Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 062
Chapter Title: Anyway, Nope
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Long ago, there was a game series called Devil Hunters.
In that game, every act featured a gambler NPC. When you bought items from them, they'd turn out to be Magic, Rare, Unique, or Set grade. Naturally, the higher the grade, the lower the odds.
Why bring this up? Because the black market works exactly like that.
You don't know what you'll get until you use an Item Appraisal scroll or quality check order beforehand.
"Welcome. What are you looking for?"
"Do you carry status ailment fruits, including blast fruits and paralysis fruits?"
"Of course we do! Pick whatever you like!"
"Hmm."
The merchant nodded with a confident grin, and I stared hard at the fruits.
...Ha. Look at this guy.
The ones marked "(former)" or "(not)" at the end are "useless items." They look identical on the outside, but you can't even sell them back for a single lind.
They're rotten or just garbage quality.
Yeah. That's the black market for you.
"I'll take this one, this one, and that one over there."
"...Not the rest?"
"I only deal in high-quality goods."
The merchant's smile froze cold, then he glared at me like I'd spat in his face.
I smiled back and looked at Nefti—not Eve. She immediately stepped between me and the merchant, guarding me.
"Quick on the draw."
"She's a capable bodyguard. What now?"
"Tch. Fine. Hold on a sec."
The merchant deftly bagged the fruits, and I watched like a hawk to make sure he didn't swap them. Guess he had some conscience—not pulling that trick.
As we walked the streets after the deal, Nefti spoke up.
"Why didn't you buy the rest?"
"...No need to spend my money on trash, right?"
"...You mean they're fakes?"
"Exactly."
"Shouldn't we report it? How can this happen in Jefrin...?"
"This is Jefrin, but not that Jefrin. The black market sellers' mindset is simple."
"What's that?"
"The black market's a gamble for both sides. If they sell junk and you buy it blind, that's on you."
"...What a garbage mindset. No wonder it's the black market."
"Yep. Total cesspool. But they carry stuff you can't get anywhere else. Though what's even worse is..."
"And?"
"Never mind. Nothing."
I glanced toward the black market's depths.
This entrance "market street" was cuter than expected.
Just merchants running scams.
But the black market's interior? Filled with unimaginable filth.
"Nefti. If we ever come back here, don't go past this point inside."
"Y-Yes...?"
"Never go in there."
"Understood."
I brushed my face and touched my throat once.
Fake FaceFake Voice
(Low-tier; effect fades quickly)
Low-tier spells that wear off fast, but those two horrific 8th-tier magics birthed the black market's inner horrors.
My mind still replayed the "Kelters Corruption Route" darkness on autopilot.
'Oh my, I'm Eve von Loengrin?' 'Step back. I'm Aila Trista. Who do you think I am?' 'Hehehe. I'm Regina Ciella, grand magic merchant. Eldest daughter of the Ciella family!' 'Hero of Light, Kelters! Making my entrance! Everyone been waiting? The hero's here!'
What do all the "dropouts" and "failures" dream of?
Living like the academy's celebrities.
And their salvation? "Fake Face" and "Fake Voice."
The black market depths crawl with guys disguised as celebs.
They call themselves Kelters, Aila, Eve, and such.
Role-playing.
For real.
No joke.
No full body transformation magic exists, so just face and voice change. A 198cm guy with Rudika's face going, "I'm Rudika, abyss assassin. Sleep in the shadows too," is just...
Ugh.
"...Anyway, stay away from that darkness."
"Huh? Sure. I have no reason to come back here anyway."
"Really?"
"Yeah! I want to earn money honestly!"
Nefti's words brimmed with conviction.
Fair enough.
Reassuring.
Back at the convenience store, I started prepping for work.
Out for the first time in ages, my stamina was iffy, but Nefti had everything ready in a flash.
"All set."
"...Mm."
Mix beans for various beans.
Flasks and base reagents, ores, fruits for potion-making.
Even the crafting kit for Handy Worker, all neatly laid out. I nodded automatically.
"Neat work."
"Thank you."
"No wonder the jobs keep coming. As expected of the Knight Division's second-year ace."
"Whoa... Haven't heard that in a while."
"In a while?"
"Yeah. Lately, people call me 'Miss Ne' more often."
Nefti tapped her chin with a finger, pondered, then grinned brightly.
This girl.
So easily amused.
"Then I won't disturb your work—I'll head out!"
"Mm. Not curious what I'm making?"
"I am, but night patrol starts now!"
"Hard worker."
"Need the cash!"
She slipped on her "Safety First" armband, tugged her gloves, and prepped to leave the store.
Watching her enthusiastic back, genuinely thrilled by labor, left me puzzled.
Canon Nefti was poor, but not this obsessed with money.
"Nefti. Why the money fixation? That desperate?"
"Huh? Oh. Well..."
She paused at my question, then smiled like it was no big deal.
"Truth is, Senior... See..."
"Speak freely. I asked."
"Right! If it was just me, I wouldn't need to send home more money. Mom started a little business, she said. Ehehe. Got three little sibs, though. They're adorable!"
