jdhmnovel Chapter 28 Black Market
Chapter 28 Black Market
What are the most common reasons for cultural relics being sold below normal prices?
The answer is simple.
First, the question should be why the item needs to be sold at a lower price. With a little thought, you'll realize that either the person obtained the item through illegitimate means, or the item is damaged.
But both scenarios open the same door.
This item cannot be sold legally. Therefore, a place for illegal transactions should be established.
This place has a simple and common name
"black market."
A place that specializes in selling these kinds of items.
This is where I'm headed now. Of course, there are several black markets that one can access. Even within the capital city of Arcadia, there are two distinct black markets, each ruled by different groups. There's also a special virtual black market called 'Crimson Witch'.
However, being in the capital means they're under the federal government's nose. Therefore, their security measures are extremely tight, which also means it will be difficult for me to get in. My strength is also very low, so choosing a less crowded place is the best option.
Most importantly, things are more expensive there than here. Capitalism is everywhere.
That's why I came to Ariopolis; the city is a four-hour train ride from the capital.
black market.
A place resembling a demon world. It's a melting pot of all sorts of people.
This is a world that exists outside of law and morality, where villains and heroes can coexist because they are ruled by the strong.
This is where I am.
Customers must wear masks to conceal their identities before entering the black market. This measure is implemented as a precaution to prevent federal agents from tracking down any suspicious individuals who may have infiltrated the black market.
But this method is actually meaningless, because for those with special skills to track others, any mask can't conceal their identity. You can disguise your face or hide, but you also need to be careful of your magical imprints, subtle DNA traces, and many other small details, all of which can be tracked.
After making sure the mask was securely fastened, I stood in front of a huge metal door.
'Bang! Bang! Bang!'
I knocked on the door three times.
A few minutes later, two burly men in neat suits emerged from behind the door. They didn't exert as much pressure on me as the principal and Professor Eleanor, but it was still quite uncomfortable for my fragile body.
“Kid, what are you doing here? This isn’t a place for a little brat like you,” one of the bodyguards said, having underestimated me based on my appearance.
I think this was to be expected, because even I doubt myself, how could someone with such a frail body dare to come here.
“I overheard a passing bird say that you’re looking for entertainers,” I replied in code.
The two bodyguards exchanged glances, seemingly intrigued by my answer. I was sure neither of them expected me to know such a thing. "An entertainer, right? What kind of entertainment can you provide?" the other bodyguard asked, hands on his hips.
"I am a highly skilled musician and dancer."
The bodyguards exchanged glances again, their expressions growing even more curious. One of them reached into his pocket as his hand touched the button. "Interesting, we can have some fun here," he said with a laugh.
“Let’s see what you’ve got.” At that moment, another guard made an attacking motion, trying to intimidate me.
'whoosh'
Seeing his movement, I immediately took the dagger from my belt and swung it to the right while maintaining eye contact with the bodyguard.
'Clang'
It deflected the small dart that was flying towards its neck.
"Roar..." The bodyguard who had tried to scare me earlier laughed. "Alright, kid, you can go in now."
"Just as I expected," I thought to myself.
The code consists of three parts. Two parts are text, and the last part is the body.
If you didn't know about the dart, you were doomed, and the poison it contained was a special kind of poison, with only a few people having the antidote.
When I stepped into the black market, I was immediately struck by the contrast between its modern exterior and the illegal activities taking place within. It was like an underground shopping mall, with maze-like narrow alleys filled with stalls and kiosks selling all sorts of dubious goods.
Flashing lights adorned the walls, casting eerie glows through the bustling crowd. The air was thick with the aromas of exotic spices and the pungent smells of electronic devices. Strange music blared from hidden speakers, further enhancing the eerie atmosphere.
The stalls were decorated with holographic displays showcasing their merchandise, ranging from illicit weapons and advanced technology to rare collectibles and mysterious data chips. Each vendor seemed to be vying for the attention of potential customers, hawking their wares in various languages.
Although the Federation uses only one language, the ancient languages of the past have not disappeared, and some people still speak them.
