Wang Lei arrived at the entrance of the Black Market, a secretive underground place where whispers of trade filled the air. A guard stood at the entrance, eyeing him curiously. "Welcome. For your privacy," he said, handing Wang Lei a sleek black mask. Wang Lei nodded, grateful for the anonymity it provided, and slipped the mask over his face before entering.
Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with activity. Various shops lined the dimly lit aisles, each one dedicated to a different kind of merchandise. One shop sold rare alixirs, shimmering potions that promised enhanced abilities, while another showcased an array of weapons, each more deadly than the last. Wang Lei noticed that every visitor wore masks, a precaution against potential threats and a way to maintain their privacy.
As he wandered deeper into the market, Wang Lei spotted a shop specializing in monster and beast bodies. A sign outside advertised their goods, and he stepped inside, the air thick with the scent of old blood and metal. The shop owner, a burly man with a thick beard, looked up as Wang Lei approached.
"Do you have any Desert Golems or Raptial Serpents?" Wang Lei inquired, his tone businesslike.
The owner shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I don't have those specific monsters, but I do have other bodies of similar levels. What are you looking to spend?"
"How much for the Desert Golem level monsters?" Wang Lei asked, his interest piqued.
The owner's inner thoughts raced. This guy looks wealthy. I can definitely charge him more. "For a Desert Golem, it's $16,000 in international currency. The Raptial Serpent goes for $26,000."
Wang Lei's expression hardened as he realized the potential profit from his recent kills. "I'm here to sell these two monsters," he stated flatly.
The owner frowned, confused. "Excuse me, I don't understand."
"I mean I want to sell the monsters I just mentioned. If you're not interested, I'll go to another shop," Wang Lei replied, annoyance creeping into his voice.
"Wait... please, show me the bodies," the owner urged, a hint of desperation in his tone.
Wang Lei reached into his system inventory and pulled out the two monster bodies. The owner's eyes widened in shock; he couldn't see the system but assumed Wang Lei had some form of space power. This guy must be from a big family, he thought, deciding it would be best not to offend him.
As the owner examined the bodies, his shock deepened. "This Golem's body parts are made of high-quality metal! And this Raptial Serpent... I've never seen one this large before!"
After a moment, the owner regained his composure. "I can offer you $62,000 for both, including the Black Market VAT. That's $60,000 for you."
Wang Lei didn't hesitate. "Deal." He accepted the offer, the thrill of the transaction sending a rush through him as he transferred the funds to his card.
"Sir, please come back. We'll pay high prices for your monsters in the future," the shop owner called after him as Wang Lei stepped out of the shop.
As he left, Wang Lei couldn't help but think, I never expected to earn this much for those monsters. If I worked my whole life in construction, I wouldn't make this amount. Now I understand why people risk their lives in dungeons.
Suddenly, a screen popped up in front of him: Mission: Survive Death City - Complete. Reward: Mana Unlocked. A surge of happiness coursed through him. "Now I can finally use mana-level skills!" he exclaimed, almost startling the taxi driver behind him.
"Everything okay back there?" the driver asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.
Wang Lei quickly composed himself. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just remembered something."
He directed the driver to the Hotel Indigo Beijing Dongzhimen. Upon arrival, he approached the front desk, where a receptionist greeted him.
"We charge $300 per night," she stated.
Wang Lei hesitated, then mentioned, "I'll be staying for a month."
"Since you're booking for 30 days, I can offer you a rate of $250 per night," she said, her tone turning more accommodating.
"Sounds good. I'll take it," Wang Lei agreed, signing the papers and handing over his card.
As he headed to his room, the receptionist leaned toward her colleague. "Isn't that man handsome?"
The other girl smirked. "Are you trying to make a move on him?"
Embarrassed, the first girl quickly backpedaled. "I'm just saying he's attractive!"
Meanwhile, Wang Lei freshened up in his room, opening his mobile to catch up on the news. His eyes widened as he read the headline: Korean Guild [Elemental Guild] Completes 13th Floor of Tower.