Black Market Showdown
The black market Verde operated under strict rules, plain and simple. One: don't pry into anyone's identity. Two: bear your own burdens alone. Three: accept the outcome of any fair contest.
Well... naturally, no sucker actually follows all of them.
Strict rules, yet not so strict. If the black market enforcers caught wind of trouble, there'd be no mercy... but handle it quietly beforehand, and they'd turn a blind eye. Just don't escalate things unnecessarily.
That's why the thugs swaggering toward him now looked so damn smug. They figured they'd take him out before any black market muscle showed up.
"What, you think this place is legit or something?"
A sleazy grin spread across the middle-aged man's face. In perfect sync, his burly goons charged at Dante.
Fast, powerful punches whistled through the air.
I wondered if there might be a mage among them, but nope.
Not surprising. Mages weren't that common to begin with—especially not ones skilled enough to prowl a black market like this.
Whooom!!!
Dante easily dodged a fist aimed at his jaw and tripped the guy with a swift foot hook. But even after dropping one, the horde seemed endless.
"Lilia."
He murmured her name casually, and a woman emerged languidly from the shadows. Black hair and crimson eyes blended into an alluring harmony. A familiar sight to him, but guaranteed to shock the hell out of them.
"...Wh-what the—?!"
"Foolish worms. How dare you raise a fist against him."
With her horns concealed and in human guise, Lilia snapped her fingers once. Five dark crimson magic circles bloomed in the air around her. Her red pupils stared ahead, utterly devoid of emotion.
"A... mage."
"So what if she's a mage?"
"...Well, this is awkward."
An awkward smile crept onto the man's face—forced, nothing like his earlier cocky smirk.
Undeterred, he pressed on. "Looks like we made a mistake on our end. Could you maybe overlook it this once?"
"Hmm. We've suffered some emotional distress here. Hard to just let it slide."
"...Emotional distress. Hope this makes it right."
The man pulled a hefty-looking pouch from his coat and held it out.
Whoa... that's a solid haul.
It felt like half the winnings from tonight's gambling. Figures—he was the owner of Verde's biggest casino, after all.
"To smooth things over... sure, it's not impossible. But the sincerity feels a bit lacking. Sincerity."
With the upper hand like this, no way was Dante settling for peanuts.
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"That watch. How about the watch?"
A watch. His gaze flicked to the timepiece on the man's wrist.
Talent: Insight detects magic cast on the target.
"Oh. Nice watch you've got there."
".........Tch. That so? Fine, throw this in too."
The man ground his teeth and unstrapped the watch from his wrist, offering it up.
"Hey, thanks a ton."
"...Yeah. Heard you're headed to the auction house."
"Yup. Wanna go another round?"
"Nah. Let me hook you up with a guide."
No sooner had he spoken than a scrawny boy, about 160 cm tall, appeared. A kid handling black market escort duty? The Empire was rotten in all the right places.
"Enjoy your time. Win big at the tables, yeah?"
".........Auction better have some prime lots."
Ignoring the man's venomous glare, they exited the casino.
"Auction house, right?"
"Yeah. You're young, but hustling hard."
"Gotta. It's easy work."
On the way to the auction house, they chatted plenty with the kid. His name was Piglet, raised in the underworld. Bonus: he spilled details on some auction items coming up. Kid knew his stuff, being a local.
"Um... can I ask something I've been wondering?"
Piglet hesitated just before they entered the auction hall.
Wondering what?
"Shoot."
"Are you two... like, a couple?"
"Ah."
Can see how he'd think that. Lilia called him "Master" out loud all the time.
"Kinda! Eternal companions and all. Cute kid."
"...Lilia."
"Eternal companions, right?"
"......Sigh."
Not wrong, but her intent was obvious—couldn't help but chuckle.
Whatever. Not important.
More crucial: tonight's auction lots. With a fat stack of cash for once, he hoped for solid, practical picks—no luxuries.
Talent: Insight detects perception hindrance on the target.
He stared blankly ahead, waiting for the auctioneer, when a blue window popped up.
Perception hindrance? Pointless to block here.
"Huh... that guy's here."
Worth detecting it after all. A familiar face came into focus.
Barhen's here?
His homeroom professor, Barhen, sat front row—under a 5th Circle perception block, no less.
"Alright!! We've kept you waiting long enough!"
As Dante eyed Barhen, a man strode onto the stage. Sharp black suit, face-obscuring mask. Clownish, but with real gravitas.
"I'm Lesk, your auctioneer tonight."
He bowed crisply, and deafening cheers erupted. No wonder auctions were Verde's main draw.
"No more delays—let's kick off with the first lot!"
One by one, items hit the block. Mostly for fat cats: fancy luxuries or slaves. Nothing Dante could really use.
Orb of Acceleration or Gauntlets of Disruption, maybe...
He wanted them but passed—the bids soared too high. He could've afforded it, but it'd burn cash fast.
Rich folks blew money like water.
"Real money talks different."
"...Humans gonna human. Mammon'd love it."
"Hm... nothing worth buying."
He eyed items to boost stats or traits permanently—real value plays.
"Ooh! This one's got some history."
The auctioneer unveiled it reluctantly: a fist-sized stone, cracked like shattered glass. Looked like junk at first glance.
"A fragment!"
"Hey, auctioneer! What kind?"
"...No clue. Appraise it yourself."
Fragment. A shard from some mythic relic, straight out of legend.
Sounded great, but the catch...
"No telling what it is."
"Yup. Pure gamble."
Even restored, it could birth a mythic beast... or an untamable monster. No appeal for big spenders—plenty of appraised fragments out there.
Unless you were him.
Talent: Insight observes the target.
"5000 Ar."
He raised his hand boldly. 5000 Ar for mystery rock? Most rich folks wouldn't bother.
"5... 5000 Ar!!! Sold!!!"
Not bad. Grabbing that alone made the night worthwhile—perfect for his current needs.
"Master's got a knack for this."
"For what?"
"Like you knew exactly what it was."
"That obvious?"
"Yeah. Eyes full of certainty."
Demons had sharp eyes, huh? Probably sensed something like their demonic sight.
"Eh... trade secret."
He brushed it off and turned back. New lot up; auctioneer about to close bids.
"10,000 Ar."
Dante jumped in without hesitation.
"1... 10,000 Ar!!!"
The auctioneer flustered. A bidder scowled.
"...Tch. Some punk's bidding."
Why the attitude? It's an auction. Right, Professor Barhen?
"10,000 Ar. Going once?"
"11,000."
"12,000 here."
"...13,000."
"16,000."
Barhen's face twisted. Hated seeing someone drop serious coin on this?
"20,000."
Barhen smirked triumphantly, like it was over.
Whatever. Dante had cleaned out the casino.
"30,000 Ar."
......
"Sold!!!!"