Black Market Romance (1)

Martiana Black Market. One would think that an illegal market would be hidden away from public sight and only accessible to those with the right knowledge.

But this isn't Earth, it is Gaia where most of the black markets are visible to all. The governments allow their existence as it would be easier to monitor them if they were in the light.

Though it can be seen by all, not all people can enter them. Only those with the correct connections and a certain amount of money could enter.

This particular place was located on the 7th floor of a commercial mall.

Two individuals wearing a black, full-body cloak enter the building. One of the two wore a bright pink rabbit mask while the other donned a purple elephant. They had made sure that their facial features were obscured.

In a black market, no customer wants themselves to be exposed and the same goes for the sellers. They all wear a variety of masks and cloaks to not give themselves away.

"Why do we have to go through the back door?" asked Cynthia. She noticed that they hadn't gone through the main entrance. She wore the rabbit mask.

"It would be quite strange to walk with these on in front of so many people," replied Natsumi as was trying to adjust the elephant mask. Her face was too small compared to the oversized mask. Cynthia's fit much better as the mask was not too large and her head isn't either.

They would really be out of place in the actual mall. That was why they entered through the back where there is a special set of elevators that goes directly to the 7th floor and back to the ground floor.

After passing through the quiet corridor in the back, entering the elevator with a glass ceiling, interior adorned with small crystals and gems, Natsumi took a black, credit card-like item and presented it to a special scanner.

ZWING!

It didn't take too long to reach their destination. As soon as they walked out, two tall and bulky bodyguards in suits blocked their way. They both wore black masks engraved with a red M on the forehead.

"The person with the membership may enter." said the guard on the left. It seemed as there was a v voice changer inside the mask as his voice sounded abnormally deep and static.

"How about my guest?" asked Natsumi.

"Would your guest desire a membership or will they accompany you?"

"I want a membership." Cynthia couldn't let Natsumi pay for her goods. One could not enter the Martiana Black Market without a membership card cut these cardholders can bring one guest with them every visit.

These cards were attached to a bank account of their choosing. If Natsumi paid for the goods, then her parents would obviously know. This was not something that they wanted as it would bring unwanted questions.

As for Cynthia's bank account, all members of the Duketh family were given anonymous accounts from the SWING BANK. This was basically the swiss bank of this world.

They were neutral and free from government monitoring and did not answer to anyone. Along with this, Alexander gave everyone free control over the account and does not have access to them after he hands them over.

Cynthia would most likely have to come here many times in the future in order to fulfill the conditions of traders in the system.

"Follow me this way, ma'am." The bodyguard then had the two girls follow him past the annoyingly white corridor and around a corner.

They went passes a collection of doors before finally coming to the end of the hallway that had just one door.

Once inside, their eyes were overwhelmed by a view of a very tacky and over a luxurious study that made the two girls think hard about who used the room.

Lush red carpet with padded walls and landscape paintings with gold frames. Then there was the classic placement of mahogany shelves and bookcases. It felt heavy and distracting.

The opposite of what you want from a study.

"Showoff!!!" they yelled in their hearts as this person wasn't very cultured and was just flexing their money. The girls had seen plenty of studies from rich people and knew the stark difference in the tastes of someone mature and someone who just flaunts for self-satisfaction.

There was no one seated on the study table but the guards still pulled out chairs for them to sit in. They then stood still while keeping their arms in an intimidating, crossed position. They had to wait for whoever was in charge of membership registration.

After 2 minutes, a young man in a red shirt and black trousers entered the room. He hurriedly sat down on the main seat and took a pair of circular gold-rimmed glasses. He put his black coat on the back of the chair and fished out a pen from its pockets.

The young man had an average face with deep-set eyes and thin, brown eyebrows. He rushed back his neatly trimmed auburn hair and looked at the two guests with a kind smile.

His blue eyes were dull and contained no energy and his bags were pronounced. It seemed like he hadn't slept well in days.

"I apologize for the delay. My mom has been preoccupied with other matters. I will be handling the black markets matters for the time being." he had a deep voice that also felt weak.

Nonetheless, his tone was still respectful and did not seem to contain any immaturity. Along with his simple attire, it was obvious that this study was not his.

"I was informed that the miss in the rabbit mask wants to become an official member." he looked at Cynthia with patience, waiting for an answer

"Yes. What must I do in exchange?" she replied.

"It seems you already know the rules. Very well then. We have 3 levels of mission that you can take on at the moment. Let me know which one suits you. Ask away if you have any questions." The young man spoke professionally and with whatever enthusiasm he could muster. He handed over a tablet with a shortlist of tasks.

