With resources in their abundance thanks to the lot that carcasses of monsters could do, there were a lot of things that the government had to put under control.
Few items were considered illegal because of the pending danger that they may cause to the environment or oneself, such as some types of elixirs.
Baron Monique El. The inventor of elixirs and so far the greatest alchemist. Elixirs had different types, some were legalized and deemed safe to use by the government while some were banned because even though they may bring explosive results, they would end up ruining the body.
It wasn't elixirs alone, they were several items like that; Impetus's whip, the demon king's dildo, and Shanel's coat of invisibility.
But regardless of the ban placed on them, some heroes would still go to any extent to secure them, even if it had to be at an unreasonably high price.
This is why the black market was created.
A market that serves to bring to the society of heroes what they often can see outside in the open. And the best of the best are always displayed in the auction.
"What?"
The homeless man laying on sheets said as Mael approached.
"Don't play dumb with me... take me to that place."
"What place?"
The man asked with a confused expression. He looked behind Mael and Raith but the subway was less busy, it wasn't a favorable route at night because of past happenings.
However, a few numbers of people could still be seen in corporate outfits with suitcases walking out of the subway.
"Don't play dumb with me gateman."
Mael said with a grin, looking down at the man who turned away from him and in the next minute began to snore.
"Man! this fucking gateman. Are you fucking kidding me?"
Mael was getting agitated again and was about to kick the man but Raith's leg halted his leg.
"Stop Mael... maybe you are wrong this time. You don't know the back door."
He said as he dropped Mael's leg with his feet. Mael was dazed but quickly turned a blind eye to it because of the flow of this situation.
"I know the back door, I've heard it like a thousand times. Pass the homeless man's test."
'This bastard is doing these based on what he heard?'
"There's no credibility in that"
Raith made known to him with a somewhat raise in his tone and expressive of a potion of disappointment yet again.
"Come on Bro... I know this is just a test."
"Let's say..."
Both of them froze as the man turned and sat up.
"Let's say, this is just a test... how do you intend to pass it. What are your reasons for saying I'm the gateman? Because you heard from people that a gateman is a homeless man."
"You just admitted to being a gateman."
Mael brimmed with a smug face.
"Did I ever deny it? My question is... you both seem like two lost kids trying to ruin business for me. Why will I let you in?"
"Because we have it..."
Mael's smug face got intense.
He knew that the only thing that would entice gatemen who were also hungry for opportunities to make money was to show them how worthy they were. And in this case, having a legendary-grade item to sell was just too worthy.
"We have a legendary grade item"
The man first disregarded Mael's statement but kept his gaze on Mael, as he saw the seriousness on Mael's face, his expression immediately sucked up to Mael's.
"Really?"
"Why would we lie?"
Mael responded to the unbelieving man.
"Show me..."
The man requested but Mael declined, showing him meant inviting danger and ruining their element of surprise.
The man had already confirmed their sincerity and that was enough to enter the black market.
He sighed and looked at the two of them again, especially Raith and the backpack he was carrying. Then he swung his hand, a disc slipped out of his disc and he threw it right into a tiny hole that seemed like a crack in the wall where his sheet was laid.
~crreak~
The wall began to tremble and go down, revealing a completely dark tunnel.
"Where you seek is at the end of this tunnel."
He said and as they were about to enter the tunnel.
"You owe me a ten percent commission on that legendary item... and if you are lying, you owe me two million leus. Whatever way you'd have it, I'll still be making my money off you two."
He smirked and swung his face away as their backs began to dig deeper into the darkness.
After twenty minutes of trekking, a pinch of light could be seen at the end of this dark tunnel that was already making Mael very uncomfortable.
...
The black market.
Raith's eyes lit into the new world that was unveiled before him as both of them came out of the tunnel. Just as the name included, it was a dark place but looking up it didn't seem underground as they both felt it was while treading the path of the tunnel which was downwards sloppy.
'There's a cloud...'
Raith began to analyze the atmosphere of the environment and like he suspected it didn't seem underground to him, the dark clouds were evidence of that although they were no moon of any kind ‐ - but the towering buildings made it appear as another street in Cavanaugh, not to mention the population.
This place was more crowded than even a circus.
There was a natural source of light, all the sparkling and glittering were artificially supplied, which would bring us to the use of Elemnid crystals.
But for now, let us appreciate how beautiful and awestruck this sight is.
"Are you going to stand there forever?"
"Ah–
Raith quickly recovered from his state of surprise thanks to Mael's voice.
"Let's proceed to the auction house."
"Right"
Raith could not wait to finally sell all these items off and get the money and he also couldn't wait to see the things that were available to buy in this black world.
All that expectation was exhilarating but for a moment something odd seeped into his mind.
'...huh? I thought this guy has never been to the black market'