The black market lay beneath the "Dreams" bar, just outside the city and not far from the port.
In this city, it seemed every establishment had to carry the word "dream" for good fortune, and indeed, the scene above the bar was one of neon lights and wild revelry. As Edward stepped inside, a sharply dressed manager greeted him with a smile. "Brother Bao is here! Care for a drink? We just got in some '82 vodka. Want to try it?"
The manager was a master of the nightlife, his virtual gaming role providing a much healthier living than real-world night jobs.
"No!" Edward replied, understanding this was code. "Bring me a bottle of '93 Yibao." He pulled out his crystal card and strode to the counter, effortlessly swiping it through the card reader, deducting one credit.
This was merely the entrance fee; there was no actual '93 Yibao for sale, and in truth, it was just a brand of bottled water.
The manager nodded in comprehension and led Edward to the back.
After descending in an old freight elevator, a vast and dazzling scene unfolded before him.
The area was brightly lit, sprawling over seventy thousand square feet, resembling a colossal underground superstore. Each booth was neatly arranged, showcasing a plethora of items, with electronic signs flashing vibrantly. Players streamed in and out, eagerly selecting their preferred gear.
Every player entering had to pay a credit point, while stall renters had to cough up three. The Dream Star City was open from eight to twelve every night, and by now, the NPC patrols had finished their shifts, making this the black market's peak hour.
Edward had visited this place many times, and without hesitation, he headed straight for Area D, Booth B5, where an old acquaintance always set up shop.
"Hey, what brings you back, Brother Bao? Haven't seen you in days! Come sit, come sit!" The rotund figure known as "Mao Shan Shen Gun" was also impeccably dressed, welcoming Edward with enthusiasm.
Edward was a regular; he often visited but rarely made a purchase.
Most sellers found such behavior frustrating, as every entry required payment, making non-purchasers a loss. Yet, Shen Gun viewed Edward differently; he saw him as a savvy buyer. Edward took his time browsing, seemingly disinterested, but in truth, he meticulously memorized the market prices.
He had a tight grip on the fluctuations, making it nearly impossible for anyone to take advantage of him.
"Shen Gun, got anything good today? My gear's gone kaput," Edward said, cutting to the chase.
Shen Gun looked him over and laughed, "Did your gun break too?"
Edward nodded.
Shen Gun pressed some buttons next to him, and a screen lit up with a flurry of text:
"Red Handgun Series: 54 Model, USP, Glock 18, Full-Auto PPK, new Rock gun with attachments, fresh stock, discounts for bulk purchases!"
"White Carbine Series: M16, XM-8, top-tier power, buy a gun and get bullets at a steal, 2380 points, no haggling!"
"Showpiece: Red Assault Rifle Series: AK74, M4A1, FAMAS, 95 Style, price negotiable, serious inquiries only."
...
Fortunately, Edward knew his firearms well. The red handguns were tempting, but he could tell Shen Gun was trying to push bulk sales, and their attributes wouldn't suit him. The white guns were out of the question, and even if the red rifles were given away, the ammo prices were prohibitive.
He shook his head as he browsed. Shen Gun, noticing his discontent, said, "What's the matter? You're only at what, level five? Demanding much!"
Edward shot him a glare. "You wouldn't understand. Choosing a gun is like picking a woman: flashy but useless looks are costly, and the good ones come with a price tag. It's all about what fits you."
Shen Gun chuckled. "Alright then, what are you after?"
"Any decent shotguns in stock?" Edward pressed.
Shen Gun sighed. "You're late, my friend. Just sold a red Beretta N74 shotgun an hour ago. The white ones? Not worth your time; I know you're an arms expert, so no point in wasting your time."
Edward rolled his eyes. "So, what about purple-tier items?"
Shen Gun's expression grew serious. "I've got some, but they don't move well. Higher levels don't want them, and lower levels can't afford them."
"Stop with the chatter, show me what you've got," Edward insisted.
"Alright, wait a moment." Shen Gun disappeared into the back, rummaging for a while before finally pulling out a gleaming purple handgun.
Edward's eyes lit up at the sight.
With its rugged lines and imposing appearance, it exuded both elegance and power; this was the Desert Eagle, known as the "Cannon of Handguns."
Edward snatched it from Shen Gun's hands. The stats didn't disappoint:
"Flying Desert Eagle (Enhanced Version)
Purple Equipment
Level Requirement: Level 10
Strength Requirement: 15 points
Weight: 1.8 kg
Caliber: 0.5 inches
Magazine Capacity: 7 + 2 rounds
Accuracy: 82.8% + 1.4%
Firing Rate: 2 rounds/sec
Muzzle Energy: 1650 J + 400 J
Effective Range: 100 m + 20 m
Hidden Slot: +1
...
The data showcased the weapon's impressive additional attributes. Seeing Edward's fascination with the gun, Shen Gun eagerly added, "The nine-round magazine is modified, and the adjustable dovetail sight is made of hard rubber. That's why it's more accurate and has an extended range. Plus, the hidden slot isn't embedded with any gems yet. What do you think? Happy?"
Edward was, indeed, thrilled. He was only at level twelve, and this gun suited him perfectly, quadrupling his firepower compared to his old weapon. If he encountered Malagobi, he could easily take him down from a distance, even with a shield up.
The only downside was its slower firing rate.
"How much?" Edward asked.
Shen Gun grinned. "Since we're old friends, let's skip the pleasantries. A flat rate of 4300 points."
Edward swiftly shoved the gun back to Shen Gun. "You might as well rob me!"
Shen Gun was taken aback. "Come on, I'm not messing with you. It's a purple-tier gun. A basic Desert Eagle costs 3000 points in the market. My price is fair!"
Edward wasn't interested in debate. He opened the trading window and placed his Dragon Armor on the table.
Now it was Shen Gun's turn to light up. "Where did you get that? Sell it to me!"
Edward took his time, "One hundred points, no haggling."
"Go die!" Shen Gun barked.
Edward chuckled. "I have other items, we can trade." He tossed his Dragon Boots onto the table, knowing Shen Gun wouldn't resist.
"Just wait," Shen Gun gritted his teeth. "I'll trade you everything for that." He turned back to his bag, rummaging around.
After a while, he placed two items into the trading window, and Edward couldn't help but grin. "Isn't that just tailored for me?"