Chapter 95
Chapter 95
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Revisiting the Black Market
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Changseong's necklace and Florence's bloodstone ring were stunningly beautiful, effects aside. If the world hadn't ended, I could've sold these two for a life of luxury. They had that kind of eye-catching appeal that collectors would fight over.
'But who should I give them to?'
The Necklace of Changseong slashed Strength, Agility, and Stamina stats by 30 each. Losing that much would cripple anyone in combat. Merhere and I had base stats in the 90s, so we could handle it, but the others? A 30-point drop would be a real problem.
'Melee fighters who rely on physical prowess would be better off without it. Either I wear it, or Hee-sun Noona the Druid... Or maybe Son Ha-eun the Necromancer or Hwang Su-min the Mage.'
Several candidates came to mind, but I decided to equip it myself for now. With plenty of people stationed at the mart, it made sense for me—the one heading into danger—to summon minions and spam skills while wearing it.
'My summons have increased too. Who knows what'll happen in that forest.' Next up, the bloodstone ring...
Wearing the Bloodstone Ring of Florence changed your race. That probably altered your class too. Like how Gu Gyohan turned into a Dullahan after wearing that ominous choker. This thing would likely turn the wearer into a vampire, given the warning about blood thirst.
'It won't change you right away, though.'
The description said prolonged use was required. So at least a week of wearing it nonstop.
'Is there anyone in the group worth turning into a vampire?'
Everyone had already built their combat styles around their current classes. Switching now could reset levels and force a complete rebuild, causing chaos.
Take Ye-won-i, for example. She'd trained for close combat when she came to attack me, but after losing her virginity and falling to corruption, her class shifted to mage-type. It took her a while to adapt early on.
Ha-rin, Hee-sun Noona, Merhere, and A-ram had top-tier classes already—no need to change. Ye-won-i and Eun-ji filled essential roles. That left A-reum the Sword Dancer...
'Giving it to Hwa-young might not be bad. Actually, it's perfect for her.'
She was already a vampire, so no issues there. Her thirst? One drop of my blood would fix it. Even if it intensified the craving, no big deal.
Plus, with her ultra-fast regeneration skill, could anyone even kill her while she wore it? She'd cause bleeding on enemies in real-time, healing faster than they could hurt her.
'She'd go absolutely berserk...'
More importantly, only an existing vampire like Hwa-young could wear it permanently without destroying it.
Gu Gyohan's choker shattered the moment it turned him into a Dullahan. I suspected the same for this ring—destruction upon transformation.
So Hwa-young could use it forever without worry. No one else fit. I decided to give the bloodstone ring to her.
"Whoa...! It's gorgeous! Thanks, oppa! Should I show Eun-ji unni...?"
"Hey now. This is just for you, so no bragging."
"Hehe... Okay~!"
Gang Hwa-young slipped the ring onto her left ring finger right away, spinning around happily and stroking it. She almost ran off to boast to Eun-ji, so I stopped her quick.
They already had this subtle rivalry going. If she found out I gave it to Hwa-young so readily, she'd sulk for sure. No need to stir the pot.
"So, Hwa-young. Feel any thirst or weird sensations?"
"Hmm... Not really. If anything, oppa looks even tastier now?"
"Huh..."
Hwa-young grinned innocently.
Since I was giving her the ring anyway, I laid out a spot and offered my neck. Time for her feeding.
*Slurp... Haah... Oppa’s blood is the best...*
As I let her drink, it hit me: I'd be gone for a week, and she needed blood. She recovered mana with mine, so I should stockpile some.
"No fridge to store it, though..."
"Well... It's still cold out. Outside might work..."
But drawing blood now? How to keep it fresh for a week? A fridge would've been ideal, but no power. Room temp was a no-go, especially with weather warming up.
She could always drain a slave if needed, but after her slave brand, she said other humans' blood had a gross aftertaste that turned her stomach.
'No good options...?'
While pondering preservation on the first floor with Hwa-young, Ha Jin-seong and four Awakeners—including the Dullahan—returned from looting. Their carts overflowed with goods, including some mystery machine.
Lately, Ha Jin-seong and his crew were raiding houses and shops like pros, hauling back more useful stuff each time.
"Bro!"
"Yeah. Back already."
"Yes! Check this out!"
"What's that?"
"Generators! Portable ones! Found a few in a nearby warehouse."
"No way... Jin-seong, you nailed it."
Perfect timing. Fretting over spoiled blood, and they bring portable generators.
'Now I can run the fridges.'
Fueled with gas from a nearby station, the generators roared to life noisily.
Not enough for the whole mart, but plenty for a few fridges. I stashed perishable food and my blood-filled jars inside.
"No spoilage worries for a bit now."
"Yeah. But fresh oppa blood is still best. Hurry back."
"Got it. All you think about is my blood."
"Th-that's not it!"
I pulled the clinging Hwa-young into a hug and kissed her. She seemed bummed about missing the Missing Persons' Forest trip. Can't be helped—Ha-rin and Hee-sun Noona were essential for scouting, and Eun-ji won rock-paper-scissors.
