Rem gripped on the bread and chewed greedily, letting the sweet taste melt in his mouth. This was one of the first times he's had a decent meal.
"So good~"
He felt the urge to buy another one but he had to save money to get clothing, if he planned on getting stronger, he would need to become the Baggage Carriers of other Magus and Cavaliers- he needed to look a little decent.
Clothing was a little expensive in Onio town, even the smallest shirts of the lowest grades cost 10 Bronze coins, not to mention a full set of clothing.
'I guess I'll have to go to the Black Market,' Rem thought.
The Black Market area was not too far from the shopping district, actually it was very near the slums where he lived. There could be different items on sale- ranging from humans, beastkin and other mammals to different kinds of potions which served various purposes and everything was sold there at a low price, since it was illegal.
The Black Market district generated a lot of income to the town so the Mayor overlooked their shady activities and Rem knew that this was a prime example of Human greediness. One of the reasons he refused to change his clothes was that he might be a target of Kidnappers which was something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
Rem left the stall after paying for the bread and headed back to the Slums, as much as he wanted to explore how far and wide the Town was- he had to keep his childish curiosity to himself, The Curious man always get killed in the end.
#####
To Rem, the night sky was amazing. Despite this being a bustling and noisy town during the day. It was relatively quiet during the night time, except from the distant sounds of music from the red light district.
Rem pulled out a baggy cloak from a closet, dark and musky and he wore it, pulling the hood over his head and concealing his face.
The Black market had eyes and ears of it's own, If he sold a Magical stone, there was a chance that he would be chased after to recover the money that was given to him. That was how lawless the Black Market was and that was why he had wanted to avoid the place at all costs until now.
Rem slinked out of his house, as quiet and noiseless as a shadow, phasing through the darkness. There were other people living nearby, he didn't want to alert them to the fact that he was living in the house.
After he had gotten through the broken unkempt fence, Rem slowly walked in the direction of the Black Market after making sure that the Magical Stones were in his pockets.
'People must do what they have to, for survival,' Rem thought as he continued his walk.
The night road was silent, except for the occasional young men leaning against the wall and smoking. A certain smell pervaded the air, it was similar to rotting but Rem didn't falter, deaths were very common in the Slums and he did his best to try and avoid the other people living here at all costs for this reason.
A Best friend here didn't exist... no one had friends, everyone was thinking about his own survival only. If you had a friend, you must be tight-lipped about anything you have, even if it is a little food- You will still get killed by that person you consider your friend.
That was why he avoided getting attached to people, they would die and take your love with them... What did they want you to do after they left?
He was feeling conflicted because even if it was only for two days, The Burly Cavalier Drew had been a great help to him and had not only given him a chance to eat food with the group but also taste a REAL-LIFE potion, Rem shook his head.
'Don't get attached,' He quoted.
#####
Drew groaned for the umpteenth time as he frowned.
"Just an Magic Iron sword- 20 Silvers?" Drew asked, "I bought this sword just three days ago and it was 15 silvers from another vendor in THIS black market,"
The salesman, a man with blond hair and one eye wrapped under bandages clung to the Magic Iron Sword closely.
"The Mayor has prompted for an increase in all products related to Dungeon Raiders," He said, "Either you buy it or you leave it,"
'The Mayor again? He might as well increase the prize to a gold per sword,' Drew thought as he reluctantly handed the money over to the blond haired man, 'Well it doesn't concern me though, I'll leave this town soon enough right after I find Rem,'
Drew wanted to take the boy with him... Rem seemed like an interesting figure to him, even though he was a Kid, he had the potential to become a Cavalier. That grit and determination that Rem tried to conceal, that childish side of him that was concealed and hidden within... Were amazing qualities that prompted Drew to consider training him.
"But I wonder where he lives," Drew muttered under his breath as he took the sword and brandished it, the magic alloy glowed while being bathed in the moonlight.
His clothes insinuated that he was from the Slum area but Drew had made a thorough check of the Slums and he couldn't find Rem.
'He must be well-hidden,' Drew thought.
Hiding away from opponents was also one of the things a Cavalier must learn... and Rem also seemed to have that down.
"It would be a shame if he became a Magus," Drew said as he stopped brandishing his blade and tucked it into his Sheath.
"Did you hear about that kid in the black cloak?" Drew suddenly heard and turned around, seeing two young men each wearing a boar mask.
"Yeah, He sold two magical stones and gave the slip to the people sent to take him," The 2nd man said.
"For a brat, he sure is sharp. He sold those two D-grade magical stones for 20 Silvers each," The 1st man said, "But he didn't slip away entirely, Boss said that we should head to that big haunted mansion, That's where the kid is hiding,"
"How does he know?" The 2nd man asked.
"Boss has his ways, Come on let's go, Boss might reward us if we capture him," The 1st man said and the 2nd man nodded with both of them taking off.
Drew sighed.
"Whoever that kid is, he sure-"
He then realized that Rem... was the one who had gone with them on a raid, he might have found the opportunity to take Magical stones...
'You're so damn interesting boy,' Drew thought.
#####
Rem quickly evacuated from the Haunted house with a silent promise to return when he was stronger.
The person that he sold the Magical stones to wanted to recover his money at all costs, Rem naturally knew that they would search all over Onio for him, which included the Slums. So he made a calm, calculated and risky solution.
He left an anonymous letter with the guy he sold the magical stones to that he lived in the Haunted Mansion, and he was sure that people were heading here as he thought so he took his pouch and vaulted the fence, there was no need to be quiet anymore- Here was going to be overflown with goons anyway.
'Time to test out my Mount,' Rem thought.
"Rise!"
-
Author's Note:
If you're liking this book, don't forget to add this to your library or give a review, that would help motivate me to write and grant more exposure to this book.