Chapter 92. Black Market (2)
TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader
“You look even better in person than on screen. Truly a feast for the eyes.”
A voice that fluttered hearts, regardless of gender. The clear, sweet voice tickled Shimun’s ears. Such flattery could have easily softened anyone’s face, yet Shimun maintained only a light smile.
“Hehe. You truly are an extraordinary individual.”
The woman in the black and white mask let out a teasing laugh. The owner of the black market gestured for him to take the seat in front of her.
“Please, have a seat.”
As Shimun sat down, she personally brewed some warm tea and served it in front of him.
“I usually don’t say this upon first meeting, but honestly, I was surprised.”
She slightly lifted the corners of her beautiful lips, visible beneath her mask.
“To think that the creator of the Area disease cure would be the rising super rookie.”
“Is that so surprising?”
“Of course. You even mentioned the magical realm on the broadcast… you must be an alchemist by profession.”
With little information, she was confident in deducing that Shimun’s profession was an alchemist.
‘Truly the owner of the black market.’
Shimun thought, impressed. Although the guess that he might be an alchemist had come up in chat rooms several times, “To conclusively say so takes it to another level.”
Seeing Shimun remain silent, “Hehe. Drink up before it cools. The tea is quite good, you know? Oh, and don’t worry, it’s not poisoned.”
The corners of her mouth beneath the black and white mask rose into a smile.
“I might have initiative, but I wouldn’t dare make enemies of the Sword Saint or the Saintess. The Night Hunter too, of course.”
Despite everyone, except for Park Jinwook, wearing hoods, the owner of the black market knew the identity of the entire party. Shimun quietly looked down at his teacup. It wasn’t just because she knew everyone’s identity.
‘Saintess…’
That word echoed in his mind.
‘Right. The title of Saintess originally belonged to Yujeong.’
Lee Yujeong, who was referred to as the Saintess, but ultimately met her end with the nickname of a villainess. The fact that he had momentarily forgotten made Shimun feel bitter. But it was only for a moment.
‘It’s a thing of the past life, after all.’
Shimun easily shook off the bitterness.
‘This time, I’m here, so that won’t happen.’
He would prevent it by any means necessary. After sorting out his emotions, Shimun lifted the corners of his mouth like the woman before him.
“Indeed, fitting for the owner of the black market. Not a single leak about the medicine, I presume.”
“Hehe. It’s not that hard to guess. There aren’t many that the fearsome Night Hunter would personally escort.”
The woman, with steam still wafting from her teacup, took a sip and said, “By the way, I haven’t properly introduced myself. My name is Rin. I run this humble black market.”
Shimun’s eyes widened slightly upon hearing her name. And for good reason.
‘Rin is her real name, and she reveals it just like that?’
The owner of the black market usually carried multiple aliases befitting her position.
Lisa, Isabel, Luca, Tooru, Trixie, Hanna, and so on.
Just the names Shimun knew were more than a dozen.
Among them, Rin was the last known name in his previous life, and also the real name of the black market’s owner.
Revealing her real name from the start like this meant, ‘She must consider this transaction very important.’
Shimun sipped the slightly cooled tea.
‘Well, the Area disease cure is a hit, after all.’
Furthermore, ‘She’s trying to evaluate what kind of person I am.’
Depending on how he responds, she would assess him and develop a strategy accordingly.
‘No wonder Shihyuk and Malsuk found it difficult to face her in my previous life.’
The Sword Saint and the Heavenly Demon in his past life.
Even though they were top-tier High Rankers, they hesitated to meet Rin, the owner of the black market.
Both of them really disliked dealing with this kind of personality.
‘Looking back, they really did take good care of me.’
Nevertheless, For the production of the elixir, the two of them had always procured materials from the black market.
Despite the fact that each ingredient was precious and their continual contacts with Rin, the owner of the black market.
Kim Shimun’s smile deepened, prompting Rin to ask, “Do you… seem to know something about my name?”
Her voice was still sweet, but now, it carried a subtly sharper edge than before.
Naturally, Kim Shimun replied, “Ah, it’s just that your name seems pretty for someone who runs the black market. Pardon me, but I was a bit surprised.”
He chose not to heighten her guards unnecessarily.
Was Kim Shimun’s act convincing?
“Pretty name, you say…”
Rin’s voice, previously sharp, softened once again.
Of course, “That’s the first time I’ve heard such a thing… I only thought it sounded foul…”
Though her statement ended with an inexplicable chill.
Rin, while sipping her tea, said to Kim Shimun, “Anyway, I think I have a rough idea of what kind of person you are, Kim Shimun.”
“Is that so? We understand each other then. I too just realized what kind of person you are.”
“Hehe. Such an exciting thing to say. As I expected, you’re not easy to deal with.”
Rin’s smile grew more pronounced.
