knows, maybe I would need them after all.
Just like that, I left the junkyard and continued venturing around the black market. After that, I bought a rope for emergencies, a belt that I would use, a bunch of special waterproof clothes, and another bunch of materials.
I also looked for the person I wanted but learned he had yet to make his appearance. I didn't know when he would come, so I decided to leave my ID to the personnel to make him notify me when that man came.
Of course, I didn't forget to give him some money.
In any case, that was how my black market exploration reached its end, though that didn't mean my job was done.
Since we were just starting.
After all, tomorrow was the day I would be stepping into my first dungeon. Though before that, I also needed a broker to help me sell the monster cores and bodies I would be getting. But that was not much of a problem since quite a lot of mercenaries who disliked getting traced constantly or those with criminal records would need such a thing as well.
And for such cases, the black market offered a service.
Dungeon exploration and special informant and broker service. Or others called it Hunter Agent, Hunter Manager or etc.
[Wildcatter] was the name of the organization. Essentially it was a word used for those who were searching for petroleum, but in the game, they used it for the organization that searched dungeons.
In any case, it was going to be my destination tomorrow, but I was actually quite tired. I had been wandering around non-stop for almost four hours, adding the train ride and all the walks I had done, so I needed a place to rest, which I did by leaving the black market and finding an inn to sleep. Grabbing the book I borrowed from the library, I started reading it until I fell asleep…..
Just like that, my day reached its end, and I drifted into depths of dreams….