Into the Black Market
Entry into the labyrinth was incredibly strict and rigorous, but getting out was a breeze by comparison.
Unlike coming in, there were no checks or inspections—just pure freedom to leave. The intent was to make things a little easier for exhausted hunters, but from my perspective, it felt a bit off.
What if a monster disguised as a human like me slipped out? What then?
Of course, the lack of checks made it easy for me to get out smoothly.
The vast street stretched straight ahead.
Beyond it, towering buildings pierced the sky.
The evening landscape, where lights began flickering on one by one.
Stepping out of the labyrinth after three years stirred something deep inside me—something swelling up unbidden.
I hadn't realized it myself, but it seemed I'd vaguely missed the outside world.
Not that I'd let those feelings sweep me away, of course.
I gazed calmly at the scene around the gate, then blended into the crowd exiting the labyrinth and walked the streets.
Thankfully, the labyrinth's will no longer whispered in my ear with its usual noisy "Kill—" once I was outside. It seemed its influence didn't reach here.
One less voice to rattle my nerves.
My outfit was basically a black hanbok.
Even on a street teeming with hunters, that kind of attire would draw eyes.
So I'd changed into something else before leaving the labyrinth.
Clothes made from mana were easy to reshape.
I'd based it on what I used to wear as a human.
Still, I couldn't do much about the overall dark black tones—it was just how I rolled.
Colors, at least, wouldn't budge.
The street in front of the labyrinth entrance buzzed with people as evening set in.
Hunters fresh out, looking to cap off the day with a drink.
Crowds swarming to hook up with those high-earning hunters.
And others gathered just to meet them.
This place hadn't changed a bit from my last memories.
I let the throng carry me along, then quietly slipped away at some point.
My goal lay not in these bustling streets, but in the back alleys.
Not every awakened person becomes a hunter.
People lump all awakened folks under the "hunter" label, but strictly speaking, hunters are those who raid labyrinths and hunt monsters.
For reasons of personality or personal circumstances, some awakened individuals never become hunters. Most keep to themselves just fine, but some dip into illegal activities.
Those types are usually called unlicensed hunters or illegal hunters.
With power several times greater than an ordinary person's, the crimes they commit are often especially heinous.
From petty pickpocketing to robbery, murder, rape, kidnapping, and even terrorism in extreme cases.
That's why nations and the Hunter Association keep a tight leash on awakened hunters—though no matter how strict, exceptions always slip through.
A back alley on the outskirts, not far from the central bustle.
Unlike the crowded main streets, this place was eerily quiet.
Already dimly lit and foreboding, the absence of people made it feel like ghosts might appear any second.
The vibe was worlds apart from the lively districts just a short distance away.
I walked quietly through the shadowy alley.
Not because I had to pass through or suddenly craved a courage test.
I had business here, plain and simple.
I'd only heard rumors from my porter days, so I didn't know the ins and outs.
Just that this alley housed Korea's largest black market, a hub for all sorts of shady dealings and brokerage.
It might sound like chasing a dubious rumor, but now that I was here, I could tell it wasn't just talk.
The moment I entered, several gazes locked onto me—sticky, unrelenting.
Impressive lineup... Six Cs, three Bs, two As.
And above all, a heavy presence emanated from a building deeper in.
An S-rank hunter's aura, one I'd never encountered even while climbing the labyrinth.
They weren't kidding about it being the biggest in the country. Back then, there were only fifteen S-ranks nationwide, and one of them's personally overseeing this place.
It didn't match the shabby, desolate exterior at all.
More than that—an S-rank hunter. Back in the day, I couldn't even dream of touching one. Wonder how I'd fare now?
If we fought for real, I'd win, no question. But I wouldn't get cocky.
S-rank hunters were veterans who'd battled countless monsters, honing their experience to a razor's edge.
The raw power gap favored me, but their battle-hardened instincts were nothing to scoff at.
They're at the top of the hunter pyramid for a reason.
A proper fight might make for some valuable experience.
Moments later, I stopped in front of a building.
A three-story commercial structure, indistinguishable from its neighbors at a glance.
At least on the surface.
"Hey, you! What's your business here?"
A voice called from behind.
Glancing back, a burly man stared at me with a crooked scowl.
One of the watchers from before.
C-rank.
"What kind of business would bring someone all the way out here? Obviously, I've got something inside."
I jerked my chin toward the building.
The man who'd called me furrowed his brow.
"Ain't nothin' in there, pal."
"Doesn't feel that way to me."
I replied flatly, and he grimaced with a grunt.
"If you're lookin' for the Black Market, you got the wrong address. It's not that one—it's over there."
He nodded toward another building.
A quick scan revealed a deep, expansive underground space there.
Crammed with plenty of people, too.
So that's the place I was after?
Still, this building piqued my interest more.
"Nah, this feels right."
