After finishing our breakfast, we retreat to our room to discuss the day's plans in privacy. Two pressing matters need attention, the first being the black market incident a few days ago—specifically, what I now call the Bromrik incident.
"I'm surprised we got away so easily," I begin, voicing the thought that has been nagging me. "It feels too good to be true. To think Bromrik was the only one who showed up."
Sophia sits across from me, her brow furrowing in contemplation. "You're right. Now that I think about it, that is strange."
If both Curtis and Bromrik knew we were coming to the black market, it stands to reason that others would have as well. The bounty on our heads wasn't exactly a secret. A fight involving Bromrik should have drawn spectators, opportunists lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike. Once Bromrik was dead, they would have had an easy six million crowns between the three of us.
But none of that happened.
"How Bromrik knew about us is one thing," I say, leaning back in thought, "but how he managed to clear the entire black market of vendors is even more suspicious. That place was bustling when we arrived, but within minutes, it was deserted. The whole setup felt staged."
Sophia nods, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"And another thing…" I continue. "A battle like that, with so many casualties, should have caused an uproar. Bromrik wasn't just some thug; he had deep ties to both the underground world and the aristocracy. His death should have been major news, something that shook the city or even the entire kingdom."
It's only natural that when a tidal wave crashes, smaller waves follow. The water shouldn't have calmed down this fast.
"Wait!" Sophia suddenly sits up straighter, her eyes widening. "Are you saying someone cleaned up the mess for us?"
"Yeah," I confirm. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
But who?
And more importantly, why?
Whoever this person—or organization—is, they must wield considerable influence in the underground market. They not only silenced any potential fallout from Bromrik's death but also seem uninterested in claiming the massive bounty on our heads.
Sophia fidgets nervously, her eyes darting to the window. "What could they possibly want from us?"
"I don't know yet," I admit, "but one thing is clear: they're watching us. And I'm certain they're watching us right now."
Sophia gasps, her face paling as beads of cold sweat form on her forehead. "You… you're serious?"
I nod slowly.
It's not just a deduction based on the recent events—it's a feeling I can't shake. Ever since we came down for breakfast, I've had this odd sensation of being watched. But even with Sapphire's surveillance capabilities, I can't pinpoint who or where they might be.
The thought unsettles me.
I can be wrong, though, since the whole "sensing someone watching you" thing isn't scientifically proven. And as an enhanced human, my senses are finely tuned, stripped of unnecessary inputs that clutter ordinary perception. Yet this feeling persists—a faint, inexplicable awareness that someone's eyes are on me.
Could it be an aftereffect of my injuries? Or perhaps an undocumented side effect of the Phoenix's tear that healed me?
I exhale deeply, trying to center my thoughts.
There are too many questions and not enough answers.
"So, do you have any idea who this entity might be?" I ask, keeping my tone steady.
"Ah… N-no. I—I don't…" Sophia stammers, her voice faltering. "Sorry, I—I didn't even realize that we are being watched in the first place."
"Oh… I see…"
That was an extremely obvious lie boldly written on her face. The pale complexion, the darting eyes… It is as if someone is holding a knife to her neck, warning her to keep her mouth shut.
But to see Sophia this nervous…
I should probably watch out for her.
"Anyway, there's no point in worrying for now," I say, keeping the atmosphere light. "If they wanted to kill or capture us, they could have done so already. We need to stay cautious but not let fear control us."
"Y-you're right," Sophia nods quickly.
And there it is, a slight relief on her face immediately after I say that.
"Let's move on to the next topic," I continue, shifting gears. "There's something else I want to discuss."
Information.
Yes, in this world, or any world, information is power, and I'm eager to gather as much as I can. My first instinct is to head to the library. However, Sophia has a different suggestion: the Adventurer's Guild.
Her reasoning is sound.
First, the Adventurer's Guild is one of the few organizations capable of issuing "Identity Cards." These cards are essential, functioning much like Earth's identification documents. Without one, conducting basic activities in this world will be nearly impossible. These cards display not only our names but also our ranks.
There are five ranks, each associated with a color: gray, green, blue, gold, and crimson—gray being the lowest and crimson the highest.
Second, rank determines access and privileges. For example, gaining entry to the upper levels of the Library requires a higher rank. Higher ranks also provide various benefits: special discounts, better equipment deals, and invitations to exclusive organizations and events. To gain access to the resources and knowledge we need, advancing our rank is essential.
"Is there a way to simply buy a higher rank?" I ask, curious about shortcuts.
"Y-yeah…" Sophia replies hesitantly. "But I wouldn't recommend it. It's incredibly expensive, and besides, we're currently out of funds."
Her words catch me off guard. "What do you mean 'out of funds'?"
After years of being a multi-billionaire on Earth, hearing those words feels… alien.
Sophia explains further. As a wanted person, she can no longer access her money at the commercial guild, and the money she has on hand is insufficient to buy a higher rank.
"Well, we aren't entirely out of funds," I say with a grin, reaching into my bag.
I pull out the remaining platinum bullets—a total of fifteen. Curtis had taken four, and I had used one, leaving me with more than enough to make a dent in our financial situation.
"Whaaat!? You still have that many!?" Sophia exclaims, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Yes," I reply, smirking.
If I'd known just how valuable platinum was in this world, I would have brought more. But even with what I have, it should sustain us for a while. After that, I'll need to figure out a way to make money.
"Let's go to the black market and exchange ten of these for currency. I'll keep the rest for emergencies," I propose.
Sophia nods, agreeing with the plan.
With our priorities set, we step out into the bustling city. The weather is perfect—the sun shines brightly, the sky stretches clear and endless above, and a gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers through the air.
Our first stop will be the black market to exchange some of our platinum for local currency. After that, we'll head to the Adventurer's Guild to secure our Identity Cards.