EP 4. Paradise - Special Mission! Infiltration Operation! (1)
Player's mental contamination has reached the limit.
Memory data initialized. Returning to branch point.
After barely scraping together living expenses at the casino, the next day we set out again to find our lost item.
It happened while we were wandering around.
"Hey, you two looking for something you lost?"
Someone suddenly called out to us as we walked the streets.
It was a figure draped in a dark brown cloak.
Long red hair and pale eyes peeked out from under the hood, barely revealing her to be a woman.
Hiding her identity in broad daylight like this? She looked suspicious as hell right off the bat.
"And who are you?"
Lena had the same thought as me and asked warily.
"Name's Leah. I'm a merchant who trades all sorts of goods around these parts."
Leah hopped down from the barrel she'd been perched on and approached us.
"The thing you're after is probably in the black market."
"Black market?"
I asked.
Leah glanced at me and nodded.
"Yeah. Judging by your reaction, you haven't been here long, right? Otherwise, you'd freak out just hearing the name."
"I've heard Zion has underground markets that pop up now and then. And the lord turns a blind eye to them."
Lena said, frowning.
"To be precise, it's the lord's proxy. Zion's actual lord went missing."
Leah shrugged as she replied.
"Is that true? That's news to me."
Lena looked flustered.
"Eh, outsiders wouldn't know. They're keeping it hush-hush on purpose."
"Why?"
A lord vanishing is a big deal—why keep it secret? It didn't make sense.
Leah let out a smirk.
What the hell was that laugh? She better not think I'm some idiot.
"Looks like the innocent miss here is clueless about Zion's messy politics. Short version: it's all about power struggles over interests."
Lena chimed in at Leah's words.
"I've heard the current lord has no other heirs. That means succession gets complicated, opening the door for outside interference. Zion's power players must be worried about that."
"Wolfie's got a quicker grasp than the bunny. Spot on. Zion's a closed-off city. Keeping mouths shut ain't hard."
Leah crossed her arms as she said it.
She glanced away for a moment, then changed the subject.
"Anyway, if something gets stolen in this city, it almost always ends up in the black market. Perfect spot for fencing hot goods. Especially if it's valuable."
"For a merchant, you sure know a lot about this stuff."
Lena said, like she'd caught on to something.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"There's one kind of merchant who knows politics and crime inside out: smugglers."
The smug smile vanished from Leah's face. Nailed it.
"So, you gonna report me or what?"
Lena shook her head at Leah's question.
"Normally, yeah. But we just got turned away at the gates, so... And I'm not exactly squeaky clean myself legally. For a just and righteous cause, bending rules is fine. What I can't figure out is your motive."
Leah hesitated for a bit.
Then she let out a long sigh.
"Guess I can't fool you. Truth is, I've got business in the black market myself. Figured you two could help out while you're at it."
"Business...?"
Lena asked.
Leah answered.
"Trade secret. Cooperate, and I'll spill everything I know."
Lena looked at me silently.
Honestly, I didn't trust her one bit.
Not because she called me a bunny or anything—hard to explain, but just... no.
Still, no other options.
I nodded.
Then turned to Leah and said,
"Fine. Tell us."
Ruby Eye.
Zion's biggest crime syndicate.
Its history stretches back ages.
Originally, Ruby Eye was a benevolent group handing out relief supplies to the people.
Back when tensions between the Holy Church and Zion peaked, the city faced pressure from all sides, and most imports dried up.
Zion's food production couldn't sustain its massive population, leading to mass starvation.
To break that deadlock, a few folks banded together and formed Ruby Eye, the smuggler crew.
They'd sneak out at dawn by boat along the river, buy up supplies, bring 'em back, and distribute to the masses.
Thanks to Ruby Eye, Zion endured the Church's brutal squeeze.
But eventually, they went rotten.
They started smuggling drugs and illegal goods instead of food, raking in massive wealth.
No longer a relief outfit for the hungry—they became a full-blown crime org kissing up to power brokers and building their own empire.
"The black market's run by Ruby Eye."
That's what Leah explained.