I wandered through the crowded alleyways, seeing all sorts of people and creatures. Some wore fashionable, tech-savvy clothing, while others wore bizarre attire, like a wizard's robe or a knight's armor. There were even enhanced humans with mechanical limbs and implanted chips. Beside them were people with glowing tattoos, their appearance hinting at some form of genetic modification.
Despite the black market's bizarre appearance, its dangerous undercurrents are clearly visible. Law enforcement officers in cyberpunk-style armor patrol the area, wary of potential trouble. This is a place far removed from the laws of society.
Despite being such a place, it received the support of the Federation. After all, even if there wasn't such a place filled with evil and destruction here, it meant that another such place would appear. Therefore, they understood better than to destroy this place and let the Federation penetrate it to prepare for the future.
Hidden within the market are virtual reality booths and holographic projections, facilitating illicit transactions in the digital realm. The use of encrypted data transmission and blockchain technology enhances the secrecy of these transactions, making them virtually impossible to trace.
As I ventured deeper into the market's heart, I discovered a hidden entrance to a secret room. It was like a high-stakes casino, where every action had consequences.
As I adjusted the mask, I constantly controlled my magical power to prevent any leakage. I also put on gloves.
Regardless, I decided to put aside my observations and head towards the place in my heart. If one reason I came here was because it was cheap, then another reason was because the people here were special.
Before long, I arrived at the place I wanted. Various colored lights illuminated the area, drawing me closer like moths to a flame. This street was where weapons were sold, a favorite haunt of veteran players looking for weapons.
I saw many weapons there, including swords, bows, staffs, axes, spears, whips, samurai swords, daggers, knives, and guns.
“Crescent Lane,” I thought. It was a winding street, so winding that you couldn’t see the end from the beginning. It was a place where unknown blacksmiths and thieves sold their wares.
I saw a samurai sword displayed very well; it was made from the horn of a black rhinoceros, a special material that is very difficult to obtain.
But when I saw the price tag, I knew this was a shady merchant.
"Ten thousand walers for a knife like this... what a ruthless merchant," I thought. But that doesn't mean everything here is like that.
For those who can distinguish between good and bad, this is actually a good place.
And so I began to look at the weapons while searching for someone.
I continued walking along Crescent Lane, my eyes scanning the various weapons displayed by the vendors. I was particularly looking for a high-end firearm, something that would complement my skills. The problem was how to find a reliable seller among the sea of con artists.
One stall caught my attention; it displayed various firearms. The seller was a tall, greasy-faced man who smiled broadly. He immediately approached me. "What do you want to buy, young man? I have the best guns on the market!"
I examined the guns; they did look to be of good quality, but experience told me to proceed with caution. "How much is this one?" I asked, pointing to a sleek black pistol.
The vendor stroked his chin. "Eighty thousand walers for you! Young man."
I raised an eyebrow. "Handguns are so expensive? How about this one?" I pointed to another gun, which looked a bit worn.
"Ah, this is a classic, my friend. Only 50,000 walers!"
I pretended to be interested, but inwardly I was laughing at him for openly deceiving me. "Hmm, interesting. Let me think about it."
Walking down the alley, I found another stall with a decent selection of guns. The stall owner was a cunning-looking woman who greeted me with a sly smile. "Welcome, handsome young man~ What would you like?"
She showed off a series of guns, each seemingly more powerful than the last. "This rifle can penetrate any armor, and this pistol has magic that enhances its accuracy."
I listened intently, scrutinizing the guns with a critical eye. I knew everything she said was a lie. Most of the time, it wasn't the guns that mattered, but the bullets. "How much do they cost?"
Her smile widened. "A talented young man like you, I'll give you 9 watts for a rifle and 6 watts for a pistol."
The price is too high; I know it's best not to fall for it. "I understand; I'll continue looking around."
"Tsk!" Although the woman could tell from my tone that I had seen through her trick, she still immediately turned away.
I continued my search, wandering through winding alleyways, avoiding unscrupulous sellers who tried to attract my attention with flashy goods and false promises.
Just as I was about to continue walking, a strange-looking shop caught my attention, and at the same time, I had a strange feeling.
"This isn't in the game..."