“Not one to beat around the bush, so let me get straight to the point,” Rin continued, slightly touching her mask.
“Are you considering distributing the Arena disease cure through our black market?”
Rin went straight to the point, but Kim Shimun did not immediately respond.
‘I may prefer getting to the point, but in situations like this, a pause is necessary.’
Hesitation from someone who generally prefers straightforwardness makes others think, ‘Ah, this person is seriously contemplating.’
Especially to those like Rin, skilled in the art of negotiation.
“Oh? You seem to have a lot to ponder?”
Every aspect of such behavior carries multiple implications.
After a brief silence, Kim Shimun answered, “Yes. Honestly, I’m a bit worried.”
“Hmm~ Could my analysis have been wrong?”
With a peculiar nasal sound, Rin, propping her chin with one hand, said with an intriguing smile, “I thought you were the type who disliked going in circles.”
See?
One of Kim Shimun’s eyebrows slightly raised.
Then, “In front of the owner of the black market, it seems I can’t hide anything.”
Kim Shimun chuckled as if admitting defeat and shook his head.
However, even this was a calculated move.
‘If my opponent is better at psychological warfare, it’s better to openly play along like this.’
For such individuals typically think not ‘Ah! I’ve won.’
But ‘What is this person really up to?’
Thereby increasing their suspicion. If this was a strategy for surviving at level 1 in a past life, so be it.
As expected by Kim Shimun, “Hmm… Somehow, your compliment doesn’t feel sweet.”
Rin openly expressed her suspicion.
Observing her, “In truth, I am considering distributing the cure through the black market.”
Kim Shimun spoke calmly.
“Really?”
“Of course. Although I would be selling the cure for money, I truly wish for many Arena disease patients to recover.”
This was sincere. Only a patient can truly understand another patient’s heart. Having suffered from mana incapacity, Kim Shimun could relate to the heart of an Arena disease patient more than anyone.
Moreover, ‘The more normal players there are, the less damage will be inflicted in the upcoming regular Arena due to an outbreak.’
The primary disadvantage of a regular arena was the outbreak. Naturally, the more healthy players there are, the less damage Earth would sustain.
“I can understand that. Until recently, you couldn’t even participate in the Arena due to mana incapacity.”
“First time someone so openly indicates they’ve done a background check.”
“Hehe, sorry. It’s been a while since I met someone challenging, so I got a bit mischievous.”
Maintaining her unique smile, Rin rhythmically tapped her cheek with her fingers.
Then, “Having suffered from mana incapacity, there’s no way you’re lying. Truly, it’s been a long while since I’ve met someone challenging.”
Rin loosened her clenched jaw and let out a small sigh. She sipped on her now moderately cold tea, lifting her head. Although she was wearing a mask. Kim Shimun could feel her gaze soften considerably.
“Alright, Kim Shimun. Let’s put an end to this pointless charade.”
It was an acknowledgment that Kim Shimun was not an easy opponent to deal with. Sincerely.
Click.
‘Hmm?’
She defiantly removed the black and white mask that had covered half her face. Silky black hair cascaded down. The long, upward-slanting eyes typical of Asians, and even the mole below them, were enough to predict her beauty from just the lower half of her face that had been visible until now.
“I hope this serves as a sufficient apology for my rudeness thus far.”
Her coy smile, adding to her allure, reminded one of a mythical fox spirit. But that was it.
“Your apology seems a bit too much.”
Having encountered many breathtaking faces regardless of gender, Kim Shimun was unimpressed. To that.
“Oh? Saying it like that makes me feel a bit bitter, you know?”
Was it a blow to her pride? The smile that Rin usually maintained faltered a bit.
“I did bleed quite a bit for this, you know.”
And it was true. Considering that only a handful of people knew the underground market owner’s real name, how many would know her face? Aware of this fact, Kim Shimun nodded.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“That’s it? You don’t have anything else to say?”
“Uh… revealing your face adds to the burden. I didn’t wish to know it.”
“Ha. Really now.”
Had she been expecting something? Rin scoffed at Kim Shimun’s bland response.
“Ah, I’m feeling a sense of self-loathing.”
Realizing this, Kim Shimun attempted to mitigate the situation.
“Uh… you are pretty, though?”
“I know that much. Your attempt at comfort has made it more pitiful.”
To reveal her identity as the owner of the underground market and be met with such a tepid response. Additionally.
‘Pretty, you say? Ugh! Now that I think about it, that comment is even more infuriating.’
What does that imply about other aspects besides her appearance? It seemed like he didn’t give it much thought, yet it annoyingly got under her skin. Shaking her head, Rin gulped down her cooled tea and said, “So, under what conditions would your side distribute the cure?”
Rin steered the conversation back to the main topic. Kim Shimun finally gave a proper response.
“As you know, I’ve entered a distribution agreement with Holy Trinity for the medicine.”
