Chapter 123
An old black man with short, curly hair and gold-rimmed glasses paced impatiently around a large reception room. It was Filipe Kabuka.
“What the hell is taking them so long?! It’s been half a day since I’ve heard that they arrived at Monrovia!” he shouted.
A white man standing in the reception room like a statue replied, “They are taking a short break because of mana sickness. They will arrive within the day.”
“And none of them are having second thoughts, correct?” Kabuka asked, his black eyes blazing with doubt and anxiety.
“They would never. Making an enemy out of Black Market means they’ve given up on sleeping soundly for the rest of their lives. Shall I send someone to Monrovia?”
“No need. Le-Yeyo has the Elixir, after all.”
Kabuka smiled as he quelled his anxiety. He had invested heavily in Le-Yeyo, his shield and loyal dog. Kabuka gave the Maasai people, who were merely drifters, a place to settle and items. As a result, he earned the loyalty of a man on the level of a Semi Ranker, who could easily become a Ranker over time.
He was worth the investment. Once Le-Yeyo returns... A new life awaits me! Kabuka shouted inwardly.
He had planned this operation to extend his one-year lifespan. Its chances of success were low, but the heavens had allowed it to succeed.
The gods want my life to continue!
Someone outside the room said, “Sir Kabuka. Le-Yeyo and his group have arrived. How should they proceed?”
“Bring them here now!”
***
Seong-Hwi and the others arrived at the Capital, heading to South Earth as they crossed the crowded Middle Earth.
“Hah... Lambs, was it? The world is going nuts,” Frank remarked as he stared at the clueless newbies crowding the streets.
“I thought the Akasha Message was joking, but it was true,” Enrique added.
“Lost-All, huh? Looks like it’s the beginning of a new era,” Yuri said.
Humanity faced an unprecedented incident while Seong-Hwi’s party excavated the S-rank dungeon. Hundreds of millions of humans were Lost throughout the Mirror World in the past six days, and almost everyone remaining on Earth would be Lost tomorrow.
“Damn, who are those people?”
“They must be high-ranking humans. Whoa, look at those items! I’ve never seen them before.”
“Could they be D-rank humans?”
The Lambs stared wide-eyed at Seong-Hwi and the others, exuding powerful auras.
“Keh, D-rank humans? How cute,” Yuri cackled as he entertained their gazes.
Enrique stroked his chin and mumbled, “They have some basic knowledge. The Union must have taken appropriate measures.”
“From what I’ve heard, they expanded Edu, reclaimed new cities, established an item rental business, and more. The Union higher-ups made lightning-fast arrangements as if they had expected the Lost-All,” Sonya said.
Seong-Hwi thought, The pioneering faction must have made ample preparations. However, they can’t cover everywhere.
Some places were outside the Union’s control, even in the Capital. Hence, they couldn't manage every human city spread throughout the Mirror World. They were severely understaffed to have enough people to educate the Lambs and reclaim new cities.
Thankfully, some people are actively helping the Lambs, aiming for the Adaptation quest rewards. The problem is with those who have the opposite intentions.
The Lost-All was like paradise for Dark Humans. To them, Lambs were easy prey who knew nothing of the world.
The Union will soon assemble Dark Hunters en masse.
In his past life, the Union eased the requirements to become a Dark Hunter after the Lost-All. Thanks to that, Seong-Hwi earned a sixth-class murder license and became a Dark Hunter.
But now, there’s no need to take the exam since I have a first-class murder license.
The party reached South Earth while chatting about the world that had changed overnight. The noises from the bustling streets of Middle Earth died down. The Cecil Hotel and the black clans around it dominated South Earth. Lambs who unknowingly set foot into the tiger’s den would have long since been devoured.
Seong-Hwi and the others reached Kigali, the eastern area of South Earth, filled with clay-colored buildings and streets.
“We’re here. Everyone, stick to the plan,” Seong-Hwi said as he stared at Kabuka’s mansion. He turned to Thumper, looking around with shining eyes on Seong-Hwi’s shoulders, and said, “I’m counting on you, too, Thumper.”
“Okay! I’ll make sure to find my way there!” Thumper said as he jumped off Seong-Hwi’s shoulder with a black sack on his back.
Seong-Hwi stared at Thumper as he hopped away and said, “Let’s commence the operation.”
***
“Welcome, valiant warriors!” Kabuka shouted with open arms toward Seong-Hwi and the others, who were guided to a large hall.
Yuki walked forward and said, “Nakivarro, Gardner, and Khanh Huyen died in the dungeon.”
“How unfortunate. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten,” he said solemnly, but his eyes were coldly scanning the party members.
I knew it. He reinforced security, Seong-Hwi thought as he sensed the hidden presences throughout the mansion.
There were about a thousand before, but they had multiplied severalfold this time.
Meaning, he plans to attack us if things go south.
