Immediately after arriving at the Black Market, kaito went directly towards the Auction House, He noticed that a number of players were already queued up at the entrance. These weren't average players either. They were veterans—seasoned and sharp-eyed—each one wearing complete bronze-tier sets. The most eye-catching among them was a towering man with a thick beard, carrying a Mysterious Iron Axe strapped to his back. He was already Level 14 and radiated the confidence of someone not to be trifled with.
Kaito, currently at Level 13, had clearly fallen behind the leveling curve today due to his various detours. Some of his own teammates had already reached Level 14.
As Kaito approached the entrance, the nearby players instinctively turned toward him. The silvery-white shimmer of his Mysterious Iron armor, coupled with the subtle pressure radiating from the Solstice Blade on his back, made it clear he was not an ordinary player. Though his face remained obscured beneath the silver half-mask, his imposing presence caused even seasoned players to reassess their stance.
A calm, scholarly-looking swordsman—Level 12—stepped forward with a casual wave and an easy smile. Leoric's tone carried the smooth, practiced diplomacy of someone used to dealing with people from all walks of life. "This one is Leoric Stayn of the Mooncrown Guild. Fellow friend, I don't believe we've met before. Is this your first time visiting the Black Market?"
Hearing the man introduce himself, Kaito couldn't help but size him up.
Leoric Stayn—from the Mooncrown Guild.
The Mooncrown Guild was a name even casual players in Glory would recognize. Though well-known across the realms, their sphere of influence wasn't in the Solaris Kingdom—where Astralis City and South Glade Town were located—but rather in the Vireleon Empire, a far more competitive region where high-level conflict between guilds was a daily occurrence.
In that fiercely contested land, Mooncrown stood tall among the top-tier forces. Their strength easily eclipsed that of local guilds in the Solaris Kingdom such as Stormlife Guild and Crimson Rose. Even those two, considered elites within their own borders, could hardly compete with the refined coordination and power of the empire's seasoned guilds.
The scholarly swordsman standing before Kaito—Leoric Stayn—was not an ordinary player. He was a well-known top-tier swordsman whose name carried weight among the more observant players. Kaito understood that forming ties with someone like him might prove advantageous in the long run.
"Hello," Kaito replied with a slight nod, his expression calm and reserved. The simple gesture gave off a composed and taciturn aura, causing the surrounding players to grow more curious.
Aside from Leoric, several other players stepped forward, each introducing themselves to Kaito. Most were solo adventurers—free agents in this chaotic world. They had no guild backing but understood one truth: befriending a powerful expert could open unexpected doors in the future.
After all, one more friend often meant one more potential opportunity.
Especially when it came to top-tier players who had managed to reach the elusive Black Market, such encounters were rare. The idea of future rivalry seemed distant; until now, none of them had encountered another top-tier player from the same kingdom here. Travel between kingdoms was still difficult, and inter-kingdom conflicts were a concern for the distant future.
In contrast, building early alliances—even informal ones—could bring immense mutual benefit. And that was one of the Black Market's greatest, unspoken values: connecting experts across borders, long before their homelands ever collided.
The bearded man swept a glance at Kaito. Upon noticing that Kaito's level was lower than his own, a flicker of disdain flashed across his eyes. From the way Kaito stood calmly amidst a group of strong players, he assumed the boy was just another overconfident independent player. And seeing the others attempting to befriend him only added fuel to his irritation.
"He's just an independent player," the man snorted loudly, his voice laced with scorn. "What's the point in trying to curry favor with someone like him?"
With that remark, the previously casual atmosphere in front of the auction house turned tense.
Still wearing a diplomatic smile, Leoric stepped forward and interjected with practiced calm. "Brother Grelan," he said lightly, "not everyone can easily find their way to the Black Market. Is there really a need to be so hostile? If we all get along, it might bring mutual benefit in the future."
"Hmph." The bearded man—Grelan—crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Relying on sheer luck, how could an independent player like him possibly be of use to us? What kind of cooperation are you even imagining?"
As he spoke, he straightened his posture and deliberately brushed aside the cloak over his chest, revealing a gleaming silver emblem with the words Bloodthirsty Drake Guild engraved on it. The silver mark wasn't just for show—it denoted his status as an elder within the guild.
The Bloodthirsty Drake Guild was one of the top three first-rate guilds in the Drakenthorn Empire. A long-established powerhouse, its history stretched back over 200 years—so far, in fact, that even Kaito's parents hadn't been born when the guild first made its name. Its roots ran deep, and its influence was nothing short of formidable.
Watching Grelan's arrogant display, even Leoric could only shake his head in helplessness. He turned to Kaito with an apologetic smile.
"Truly sorry, brother. Grelan isn't usually like this—he must be in a foul mood today." He quickly changed the subject. "This must be your first time at the Black Market Auction House, right? You've come at just the right time. Today happens to be one of the rare days when the auction house is hosting a auction."
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "However, in order to enter, you'll need to purchase a Black Market Pass. It costs two gold coins per person, and only those with the pass are allowed entry. That said, each pass holder is allowed to bring along two additional guests."
Leoric smiled warmly. "What do you say, Kaito? Let me bring you in as a guest. You'd save yourself quite a bit of coin that way."
Just as Kaito was about to politely decline, Grelan scoffed loudly from behind.
"Hah! Can't even afford a Black Market Pass and still has the face to show up here?" Grelan's voice dripped with contempt. "Tagging along like a leech... What a joke."
He stepped forward and jabbed a finger in the air toward the group. "I'll say it plainly. I don't want to be anywhere near this brat. If any of you are thinking of forming an alliance, it's either him or me. Make your choice—he goes, or I do."
Grelan stood with smug confidence, fully aware of the strength behind him. After all, he had the Bloodthirsty Drake Guild—one of the Great Guilds—as his backing. In contrast, Kaito appeared to be an independent player with no affiliations, no support, and nothing to rely on but himself. To Grelan, it was obvious that Leoric and the others would side with him without hesitation.
In the world of Glory, cooperation among the strong was the foundation of mutual benefit. Partnering with another elite guild member ensured long-term returns and reliable support. But cooperating with an independent player? That was a gamble.
Especially in a place like the black market, where access was dictated by rare Black Market entry ticket—One time use items that not only revealed the current location of the shifting teleportation array but also provided the entry password. Without such a pass, there was no telling when—or if—one could enter again.
To the players present, Kaito seemed like a one-time visitor, someone who had gotten in by sheer luck. Once his visit ended, there was no guarantee he'd be able to return. Meanwhile, someone like Grelan, backed by a first-rate guild, could acquire another ticket with ease. That simple fact made all the difference in their eyes.
Of course, none of them knew that Kaito possessed a hidden advantage — the memories of his past life — which allowed him to locate the Black Market's entrance and it's entry password for his first few visits, even without an official entry ticket. As for the future, Kaito believed he would be able to obtain a proper entry ticket through his own capabilities.