Chapter 10: The Black Market Deal – A Weapon for a Ghost

Velantir's bustling streets stretched beneath Liam as he navigated through the city's back alleys, avoiding the main roads where bounty hunters roamed in search of him. The bounty on his head had turned Velantir into a hunting ground, and though he welcomed the challenge, there was something more important on his agenda.

The Black Market District, a hidden hub where rare items, illegal enhancements, and forbidden relics were sold outside the game's official economy. Few players knew of its existence, and even fewer dared to trade there. But Liam remembered its location from his past life, buried beneath a decaying church in the city's slums.

The Hidden Entrance

Reaching the slums, Liam pulled his cloak tighter around himself and blended into the dimly lit streets. The stench of unwashed bodies and rotting food filled the air, a stark contrast to the grand architecture of Velantir's central district.

Ahead, an old, abandoned church stood at the far end of the alleyway. Its stained-glass windows were shattered, and ivy crawled up the crumbling stone walls. The place was a dead zone, void of NPC activity, and most players ignored it, assuming it had no quests or loot.

They were wrong.

Liam walked up to the entrance, knocking twice on the rusted iron door before pausing for three seconds, then knocking again, a secret pattern he remembered from his past life.

Silence.

Then, a faint click echoed as the door unlocked.

Liam stepped inside, descending into darkness as the air grew heavier.

The Underground Market

The passage led him to a vast underground chamber, dimly illuminated by flickering lanterns. Rows of stalls lined the cavern, each run by mysterious NPCs and shady players selling contraband goods. Exotic weapons, cursed artifacts, and forged documents filled the shelves, available for the right price.

Liam kept his hood low as he moved through the market, careful not to attract attention. The Black Market wasn't a place for casual players, it was where criminals, assassins, and high-level rogues secured their best equipment.

A familiar NPC stood at the far end, behind a stall cluttered with black daggers and enchanted cloaks. Davos the Shade, a former noble-turned-merchant who specialized in stolen goods.

Davos' gray eyes flickered with interest as Liam approached. "Well, well. A fresh face in my shop. What can I do for you, stranger?"

Liam placed a small pouch of silver on the counter. "I need something rare, something that makes me untraceable."

Davos leaned forward, a smirk forming. "I see. You're not just any rogue… you're a ghost trying to stay off the map."

He reached under his stall, pulling out a small obsidian ring with glowing red inscriptions.

[Ring of Oblivion – Rare]

Effect: Conceals the player's in-game name and prevents bounty tracking for 72 hours.

Cooldown: One week.

Liam's eyes gleamed. This was exactly what he needed. Once equipped, the ring would allow him to disappear completely, making it impossible for bounty hunters to track him through standard player menus or guild intelligence.

"How much?" Liam asked.

Davos grinned. "For you? A mere 30 gold."

Liam nearly scoffed. That was a blatant rip-off.

Negotiation & the Silent Threat

He placed his hand on the counter, tapping a finger against the wooden surface. "I remember when this ring sold for 15 gold, Davos. I'd hate to spread rumors that your prices have doubled overnight."

Davos' smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before he chuckled. "Ah… a customer with inside knowledge. Alright, 18 gold. Final offer."

Liam slid the coins across the counter. "Pleasure doing business."

The moment he equipped the Ring of Oblivion, a system prompt appeared.

[You are now untraceable for 72 hours.]

Liam exhaled. The bounty hunters would have no way of tracking him now, at least for the next three days.

But as he turned to leave, a voice called out behind him.

"I wouldn't be so confident if I were you."

Liam stopped, his fingers twitching toward his dagger. Slowly, he turned to face the speaker.

A player stood a few feet away, dressed in sleek black leather armor, a wickedly sharp rapier resting at his hip. His in-game name was hidden, but Liam didn't need to see it to recognize him.

Ronan Vale.

In his past life, Ronan had been one of the top assassins in Eternal Dominion, a player feared for his unmatched dueling skills and ability to eliminate high-profile targets.

Liam had expected bounty hunters. He hadn't expected him.

A Dangerous Encounter

Ronan's sharp green eyes studied him, his posture relaxed but deceptively ready. "A solo rogue taking out entire hunting parties and slipping through the cracks? That's not normal."

Liam smirked. "Maybe I'm just lucky."

Ronan tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. "I don't believe in luck."

The air grew tense. Liam's mind raced through possibilities. Ronan wasn't part of Vanguard or Eclipse, he worked alone, taking contracts only when the challenge interested him. That meant he wasn't here for money.

He was here because he saw Liam as a worthy opponent.

Liam knew better than to start a fight now. With the Ring of Oblivion active, he had the advantage. Instead of engaging, he turned toward the exit. "If you're looking for a fight, get in line. You'll have to wait your turn."

Ronan chuckled, watching him leave. "I look forward to it, Revenant."

Liam didn't flinch, but internally, alarms went off. Ronan knew his name.

Even with the bounty system disabled, Ronan had somehow identified him.

This wasn't over.

Escaping Velantir – A New Destination

Leaving the Black Market, Liam took a different route out of the city, avoiding main roads and traveling through hidden tunnels that led beyond Velantir's walls. With his bounty disabled, he had no reason to stay. His next goal required him to head north, to a place no one else would dare to go this early in the game.

The Shadowveil Highlands.

It was a high-level zone, far beyond what any low-level player should attempt. But Liam wasn't a normal low-level player. There was a hidden dungeon there, untouched and forgotten, containing a Skill Core that would push him one step closer to unlocking his ultimate class.

But as he left Velantir behind, he couldn't shake the feeling that Ronan Vale wasn't done with him yet.