The Caravan's Invitation
Mandy, having obtained information linking the scavengers to the East District, returned with a grave expression.
It wasn't just anywhere—it was an incident tied to the East District.
No matter how much authority she held as a city hall super supervisor, she couldn't dare touch the East District.
The East District was notoriously aggressive, with formidable power that no single super supervisor could handle.
She had to report to her superiors and await their decision.
After Mandy left, a brief peace settled in.
Briel retreated to her room to work on alchemy and research, while Zeon sat on the living room sofa.
Beyond the red neon signs, the city hall loomed into view.
Even in the dark night, it shone like a beacon.
City hall was the symbol of Neo Seoul.
For everyone living in Neo Seoul and the slums, it was a landmark and a lifelong aspiration.
If city hall fell, so would the hopes of Neo Seoul's people. That was why it had to endure.
"Hoo!"
Zeon sighed and shook his head.
The more he thought about it, the more complicated his feelings became.
That was when it happened.
"Hyung!"
Levin burst through the door.
Zeon stood up.
"You're back?"
"You were home? Where's Briel?"
"In her room."
"Got it."
Levin nodded and approached Zeon.
A faint furrow creased Zeon's brow.
There were red stains on Levin's clothes.
Blood, unmistakably.
Noticing Zeon's gaze, Levin smirked.
"Not mine."
"Fight?"
"With scavengers."
"Spreading like a damn virus."
Levin shook his head in exasperation too.
"No idea where all these scavengers were hiding. They're popping out like crazy—it's annoying as hell."
Scavengers never targeted high-rank Awakeners.
Spotting them was simple: clothing and gear.
High-rankers were decked out in top-tier weapons and items.
They left those alone.
Scavengers preyed strictly on the weak.
Regular folks or low-rank Awakeners who didn't look threatening.
Especially persistent with low-rankers—their mid-tier weapons, armor, and items were prime targets.
Levin looked like your average low-ranker.
That's why they went for him.
Of course, the bold scavengers who charged in all died by Levin's hand.
Levin grumbled.
"It's because of the stuff leaking from the White Bear Caravan. Scavengers lost their fear. E- and F-rankers—their targets—are in full panic mode."
"Figures."
Zeon nodded.
The slums were in chaos because of the scavengers.
Eaton, ruler of Shinchon, tried sweeping them out, but it wasn't enough.
Zeon opened his mouth to speak—
Thoom!
Suddenly, a powerful wave rippled from the desert.
The heart-shaking intensity made Zeon turn toward it.
"What's up, hyung?"
Levin eyed him curiously.
Unlike Zeon, he felt nothing.
The potent wave vanished like a mirage.
It was so subtle, only someone at Zeon's level could sense it.
Levin, now C-rank with sharpened senses, detected zilch.
What the hell?
The source was the White Bear Caravan's fortress.
Zeon threw on his robe.
"Guess I have to go."
"Out?"
"To Dokkaebi Market."
"Mind if I tag along?"
"You too?"
"Better than going solo."
"Fine."
They stepped out together. But the slums felt off.
People on the streets were tense, on high alert.
Slum dwellers were wary of outsiders by nature, but this was next-level hostility.
The scavenger surge had shifted the slums' vibe entirely.
Zeon and Levin passed through the slums into Dokkaebi Market.
The market's atmosphere matched the slums'—grim.
Recent explosion made it even edgier than outside.
Strict checks at the entrance; unclear identities barred entry.
Naturally, foot traffic dropped. Merchants grumbled but held it in.
Zeon headed straight for Yuse-hui's office.
"Come in! What's up?"
Yuse-hui, buried in documents, greeted him.
"Just checking the market's mood."
"As you see, total mess."
"Yeah."
"Perfect timing. Wanna see this?"
She waved a paper.
"What is it?"
"Read it yourself."
Zeon took it and scanned.
"This is..."
"Yep! Invitation from White Bear Caravan."
"Auction, huh."
"Bold bastards. Sent out dozens."
Yuse-hui looked incredulous.
Goods already out there had Neo Seoul in turmoil—what insane stuff were they planning to sell, blasting invites publicly?
"Who got them?"
"Obvious. All the big shots in Neo Seoul."
"Going all-in on a spectacle."
"Problem is, their spectacle might upend Neo Seoul entirely."
Yuse-hui's priority was Dokkaebi Market.
Decades of stability, now shaken by outsiders.
She didn't like it one bit.
"They're holding an auction, right?"
"Yeah!"
"Can I join?"
"You wanna go?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
Yuse-hui stared at Zeon intently.
Levin shrank under her gaze.
"Fine. You've got the creds."
She approved readily.
"Thanks."
"Whatever. You could snag one anytime if you wanted."
"Still grateful."
It would've been a hassle without her.
Levin, seizing the moment, piped up.
"Any chance for a potion?"
"Potion?"
"Yeah."
"Those are rare. What kind?"
She frowned.
Potions were pricey and scarce.
Exotic ingredients, few alchemists.
"The new ones circulating."
"Ah, antidote potion."
She chuckled suddenly.
Antidote potions were fresh on the market.
Passed strict tests, limited stock—huge demand.
Many monsters packed deadly venom; antidotes essential.
Supply too low for nobodies like Levin.
Old ones were weak and few; still bought out of necessity.
New ones from Dokkaebi Market? Game-changer.
Pricey, but triple the efficacy.
Dungeon raiders were desperate for them.
Levin ventured cautiously.
"Stores sell out fast—super popular."
"Early batches, small runs. For you?"
"Emergency stock."
"Smart kid."
She nodded, thinking of Briel.
That brat hasn't spilled yet. Guess I keep the secret too.
Briel made the antidote potions.
Yuse-hui was stunned verifying the recipe.
Leagues beyond old ones.
A kid pulling this off? Unbelievable.
True to promise, she kept Briel's role secret.
No need exposing the golden goose.
Even Levin, living together, was clueless.
She pulled one from her drawer and tossed it.
"Rare stuff—keep it safe."
"Whoa! Thanks. The money..."
"Gift. Just take it."
"But..."
"Wanna pay? Get snacks for the kid."
"Huh?"
"Briel."
"Why her?"
"Just do it. No questions."
"Got it!"
Levin blinked in confusion.
She couldn't help laughing.
"Pfft!"
"Gahk!"
A ragged scavenger gasped his last.
He was on death's door.
"S-save... me..."
"Hilarious."
The woman overlooking him snorted.
Fedora and barabaricoat.
Borlin Stravach, captain of North District's Blue Leaf Special Forces.
This scavenger picked the wrong mark: her.
No way he knew.
Price? Brutal.
His death.
Not dead yet, but inevitable.
Guts spilling out—no survival there.
His state exactly.
Borlin muttered coldly.
"Attack an elf and expect to live? Thief's folly."
"D-didn't know you were elf. Please, mercy!"
"Too late."
"Fuckin' elf. Rot in hell."
Resigned, he cursed.
His final words.
Borlin sighed at the corpse.
Her eyes sharpened.
Something peeked from his pocket.
"This?"
She picked it up, stunned.
A necklace.
Leather cord with cryptic engraving on a coin-like tag.
Familiar scent wafted—elves only.
Cloudwood aroma. Exclusive to Kurayan.
"Cloudwood necklace. How'd a human get this...?"
Only Serion Olia knew of one in Neo Seoul: the elf queen herself.
New one, in human hands.
Borlin gazed toward the desert.
"From the caravan?"