“I’m aware. That Holy Trinity Biotech, being so exclusive, has started distributing an external product for the first time.”
Rin produced a paper from seemingly nowhere.
“That’s why we’re meeting in secret, right?”
“In secret? You are well aware of who’s with my party.”
“Oh? The Saintess wouldn’t care about this deal, would she?”
“How can you be so confident? The Saintess is the sole successor to Holy Trinity.”
“Well, maybe it’s a woman’s intuition?”
Rin said, squinting her eyes. It wasn’t a difficult guess.
‘The Saintess has only ever been close to the Sword Saint and the Night Hunter.’
For the Saintess to suddenly conceal her identity and be accompany a man as an escort? And if the man is such an attractive catch?
‘Only the foolish wouldn’t see this.’
What it implied was something any woman could understand. Rin’s subtle smile. But unable to read her intentions, Kim Shimun set aside his questions.
“I don’t know how you figured it out, but you’re correct. This won’t reach Holy Trinity Biotech.”
“Haha. Since you admit it, I’m curious. What kind of relationship do you have with the impenetrable Saintess? Could she be a hidden lover?”
“That’s hardly the case.”
Kim Shimun chuckled lightly. That smile unmistakably contained a clear rejection with a hint of incredulity.
‘What? They aren’t really in a relationship? Then why on earth would the Saintess…’
Realizing that it was sincere, Rin’s eyes momentarily clouded over with confusion.
But that was all.
“It makes things simpler then.”
Efficiently masking her emotions, Rin extended a piece of paper towards Kim Shimun.
Catching sight of it, Kim Shimun’s eyes slightly widened.
“An Arena contract?”
“You recognize it. Yes, that’s right.”
An Arena contract.
A contract that could be purchased from the achievement shop, only applicable between players.
In the event of non-fulfillment, immediate penalties would be added to the status screen, and the contract could even inflict physical damage through the energy contained within it, making it a precise yet perilous agreement.
“I hate to say this at our first meeting, but I don’t trust people easily. Especially not players.”
“I understand.”
After all, a contract essentially required legal enforcement to be effective. However, players could easily shake off such legal restrictions if they were prepared.
Therefore, for players, an Arena contract, rather than one comprised of mere paper and legal terms, could exert definitive force.
“I too find certainty in this manner comforting.”
“Hehe. It seems we have quite a lot in common, Kim Shimun-ssi. Just so you know, the energy contained in this contract is void.”
“Void?”
Kim Shimun’s eyes rounded in surprise.
At this, Rin gave a fox-like smile.
“It seems you are aware of the Void contract.”
“I couldn’t be unaware. It’s the most severe type of Arena contract, after all.”
“Hehe. Right.”
Though other energies weren’t without danger, a contract imbued with void was especially notorious for its harsh penalties. The penalty was straightforward.
Violate the contract, and one’s body and mind would twist ceaselessly until death. Forget maintaining a status screen. You wouldn’t even retain your human form.
It was a truly horrific contract in many ways.
“As you know, there are hardly any who have traits related to the void, making it difficult to mitigate the contract penalties.”
Kim Shimun remained silent.
Perhaps thinking he was frightened, “Don’t worry. As long as you abide by the contract, there won’t be any problems, right?”
She laid her hand on the blank space of the paper filled with indecipherable characters.
Seeing this, Kim Shimun spoke up.
“You’re ready to sign without even hearing the terms?”
“You know why, don’t you?”
“You’re confident you can satisfy whatever I may ask?”
“Of course. Really…”
Moving slightly closer, Rin placed her hand on the contract.
She whispered with a smile so warm it seemed to melt one’s heart away, “Anything at all…”
Her seductive whisper. The whisper that tickled sexual emotions wasn’t just because of Rin’s appearance.
‘Indeed. Worthy of being called a nine-tailed fox.’
Rin, the nine-tailed fox.
In her previous life, she possessed the SSS-Rank trait, the fox bead, capable of bewitching numerous rankers with her formidable charm.
Despite Rin’s enchanting demeanor, “Fine. I only have one condition.”
“One? That’s fewer than expected. How disappointing.”
Rin licked her lips slightly at Kim Shimun’s unfazed response.
‘I could try to charm Kim Shimun right now if I wanted to…’
Ugh.
For some reason, the fox bead nestled within her was sending a warning. That she should avoid this man.
Given that the fox bead had shaped her current existence from the very mire, “Hehe. If it’s just one condition, I’ll be even more attentive.”
Rin gave up on using her charm cleanly and said, “Please, tell me anything, Kim Shimun-ssi. I will do my best to comply.”
At that, “I would like you to acquire Orichalcum and Adamantium for me.”
Kim Shimun stated his condition without a moment’s hesitation.
Startle.
Rin’s hand, which had been confidently playing with the contract, dropped abruptly.