Sucura strode calmly through the town, his keen eyes catching sight of the rhinoceros emblem adorning a shop banner. Without hesitation, he turned into the narrow street to the right, tucked away behind the building.
An eerie silence enveloped the area, the air heavy with the scent of woodsmoke, damp earth, and mud. Sucura continued to walk with an air of familiarity, as if he knew the place well. He felt that feigning ignorance could lead to trouble or even interrogation, and he couldn't shake the sensation of being watched.
Sucura mused to himself, 'I should set aside my concerns about the Village of Meroeda for now. Its mysteries seem to hint at unexpected events. In my memories, Vyn came to the village's aid and, in an unusual turn of events, teamed up with Sucura. Together, they helped the village survive, but at a great cost. Their numbers were decimated, and they ultimately blamed Sucura for their losses. Shaine supported Vyn in banishing Sucura.'
'Now, the village lies in ruins, deemed a dead zone. As for the Four Horsemen - or is it Horsewomen? I'm uncertain. All I know is that they must be active in Event VII, as they are the founders of the movement to resurrect the Ancient Calamity. Their true names, however, have long since slipped from my memory.'
'As I contemplate the reasons why the Hero Sucura remains unacknowledged by the people in town and the Adventurers' pub, I speculate that he may not have gained widespread recognition yet. Among the heroes, he may be the least renowned. While there could be numerous explanations for this, I may be overlooking a crucial detail.'
Sucura approached an unassuming wooden door with a sense of familiarity. He knocked confidently, tapping out a rhythm of three-two-six with his knuckles. In response, a disembodied voice echoed eerily, inquiring, "Passare?"
Unperturbed, Sucura replied calmly, "Money casts shadows, wisdom lights the way."
The door began to convulse before opening abruptly. Standing before Sucura was a man adorned with a snake tattoo that slithered up the side of his face, reaching his eye. The man offered a curt nod and stepped aside, granting Sucura passage into the mysterious establishment.
Sucura cast a surreptitious glance at the man.
[Lvl. 62]
As Sucura's step into the dimly lit alleyways, the black market, a bustling hive of illicit activity, is where the desperate and the daring come to trade in forbidden goods and services.
The air is thick with the scent of burning torches and the stench of unwashed bodies. The murmur of hushed voices fills Sucura's ears, as merchants and customers alike barter in whispers, wary of attracting unwanted attention. The atmosphere is tense, a palpable undercurrent of danger lurking beneath the surface.
Makeshift stalls line the narrow passages, their wares displayed on rickety tables or spread out on tattered cloths.
The merchants, clad in dark, tattered garments, watch you with shrewd, calculating eyes, ready to strike a deal or vanish into the shadows at the first sign of trouble.
In this extraordinary emporium, one can discover an array of mystical artifacts, formidable weapons, and exquisite jewelry.
It is a treasure trove of rare herbs and powerful elixirs, with skilled potion-makers peddling their wares.
Illicitly obtained or reproduced magical tomes are also available for purchase, alongside a selection of cursed items for the more daring clientele. Furthermore, the market deals in the morally ambiguous trade of battle slaves and comfort slaves, among other unsavory offerings.
After walking for half an hour, Sucura spotted the Insignia of Guadiczech, the Multiracial Alliance led by the Ten Overlords.
He entered the establishment and was immediately struck by the imposing presence of a massive beastman, standing nearly eight feet tall. His eyes bore the ferocity of a wild beast, capable of killing with a mere gaze, and he exuded an overwhelming aura.
[Lvl. 64]
Approaching the formidable beastman with composure, Sucura inquired, "What is the price for a Letter Contract of God Aldhunz?"
The Letter Contract of God Aldhunz serves as a sacred medium for binding agreements. Should one party betray or fail to uphold their end of the bargain, they would face divine retribution from God Aldhunz himself. Among the Ten Overlords, one is a devout follower of Aldhunz, having constructed a revered church in his honor.
The beastman carefully examined the man standing before him and, with a poised demeanor, declared, "500 gold coins."
Sucura gently touched his chin and calmly countered, "400 gold coins."
In response, the beastman's aura swelled intensely, only to dissipate in an instant as he revealed a smile, his sharp canine teeth glinting menacingly. "Deal," he agreed.
A sudden pang of regret washed over Sucura, as if he had been stabbed. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had been swindled. 'I'm not particularly skilled in this area,' he mused to himself.
With an inward sigh, Sucura handed the beastman a pouch filled with gold coins. In return, the beastman presented him with a Letter Contract.
Once the exchange was complete, Sucura spoke up, his curiosity piqued. "I'd like to take a look at your exotic wares and cursed weapons, if you don't mind."
The beastman gestured for Sucura to follow him, saying, "Follow me," as he led the way towards the back of the shop where the exotic wares were displayed.
As Sucura trailed behind the beastman, he soon found himself surrounded by an array of peculiar items: a sickly thin hand emanating a dark aura, a jar filled with multiple eyes that seemed to follow his every move, a bloodied monkey's head grinning eerily, a box containing writhing organs, a unique sarcophagus, and a headless wooden carving seated in the lotus position, among other oddities.
A single thought crossed Sucura's mind, 'Hell nah.'
Maintaining his composure, Sucura inquired, "Where are the cursed weapons?"
The beastman pointed to a specific area and warned, "Over there, but don't touch anything if you're not certain about it. You might die suddenly. I can explain some of the weapons, but not all. And remember, if you touch an item, you'll have to pay for it. So, no careless touching."
Sucura offered a subtle nod in acknowledgment and proceeded towards the designated area, where an assortment of cursed weapons lay before him.
Some appeared deceptively harmless, their innocuous appearance belying their true danger. Others were dull and lackluster, while a few seemed damaged or broken. A select number of weapons exuded a vicious, dark aura that was impossible to ignore.
After exploring the collection for several minutes, Sucura's eyes fell upon a particular item that piqued his interest.