Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Gray Market (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Gray Market?"
"That's right. Do you remember me saying last time that you didn't know about the Black Market?"
Forrest poured drinks and handed one to Oliver while asking.
"Yes... But you said you knew something similar."
"Good memory. The Gray Market is that similar thing. Strictly speaking, it's not just similar—it's more like a side branch that came from the Black Market."
"A side branch?"
"Yeah, it's understandable if you don't know. It's a relatively recent development. It's the product of a business strategy, you could say."
Forrest continued his explanation. From the way he spoke, it seemed he knew quite a bit.
"The Gray Market is a place that sells off the minor items or low-grade goods that have been circulated through the Black Market on their behalf. Someone arbitrarily called it the Gray Market, and now that's the official name."
Oliver took a sip of the drink Forrest had given him and paused to think before asking,
"...What exactly do you mean by low-grade items?"
"Minor stolen goods, relatively low-grade information, drugs, bootleg liquor, magic items, and even human emotions and Life Force. They handle some black magic books too."
Oliver felt a spark of interest at that moment.
"Black magic books?"
"Yeah, but nothing impressive. What they sell are just basic books."
It was a bit deflating, but Oliver didn't show any sign of disappointment.
On the contrary, he was excited. Even if he couldn't get satisfying results right away, this was his first step forward.
This process itself was a huge joy.
"...You okay?"
"Yes? Oh, yes... So, are there places that handle even higher-grade items?"
"Of course. We divide them into Black Market and Gray Market for convenience, but they're subdivided even further into invisible grades. Places that deal in higher-grade items definitely exist. The problem is they're not easy to find. The security is tighter than you'd think."
"How do you access higher-grade markets?"
"Spend enough money to get noticed and receive an invitation, or get friendly with a big shot connected to the Black Market. Like someone from the Crime Firm. That's the surest way."
"Because the Crime Firm manages the Black Market?"
Forrest paused for a moment at Oliver's question.
"...Half right, half wrong."
"...?"
"The Crime Firm is deeply involved with the Black Market, that's true. But they don't manage all of it. The Black Market exists in a more abstract and complex way. Not as a single entity, but as a swarm. That's why it's hard to grasp it all... and dangerous too."
Oliver observed Forrest's emotions.
Regardless of the truth of the story itself, Forrest's feelings as he spoke were genuine.
It was unexpected. For someone who claimed ignorance when they first met, he knew more than anticipated.
Beyond just hearsay.
"I see."
"Anyway, back to the point. The place I'm introducing you to isn't bad for a first visit. The quality might be a bit low, but it's not that dangerous. You can even replenish emotions there."
With that, Forrest handed over a note with a rough map and a strange business card.
Forrest's signature 'F' was on the card.
"Here's a map with the location and a ticket to get in. Burn the map after using it once. If it leaks, it hurts your credibility."
Oliver nodded and tucked the note and card into his pocket.
"Thank you for the gift."
"No need to thank me. I can introduce you because you handled the job well. I hope you like it."
"Yes, I already do... So, may I say something now?"
"Oh, right, you had a question. What is it?"
"Before the mission, you promised that if I succeeded and returned, you'd tell me a bit about how you gather information. Can I hear it now?"
"Ah... right, I did promise that. Well, sure. It's not that big a deal."
"Thank you."
Forrest refilled their glasses before speaking. Oliver's too.
"Hmm... There are many ways to get information, and surprisingly, it's easy if you know how."
"Oh, really?"
"Think of it as a snowball. Once the conditions for gathering information are met, you roll it. Then the info collects on its own... In my case, it started with the Brokers' Guild."
"Brokers' Guild?"
"Yeah, given the nature of this business, everyone’s interested in information. Shifting politics, incidents, new faces, and so on. So brokers in the guild share basic info among ourselves."
"Just share it?"
"Only up to a certain level. More secretive or detailed stuff is traded privately—for money or info. Or they build their own networks."
"Hmm... I see. So you get all your info through the Brokers' Guild?"
"No. They're partners, but also competitors. Relying on that alone would leave you behind. Everyone has their own lines. I use fixers and informants."
"Informants...? You mean Coco, by any chance?"
"Ah, right, you said you met her."
"Yes, yesterday on the way here."
"She's one of the informants I deal with. If she has something worth selling, she comes to me, or I go to her with a request."
Oliver nodded, feeling like a child listening to an old tale, full of interest.
"So... only from the Brokers' Guild, fixers, and informants?"
Oliver looked at Forrest as he asked. More precisely, he checked his emotions.
"...No. I don't use it often, but there's one more line."
"Oh? Where?"
"An organization called Heimdall."
"Heimdall?"
"Yeah, a group of magic hackers who handle the World Tree."
"World Tree...? Magic hackers...?"
Forrest let out a small chuckle as Oliver murmured his new questions.