"...That's a restricted area for staff only. You look like a customer... If you wanna leave in one piece, better follow my directions nice and quiet."
Crack—crunch—
A snicker escaped me as the man rolled his shoulders threateningly.
Even the lurking A-rank watching from afar was laughable—what was this C-rank clown doing?
My reaction twisted his face in fury.
"What's so funny, punk?"
"Sorry if I offended you. Wasn't trying to mock—just... you looked kinda cute, that's all."
I stated the plain truth to avoid misunderstanding, but it only provoked him further.
His face flushed red as he stomped toward me.
"You look like a normie... Guess your guts are hangin' out. Don't worry, I'll make sure you pay up nice."
"...Hmm."
I glanced at him, then turned my gaze elsewhere.
Toward the others who'd been watching.
Specifically, the one with the strongest presence.
"This okay with you guys? I'm a customer, after all."
"Customers come in all flavors. Too late for regrets now."
Had he misunderstood who I was talking to?
He grinned and closed in.
Looked like this wasn't his first rodeo.
"Well, guess you lot aren't stepping in anyway. This'll just be self-defense. Hope there are no complaints later."
"? What the hell are you—"
His confused mutter cut off abruptly.
His head had slammed into the ground with a thud.
Hard to keep talking with your face planted like that.
"Gaaah—!"
His scream erupted a beat late.
I stomped down on his head—thunk, thunk—again and again.
My eyes stayed fixed on the lurkers' hiding spots.
Whoops, almost popped his skull without thinking.
Needed finer control. This wasn't the labyrinth—I couldn't just kill freely.
Though in a remote spot like this, away from the crowds, it might not matter much.
Still, I didn't want to start my first day out with a body count.
Bad habit to pick up—I might not rein it in later.
"Enough."
I'd raised my foot for one more stomp on his now-bleeding head when a voice rang out.
One of the lurkers finally emerged.
Not just one—all of them.
Others rushed in at the commotion, too.
Various presences, but all hunters.
I lowered my foot obediently.
Not out of compliance—just that one more would probably kill him.
If they'd stayed hidden, maybe, but now that they'd shown themselves, no need to finish him.
"Took you long enough."
"...Who are you? What's your business here?"
The man who'd appeared was a sharp-featured middle-aged type.
A long scar on his left cheek stood out.
"Like I said, I'm a customer. Got business here."
"...If you were a customer, I'd have pointed you to the other building."
"The person I want to meet is inside this one."
His calm demeanor shifted the instant I said it.
His aura turned razor-sharp, feral—like he might lunge any second.
"What business you got with the boss?"
"Hm. So the boss is inside? Not specifically here for the boss... but if they're the strongest around, then yeah, I've got business. More like interest, really."
He frowned at my honest intent.
Couldn't quite grasp it all at once, apparently. After a moment's thought, he spoke cautiously.
"Not really here for our boss, then...?"
"Right. Didn't even know it was the boss till you said. I was just interested in the strong one."
"...You sensed the boss's presence inside? Hah...."
He let out a low exclamation.
Any hostility vanished as he turned to the gathered crowd.
"Everyone, stand down."
"B-but, bro!"
"...No need to worry. This guy's beyond us from the start. Only the boss can handle him here."
"...N-no way...!"
I murmured quiet admiration at how he kept ordering his men back.
Sharp instincts.
He'd clocked the gap between us perfectly.
Or just damn good intuition.
Good thing, too—my left head was starting to nag about killing them all like usual.
"Your name?"
"...Na Yeon-seong."
Na Yeon-seong. Committed it to memory.
Might prove useful later.
Mind control was iffy at his rank, but other methods could work.
"Come on. I'll take you to the boss."
"No need to clear it with your boss first? I'm kinda an intruder, right?"
"You knew that...? Well, doubt they'd listen even if you tried. Besides, I've got the boss's permission already."
"...Already? Didn't sense anything."
"No word yet means permission."
With that, Na Yeon-seong led me inside without another word.
Not upstairs, but down the stairs to the basement.
Toward the S-rank boss.
Security looked tight, but with him, it was a breeze.
Forcing my way solo would've been a hassle.
Unless I just demolished the whole basement or building—cracking that setup otherwise would've been tough.
After a long trek, we reached the boss's lair.
In front of a thick steel door, Na Yeon-seong spoke quietly.
"Boss is behind this door. Go on in."
"You not coming?"
"This is as far as I go."
"Leaving me alone with your boss? You cool with that?"
"...Even with my strength added, it wouldn't change much... But a warning: don't touch a hair on the boss's head."
"And if I do?"
"I'll curse you... curse you for life."
I tilted my head at his emphatic tone.
"Just a curse?"
"That's all I could manage against you."
"...Realistic."
Na Yeon-seong said nothing more.
Just nodded toward the door, urging me in.
I stepped through the steel door without further chatter.