The Black Market (1)

"I swear I remember it was here."

Sebastian rang one more doorbell. Currently, he was in an alley close to Exidia's slums.

He frequented that place before regressing. However, when he destroyed the city, there was nothing left for him to go back to.

What Sebastian was currently searching for was the entrance to the city's underground black market.

The black market, known to all in the underworld, served as a hub for transactions. It was a place far beyond the purview of legality or morality.

Within its confines, vendors and buyers traded armor and weapons designed for use in Somnium, catering to those who ventured into that mystical realm.

Because of that, the place was full of thespians. But the market's offerings extended far beyond mere combat gear.

It was a place where identities could be bought and sold with the same ease as one might purchase bread from a bakery. Many Crafters also sold their items there.

Mysterious and powerful artifacts were exchanged alongside conventional weapons. These items showed the conflicts in the real world.

Drugs, too, were a commodity, with narcotics and potions that promised everything from enhanced strength to intense and passional nights.

There seemed to be an infinite range of choices available.

That place accommodated every vice and virtue, every want and need that people could think of.

The Underground Blackmarket sprawled beneath Exidia like a shadowy reflection of the city above.

Nestled within the old sewage system, its network of tunnels and caverns mirrored the city streets, a subterranean counterpart to the bustling Exidia.

The air reeked of damp stone and whispered deals. Hushed conversations and coin clinks filled the passageways.

For Sebastian, it was the gateway to the resources he needed.

<I will for sure buy some stuff here once I send mom and Lucius away.>

Yes. Sebastian wasn't there to buy something, at least if he there wasn't something that piqued his interest. The young man was there to find the targets he had to hunt.

In order to secure the required funds in a timely manner prior to his awakening, Sebastian concluded that the best course of action was to dismantle three minor gangs.

They were the Nightshades, the Cobalt Serpents, and the Rust Reapers, which operated within the slums of Exidia.

The black market was the place where he could find them. If not find them, at least buy information about them.

When Sebastian pressed the button for the doorbell, a masked man, hooded and dressed in black, opened the door.

<At last! I was starting to think I'd age another decade before finding this place. Good thing I've got time spare!>

The man looked behind Sebastian to see if someone was observing them. With a discreet gesture, he beckoned Sebastian to follow him inside the apartment.

Once through the door, the space revealed itself to be a simple place.

In complete silence, the man took the lead and directed Sebastian towards a bedroom that seemed quite ordinary.

With practiced ease, he lifted a bed and revealed a hidden staircase that delved into the earth below.

<Uh! I forgot how clandestine this place was!>

A wide grin spread across Sebastian's face, something which didn't escape the man. The man was curious about how the high schooler maintained a wide grin as he entered the most dangerous location in the city. To him, Sebastian was crazy.

The young man peered down the staircase, intrigued by the sight. Carved through the building's foundation, the steps descended into the bowels of the earth.

They connected the world above with the ancient sewage system that sprawled beneath the city like a forgotten labyrinth.

<If I hustle, maybe I'll snag some skewers at Betty's. Nothing like a black market adventure to work up an appetite for grilled delicacies, right?>

As Sebastian descended the dimly lit staircase, he couldn't help but be reminded of the black market's commitment to secrecy, clear in the scarcity of light.

The decision to have minimal lighting was not solely for creating a specific ambiance, but also to deter any unwanted attention.

However, this secrecy came with its own hazard, as the poor visibility meant that many people, navigating the stairs often tripped and tumbled down the steps.

Following that, the intensity of the light grew stronger, marking the culmination of Sebastian's journey down the stairs.

As he passed through the small archway, the faint light at the bottom of the staircase blossomed into a radiant glow, showing that his descent was ending.

As he stepped into the sprawling expanse of the black market, the hustle and bustle of vendors and the smell of exotic spices hit him all at once.

The air was thick with the clamor of haggling voices, intermittent bursts of conflict, and the cacophony of people enjoying different pleasures.

The market buzzed with activity as people hurriedly went from stall to stall. This place, for most people, would have been intimidating, with its lawlessness and the constant buzz of activity making it feel unsafe.

Only a scum, or perhaps a fool, would find any appeal in a place like that. Yet, for Sebastian, stepping into this place was akin to returning home after a long absence.

The familiarity of the chaos, the raw pulse of life and trade, it all resonated within him, stirring a sense of belonging that he hadn't realized he'd been missing.

In this place, surrounded by thieves and murderers, Sebastian felt a strange sense of comfort.

"YOU CHEATED! YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"

Amidst the black market chaos, an accusation prompted Sebastian to turn his head. He saw a fight unfolding.

With faces twisted in anger, two shadowy figures engaged in a violent brawl, their fists striking with unbridled force.

A small crowd quickly gathered, enticed by the commotion they caused and eager to witness the sudden outburst of violence.

Fueled by a sense of injustice, the instigator threw a wild punch, the force of which echoed through the air as his knuckles collided with the accused's jaw.

In response to the hit, the other fighter staggered back but quickly recovered, launching a fast uppercut that connected with his opponent's abdomen, causing him to grunt in pain.

Their unrefined movements were fueled by emotion rather than expertise, yet the force behind each strike sent vibrations rippling through the air.

The fight, filled with shouting and flailing limbs, mirrored the intense feeling of betrayal that had arisen from a seemingly innocent card game.

Despite the ongoing hustle and bustle of the market, the fight merely added to the already abundant spectacles in a place that was well-acquainted with conflict and deceit.

Sebastian's eyes lit up with an unsettling joy as he watched the unfolding scuffle, a wild grin stretching across his face.

"Home sweet home," he said. Sebastian reveled in the chaotic symphony of the bustling black market. That place ignited a thrilling surge of energy within him, and the commotion sparked an euphoric delight within him.

Immersed in this den of anarchy, Sebastian felt an uncanny sense of belonging.

"Let's get to work, shall we?"