Black Market (2)

Black Market.

When those words strike your ears, what images come to mind?

Dangerous?

Filthy?

Unpleasant looking?

A haven for rogues and ruffians...? A logical assumption, one would suppose.

Nonetheless, intriguingly, within this world, the black market defies such surface expectations.

The organization is well organized. Few crime rates curtailed through the vigilant oversight of the guards, who work diligently to ensure order's dominion.

Well accomodations with beautiful exteriors. Structures exude a sense of refinement, façades a sight to behold. Vendors stand at stalls that exhibit a remarkable degree of organization, each presentation exceeding the ordinary, masked individuals manning the posts.

Within the confines of the novel's narrative, a sole figure reigned supreme within this place—the Demoness, Catherine.

Hailing from the demon realm, her association with the Demon Hero was unsurprising.

The reason behind this connection?

Her formidable strength.

To such an extent that the Demon Hero extended an invitation for her to join his retinue.

Yet, she encountered defeat at the hands of junior. Subsequently, as the Demon Hero embarked upon a visit to the Black Market, Catherine seized the opportunity to beseech his assistance, the condition being her integration into his party.

However, upon seeing her pitiable state, repulsion seized hold of the Demon Hero. Driven by a loathing born of her perceived debasement and disgust, he resolved to personally administer the coup de grâce, obliterating her existence.

Nonetheless, this is not the primary motive behind my exposition.

What truly warrants attention is the manner in which she exerted dominion over the Black Market.

If hatred is turned into fear, that rule can be established... And that is how the Black Market function.

Should that fear exceed the potency of hatred, even individuals harboring the most profound disdain can be coerced into submission beneath the dominion of the demoness.

Yet, a pertinent question arises: can the specter of fear effectively govern people over an extended span?

Inevitably, the answer is in the negative.

In the absence of genuine loyalty, one merely invites the specter of betrayal, an eventuality lurking on the horizon.

Optimal strategy dictates that securing loyalty entails affording individuals autonomy—a choice in their destinies. The allure of CHOICE is universally compelling, effectively nurturing allegiance among the masses.

In essence, my real objective revolves around garnering the allegiances of the important figures within the Black Market, that including the Nameless Squad.

Gratefully, the "Nameless Squad" shared a month-long camaraderie with the junior. While the extent of my knowledge concerning their individual personalities remains limited, the possession of some knowledge is indisputably preferable to none.

Now, the only thing I need to do right now is to learn how to act.

Like Shakespeare once said.

'All the world's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players; / They have their exits and their entrances, / And one man in his time plays many parts.'

Emerging from the portal, I raised a hand to gather my hair up, my other hand finding solace within my pocket.

"Hehehe...."

Shifting my gaze to survey my surroundings, I contemplated the imminent question.

"Now, what character shall I embody in today's proceedings?"

...

..

.

After a short passage of time, I dedicated a portion of my time to explore the city, not with the intention of seeking out individuals, but rather to find a place to BUY myself some identity.

Within this world, currency wields the power to procure a myriad of commodities. This spans from the acquisition of possessions, to even more ethically complex transactions such as purchasing slaves, identities, and engaging the services of guards, among other possibilities.

Having concluded my initial exploration, I proceeded to embark on the search for a property that merits investment.

Considering my extended stay within the forest, bestowing myself with a reward seems apropos — a means to elevate my dopamine levels and enhance subsequent productivity.

The cost of the property or residence I seek is of no great consequence. It need not be extravagant. As long as it is equipped with essentials—bed, bathroom, and a functional kitchen—suffices, it can be defined as a "HOME".

As for visiting the Black Market, there's no immediate urgency for me to do so.

My current priorities lie in the following aspects:

1. Identity: Establishing a new identity is crucial. It allows me to navigate this world discreetly and manage my interactions with different individuals without drawing attention to myself.

2. Place to live (Base): Securing a residence is imperative. Having a stable home base provides me with a secure location to rest, strategize, and plan my actions. It's a foundational element for any successful endeavor.

3. Building Connections: Gradually cultivating relationships with various people on the city is essential. These connections will serve as valuable sources of information. A strong network of acquaintances can provide insights, rumors, and potentially crucial details, like the Couple from back then... I still need to save them.

4. Acquiring Funds: Generating a steady income is important. It enables me to sustain myself, fund my activities, and invest in resources that contribute to my goals. Financial stability is a key component of my progress.... Besides, the money I stole from Maximus back then is slowly running out.

"This should be good."

Gazing at the charming yet compact house I've acquired, a grin tugs at the corners of my lips.

"Having secured this property, I now possess a suitable base of operations. While its location isn't veiled in secrecy from the public gaze, it avoids arousing undue suspicion as well."

Stepping inside, I cast my gaze around the interior. "Impressive... The interior boasts an appealing aesthetic. It comes complete with a well-appointed kitchen, a cozy bedroom, and even a bathroom—a marked improvement over the facilities in the small town."

My choice to forgo staying at the inn was influenced by more than just the necessity to consistently earn funds for rent. The unsavory bathroom conditions also played a significant role.

Inherently inclined toward maintaining cleanliness, except for the exception of using monster excrement to coat my sword on one occasion, I harbor an aversion to the amalgamation of odors that permeate public restrooms within inns. The collective stench that accumulates there is thoroughly repugnant, prompting a strong preference for utilizing outdoor facilities.

Hence, the principal rationale behind my decision to invest in a residence within the Central City, as opposed to other locales, is the presence of an advanced sewer system.

"Nameless Squad..."

Hmm... Regardless, I intend to pay a visit to the Black Market in approximately one week's time. It's imperative that I acclimate myself to city life beforehand, allowing me to establish a comfortable routine and forge connections with local establishments, such as shops and bars. These connections will provide a foundation for gathering essential information, aiding me to ensure a smoother integration to covert operations or such in the future.

Besides... Out of all everything I mentioned above, this house's purpose is more important.