The black market deals in everything: stolen loot, illegal magic tools and weapons, forbidden books, even slaves.
It's strictly invite-only. Show the right invitation to qualified folks, and you're in.
But there's one loophole.
"Main customers are nobles. Some play the good guy publicly to build rep. Ruby Eye protects them—no ID needed, to keep leaks from tanking their image."
Leah said, holding up a butterfly-shaped mask.
"So, we pretend to be customers and sneak in."
Lena said.
"Exactly."
"But will that flimsy trick work?"
"If you don't screw up. Guards are tight, eyes everywhere. No funny business. Stick to the plan, and you'll be fine."
Leah handed over two invitations.
"How'd you get these?"
I asked.
Leah shrugged.
"Trade secret."
And so, on the night of the black market...
Lena and I changed into our outfits and headed to the spot Leah mentioned.
"This is... super embarrassing."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly as we neared the destination.
What we wore were thin dresses that boldly exposed cleavage and shoulders.
Leah insisted on dress code for entry, so no choice.
But banning underwear? That's too much.
Hearing the place would be packed, but having to go in like this? Chilling... and thrilling somehow.
Heart-pounding, yeah. Not like I'm turned on by exposure or anything, but still.
"Tell me about it..."
Lena's face screamed embarrassment too.
Though mixed with something else.
Lately, Lena's gotten bolder—or more flexible, I guess. Stuff that would've made her snap back when we met? She lets slide now.
"Kinda... exciting."
"Exciting?"
"N-no, forget I said that. Slip of the tongue."
Lena flailed and waved it off.
"Anyway, let's go."
"Yeah."
We donned our prepared masks.
Fox for me, wolf for Lena. Fox suits my smart vibe. Lena's the reliable wolf type.
The black market was in a smuggler's cave linked to Ruby Eye's HQ.
On the outskirts, connected to the river undercity leading out of town.
Used for smuggling back in the day; now a hub for all things illegal.
"We'll check your invitations."
Armed guys at the entrance spotted us and approached politely.
We showed them; one broke the seal, checked inside, and nodded.
"You're good to enter. Enjoy."
Inside was surprisingly clean.
Unlike the rough stone path outside, carpets lined the floor, decorations everywhere—like a stylish theater styled as a natural cave.
Follow the corridor, and we hit a huge hall.
Nightclub vibes. Sofas, tables scattered; dim, colorful lights; big stage in the center.
We grabbed seats in a dim corner.
Soon, two scantily clad women approached for orders.
"The most expensive stuff."
"...Got it."
After they left, Lena whispered reproachfully.
"Ria, don't just order blindly like that."
"What's the big deal? We're ditching without paying anyway."
When else to splurge?
"More importantly... those two had weird necklaces."
"Yeah. Probably magic collars. Felt faint mana."
So, they're captives, huh.
Slaves, then. Collars for control.
Dark.
"Bitter, but nothing we can do. Ruby Eye's too big and dangerous for us two. Report to the Church later, go public... that's probably best."
Lena said darkly.
Makes sense. Security here's insane.
Guards we passed, ones stationed everywhere—dozens easy. Heavily armed, pro-trained.
Practically a paramilitary outfit.
I nodded at Lena.
Soon, a server brought fancy wine and desserts dusted with gold leaf on a tray.
This time a guy—young, muscled, made up.
Sexy? Maybe.
"Your orders, ladies."
He said it all sleazy, with a sleazy grin.
Made my stomach turn before even tasting.
"Service available if you want."
He set down the food, bowed.
"Uh... pour the wine?"
"Anything you desire."
I asked; he smiled smoothly.
Anything? Make a bomb shot? Or line up glasses and knock 'em back with his dick?
That might be kinda fun to see.
"No thanks."
Lena replied politely.
"Understood. Have a good time."
Once he left, I dove into the desserts gleefully.
"Ria, no booze."
"I knowww."
Suddenly, the ceiling lights dimmed.
Wondering what was up, I looked—spotlights hit the central stage.
A sharp-dressed guy like an MC stepped up, magic amp to his mouth.
"Welcome, esteemed guests. Let the auction begin."