"That was some performance kid.Are you sure you just awakened your ability?"
Bob said to Elk as he laughed heartedly and praised him.They saw how Elk was able to survive and even kill those wolves and his opponent eventhough he hadn't had his ability for long.
"You were like a completely different person from the one we first met.I was also surprised by that shadow that came out near the end,what was that?"
Elk looked at them sheepishly while feeling disgust on the inside.He knew they saw value in him now that they saw he was able to kill with just a touch and was only showing fake praise.
"Oh that,that was just the shape I gave to my ability to control it better."
He lied since he thought he might need to keep some secrets of his own if wants to retaliate against them someday.
"It was weird though everytime we wanted to watch your battles in the game the runes kept failing,did you do something to it?"
James looked at Elk suspiciously as to figure out how he did it because they might need a method like that someday.
"Runes?What are runes?"Elk asked confusedly.
Elk knew if he were to just say he didn't know or even acknowledged that he knew what runes were they would be even more suspicious and keep an eye on him all the time.
"You really don't know what runes are?"
"No,I just learned about awakened a few hours ago, how would I know what runes are?"
"I guess your right."
James then acknowledged his answer and let the matter go.They then went off to the yard,which had runes over head depicting a sun and clouds,where prisoners work out,play sports and rest.Bob and James walked until they reached a massive tree 50 meters tall and 8 meters in diameter with a man sitting under it.There where many such trees some even bigger.
"The sun rises in the east and sets in the west..."The man under the tree suddenly said.
"...Only a fool would follow it in its journey."Bob said with seriousness.
The man then flicked a stone over to Bob and they went around the tree.Behind the tree was... nothing.Elk was confused about what they were doing here but didn't raise the question.
Bob took the stone and inspected it into a groove which looked so natural one would think it was apart of the tree since there are many holes in it.However if you focus on it long enough you would see metal inside of it.
When it was inserted runes lit up and space rippled and the three of them disappeared.The stone crumbled away falling on the grass looking like normal stones you can find anywhere looking inconspicuous.
__________
Elk felt nauseous after the transfer and tree up directly after they came out of transmission.After he felt better he looked up and saw numerous people walking around haggling and buying items.
"What is this place?"
"Welcome to the black market kid or should I say market since there isn't a normal market in this place.Here crooks and thieves of all levels gather to get what they want.But be warned not to stay here for to long since the guards would get suspicious."
Elk looked on in amazement at the gathering of people here.He even saw some other races besides humans here and some beings giving him a feeling they could wipe him our in a single thought.He shivered at this.
"Now don't go to far away from us or offend those you shouldn't,that is unless you want to die.Let's go."
The two of them walked away while Elk's stomach still hurt as he felt nauseous.He kept back his vomit as he followed behind.
"So where does all of these things come from anyway?"
"That is a question you should never ask here if you want to keep your life,for first timers it's okay but after that you should never ask again."
James said in a grave voice then pointed at rags and stains laying near the entrance they just walked through.
"That is all that's left of those who asked a second time."
Elk looked over but instead of feeling scared like he first would have he felt excited instead and was looking forward to what he would see here.
They walked without stopping at any stall or building until they arrived at a conspicuous pub.They walked in and the pub was lively,they walked towards the bar and saw a woman standing there giving out drinks.
"What would you be having today?"
She said in a sweet voice as she looked at the three of them.She looked so naive that Elk almost forgot everyone in this place is either a killer or a powerhouse.
"We would like a bottle of Scotch and three glasses."
"Sorry we don't have any Scotch here only beer and rum."
"Then give me a pitcher of beer and three glasses,two long and one short."
This conversation sounded so mundane and normal that Elk ignored it.
"It will be right with you,in the back."
Bob and James then went to a door behind the bar hidden from being seen normally while Elk could only follow.They walked down a hall and came to a room that was filled with people discussing something.
'Wait was that back there another hidden code or something.Argh what is wrong with these people but I guess it makes sense since in here you have to hide everything about yourself to survive.'
When they entered Elk spot the man who almost killed also sitting there with an indifferent expression while listening to the conversations.Elk was stunned but then a battle hunger grew within him as he wished to fight against him again now since he has awakened his ability and stepped into the Magic tier.
Elk learned from James while they where on the way here that although Ability tier are also awakened however you only truly become an awakened when you reach Magic tier and awaken your ability.