Chapter 116
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Black Arms
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Black market.
This secretive place, where openly untradeable or legally banned goods changed hands, had always existed alongside humanity for a long time.
Someone might wonder why such places kept popping up, but there was no need to ponder the reason too deeply.
'Because they're needed.'
To offload illegally obtained goods, to research forbidden technologies, to chase greater profits.
With countless people in need, they naturally gathered wherever desire led, and these markets sprang up.
That's why no matter how many times they were raided or shut down, they always resurfaced somewhere.
"Welcome."
The Philippines' black market, 'Black Arms,' was no different.
Click!
The ticket handed to the guard came back with a hole punched in it, and Lee Se-hun took it as he climbed the stairs onto the deck.
A massive luxury passenger ship that could easily hold ten thousand passengers. Amid its extravagant splendor, Lee Se-hun slowly scanned the boarding guests through his sunglasses.
'Looks like... about two-thirds.'
They appeared to be just wealthy passengers on the surface, but their movements differed from ordinary people, and above all, the gear disguised as earrings or rings wasn't just one or two pieces.
As Lee Se-hun eyed the menacing crowd on deck with interest,
"Don't get distracted."
A sharp voice rang out from behind.
Red hair tied in a single ponytail draping to the right, black sunglasses covering her eyes, and a full black suit with gloves—she exuded the aura of a seasoned bodyguard.
"I was just taking a quick look."
"Even so, you can't leave the young lady's side."
At the bodyguard's rebuke, Lee Se-hun glanced sideways.
A long-haired girl in an elegant black dress. Her skin was so pale compared to her jet-black clothes and hair that eyes naturally drew to her, though her face wasn't clearly visible.
A small veil on her hat obscured her eyes, scattering any attempt to properly make out her features.
"The young lady isn't saying anything, so why's the boss making a fuss?"
"Think about where we are and act accordingly."
"Ah, yeah, yeah. Got it."
Lee Se-hun gave a half-hearted reply and took his place beside the young lady. The three wove through the passengers toward the interior.
Those silently observing them exchanged quiet words with their groups.
"Looks like some spoiled kid came to play."
"Still, that bodyguard seemed pretty competent."
"Pfft, probably just a mercenary introduced by the broker. Weird getup, and the acting was off."
Veterans of the black market could easily spot fellow insiders from curious newcomers based on long experience.
They decided to identify them later if possible, and the passengers' gazes soon scattered. Unaware, the trio pressed on inside.
The moment they entered their assigned VIP cabin,
"Whew."
Ryu Eun-ha, the bodyguard, removed her sunglasses and sighed.
"Acting's no easy task."
Playing a skilled bodyguard—at an A-rank level, no less—required attention to countless details.
Unaccustomed to the role, Ryu Eun-ha wore an awkward expression, drawing a smirk from Lee Se-hun.
"You did great. They all bought it."
"What about me?"
Lee Se-hun nodded at the question from Erika, who had removed her veil.
"You were good too. Looked the part of a young lady with a clueless bodyguard."
Before visiting Black Arms, Ryu Eun-ha's first preparation was Lee Se-hun's cover identity.
'Black Arms only checks credit, not identities, but we need some acting for the other customers.'
The main clientele all had shady backgrounds, so they hid their own statuses while prying into others'.
Thus, after discussion, Lee Se-hun and Ryu Eun-ha settled on plausible roles.
'A spoiled young master disguised as a bodyguard, with two real bodyguards playing along clumsily. Plausible enough.'
It gave off the scent of a naive kid who thought himself clever—perfect for being underestimated.
Lee Se-hun acted independently as the "bodyguard," while Ryu Eun-ha and Erika trailed him with slightly inept haste.
"Start looks smooth anyway."
"Yes. No issues so far."
Ryu Eun-ha nodded and turned to Erika, close beside Lee Se-hun.
"You did well too, Cadet Erika."
"Thank you."
"But sticking too close isn't ideal. Could come off as personal involvement."
Erika stared blankly at Ryu Eun-ha's calm assessment before replying.
"Isn't a bodyguard too far away also weird?"
"I meant maintain proper distance."
A strange tension flowed between them. Lee Se-hun looked mildly uncomfortable.
'Should've said from the start we'd all go together.'
They'd initially planned young master and bodyguards, but Erika's late addition forced adjustments—clearly irking Ryu Eun-ha.
'She allowed it without complaint, so she trusts me somewhat...'
Erika wouldn't care less if he died; she must have approved for some reason. Seeing their awkwardness, Lee Se-hun quickly intervened.
"Anyway, what's next? I'd like to dig into Bulgasal if possible..."
Ryu Eun-ha shifted her gaze and replied.
"He's here as a customer too, so direct inquiries are unwise. Best to check auction items and guess his moves."
"Ah. Could you get the catalog then?"
"Of course."
Ryu Eun-ha nodded, eyed the room service menu on the inner desk, picked up the phone, and spoke.
"I'd like the limited evening dessert set. Yes, for three: one coffee, two black teas. Desserts as follows..."
She fluently listed dessert options from the menu, hung up.
"Catalog's coming soon. I'll handle it. Meanwhile, Cadet Lee Se-hun, readjust Cadet Erika's disguise so it doesn't slip."
"Got it."
"This way."
Erika led Lee Se-hun to a side room and sat him before a large mirror at the vanity.
"Glasses off."
"Okay."
Removing his sunglasses, he saw his altered face clearly: softer eyes, slimmer jawline than usual. A faint purple tint in his eyes made him look entirely different.
"Adjusting now."
Erika's hand traced his jawline slowly. A thin mask seemed to form over his face, refining his features naturally.
Watching via mirror, Lee Se-hun observed her technique with interest.
'Fusing artificial skin to the body and shaping it seamlessly... curses can be used like this.'
