Chapter 52 The Black Market

Chapter 52 The Black Market

The store didn't hold a candle to its counterpart on Earth.

Perhaps that was why Rey was initially skeptical about it holding quality items.

It looked primitive, and while the design was fantastic, it didn't have that flamboyant ambiance that his homeworld's stores and malls had.

'I never went to high-end places on Earth, but even the places I went to are much better than this place.'

He couldn't blame the people here, though.

It was even unfair to compare them to Earth, to begin with.

'I'm sure places like the White House look much better than the Royal Palace. So, it only stands to reason that the marketplace would be inferior to Earth's.'

Both Rey and Noah were greeted by an attendant, who took them around and answered whatever questions they had.

Fortunately, they weren't asked to remove their masks or anything.

'They must be used to having anonymous customers...'

"I have Platinum Coins, so show me the good stuff." Rey blurted out as he found the lady showing him the common things in the store.

He wanted something better.

"A-ah! Right away sir!"

Rey and Noah were taken upstairs... to the true VIP Section of the Store.

In this place, all items began with 1 Platinum Coin. Not only was it much better designed than the ground floor, but the items all appeared better packaged—albeit they were fewer.

"Take a look around and get yourself a good-looking hooded cloak." Rey told Noah.

"Nothing more than 2 Platinum Coins."

For Rey, he planned on restricting himself to the same budget.

... That was until he actually began shopping.

*******

'Damnit! I wish I had more money!'

He had seen so many luxuries in the short moment of shopping that he felt downright broke despite having what many would consider a lot of money

In the end, he selected a fur-coat for 1 Platinum Coin. It was specially enchanted to regulate the wearer's temperature—whether cold or hot—so he could stop worrying about sweating.

He also got a nice-looking pair of shirt, trousers, and boots for 1 Platinum Coin.

They came as a set, so he found that useful.

Finally, he got himself a ring worth one Platinum coin.

It was just like selling a bunch of very dangerous technology to a regular licensed store on Earth. Unless they could verify your identity, or you were also licensed to trade in such goods, no official store would accept such a transaction.

That was why the Black Market existed.

"No questions. No refunds. No guarantee."

That was why they were able to scam Noah so well. If one was inexperienced in the way of the Black Market, they would suffer great loss.

'Even I am not sure I know what I'm doing well...'

Still, Rey narrowed his eyes and hardened his heart.

His skull-like mask was scary enough, and he was also garbed in a pretty expensive outfit.

He looked like an important person that shouldn't be trifled with, and the same applied to Noah.

"We're set. Let's just get this over with."

The duo left for the alleyway—one that led to a whole new world of commerce.

Neither fully understood what was waiting for them.

********

As one would expect from the Black Market, it was a rowdy mess.

It also existed underground, almost like a much worse version of the marketplace above.

So many shady kiosks and stores hidden in the dark called for attention.

From mere stalls to massive establishments; all of them competed for attention as they sold the most illegal and obscure things.

Black Market buyers and sellers did not have the protection or limitation of the law, so this was a place where anything went.

However, since order was necessary here, both sides had to be civil with one another—as long as neither gave a reason for the opposite to be the case.

This was known as the Unspoken Rule of the Black Market.

And who regulated this rule?

Their true identity was unknown by most Black Market sellers and buyers, but they were a group of six individuals who were said to be the rulers of the Black Market underworld.

The Obsidian Council.

Thanks to them, the Black Market was a decent place of business, though still outside the purview of the law.

A jungle for business.

And now, both Rey and Noah had become one of the animals within it.

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