Chapter 37: Black market (4)

The scourges were led by a broker to the black market, currently they were trudging through a forest to their location

"I look ridiculous with this cloak on" Perseus grumbled

Perseus was wrapped in the high tier robe, covering everything but his head. Everyone else had a robe that has a hood to cover up their face.

"The contrast between the black robe and my white hair is just making me stand out too much" Perseus continued "It's like painting myself as a target, hey, there's the white haired kid, let's kill him and feast on his corpse."

"They wouldn't do that, criminals or not, they're not savages" Emma argued

"Actually Perseus is right, there is actually a small minority of cannibals in the black market" the broker responded "There's no laws in this area of the woods, so the moment you go in, screaming for help would also means nothing, there's no enforcers there to help you either, so if the cannibals get you, you might as well be dead"

"I see why we have to go explore in pairs now" Emma gulped "Nova please don't let them eat me"

"Let's split into our 2 group, me, Perseus and the sprit beasts will go in first, they don't allow our whole group to come in at once" the broker said "You 4 remember the password, right?"

"Of course" Dabria nodded "Well you guys go in first, if there's trouble, we'll use the untraceable contact amulet the forge gave us to tell each other and contact back to the head quarters"

They then arrived at their location, it was this old make shift house made from dirt, rocks and wood. There was an old man there around a campfire roasting a piece of fish.

"Strangers, please leave, the closest town is that way" the old man pointed to the right

"No I believe it's over there" the broker pointed upwards

"Why are you here?" the old man asked

"To burn money" the broker said as he head towards the camp fire and throw a gold coin into it

"What a strange purpose" the old man chuckled "You can do that anywhere"

"Of course, but isn't more fun here?"

"Welcome" the old man laughed as the coin flew from the fire into his palm, the fire then turned purple "Please enjoy your stay"

Perseus then walked onto the fire, the fire then expanded and consume him, but like he was briefed, it's painless, and the next second, he was in this small room surrounded by brick walls. The broker injected his mana onto the ground, the dirt then turned black. That's when they walk into the walls and emerged from the other side.

They were in a large underground shopping district, lit only by lanterns. There were stalls everywhere selling illegal goods, illegal potions, weapons, endangered plants, everything you won't find anywhere else.

"Well this is where I will be leaving you" the broker said "Are you going to wait for the rest?"

"No, we will wander on our own from here, my job is to stay away from the rest" Perseus answered

"Yeah, besides he's not alone, he got us" Ace added

"Gotcha, you remember how to leave this place?" The broker asked

"Of course" Perseus nodded

"So remember, all of these sellers are honest about their products, they won't lie about what they sell" The broker reminded "They might be criminals, but they have a sense of pride, that's their unknown rule, they are always honest about their product"

"Then farewell for now" the broker said as he left

"Well Ace, Siege, any of you 2 hungry, I brought some food with me, or we can go to that stall over there" Perseus pointed

"Skewers of unknown meat? No thanks" Siege answered

"We can just go ask, I can use some meat" Ace suggested

The 3 then headed toward the stall.

"I recognize you, you're the kid who made it to the quarter finals in the U16 tournament" the stall owner said "I'm Maurice, what brings you down here?"

He was 180cm tall, muscular, ginger hair, ginger beard.

"What do you sell?" Perseus asked

"Horse meat" he answered

"Really?"

"These are just beef and pork don't worry, if you want horse meat, you have to come 3 hours later, I'll have them then" Maurice laughed

"Emma definitely won't like coming here" Siege grumbled

"Been a while since I've seen newbies down here, I'll give you a discount, you buy 3 and I'll give you one extra" Maurice offered "These are high quality products I sell here, 2 copper coin for each skewers

"12 of pork and 12 of beef skewers then" Perseus replied

"Then that's 4 extra of each, 48 coins for that" He requested as Perseus then give him the payment

"If you want to see fellow newbies your own age, you should just go further down the street, just head west, there should be a tavern where most people gather" Maurice said

"We hate crowds, say, Maurice, do you know anyone who can give us a lot of information? Somewhere less...crowded" Perseus asked

"Well then, you should ask my father, he knows everything going on around here and everywhere else" he answered "I'll tell you, but I require payment, 50 silver coins. My father also require payment for what he can tell you, depending on what you ask."

"Does he snitch? Because there's a thing that I need to know about, but I might get in trouble both in here and out there" Perseus asked

"Nah, the old man snitching? Hahaha" Maurice laughed "He doesn't even tell me on where he get his sources, don't worry, he won't snitch on you, even if a criminal organization like the red sword put a knife to his throat"

"Well then, since I'm new here, can't I just get a discount, 40 silver coins?"

"45"

"Deal"

"Go the opposite direction, go to the east, the 2nd house from the vibrant blue house, ask for Boris, they'll know what you mean" Maurice said