The Path to the Black Market

Now that Marcus was a Level 1 Hunter, he knew the time for rest had passed. With scarce resources and no Ether Stones to acquire better gear, he decided to use the little savings he had left. He had a mission in mind: to buy more bullets, even though he didn't have Ether Stones for that. The normal currency still worked in this world, and that was enough for him to move forward.

Marcus left his room, walking through the familiar streets of the city until he arrived at the tavern where he had been before. It was a place where the more discreet pieces of the Hunter world moved, and although it wasn't the friendliest of places, it was the only option he had. Upon entering, he saw Linda behind the counter and made his way over.

"Hey, Linda," Marcus greeted, offering a small smile. Linda looked up, gave him a quick nod, and continued with her task.

"Need something else?" she asked, already used to the constant stream of newcomers.

"Yes, I need to buy more bullets," Marcus replied. "I don't have Ether Stones for them, but I've got regular coins." Linda nodded without saying much else and, without wasting time, handed him a packet of bullets. It contained a mix of silver and salt rounds, essential for hunting vampires and other monsters. While not the most advanced equipment, it would do for now.

"Here you go. Good luck, Marcus," Linda said as she passed him the package. "Be careful, the world doesn't forgive, especially to those who are just starting."

Marcus nodded, grateful for her help. "Thanks, Linda. I'll repay you when I have more resources."

After bidding Linda farewell, Marcus left the tavern with the bullets in hand and headed to the black market in Northville, where more experienced Hunters often acquired equipment or information. His mission for the day was clear: find and hunt the ghoul that had been killing people in the outskirts of the city. It was a low-level mission, but for Marcus, it was the perfect opportunity to test his strength and new skills.

Once outside, he made his way to the nearest transportation station, where most of the vehicles weren't exactly luxurious. Thankfully, Marcus had learned how to navigate the city quickly, so he took one of the public vehicles that would get him to Northville in a few hours.

As he traveled, his thoughts wandered to the dangers he would face. Sometimes, humans could be more dangerous than the monsters themselves. He had heard stories of corrupt Hunters, mercenaries who preferred to exploit the weak rather than face real threats. It was something he needed to keep in mind.

Upon reaching the area, Marcus decided to take a small shortcut to the black market. While walking down a poorly lit street, he spotted an old car parked in a corner. It was an outdated, clunky model, but the opportunity was too good to ignore. He remembered the lockpicks Linda had given him. Though he wasn't an expert in car theft, he knew enough to give it a try. After all, the car was old, and it wasn't much of a challenge.

With a bit of effort and luck, he managed to unlock the door. This will do for getting around, he thought as he slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. It wasn't the most reliable car, but it would get him out of tight spots if needed. Now, with the car running, Marcus headed to the black market in Northville, knowing that every second counted.