Black Market (4)
Geum Doctor set down the spinning glasses that had been covering his eyes. Behind them, his sharp gaze emerged—full of keen intelligence, belying his nickname as a mad scientist.
The self-proclaimed future seer who had just visited.
He didn't fully believe the man's words. A true precog, coming all the way here?
There was no sign of deception, which only made it more suspicious.
Here to rescue Baek Dosan?
Ridiculous.
As far as I know, he's not the type anyone would want to save. Unless it's an enemy seeking revenge.
But if the man truly meant to help Baek Dosan out of goodwill—and if that prophecy was real—
Then I'd have to repay the favor handsomely.
Even if that stingy bastard wouldn't, his friend certainly would.
Money saved.
Not only had he removed my recognition tag for free, but he'd also hooked me up with a convincing fake ID good for a while. Lady Luck was smiling today.
And who knows—maybe the future will change because of this.
To Seol Rokjin, Baek Dosan was a crucial card in his hand. Unlike me, who was just his pet dog, Baek Dosan was a real asset.
Part of me wanted to scream at him to expose Seol Rokjin's brainwashing ability and warn him not to meet the man—but that would be overkill.
This was just right.
Geum Doctor was tight-lipped; he wouldn't go blabbing about me.
Still, I should switch identities again before any unwanted tails show up.
If he took my "precog" claim seriously, he might get kidnapped at any moment.
Even if Geum Doctor kept quiet, he might spill to Baek Dosan.
All I could do was hope Baek Dosan wouldn't repay the favor of being saved from Seol Rokjin's clutches with betrayal.
Anyway, money saved meant I could splurge a bit. Time to buy some hunter gear.
My biggest weakness? No direct way to attack monsters. That's why I could never become a proper hunter.
But conquer that one gate, and... I'd find a way.
Lost in those thoughts, I headed toward the equipment stalls.
That's when a beastly roar pierced my ears.
A monster? I tensed up, but everyone around me stayed calm. Their nonchalance jogged an old memory.
Oh, right—'that shop' is around here.
I grimaced. Years ago—in my previous life—I'd come here on Seol Rokjin's orders to buy "merchandise" from that place.
The memory was so horrific, my steps grew heavy on instinct.
Clanging iron bars, beasts howling, frantic human voices—they all drew closer.
Not that I had any room to judge, fresh off illegally removing my own recognition tag to dodge the government. But the scum here had abandoned all humanity.
They kidnapped young awakeners, experimented on them, and sold them like objects. Barely human themselves.
I glanced inside the partition wall.
Caged like massive beasts were kids—not even adults, barely past puberty—collared with recognition tags like the one I'd just ditched.
But theirs were far crueler than the government's version.
Behind the partitions, the traders haggled over human lives with straight faces.
Surprisingly, most customers handing over tokens looked perfectly normal.
Shouldn't twisted souls like that come with twisted faces? So everyone knows to steer clear from afar.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Part of me wanted to free the innocents inside, but with my funds? I couldn't buy a thing.
Why even come here if I can't do jack?
Pushing those thoughts aside, I hurried on—
When the partition in front of me crumbled, and a black shadow burst out.
"Damn it!"
"Told you not to rile it up!"
From the shattered barrier leaped the shadow. Screams erupted as people scattered.
The shadow—having smashed through—growled at the crowd.
Every twitch yanked its chains, scraping loudly across the floor. Men rushed out from behind the partition to grab them, but it dodged like a feral animal.
Its quadrupedal gait—inhuman—sent the onlookers into further panic.
Watching it, I realized anew: four legs beat two for speed.
Anyway, it darted wildly, evading capture, leaving its handlers flustered.
"When the hell are you gonna catch it?"
"Yeah! Hurry up!"
Customers and nearby vendors joined the jeers, but it wouldn't be taken easily.
"It's collared, isn't it? Hit the button!"
"We're already shocking it as much as it can take!"
As the men said, electricity crackled from its collar—visible sparks. Enough to fry a person whole, yet it endured.
Its face was crusted with blood and grime, hidden under matted hair, but the delicate jawline and soft peach fuzz suggested late teens at most.
Its body, though? A hulking mass rivaling any adult's—nearly naked, muscles bulging inescapably.
"Oh."
Our eyes met.
Like everyone else, I'd planned to bolt from the chaos. Bad luck for me. Its gaze pleaded for rescue.
That look made me step back involuntarily.
Then—
Pssht. A needle sank into its body.
One wasn't enough. Two, three more flew in. Even enduring the shocks, its body finally buckled under the paralytics.
"Whoa!"
Onlookers raised their voices.
"Finally over."
A man in a white coat emerged from the partition, shoulders slumping as he bowed to the crowd.
"Sorry for the ugly scene."
"Second time this month!"
"Apologies—fresh stock's been rolling in."
"Fair enough. Their kids look pretty lively."
Escapes were routine here, judging by the casual shrugs.
"Still, that energy means it'll be useful. Taming a wild one like that takes work, though."
"True. But the payoff's huge when you do."
Even as they chatted about it, it fought to stay conscious—defying the paralytics. Insane willpower.
But limits hit; it face-planted. Watching its final twitches, one man licked his lips.
"When's that one back on the block?"
"Yeah! Looks stage-worthy."
"If it's going up, tip me off. Don't wanna miss the fun."
The commotion drew unwanted eyes. Tsk tsk, I thought—
"Hey, interested in our merchandise?"
A voice startled me. I turned to a grinning man in his early thirties, dark maroon sunglasses perched on his nose.
I swallowed hard, forcing an awkward smile.
"Nah, just passing by. Got curious with the commotion."
"You were eyeing our goods pretty close. Wanna see better ones inside?"
"No thanks."
I brushed him off and moved to leave—
When the men hoisted the fallen figure. Matted hair fell aside, revealing its face. My jaw dropped.
"...!"
I knew that kid.
Kim Jae-ho?
Why was he here? Then again, of course he was. I'd bought him from this very place on Seol Rokjin's orders.
Before Seol took him in, his history was infamous—bit through multiple owners, contracts voided left and right.
A headache for this market until Seol brainwashed him into a loyal meat shield.
Didn't expect to run into him today, though.
Coincidence?
I pondered.
Take him now?
Kim Jae-ho had a shadow-infiltration talent. Perfect for stealth kills—no one better.
To face Seol Rokjin, I needed weapons. He fit perfectly.
But how?
Seol dominated minds with brainwashing. I just lied convincingly.
Even dumping all my cash—more than that—to "buy" him, could I tame him?
Yet he hadn't lost his humanity yet. Maybe time to play savior.
Decision made, I asked the man,
"Just curious—how much for that one?"
Surprisingly, he replied with a warning tone.
"Better pick proper stock. That's defective, as you saw."
"Sounds fun to break in, like folks said. Doesn't seem fragile."
I twisted my lips into a smirk. With my rough features, it'd look plenty villainous.
He grinned back.
"500 million."
My mouth snapped shut.
Kim Jae-ho, you pricey bastard.
In the end, I couldn't buy Kim Jae-ho that day. Small mercy: he wouldn't sell properly for another three years.
A chronic dead stock, stuck here.
So, snag him within three years.
Human trafficking turned my stomach, but when in Rome...
After a few returns, he'd go cheap. Bide my time.
For now, other shopping—with that gate to raid.