It was obvious that he was working hard to fill his mother's shoes. Cynthia knew that this black market was mainly managed by one of Natsumi's aunts from her mother's side.

Martiana Boreal. As for the young man in front of them should be the second oldest child of hers, Thomas Boreal, he has turned 25 this year. Cynthia knew exactly why his mother wasn't working right now.

[Diamond Card: Negotiable

Platinum Card: Capture Conflagrant Unicorn, Demonic Thunder Wolf, or Demented Bloodborne Koala.

Gold Card: Capture any of the following alive with intact reproductive organs: Frenzied Dragontooth Tiger,

Silver Card: Capture or kill any of the following beasts with critical damage to internal organs. ( Adult Blue Horned Pedro Lizard, Silver Maned Tortoise. Lorencia Bluefish, or Lorencia Blue Star Salmon.)

Basic Card: Pay $5,000,000 through an untraceable bank account for proving financial capability. Money will be returned after card acquisition and the client may refill with the amount they want.]

Each mission corresponds to a certain level membership card.

You can obviously fill your card with as much money as you have but the higher the level of the card, the more one could spend at the black market in a day. This was done to make sure no one could suddenly buy a large number of dangerous items in one go.

They didn't want their market to be a place that supplied the actions of a sudden terrorist attack. This allowed the government to keep things under control and careful watch.

The people who could complete the higher-level mission to get better cards were usually individuals who had some degree of a superpower or had the capability to hire superpowered people.

Having strong superpowers was no different from carrying around an arsenal of weapons so for the powerful, high spending limits were useless.

Cynthia already knew which card she wanted at the moment. She still clicked on a separate tab to make sure of what the limits for certain cards are.

[Diamond Card: Unlimited.

Platinum Card: $1,000,000 per week.

Gold Card: $500,000 per week.

Silver Card: $250,000 per week.

Basic Card: $15,000 per day.]

The diamond card was unlimited since it probably required someone to a considerable level of immense power. Getting this card would instantly put you and your purchases in the scrutinizing eye of the government.

They had people lurking in the black market from all angles. They barely paid attention to people who made small purchases and had small cards.

But people who completed the hard mission of hunting the dangerous monsters on the upper levels of the list and gotten better cards were monitored with intensity by the spies inside the market.

"I'll take on the silver mission," said Cynthia as she handed back the tablet to Thomas.

'200 thousand is more than enough to buy an assortment of rifles and some other accessories. I don't have the strength for the other ones.' she thought.

The spending limit would most likely be expended in one purchase and she would be able to use the black market until another 7 days.

If she needed to use it again for other clients, she could only find other ways or choose to not trade at all. She was someone who was neither strong nor had enough of the relevant connections in the adult world so trading would be rough for a while.

She didn't mind at all and was ready to suffer for some time since the drums offered by the Champion were too great to give up on.

"Alright then. You have until midnight to bring on these to us. After you show yourself capable of completing the basic mission as well, the silver card will be yours."

Thomas then turned around to one of the guards and said "Take her to Gate number 9-19."

The girls then left the room without any more interactions as they followed the guards.

After the door was closed behind them, Thomas breathed a long sigh of relief. he looked at the ceiling and reclined his office chair.

He no longer attempted to exert any energy or enthusiasm. He was extremely tired and closed his eyes while muttering curses under his breath. His schedule was empty for a bit so taking a short nap would at least alleviate his tiredness somewhat. He was planning on taking a vacation after tomorrow.

Before he could delve into his dreamland, an inhuman voice as scary as wraiths ringed in his ears. "The Front clans have started their quadrennial tradition."

Thomas was startled and his heart skipped a beat. He was sure he was alone in this room but soon remembered the guards hidden in the shadows.

"I know. Why interrupt my long-awaited nap to say that?" he asked, clearly annoyed at his guard. One that still could not be seen so he was technically talking to air.

"Ryan Frontera has been sent to this city. He has already infiltrated one of our Gates." the ghastly voice replied.

"What?!!!" Thomas was so shocked that he shot up from his eat and trapped his coat in a hurry. He ran to the door while asking a question with severe urgency in his voice. "Which gate?"

"Gate 9-19."

When he heard that, Thomas almost tripped. He caught himself with ease and started to mutter curses under his breath again.

"Mother will skin me alive," he said to either himself or the shadow. Thomas's figure then blurred as he sprinted off at an inhuman speed.