"And?"
"They wanna come to Jefrin. Entrance exams cost a fortune, even before admissions. Gotta hustle."
"......"
Earning for her siblings.
Not her usual stiff tone.
Bet she's this big sis around them.
"And personally, I'd love for them to come to Jefrin too."
"Covering their tuition too? Won't that make it harder for you?"
"Yeah, but... Jefrin's amazing. People like you are here, Senior Wolfram. Once they're in, they'll make it work, right?"
"Maybe."
Tch.
Say that to this uncle, and I'd cry from weak tear ducts.
"...Nefti. Take this."
"Y-Yes? ...A potion?"
"Stamina recovery base with Vitality Enhancement enchant. Mm. Probably strawberry flavor."
Handy Worker potion-making plus Mix Sweets—a triple-process brew.
"...An enchant potion?! Sells for 40k lind, right?! And it tastes good?"
"About that."
"S-Sell this and I could buy cafeteria vouchers for..."
"It's an order from the giver. Drink when you're beat."
"......Ugh."
Tch.
Kid.
Listen to uncle.
"When your sibs arrive, if you're wrecked like me, think they'll be thrilled?"
"...Good point."
Nefti grinned, pocketed the potion.
Then, right before leaving, she tilted her head and asked innocently.
"But Senior."
"What."
"How do I burn stamina like you?"
"......"
Hey.
Gimme that potion back.
I'll drink it and die.
The next day.
I hauled my creations to the student council room.
"Oh, Wolfram. Long time no see."
"Same."
"Thanks a ton for the expedition help last time."
"Mm. Keep backing that guy."
"Y-Yes!"
"Hey, Wolfram!"
"Good work."
Most greetings were friendly.
Mostly execs from the expedition. I brushed them off lightly and headed for Eve's office.
Doing good deeds earns respect—looks like the expedition pep talk helped big time.
"...Kuh. Why are you here?"
"......"
"Answer me! Wolfram von Loengrin!"
"......"
Silver-haired shorty.
No, as long as it's not Spirit Knight Sylvia Evergreen Grove.
"R-Right."
What now.
"Back then, I said it: I'd rather die than take your help! And... I took it. I see. Here to claim my life!"
"......"
"Fine. If you're taking it, make it clean. Sever my neck here. Grant me a death without shame!"
Crazy. Ex-student council president choking the current prez's right-hand in the hall?
Even Aila'd think Wolfram lost it.
Does she have a delusion sewer instead of a brain? Pickled in something?
"Out of the way. Got business with Eve."
"Not cutting my throat?"
"Nope. Here for sports day judging approval."
"......R-Really. Hm. Fine. Fill out these forms properly... and follow me."
Under the delusion knight's—er, spirit knight's—guide, I got a private word with Eve.
Alright.
Here's the real showdown.
As expected, Eve read my paperwork seriously, then sighed deeply.
"Wolfram. Wolfram von Loengrin."
"What, Eve von Loengrin."
"Your application. Says 'cheer potions and snack packs for parents' here."
"Mm. Yeah. Parents might choke on dust or get heatstroke."
"No funny business?"
Oh my, such harsh words.
What are kids watching these days.
"...F-Funny, heh. Business?"
"I'm saying, no peddling junk! You're infamous for weird stuff, and these potions look suspicious!"
"Hm."
Oh my my, look at her. Eyes bulging—gonna sic the student council on me?
And if I was up to no good, why pop those eyes? Geez, ridiculous.
Just a tad. A tiny bit.
"It's a feel-good potion."
"You're insane?!"
"Hm. Calm down, close the window, chest out, breathe steady. Eve von Loengrin. Listen up."
"......Hoo. Hoo. Fine. Talk. Convince me not to jam this spear between your eyes."
"Good. You know potion mechanics, right? Simply put, two types: Enchant Potions that recover anyone instantly, even non-mages. And Regular Potions that accelerate body functions."
"Right."
"But Enchant Potions risk mana contamination, so only for those with mana affinity. Parents are civilians. Too risky."
"......So?"
"Regular potions boost functions but cause slight rebound. Quick heal = dizzy. Resistance up = warm body... But follow dosage, safe for civilians. Right?"
"Y-Yeah...?"
"So dilute to block contamination, boost resistance, clear dust—and a tiny rebound's unavoidable, no?"
"......Isn't that a buzz?"
"Buzz needs alcohol. Any in this? Check the analysis."
"......No...?"
"Then what? Potion or booze?"
"Uh, huh?"
"Booze or not?"
"...N-Not booze...?"
"Exactly."
"...O-Okay. Guess it's fine?"
"Yep. And it says 'for parent sales.' Adults following dosage—is that drinking?"
"N-No...?"
"Nope."
"...No bad effects. Just recovery rebound shakes. Long-term? Pure stat boost."
"Potion effect only. Think again. Booze?"
"B-Booze? N-No, probably not."
[No. It's not.]
"Nope."
"Mm."
"Approved. Issuing sales permit."
"Mm."
Eve's eyes spun as she slammed the student council seal on my form.
See?
Even the prez says it's not booze.