Kabuka was no idiot; he would only resort to combat once all other options were exhausted.
“So... Where is the item?” Kabuka asked, his eyes filled with excitement.
Yuki gestured at Leo with her chin and answered, “Le-Yeyo has it. We left it with him since he’s your subordinate.”
“She’s correct. I have it,” Leo confirmed.
“I see! Great work, Le-Yeyo. Now, bring it to me!” Kabuka said as he impatiently reached for Leo.
However, Yuri stood in his way and remarked, “Whoa, there. Our reward comes first. Do you have any idea how much shit we went through in that dungeon?”
“We almost died,” Frank added.
“Honestly, a billion Coins wasn’t worth the trouble,” Enrique said.
Kabuka closed his outstretched hand into a fist. His eyes momentarily glinted with bloodlust, but quickly vanished.
“Haha, I see. Very well... Who will receive the one billion Coins?” he asked, quickly switching his frozen expression into a smile.
Seong-Hwi answered, “We decided to split it evenly among us.”
“I see.” Kabuka nodded as if he had expected it. “Then shall I divide the one billion among seven people?”
“Sir Kabuka, I decided to give up on my share. I did not participate in the dungeon excavation for money, and I haven’t accepted your quest either,” Leo remarked.
Kabuka stared at his loyal subordinate and laughed satisfyingly, “Hahaha! I will respect your decision, Le-Yeyo. However, I cannot leave you unrewarded. I will use the Coins you deserve for your village.”
“Thank you... very much,” the conflicted Leo answered as he glanced back and forth between Seong-Hwi and Kabuka.
Yuki said, “I will also give up on the Coins. More importantly, where is my mannequin?”
Kabuka opened his fist as if reassuring Yuki. “Of course, I will keep my promise. Not even I wish to antagonize the Puppeteer. The mannequin is being kept in Black Market’s Warehouse 13. I will send word to them immediately.”
He planned to keep his promise to Yuki. He didn’t care about whatever he gave her or the party; it was nothing compared to an Elixir.
He continued, “Then I suppose the one billion will be divided among the five of you, two hundred million Coins each. I will pay you right now.”
“I like your style,” Yuri said as he approached Kabuka first and bumped fists with him. He laughed loudly, “Gahaha! I can finally buy the A-rank item, Kanzo’s Claw!”
Enrique, Frank, Sonya, and Seong-Hwi also bumped fists with Kabuka.
[Quest: Kabuka’s Request, cleared.]
[200,000,000 Coins obtained.]
Two hundred million, huh? Nice, Seong-Hwi thought.
Now that the quest was cleared, they were no longer bound by its penalty.
“Alright! I have rewarded you as I’ve promised. Do you all concur?” Kabuka asked.
“Yes, I got it.”
“What a fortune.”
“Two hundred million Coins, huh? I’ve never touched so much money before!”
“Time to swap out all my gear!”
Seong-Hwi, Enrique, Frank, and Yuri smiled satisfyingly.
Seong-Hwi waved and left the room first, saying, “Now that our business is done, I’m leaving.”
Enrique asked Sonya and Yuki, “Why don’t we hold a toast, ladies? I’m friends with the owner of a high-end Middle Earth restaurant.”
“Hey, what about us?”
“Men aren’t welcome.”
“What’d you say? Gahaha!”
The party members excitedly chatted in the hall.
Kabuka smiled and remarked, “Haha. To reiterate, Onie Yuki, I will keep my promise. I have no use for that mannequin. I will return it to you within three days. Trust me.”
Yuki remained silent momentarily and said, “I will return.”
She glanced coldly at Kabuka and left the hall. Sonya and the others followed behind her. The door closed, and only Kabuka and Leo were in the room.
“Alright, now... We’re alone at last,” Kabuka said to Leo.
Leo reached into his red cape and pulled out a bottle the size of an index finger containing a dark green liquid.
“That must be it! Give it to me now!” Kabuka shouted.
“Yes, Sir Kabuka.”
Leo obediently placed the Elixir into Kabuka’s hand.
“At last!”
Kabuka stared ecstatically at the Elixir, about to open and drink it immediately. However, he examined its description.
[Elixir (Consumable Item)
Rank: S
Description: A legendary panacea that removes all debuffs, cures all diseases, recovers life force, lifts all curses, extends lifespan, and regenerates body parts.
Condition: Its effects only activate if the individual who genuinely cares for the one they use the Elixir on sacrifices their life.]
“What? Only if someone who genuinely cares for me sacrifices their life?” Kabuka mumbled as he blankly stared at the Akasha Message.
He had never expected the Elixir to have such a condition. The Elixir was a treasure among treasures in the Mirror World. One could count on one hand the number of times it had appeared. Hence, not even the average superior race had information about it. Based on its condition, drinking it right now was no different from drinking water.
“Someone... genuinely willing to sacrifice their life for me?”
