The dim light of dawn barely pierced the haze of smog that hung over Sub-City 4. Elric stood on the narrow balcony of his apartment, the cold morning air biting at his skin as he stared out across the city's grim skyline. Below him, the streets were beginning to stir, filled with the quiet murmurs of the early risers, most of them heading toward factories or military posts. Life here was a relentless grind—one that Elric was determined to escape.
The Spark of Burning Blood still pulsed faintly within him, a reminder of the power he now held. He clenched his fists, feeling the faint warmth of his blood thrumming in response, ready to ignite. It wasn't a grand power, not yet, but it was a start—a step toward something greater.
And now, it was time for the next step.
He had spent hours after his evolution planning his next move, thinking through the options laid before him. Soul points were the key to his growth, and the wilderness was where they were waiting to be harvested. But if he wanted to survive outside the city walls—if he wanted to face stronger beasts and grow—he needed more than just talent. He needed resources, information, and above all, he needed connections.
That's where the black market came in.
Elric hadn't forgotten the brief conversation he'd had with the broker, a shady man known only as Marlow. The black market was a dangerous place, filled with cutthroats and criminals who thrived on the desperation of others. But it was also a place of opportunity—a place where power could be bought and sold, where information flowed like currency.
Elric knew the risks, but he had no other choice. He had to take advantage of every opportunity, no matter how dangerous, if he wanted to climb the ranks of power.
He stepped back into his apartment, quickly gathering his gear—his knife, a small pouch of credits, and the meager supplies he could carry. His wounds from the Grey Stalker were healing rapidly, thanks to his Healing Blood, but there was still a lingering soreness in his shoulder. It didn't matter. He couldn't afford to wait any longer.
With one last glance at the system menu—his one soul point spent, his talents upgraded—he left his apartment, slipping through the narrow streets of the lower district, heading toward the dark underbelly of the city.
The black market was buried deep within Sub-City 4, hidden from the prying eyes of the authorities. It wasn't a single place, but a network of alleys, tunnels, and abandoned buildings, all connected by a web of criminals, smugglers, and desperate individuals willing to risk everything for a chance at power.
Elric had heard rumors of the market for years. It was a place where you could find anything—illegal weapons, rare cultivation techniques, stolen military tech, even artifacts from the mystical races that roamed the solar system. But the most valuable commodity in the market wasn't physical—it was information.
As he approached the heart of the market, Elric kept his eyes sharp, scanning the narrow, dimly lit streets for signs of trouble. The market was a dangerous place, especially for someone like him—a young, inexperienced cultivator with no connections. One wrong move, and he could find himself sold off to a slave trader or left bleeding in an alley.
The streets were filled with a mix of people, some huddled in the shadows, others brazenly displaying their wares. Elric passed a stall where a merchant was selling what looked like fragments of an ancient elven artifact, the polished metal gleaming faintly under the weak light of a flickering lantern. Across the way, a group of men argued over the price of a rare energy weapon, their voices low and tense.
Elric ignored them, his focus on finding Marlow. The man had promised him a way back into the wilderness, a chance to hunt stronger beasts and earn more soul points. But Elric knew better than to trust him. The black market was a place of deceit, and Marlow was no different. Still, he had something Elric needed, and that was worth the risk.
After weaving his way through the maze of alleys, Elric found himself standing before a small, nondescript building tucked between two larger structures. There were no signs, no markings to indicate what lay within, but Elric knew this was the place. The faint scent of burning incense wafted through the air, mingling with the stench of oil and sweat.
With a deep breath, Elric stepped through the door.
The inside of the building was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of incense and something else—something metallic, like blood. Elric's eyes adjusted to the gloom, taking in the scene before him. The room was small, cluttered with crates and shelves lined with strange items—everything from ancient tomes to what looked like small, bio-mechanical implants. In the corner, a figure sat behind a makeshift counter, his eyes sharp and calculating.
Marlow.
The broker looked up as Elric entered, his lips curling into a thin smile. "Ah, the kid returns," he said, his voice oily. "I take it you're here to make good on our arrangement?"
Elric didn't bother with pleasantries. "I need access to the wilderness," he said, his tone flat. "You said you had a way."
Marlow's smile widened, his fingers drumming lightly on the counter. "Straight to the point, I like that." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "But you should know, kid, nothing in this world comes for free. If you want access to the wilderness, you're going to have to do something for me."
Elric's expression didn't change, but inside, his mind was already racing, weighing the risks and rewards. He had expected this—nothing in the black market was ever as simple as it seemed. "What do you need?"
Marlow's gaze flicked toward a crate behind him, and for a moment, he hesitated, as if considering whether or not to share the details. Then he leaned back in his chair, his smile returning. "There's a shipment coming through the eastern gate tomorrow night," he said, his voice low. "A group of smugglers bringing in something... special. I need someone to make sure it gets through the checkpoint without any... complications."
Elric's eyes narrowed. "Smugglers?"
Marlow shrugged. "Call them what you want. The point is, this shipment is valuable, and I need it to arrive safely. Do that for me, and I'll give you access to the wilderness. A guide, even—someone who knows the territory."
Elric considered the offer, his mind turning over the possibilities. It was risky—anything involving smugglers and the black market was bound to be dangerous. But he didn't have many options. If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed to take risks.
"What's in the shipment?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.
Marlow's smile widened. "That's not your concern. All you need to know is that it's worth more than your life."
Elric didn't flinch. "Fine. I'll do it."
Marlow's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good. Meet me at the eastern gate tomorrow night, and we'll get started."
With that, Elric turned and left the building, the weight of his decision settling over him like a shroud. He knew this was dangerous, that the world he was stepping into was far more brutal than anything he had faced before. But it didn't matter. Power didn't come without risk, and Elric was willing to pay whatever price was necessary.
As he walked back through the narrow streets of the market, his thoughts drifted once again to the wilderness, to the beasts that roamed outside the city walls. He had tasted what it was like to fight for his life, to push himself to the brink of survival. And now, he wanted more.
He needed more soul points. He needed more power.
The streets of Sub-City 4 closed in around him, the weight of the city pressing down from all sides. But Elric felt none of it. His mind was already in the wilderness, already preparing for the next battle. He had made his choice.
And now, there was no turning back.
End of Chapter Nine