Logical

"The black market isn't just a place for buying and selling. It's a criminal den, so naturally, all kinds of gangs will be fighting for dominance here. As a merchant, they have to pay a certain fee to a merchant. Protection fee.

"This message rune will alert the gang."

The merchant shivered when he heard this, and his body stiffened in fear. He thought in his mind, '...I have certainly pissed off a very powerful person this time... he knew the ins and outs! Maybe he's even a big shot of a gang...'

Severin continued to speak. "They also provide him with constant low-level protection, like those hiding. Come out now or I'll snap his head."

He spoke so calmly that they didn't doubt his words. Three shadows detached from behind a shelf. They held crude wooden clubs and approached warily. Their masks were in the shape of a growling cat.

What really made them weary was that Severin removed his mask. That meant he really didn't care if they recognized him or tried to harm him later. Meaning he's some big shot or has a big shot behind him.

Severin didn't give them a chance to speak. "The one you are guarding did me wrong, and I'm here for my payback. Don't worry, I won't kill him. Or is your gang about to take responsibility?"

Severin was using a common psychological method. If someone confident walks into a place as their own, people are likely to believe they own the place rather than not.

In this case, he was playing like a person with a strong backing, and one thing everyone tries to avoid is pissing off someone with an unknown background.

Besides, the merchant did something wrong, and it was only natural that there was payback. And there was a promise that there would be no deaths.

The three gang members looked at each other and shrugged. They moved to the far back. "Just make sure there's no death. And not a lot of blood."

"You fucking bastards, how dare you sell me out! I'm paying you for this exact reason!"

Severin turned to the man and stared at him so flatly that the man kept shut. He moved closer and then stared down even more as if he was considering the best way to deal with the man.

The merchant stiffened, and Severin could almost smell the fear that was coming from him.

"I... I... am really sorry! You can take whatever you want. Do you want money? Gold coins? Herbs? I'll give you all. Take all you need!"

Severin nodded and shrugged. "Why not. Here's the thing, I won't kill you even though you deserve it. I only need two things from you."

The merchant nodded readily. He jerked forward. "What do you need, young lord? I have everything! Just tell me, I will even go and buy for you in another shop if I don't have it."

"We will get to that later. But for now, I need information."

The merchant recoiled when he heard that, and then immediately, his demeanour turned cold and even more fearful.

Severin understood at once. In the underworld, saying the wrong information was the quickest way to die. In fact, people tend to mind their business and look away.

So the merchant instantly didn't want anything to do with Severin's information.

"I don't know anything. I don't sell information or deal in that kind of goods," the merchant said.

"Tell me of those who deal in that kind of information then."

"Really? Then there are people that sell information. I can refer you to some people. They sell high-quality information, any secret you might want. Both in this Academy and outside. I hear they even reach outside of the conti..."

"Tell me their location. Specifically, the WireRats' den."

The merchant shut up immediately when he heard that. Even the three gang members leaning against the shelf straightened. The merchant trembled, and he believed once again that he had really bitten more than he could chew, because the WireRats are one of the highest-rated informant gangs in the black market.

"Of course!" the merchant said. And then he proceeded to outline the way to the WireRats' den.

Severin nodded after he heard that. He turned and began to walk towards the door with Derrick. "I hope for your sake that you are saying the truth."

The merchant sighed in relief. "Of course! Of course! Young lord, I won't ever lie to you."

Severin suddenly paused at the door and turned around with a cruel smile on his face. "Ah, I almost forgot what I came here for in the first place. Revenge. But as you cooperated with me very well, then isn't it natural to leave you be."

Severin's voice was calm, and he seemed to be thinking out loud.

Everyone's attention was focused on him, waiting for his next move. The merchant swallowed.

Severin continued. "And we are now familiar with each other. We should put the past behind us."

The merchant sighed again, and his body relaxed. In his mind, he was thinking about how logical Severin is.

But he wasn't done. He began to walk towards the man. "If we are to put everything behind us, that means all debts must be paid. Derrick, you are good at snapping fingers, right? I need you to snap three of his fingers. Snap the left hand so it won't affect his business."

Everyone seemed to freeze.