Slip Up [1]

"Fuckin' hell, why is the boss making us muck around and do patrols around here?"

"Stop complaining."

In a back alley market, a large man could be seen. He had toned muscles and black tattoos. The man with the tattoos continued to speak to the smaller, scrawnier man following in his footsteps.

"If you keep complaining I'll tell the boss I did all the work, no money for ya."

The man with tattoos and slicked-back black hair took out a cigarette and placed it on his lips. Soon after he lit the cigarette, he put on some sunglasses and kept on walking through the market.

They were patrolling the black market.

Crowds of people could be seen wearing masks of all kinds in order to hide their identities. The market was lively and the chatter only got louder as the hours passed.

"We've been here for 5 fuckin' hours lad. How long you reckon until we can take a break?"

Said the scrawnier, smaller, skinnier less intimidating man.

"The boss has been making all of us patrol the black market, sit tight and relax, you dimwit."

"Yeah, but why the fuck are we even out in this place in the first place mate?"

The man with tattoos put out his cigarette before giving an answer.

"We're out here because we're tryna find the fucker that killed 6 of our men. He also stole the package our boss wanted."

"Well what's the bloke look like?"

"From what the body cams showed on our members he looked pretty young, around the age of a student but he was wearing a mask and cloak. He had white eyes too."

The man felt deep in thought.

'That guy killed my brother.'

He looked to the sky above him while leaning back in his chair. The man needed to know the man that killed his brother, he couldn't just let that stand.

He couldn't take the disrespect.

"So why are we out in the market? Think the man is gonna show up again after that bloody mess?"

The scrawny man interjected.

"He might, you never know. Plus the boss just needed to give us some shit to do."

The men continued to stay seated at the black market for around half an hour before getting up. They made their way around the market once more but this time they started to buy products from the vendors.

"Hm, this necklace is pretty nice."

The man with tattoos said.

"Huh? You muppets are selling this shite?!"

"Quiet down."

The man with tattoos shot a glare with bloodlust to the scrawny man. The smaller man froze in place and shook with fear.

"S-sorry sir."

"Just don't do some dumb shit."

"Yes sir, but we've been here all day with no progress. Have any of the other patrols found the kid?"

The men have been going around the market for about 7 hours at this point. They were both feeling tired and the fatigue got to their heads.

Mainly the scrawny one.

"Nope, not a single team has found the kid yet. So maybe we could be the first and get a reward from the boss."

"In that case I hope we find this kid soon, I'm fuckin' starving."

The man with tattoos looked at the scrawny man while walking. His lips curled up into a grin before the words came out of his lips.

"I hope so too."

****

"We can't accept this!"

"Haaah?! Why not?!"

I was finally able to get out of Aethra to sell the Onyx but nobody accepted it.

"Why the hell can't you just give me some cash for it?!"

"Look kid, this necklace is beautiful and all, but it's fuckin' weird! It stings whenever I touch it and it's ominous as shit!"

"That's it????!!!"

I was in the midst of battling this geezer. He had a long grey beard and a bald head, but he was also a foot shorter than me. He stood on a stool at the front desk of the pawnshop I was in.

"That's it!"

He shouted.

"Well where the hell can I sell this thing? Direct me to another pawn shop at least."

"Ya take that fuckin' thing down to Forn Street, there's a few shops around there but if they don't accept ya nobody will."

"Thank you, good day to you sir."

'Fucking geezer.'

I took the Onyx and slid it across the table before lifting it up and placing it in my "pocket." I was in one of the districts of Haneul known for having markets and shops, a commercial district is what it was.

I've been going around a few shops over the past few hours trying to negotiate a good deal for the Onyx. I've gone as far as to saying it was a family heirloom or that a famous celebrity used to own it.

No shops accepted it though.

Out of all the five of six shops I've been to all of them didn't want it.

At first, they would show interest and their eyes would sparkle with curiosity, but then they'd lay their hands on it and their faces would instantly turn dark.

Saying it would "sting" them. This artifact was so weird I should've just left it with Berith.

"Ah, here it is."

Forn Street.

This was a pretty famous commercial and nightlife area in the city. Lots of tourists and lots of citizens came here every single day and night. It was always crowded no matter the time.

The street was a decently sized alleyway, with stone walkways and neon signs hanging above the masses.

"What time is it again?"

I looked down at my watch.

|7:30 PM|

My eyes widened at the sight of the numbers on my watch.

'I've really been trying to sell this thing for 6 hours?'

Shrugging off the time, I made my way to one of the many shops located on Forn Street. The street was bustling with activity and the crowds held people of all ages.

Families were out with their children and young couples were off on dates. Smiles as far as the eye could see.

"Hello sir, how may I help you?"

I walked into a pawnshop with the referral of the previous shopkeeper.

"Can I sell this?"

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the dark necklace while approaching the man at the front desk.

He was wearing a fine black dress shirt and had a larger build, his suit could be seen gripping his biceps and he stood at around 6 feet tall.

"If the object is up to the standard, we'll be able to accept it."

"Very well."

After I placed the necklace on the countertop in front of him, his glowing golden eyes studied it precisely.

He put on a pair of white gloves and continued to study it. He lifted it up to the light above him, which shone upon his clear tan skin and his black and gold hair.

"I'm sorry sir, but I cannot accept this."

He suddenly spoke up with his deep voice.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Unfortunately it is, but may I refer you to another buyer, perhaps?"

The lips on his face curled up into a slight smile.

"Of course. Where can I find them?"

The man put the necklace back on the countertop and slid it in my direction.

He took off his white gloves and tossed them to the counter situated behind him and reached underneath the countertop.

"Here you go, pleasure doing business sir."

He pulled out a black card from underneath the countertop and put forth his arm in front of me. I slid the card out of his fingers and placed it in my pocket before picking up the necklace.

"Thank you."

As I walked out of the door, I turned around for a split second only to see something I'd never wanted to see again.

The man turned around and went into the back of the shop, but with him was a tattoo of a demon with three horns on the back of his neck.

'They really are everywhere.'

I quickly turned around and walked away from the building with my hood up. Pulling out the card in my pocket, I read the contents of it while walking in the dark chilly night.

|Oni: 1123 Black Market|

"Black market huh?"

Oni seemed like it was the shop's name and the card itself also had a demon inscribed on the back of it.

If I were to return to the black market, I'd need to be careful. The last time I was there it wasn't so clean, to say the least.

I'll head over tonight.