Walking through the back alleys, Mark began thinking what he would do if his plan didn't work. There was a lot that could go wrong and there was no way he would be able to find a fight club by just wandering around the city. He would probably get arrested for killing Leon, when the police found out it was him.
He would deal with that when it happened, there wasn't much else he could do. But for now, he needed to find it.
The Black Market.
His friends showed him the way there when he was still practicing with the sword. There he could sell anything, buy anything and get all the information he needed, for a price.
Mark didn't have any options left. If he couldn't find the fight clubs through this then he was going going to have to become a complete murder. He didn't want to, but if that was how he was going to get stronger then so be it.
"Hey kid, you lost or something? This ain't a great part of town, you know." Coming from behind, a man dressed in shabby clothes could be seen.
"No, I am alright sir. Thank you for your worry, but I know exactly where I am going." Turning to look the man in the eyes, Mark immediately knew the man had an ulterior motive. "I must go, if I don't leave now I may not make it by the end of the day."
"Why don't I lend you a hand? I can offer you protection from thugs here in the back alleys. What do you say?" Holding out his hand, he waited for Mark to take the bait.
'How stupid does this guy think I am?' Holding his chin, he looked as though he was considering the offer. 'This guy probably isn't alone, and that means they will probably try to surround me and mug me when I can't escape.'
"Hey kid, the offer is only going to stay for so long." Growing impatient the shabbily dressed man called out to Mark.
"I accept, how much do I owe you?" grabbing and shaking his hand, Mark agreed for the 'escort' to come along with him.
"We can handle the payment later, for now lead the way." Gesturing for Mark to take the lead, they began walking towards the market.
They walked in silence, the only noises heard were that of the rats and mice scurrying away from them.
Looking back, Mark decided to use his inspect skill on his 'escort' to see what he could get from a live subject.
"Inspect."
{Name: Rico Anderson}
{Race: Human}
{Status: Healthy}
'So, I get the same info as a corpse. Well now I know the name of my attacker.' Thinking to himself, Mark began to wonder how many times he would have to use inspect to upgrade it.
"The hell you looking at? Just focus on what's in front o' ya." Noticing the glance, Rico put a stop to it. 'The hell is this kids deal? Why is he back here, where is he going?' numerous questions kept popping into his head. 'Whatever, at least he is heading in the direction of the others.'
Turning one more corner, Rico came to a stop, surprising Mark.
"Sorry kid, but it's time to pay up." Rico spoke like he did when they met.
"Sure, how much do I owe you people?" Nonchalantly turning to look at Rico, Mark replied in a calm voice. "I was wondering how long it would take you lot to jump me, but really? 30 minutes?"
Coming out from the shadows, 4 men stood around Mark including Rico. He looked at them all, just to use them for leveling his inspect skill.
{Name: Hunter Lowe}
{Race: Human}
{Status: Healthy}
{Name: Griffin Mayes}
{Race: Human}
{Status: Healthy}
{Name: Brandon Nairn}
{Race: Human}
{Status: Healthy}
"You're a smart kid, you figured out that Rico was going to rob you. So, why go through with it?" The man, known as Hunter Lowe, asked the question Rico wanted answers to.
'Why would the kid offer to pay me, if he knew I was going to mug him?' Rico was trying to rack his brain for any ideas, but he couldn't make sense of it at all.
"I have a condition, you see. If I get beat up, it appears I get stronger. What better place to get beat up than an alley way, with no witnesses and 4 grown men beating me?" Still speaking in a confidence voice, Mark spoke something that none of them were expecting.
"You get stronger, the more you're injured?" Bursting out in laughter, the four men took a step closer. "You expect us to believe something so unbelievable? Grow up!"
[Instant quest received.]
[Mugging: Survive the mugging and deal with the beings attacking you.]
[Rewards: Instant level up, 500 Pain Coins]
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you..."
*CRACK*