"We've arrived," the guard announced.
-Klang!
'Wow, that was a rapid response.' It only took a few seconds to get here. In this world, there are many mysterious things.'
I exited the portal and proceeded to the huge metal door that was in front of me.
The two hefty men stepped aside as I opened a similar large metal door to the one at the entry, allowing me a clear view of what was behind the door.
I'm not sure how to put this.
It was a far cry from what one might assume when hearing the term "black market."
When you imaged how a black market would be, you would instantly think of words like 'filthy', 'dangerous', 'dirty', or anything that was synonymous with 'unpleasant'.
However, assumptions and reality frequently collide, and this black market appeared to be identical to a night market.
Vendors selling their wares at their own stalls were neatly lined up in rows that seemed to go on forever.
Someone could have easily mistaken this for a regular night market if not for the fact that everyone was wearing masks to conceal their identity.
A large opening opened in the roof, allowing moonlight to flood the market and bathing it in with a sense of tranquility.
The lamps' lights brightly lighted the roads, providing for a better view of the market's items.
It was arguably the most attractive black market you could discover.
Actually, In the novel, it was mentioned in such a manner about the black market but to see it physically is a different feeling altogether.
But even then, this was incredible.
"I guess there aren't enough words to adequately explain this place..."
I could see a large variety of things being sold as I walked down the street past the several vendors.
All sorts of items that I desperately needed, from potions to artifacts, were on exhibit right in front of me.
It took me a great deal of willpower to stop myself from purchasing any of them. Right now is not the time to waste money on these things because I will have a steady flow of cash in the next few months, allowing me to do anything I want. As a result, I overcame the gnawing urges that were coursing through my veins.
Right now I had a goal to accomplish.
Making my way towards a secluded spot in the black market, I quickly went towards a rather inconspicuous-looking wooden house which is located in the far right corner of the black market.
There are a lot of areas in the black market that give excellent service brokers who would come with less price if we look for them at the right place.
I went inside the house and sat on the wooden bench that was present over there. I sat there with my head down and patiently waited for five minutes.
Precisely after five minutes had passed, a black hooded individual sat next to me, to which I nodded my head without turning it.
"How may we the {Grimm Reapers} be of service to you, you esteemed sir?"
"I'm on the lookout for a broker."
"Very well, that is, after all, our area of expertise. State your preferences if you do so?"
"Not a whole lot. The one who should not inquire about anything other than what I instructed them to do. There's no need for the well-known ones. I'm looking for new figures that can accomplish the job for a lower fee."
"It is against our policy for any broker to inquire about the dealer's personal information or raise issues about their investments. So you can relax in that regard."
He kept going.
"There are a lot of names in your choice category, therefore it will take some time to gather them all. So please kindly wait for some time."
"Ya, sure. Go ahead."
And with that, the hooded figure disappeared just as fast as he appeared.
{Grimm Reapers}
This is an organization that mostly works in brokerage. It's fairly new to this business in the black market and hasn't established a footmark in the black market yet. But that is for the time period. There will become a go-to organization in the future where all the big figures from different parts of the world that including the likes of the Union, the dwarves, and even the likes of some of the elves want to have connections with them.
This is where I have a total advantage over the rest of the people. My game plan is to use this knowledge and make myself stronger. The outcome will be determined by how well I make use of my knowledge.
"Hmm, E-Excuse me?"
Suddenly I heard a voice from waking from my thoughts.
I saw someone standing behind me with his head down.
"If you're here to speak with someone from here, you should know that I'm a customer as well." With that, I turned around.
'Perhaps he mistook me for someone else who works here.'
"N-No, not that. Hmm, "
He addressed me once more.
I turned around and looked him in the eyes. He was dressed shabbily and appeared enraged. His face is pallid as if he hasn't eaten in days. He was a little shorter than I was. He appears to be younger than I am.
"So are you here for me?"
I'm a newcomer here, so there's a slim possibility that anyone knows who I am. And because everyone's identities are kept hidden here, no one will be able to recognize me.
Maybe he wants to ask me for some food.
"H-Here."
He handed me a piece of paper and even the paper was crushed and there were cuts on it.
"What is it?"
"Hmm, I heard that you are looking for a broker."
"Oh so are you from {Grimm Reapers}. He said it will take time but that was pretty quick."
"Huh? N-No. I'm not from here."
"Huh? Then how did know that I was looking for a broker? Don't tell me that you spied on us during our conversation." I should really look out for this kind of thing.
Immediately that boy's face became even paler.
He knelt on the ground.
"I'm extremely sorry. I didn't mean to spy on you."
His eyes began to well up with tears.
"Given that you're searching for someone with no experience to be a broker, I figured I'd ask you to give me a chance."
It hurts me to see this child in this situation. But I can't allow my feelings to get the best of me. And I'm in a situation where I don't know who I can trust.
Then I took a glance at the piece of paper.
I believe he can't afford a business card because he scribbled it on a scrap of paper. His penmanship was awkward as well.
Then I saw his name scribbled on it.
"Christopher?"
'...'
'...'
Huh? Wait a minute.
Christopher? I think I know this name. I can't remember properly.
After that, I read the complete name that was written on it.
'Christopher Lane, huh?'
"..."
Huh?
When I read that name, my eyes were about to pop out.
Is it the same person I believe it to be?
Then I remembered something I'd read about it. The Corporate monster 'Christopher Lane. The struggles he had to go through in the black market. It wasn't written in a terse manner, but that is sufficient to relate it.
"Christopher Lane" I spoke out loud.
Hearing that he raised his head.
"Yes sir, that is my name." He said while wiping his tears.
Then I had a clear look at his face.
He had clear blue eyes and a mole inside his right eye. And he'd gotten a cut on his left brow. Even though his face is pale, his eyes are razor-sharp, as if he is a predator waiting to be unleashed.
There is no denying it.
He is 'The Christopher Lane'.
Oh, my goodness. Not even in my wildest dreams could I imagine meeting someone of that stature.
"Hehe, It's very fascinating."
****