Confident even A-ranks wouldn't detect it—clearly no bluff. Eyeing potential uses, he studied closely when,
"Department Head Ryu Eun-ha."
Erika asked via the mirror.
"Close?"
"Hm? Yeah... you could say so. Why?"
"You seem very familiar."
As she smoothed his jaw, Erika spoke with a hint of doubt.
"She wants to get closer to you, but you act like you already are. Feels off."
Same time spent, yet differing emotions. Surprised at her insight, Lee Se-hun met her gaze in the mirror.
'Sharper than I thought.'
He hadn't hidden his feelings much, but only Aria had read him this deeply before.
Impressed by her unexpected talent, he asked,
"Others like that?"
"Louise Valente, Yeom Seong-ha. And differently, Aria Myers too."
Erika detached her hands and asked plainly,
"You like that type?"
Her genuine curiosity, bluntly direct, drew an involuntary chuckle from Lee Se-hun.
"Curious about that?"
"Doesn't hurt to know."
"Hmm... well..."
What type did he prefer? Pondering, he gave a vague answer.
"Guess I like straightforward people."
"Straightforward?"
"Easier to respond when you know who they are. Hiding creates distance."
More precisely, those with fully formed bonds—but no need to elaborate.
Spending time like this would deepen their bond naturally anyway.
'Forcing a specific relationship rarely works.'
Erika seemed thoughtful at his reply, then slowly spoke.
"Then, about my house..."
"Cadet Lee Se-hun."
Ryu Eun-ha entered before she could continue, eyeing them.
"Catalog's here. Take a look."
"Ah, sure."
"And."
Turning, Ryu Eun-ha fixed Erika with an especially impassive stare.
"Cadet Erika, adjust my disguise too, please."
"......"
Erika stared silently, then nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"I'll step out then."
Lee Se-hun yielded the room to Ryu Eun-ha and emerged into the living area, spotting catalogs on the table.
"Let's see..."
Sitting on the sofa, he grabbed one and browsed the auction items.
'Mostly Hero-grade.'
A few Rare-grades, but from famous smiths or botched crafts using pricey materials.
Black Arms' scale meant high overall quality.
'No Legendary materials.'
Rare from A-rank monsters, scarcer from few S-ranks.
Nothing standout in the list, Lee Se-hun frowned oddly.
'No real hook.'
Tourists? Or items not yet listed?
Pondering as he reviewed again, the door opened. Ryu Eun-ha emerged with Erika, adjustments done.
"Anything suspicious?"
"Eh. Nothing jumps out. All pretty average..."
"Hm."
Ryu Eun-ha pondered, then suggested,
"Then check private auctions among customers."
Black Arms had three trade types.
First: host's open market.
Second: auctions for vetted credits.
Third: customers renting space for private auctions.
"Those start right after docking, so we need to scout items now."
"Right. Where?"
Ryu Eun-ha donned her sunglasses again.
"Downstairs."
The passenger ship to Black Arms housed two casinos.
One for regular tourists. The other, hidden inside: VIP casino.
Beep.
Flashing the VIP card on the elevator panel shifted it to 'VIP,' descending silently.
It dropped, then zigzagged horizontally through spatial magic woven into the ship.
'Hm...'
Lee Se-hun keenly sensed the faint ripples when it halted abruptly.
Ding!
Clear chime, doors opened.
Before them: a garish casino in red and gold.
Lavish enough to burn money like water. Tables indeed traded massive sums—lowest chips at one million won.
"Tch. No luck today."
"Argh, eat this, eat it all."
Billions per hand in places. The scene hinted at Black Arms' scale; Lee Se-hun's eyes sparkled.
"B-Boss! Let's go in quick!"
"Calm down. We've got time..."
"Hurry up already. The young lady wants to see too."
Playing the inept young master, Lee Se-hun strode inside briskly. Ryu Eun-ha and Erika sighed, following properly.
'First impressions landed well...'
Noting wary glances fade, he calmly surveyed.
Folks chatting casually over games. But certain spots differed in talk, eyes, gestures.
"Back in the day, I could've gone all night. Body's not what it used to be."
"That so? Got a spot on the island. Decent for a rest day—want an intro?"
Tapping tables, fake bets with chips signaled intros and deals live.
'Got the vibe.'
Ryu Eun-ha briefed him on signals, easy to spot. Now, pick promising marks with his eye.
As Lee Se-hun circled the casino,
"Ahh."
An annoyingly smug voice hit his ear.
"Where'd the gambler go? Just matching pictures—why's it take forever?"
"Kgh..."
A middle-aged man grimaced at the taunt, fiddling his floor cards.
Hesitating to bet more. His opponent—a dark-haired, brown-skinned youth—smirked.
"Won't erase the suits like that. Maybe if fingerprints wore 'em off."
Click-click.
Two red chips danced in the youth's hand. The man shuddered, yelling,
"Shut it!"
No ordinary man in Black Arms' VIP casino.
Fury unleashed fierce mana and killing intent at the youth—but,
"Hm."
Paang—
A flicked chip shattered it traceless.
"...!"
The man flinched, realizing something. The youth grinned slyly.
"Whoa, easy. Just a game."
Smiling softly, he propped his chin, deftly flipping two cards between fingers.
Club A, Q. Table's five community cards: Club K, J, 10.
"Royal straight flush..."
Same suit, sequential ranks.
Unbeatable hand. The man dropped his cards in despair.
The youth's silver-flecked eyes gleamed satisfied.
"Though, I did win."
Amused by the futile efforts in a done game, he mocked openly.
His scumbag vibe unchanged. Lee Se-hun's eyes widened.
'...Ice Dog?'
The last of the Three Dogs, Amir Singh, was in the casino.