He wondered if there was such a person. Even if there was, he doubted they would truly sacrifice their life for him—willingly, at that.
“SON OF A—”
Leo got down on one knee as Kabuka was about to rage and said, “Please allow me to do it, Sir Kabuka. I made up my mind as soon as I saw its condition. I will sacrifice my life for you, the benefactor of my people.”
Kabuka’s eyes shone as he thought, Yes! There was one! The stupid Maasai warrior!
He shouted, “Oh! Le-Yeyo! If you save my life through yours, I will look after your village in your stead for the rest of my life!”
Leo’s eyes were filled with doubt and anxiety, but he also wanted to believe in Kabuka.
He thought, First... I’ll do as Seong-Hwi instructed.
He remarked, “Thank you very much. However, please give me one day.”
“A day?”
“Yes. I would like to write a letter to my fellow tribesmen. One day... will be enough time to give closure to everything.”
Kabuka stared at Leo silently. He wanted to scream at Leo to sacrifice his life for him right this second, but did not say it out loud. After all, he needed to stay a merciful, kind, and generous benefactor to Leo.
He hesitantly responded, “Very well. Do whatever you need to do by tomorrow at this time.”
***
Enrique, Frank, Yuri, Sonya, Yuki, and Seong-Hwi walked along Middle Earth’s Beverly Hills.
“Sonya, where is Warehouse 13?” Yuki asked.
“It’s in Windhoek, a city in the northern outskirts of the first zone. It’s a warehouse with first-class security,” Sonya answered.
“What’s the security like?”
“If you get serious... Nothing you can’t handle. The only issue is that its location is classified, but I know where it is.”
“As expected of one of Black Market’s successors,” Seong-Hwi remarked.
Sonya frowned and said, “I didn’t think you’d seriously hand the Elixir to that geezer. Do you think that was the right choice?”
“Why? Are you worried that Kabuka’s life will be extended?”
“Of course, I am! I’ve been waiting years for that geezer to die! I’ve been preparing for the moment of his death from when I found out he only has a year to live!”
Seong-Hwi recalled what Sonya had told him in Monrovia.
“I’m one of the many successors Kabuka prepared. Black Market’s various successors are based on its catalogue, and they’re called directors.”
“I’m the item director. There’s a personnel director, information director, mercenary director, and many more.”
“Kabuka gained interest in raising successors who would inherit his work after finding out he did not have long to live, but all of that will change once he obtains an Elixir. If he doesn’t die, the successors will forever remain as successors.”
“My only goal is to prevent the Elixir from entering that geezer’s clutches!”
Seong-Hwi had a better understanding of Black Market’s internal war in his past life. It was a war between Black Market’s potential successors, and Sonya had ultimately emerged victorious.
Hence, he judged he could use Sonya since their goals coincided. Seong-Hwi’s goal was to take the Elixirs for himself, and Sonya’s goal was to prevent Kabuka from obtaining them.
“Don’t worry. The geezer will die,” Seong-Hwi remarked.
“What? We’re not talking about in thirty years after he drinks the Elixir, right?” Sonya asked.
She was a director carrying the destiny of the item faction. She had a duty to win the war, for her dead friend’s sake.
What in the world is this man planning? What makes him so confident that Kabuka won’t use the Elixir after getting it? Sonya wondered.
She did not know about the condition of using the Elixir.
Kabuka won’t be able to drink the Elixir, the physical manifestation of the punishment or reward of life, Seong-Hwi said inwardly.
If the individual who obtained the Elixir was unconditionally trusted by those close to them, they may have someone willing to sacrifice their life for them. Hence, they would be rewarded for their attitude in life. On the other hand, if they had no such people around them, they would be punished by being given a panacea they could never drink. Seong-Hwi had let Leo put on an act exactly because he knew this.
I’m sure Leo is handling it.
Sonya stared at Seong-Hwi, deep in thought, and shouted, “Answer me! The destinies of countless marketers are at stake!”
“That geezer will die tomorrow,” Seong-Hwi declared.
“What?” Sonya asked dumbfoundedly.
Seong-Hwi stared at Sonya and said with certainty, “Filipe Kabuka, sixth in the human ranking, will undoubtedly die tomorrow.”
Just then, Frank said, “We’re here, Seong-Hwi. But are you sure this is the place? There are way too many people here.”
The party stood before the luxury hotel between Wilshire Boulevard and S Santa Monica Boulevard.
“Hey! Stop pushing!”
“I was here first!”
“I’ve been in line since last night!”
“Please show us your ticket number!”
The hotel was jam-packed with people. The party could instantly tell they were Lambs from their attire and gear.
“What’s with this hotel? Why are Lambs lined up in such a luxury hotel?” Yuri mumbled.
“It looks like there’s a reason for it,” Yuki said as she pointed at the giant sign on the hotel building, reading Fence for the Lambs.