"You don't know about them, huh. Well, hardly anyone does properly. A black magician holed up training underground would know even less."
"...Can you tell me?"
Forrest checked his watch.
"Hmm... Sorry, can it wait? I have a client coming soon."
"Ah..."
Oliver let out a sigh of disappointment.
He checked his own watch too, and indeed, a good amount of time had passed.
It was a shame, but Oliver nodded readily.
He'd already heard plenty of fascinating stories; pressing further would be rude.
"Understood."
"Sorry about that. I'll finish next time when I have a moment."
"No, you've helped me plenty already... Ah!"
As Oliver prepared to leave, he started rummaging in his pocket.
"What are you doing?"
"Just a moment. I have something for you too. Not sure if it'll help, Forrest."
With that, Oliver pulled out a potion from the magic brew workshop, along with the ledger and documents.
Forrest showed interest.
"This is...?"
"From the magic brew workshop. I don't know much, but it seemed useful."
Forrest examined the ledger and documents more closely. Joy and delight shone through, and when he saw the potion, there was a hint of shock and surprise.
"...You really got this from the magic brew workshop?"
"Yes, I just picked it up there. Not sure if it's legit."
"I see... I thought it was a day for giving gifts, but it turned out to be a day for receiving them."
"Glad you're pleased."
"Truly grateful. Coming back tomorrow too?"
After a moment's thought, Oliver shook his head.
"No. Since you told me about a good place, I'll check it out tomorrow."
"Perfect. See you later then."
They shook hands, and Oliver stepped outside.
Once on the street, he looked at the map Forrest had given him again.
It showed a traditional market in Sector T.
A Gray Market in a traditional market—somewhat surprising.
But that wasn't important. What mattered was succeeding in the mission and gaining access to the Gray Market, a side branch of the Black Market, even if not the real thing.
He wanted to go right away, but after working all night, he was tired. He decided to sleep one night and go.
Such luck already... He could hardly wait for tomorrow.
Great expectations bring great disappointments.
A line from Joseph's old journal.
Written when the Pharmacist's interference prevented full conquest of Wineham, forcing a split with the Dominic and Anthony Families.
Back then, Oliver only understood the words intellectually, not emotionally.
Now, long after leaving the Family, he finally empathized.
Sorry to Forrest, who had gone out of his way, but the Gray Market he introduced brought Oliver immense disappointment... or perhaps Oliver had expected too much.
Navigating the crowded traditional market in Sector T, heart pounding with anticipation as he handed the business card to the fruit vendor gatekeeper in disguise—but once inside, excitement turned to letdown.
What to call it... too ordinary?
The Gray Market, secretly set up inside the traditional market, was too similar to the outer market.
Calling it similar was polite; it was identical.
Fruit stands piled high, butcher shops with hanging meat, carts loaded with strange herbs.
That wasn't a big issue. Traditional markets were fun anyway—haggling, touting.
But the items for sale fell short of Oliver's expectations.
As Forrest said, young or old black magicians sold extracted emotions or Life Force from small stalls, but the quality was abysmal.
Like they were forcibly squeezed out.
And the black magic items—Glutton Pouch, Leather Mask, Watcher's Eye, aphrodisiacs—were equally poor.
Compared to Joseph's Family or Puppeteer Glyph's workshop, they were crude.
Some he'd never made, but he could probably do better on the spot.
Of course. These were third-rate goods for petty thieves.
Oliver had overhyped it just because it connected to the Black Market.
A side branch was just that.
Still, for the experience, Oliver bought a few items.
Too wasteful to leave empty-handed.
He bought one extracted emotion and one Life Force each, and for inspection, one black magic item apiece.
Leather Mask, Glutton Pouch, Watcher's Eye, etc.
He had good versions already, too precious for experiments. Better to buy these for research.
Thinking that way, it even felt worthwhile. These wouldn't hurt to ruin while studying.
After stowing the emotions and items in his bag, Oliver spent the remaining time wandering the Gray Market.
Nothing caught his eye, but preparation for future Gray or Black Markets.
Deeper in, some oddities appeared.
Worn-out clocks, bizarre stuffed animals, elixirs from beast Life Force, cheap Filterettes, even a book stall.
Just weird books with naked women photos, not real black magic or demon tomes.
Anyway, Oliver bought a leather strap and case for test tubes too, then left the Gray Market.
Life after leaving the Family had been tough but never boring or disappointing—until now, as he headed to his lodging feeling that emotion for the first time.
His energy utterly drained. Right then, Oliver sensed something.
A fleeting instant, split into hundreds of fragments like seconds, but unmistakable.
Pure, immense mana—similar to the lightning mage he'd met before, no... incomparably greater.
No illusion. Turning his gaze, an old man sat at the end.
"Hello there, young friend... Come to browse books?"