Chapter 52 The Black Market
The store didn't hold a candle to its counterpart on Earth.
Perhaps that was why Rey was initially skeptical about it holding quality items.
It looked primitive, and while the design was fantastic, it didn't have that flamboyant ambiance that his homeworld's stores and malls had.
'I never went to high-end places on Earth, but even the places I went to are much better than this place.'
He couldn't blame the people here, though.
It was even unfair to compare them to Earth, to begin with.
'I'm sure places like the White House look much better than the Royal Palace. So, it only stands to reason that the marketplace would be inferior to Earth's.'
Both Rey and Noah were greeted by an attendant, who took them around and answered whatever questions they had.
Fortunately, they weren't asked to remove their masks or anything.
'They must be used to having anonymous customers…'
"I have Platinum Coins, so show me the good stuff." Rey blurted out as he found the lady showing him the common things in the store.
He wanted something better.
"A-ah! Right away sir!"
Rey and Noah were taken upstairs… to the true VIP Section of the Store.
In this place, all items began with 1 Platinum Coin. Not only was it much better designed than the ground floor, but the items all appeared better packaged—albeit they were fewer.
"Take a look around and get yourself a good-looking hooded cloak." Rey told Noah.
"Nothing more than 2 Platinum Coins."
For Rey, he planned on restricting himself to the same budget.
… That was until he actually began shopping.
*******
'Damnit! I wish I had more money!'
He had seen so many luxuries in the short moment of shopping that he felt downright broke despite having what many would consider a lot of money
In the end, he selected a fur-coat for 1 Platinum Coin. It was specially enchanted to regulate the wearer's temperature—whether cold or hot—so he could stop worrying about sweating.
He also got a nice-looking pair of shirt, trousers, and boots for 1 Platinum Coin.
They came as a set, so he found that useful.
Finally, he got himself a ring worth one Platinum coin.
He was initially hesitant to get it, but after considering how luxurious it looked, and its special effect of possessing a Storage Unit, he decided to get it.
'Apparently, all rich people have something like this.'
Since he had to look the part, he got it.
Once Rey got to the checkout desk, Noah was already waiting for him.
Per his instructions, Noah had gotten a raven-black hooded robe which had an enchantment imbued to make him appear bigger and more intimidating than usual.
It cost 2 Platinum Coins for some reason, but Rey considered it to be a good investment.
'If we add its effects to Noah's [Projection], it could be very useful.'
It was possible that the person they were meeting could see through Noah's usual disguise. But with this, they wouldn't be so easy.
"Alright. Looks like we're all set."
Once they paid, Rey and Noah left the store and went their way.
"Come again next time!" They heard the voice of their attendant as they exited.
'Oh, I'm definitely coming back!'
There were a couple of things Rey liked there, but they were far above his budget.
Once he saved up enough, there would be nothing stopping him from returning.
******
"And you're sure this is the place?"
Rey and Noah were standing in front of a dark alleyway, crawling with shadows.
"Yeah."
Rey squinted his eyes in disbelief.
What kind of respectable business place would be situated in such a horrid area?
Unless…
"Hold on… is it the black market? You didn't tell me you sold it to the black market!"
"I… I didn't?"
Rey furrowed his brow in stifled fury as he listened to Noah's poor excuse for a response.
When Noah divulged everything about his adventures in the town and marketplace, he had conveniently left out the part where it was the black market.
"I mean… what respectable establishment would collect so many Monster Cores from a stranger without asking questions or verifying their identity?"
The moment Noah said this, Rey's anger sizzled out.
'Haaa… he's right! I should have thought of that…'
It was just like selling a bunch of very dangerous technology to a regular licensed store on Earth. Unless they could verify your identity, or you were also licensed to trade in such goods, no official store would accept such a transaction.
That was why the Black Market existed.
"No questions. No refunds. No guarantee."
That was why they were able to scam Noah so well. If one was inexperienced in the way of the Black Market, they would suffer great loss.
'Even I am not sure I know what I'm doing well…'
Still, Rey narrowed his eyes and hardened his heart.
His skull-like mask was scary enough, and he was also garbed in a pretty expensive outfit.
He looked like an important person that shouldn't be trifled with, and the same applied to Noah.
"We're set. Let's just get this over with."
The duo left for the alleyway—one that led to a whole new world of commerce.
Neither fully understood what was waiting for them.
********
As one would expect from the Black Market, it was a rowdy mess.
It also existed underground, almost like a much worse version of the marketplace above.
So many shady kiosks and stores hidden in the dark called for attention.
From mere stalls to massive establishments; all of them competed for attention as they sold the most illegal and obscure things.
Black Market buyers and sellers did not have the protection or limitation of the law, so this was a place where anything went.
However, since order was necessary here, both sides had to be civil with one another—as long as neither gave a reason for the opposite to be the case.
This was known as the Unspoken Rule of the Black Market.
And who regulated this rule?
Their true identity was unknown by most Black Market sellers and buyers, but they were a group of six individuals who were said to be the rulers of the Black Market underworld.
The Obsidian Council.
Thanks to them, the Black Market was a decent place of business, though still outside the purview of the law.
A jungle for business.
And now, both Rey and Noah had become one of the animals within it.
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