Regarding the behavior of Leoric and the others, Kaito felt nothing but disgust. Cooperation? That was out of the question. With people like them, there was no telling when they might betray him again in exchange for a bit of profit.
As Kaito turned around, ready to leave, Grelan's voice rang out, sharp and indignant.
"Don't you dare throw away the opportunity we're giving you! Do you even understand the kind of influence first-rate guilds like ours hold? Help us, and you'll earn a generous cut—at least 5 gold coins! That's enough to make you the richest man in any starter town!"
He stepped forward, sneering.
"Others won't get a chance like this. You should think carefully. That 'title' of yours won't hold much value for long. This is your one shot to make a fortune."
In any normal context, becoming the richest player in a town during the early stages of the game was a dream beyond reach. It meant holding 3 to 4 gold coins, an amount that players could only fantasize about in a place where copper and silver were the dominant currencies.
Kaito let out a chuckle.
"Richest in town?" he said with amusement. "That's a generous offer."
He turned, a smirk forming at the corner of his lips.
"Unfortunately… I'm not interested."
What a joke. Before he'd even stepped foot in the black market, he had already been the richest player in South Glade Town. He didn't lack gold. And he certainly didn't need handouts from people like them.
Just then, a gentle voice interrupted him.
"Excuse me... Are you Mr. Raen?"
Kaito turned slightly.
A young woman approached him with graceful steps, her presence instantly drawing attention—even among the crowd of elite auction attendees. She appeared to be in her early twenties, with shoulder-length ash-gray hair that shimmered faintly under the mana lights. Her eyes were a deep sapphire, calm yet piercing, like she could see through secrets.
She wore a sleek, high-collared combat cloak trimmed with silver rune embroidery—lightweight, tactical, and clearly custom-forged. A utility belt cinched her waist, and a small emblem of an unfamiliar guild crest gleamed on her left shoulder. Her demeanor was composed, even professional, but there was a warmth in her voice and the slightest curve of a smile at the edge of her lips.
There was no unnecessary flirtation—just quiet confidence, refinement, and intent.
"That's right. And you are?" Kaito asked, his gaze narrowing slightly.
He didn't recognize the woman standing before him. But a quick glance revealed her level—Level 12—and her class: Spellbinder. She was fully equipped with a set of Mysterious Iron set gear, each piece radiating faint magical ripples. Clearly, she wasn't an ordinary player.
"Hello," the woman said, her tone soft but confident. "You can call me Selvera."
She smiled faintly, her composure elegant yet relaxed.
"We actually crossed paths inside the auction hall earlier… but you might've missed me."
Kaito's expression shifted ever so slightly.
Selvera…?
That name struck a chord.
She wasn't just any Spellbinder. She was one of the top ten ranked Spellbinders in Glory—and more than that, in the game's official rankings, she was known as a Tier 6 Spell Queen—Selvera.
To think he would run into someone of her caliber here, of all places...
"Y-You were at the auction just now?" Kaito asked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
After all, entering the VIP section of the auction wasn't something just anyone could do. Even he had only gotten in because of his newly acquired Baron title—a stroke of fortune that elevated his status just in time.
Selvera smiled faintly, brushing a strand of her silvery hair behind her ear.
"I naturally can't compare to someone like you, Mr. Raen," she said calmly. "I was only there to observe. Unlike you… who spent 55 gold coins on a single skill book."
Her tone held no mockery—only subtle amusement.
She continued, "That's exactly why I'm here. I'm representing the Duskwatch, and I've come to propose a potential cooperation. I wonder if Mr. Raen would be interested."
Duskwatch was a guild of grand reputation in the virtual gaming world—an absolute titan among giants. Within its ranks, Selvera stood as one of its more prominent elders, holding a position of significant influence. Her name was widely known among top players, and within high-tier circles, she was a figure very few had not heard of.
Hearing her casually conversing with Kaito, Grelan and the others were struck dumb.
Their expressions froze. Their throats tightened. For a moment, they could only stare at the exchange, completely at a loss for words.
They had treated Kaito as a mere independent player—just another lucky nobody wandering through early content. In their minds, someone like him shouldn't even have a fraction of their resources. Offering him 5 gold coins? That should have been more than enough to win his loyalty.
But now…
From Selvera's own lips, they heard it: Kaito had spent 55 gold coins on a single skill book.
Fifty-five.
Even if they pooled all their gold together, they still wouldn't come close. That amount wasn't just staggering—it was more than double their combined net worth.
Their confidence cracked. Doubt flooded in.
Just who was this man really?
Whereas receiving Selvera's invitation, Kaito nodded in agreement.
In the end, cooperating with a major guild in the black market was inevitable. But rather than aligning with aggressive groups like Bloodthirsty Drake or similarly ruthless organizations, it made far more sense to choose a reputable, influential force like Duskwatch.
Not only did Duskwatch have a solid foundation and reach, but Selvera herself was also a name synonymous with integrity. She wasn't someone who placed profits above all else—her decisions were often guided by loyalty and principle.
Kaito remembered clearly.
In his previous life, one of Selvera's close friends had become the target of a First-Rate Guild that intended to force her into handing over all her valuable items. Their goal? To kill her back to Level 0—completely reset her progress.
Selvera hadn't hesitated. In defense of her friend, she publicly declared war on the opposing guild. What followed was a brutal clash between two giants. The cost was immense. Both guilds suffered heavy losses, and Duskwatch's strength was severely weakened. Once a dominant power, they were reduced to an ordinary First-Rate guild from that point onward.
Even so, Selvera had no regrets.
If Selvera had been the kind of person who placed profit above friendship, she would have never taken such a drastic and costly step just to help someone else. And yet, she did.
That single act of loyalty had left a deep impression on her friend, who was moved beyond words. From that moment forward, she became one of Duskwatch's fiercest generals—a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
In the years that followed, Selvera's friend—Lyssandra—rose through the ranks, eventually ascending to become a Tier 6 Mage God. Under her leadership, and with Selvera at her side, Duskwatch evolved into a tyrannical powerhouse within Glory, feared and respected across all regions.
With Selvera's personality and reputation now firmly in his mind, Kaito felt far more at ease accepting her offer. If there was anyone in the upper ranks of major guilds he could trust, it was her.
"I know a good place nearby," She said casually. "Let's talk there."
Selvera gave a small nod, a faint smile touching her lips. Without a word, she turned and began guiding Kaito through the bustling heart of the black market.
The Black Market wasn't just a marketplace—it was a self-contained realm, a secluded dimension. From the simplest trade stalls to grand auction halls, private lounges, weapon galleries, training arenas, and even colosseums for blood-sport duels—it had everything one could imagine.
And as for its size?
No one truly knew.
There had never been a single player—past or present—who had claimed to fully explore it. Even in Kaito's previous life, not a single post had ever appeared on the forums announcing a full map or detailed blueprint of the Black Market.
It was limitless, unknowable, and eternally shrouded in mystery.