Time flew, and Friday hit 9:55 PM.
I stood before the employee break room door on the mart's second floor. The rooftop access was wrecked from the ghoul and revenant attack last time. Debris cleared, but no door meant using alternatives.
"Going alone again?"
"Yeah. Be quick. No weird stuff this time."
Han A-ram looked worried.
Last time, I barely escaped the black market. This time? Straight to the guide, handle business, out.
"Take care!"
"Master, that place is dangerous. Stay sharp."
"Don't worry. Got the guide."
"That Cheshire guy?"
"Yeah. Merhere knows her."
"Right. Cheshire's reliable..."
"Oppa, come back safe!"
"You got it! Wait up!"
With their send-off, I crossed into the black market.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
*Kreeeeek... Pssh. Thud!*
The familiar mechanical whir from last visit greeted me. I emerged into a twisted alley.
Checked my watch immediately. In the black market, time was life—four hours or bust. Habitual checks were key.
"Let's see..."
I'd brought a high-capacity magic bag and borrowed Eun-ji's Shadow Mask. Cheshire warned against showing my face last time.
The mask beat any gas mask—full face coverage, aura dampening. Perfect concealment. Plus, it faintly smelled like Eun-ji's shampoo. Nice.
'Hide your name too, and other rules...'
Beyond Cheshire's tips, the porter gave me eleven black market rules.
'No glowing items, out in four hours, no ground or underground levels, no porter here so don't acknowledge if seen. Avoid breeding pens, slave traders, etc.'
No touching drug dealer food, watch for loan sharks. But with Cheshire, she'd handle trouble—no need to memorize.
'5K coins for two hours, 10K for four.'
Bargain for guided danger. Practically freebie.
'Gems fetch tens of thousands. 10K is a steal.'
I pulled out my terminal and called Cheshire. She arrived in about five minutes.
"Whoa! Long time no see! You're alive!"
"Hey, Cheshire!"
She popped from an alley corner, thrilled, and tackled me into a hug.
Her neon mask distorted her voice—gender ambiguous—but the soft chest press confirmed: definitely a woman.
"Hehe! Thought you died after a week silent!"
She ruffled my hair wildly in excitement.
"Ch-Cheshire! Can't... breathe!"
"Oops! Sorry!"
Her strength was insane. Any tighter, and my spine would've snapped.
'Stronger than Merhere...'
Explained her laser gun recoil control last time. Not gear—just raw power.
*Sniff sniff... Your scent changed.*
"Pardon?"
"Vamp... Hmm. Not human anymore."
"Oh, that... I got dragon bile from a dragon hunter, ate it all, turned half-human half-demon."
"Huh. Half-human still counts. Whatever."
She linked arms with me casually. Would she have if fully non-human?
I handed over my wrist for the coins—20K, generous thank-you from last time.
"Whoa, extra?"
"Yeah. Gratitude for the help."
"Heh... Nice touch! Extra service today!"
She beamed over 10K extra. What "service"?
"Alright, customer. Where to first?"
"Drug dealer spot."
"Sweet! Quick tour! Busy busy!"
Hand-in-hand, we dashed alleys. Space warped suddenly; eyes open, we were in the junkie den by the drug shop.
"Uwaaa... Hurts..."
"Huuuuk... Drugs... Need more..."
"Cough! Cough! Ugh... Hey!! Coins!! Gimme!!"
Same filth as last time: corpses, addicts in ruin. Stench of rot and despair hung heavy.
We ignored them, entering the neon-lit Drugs 'n' Rush.
"Oh. Back again. Welcome."
The two-headed transvestite(?) dealer greeted us. One head still mumbling nonsense.
We sat at the reception table.
"Couple now? Arm-in-arm?"
"Eh, happened. Hold up—don't pass drinks so casual!!"
"Heh heh heh..."
Cheshire swatted the cocktail aside. Persistent attempts suggested hoping for a slip-up. One sip, and we'd end like the junkies outside.
"Anyway. Tried that blue Ignore Reality pill?"
"Yeah. Had an insane dream."
"Hmm. Worked well?"
"Yeah... Thought I'd die from bliss."
I skipped details—barely remembered anyway, no point.
"Well, since you're here, today's specials..."
I checked my watch; sharp dealer started grabbing vials. As she did, I asked,
"Hey, one sec."
"Hm?"
"Got... birth control pills? Or contraceptives?"
Main reason for this risky trip: Ha-rin's birth control. Porter said ask the druggie.
"Hmm... Birth control. Yep. Top quality."
"Nice...!"
"Special: bundled with today's recs. On the house."
"Thanks!"
She tossed it in. Usually random grabs, but familiarity earned perks.
Clinging Cheshire piped up,
"Birth control why?"
"Uh... Pregnancy risk..."
"Oho... Smells like women on you now. Several."
"Er... About eight."
"Eight? Hehe... Gotcha."
She smirked slyly at the number.
'That creepy grin...'
Perfect timing: dealer set four vials on the table.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