Chapter 110: Thou Shalt Not Die
Both [The Intestine Hunter] and [Conspiracy] were lone-wolf type Reincarnators. More than that, they were among the extremely rare few who had survived numerous missions and successfully made a name for themselves as veterans. It was rumored that many [Collectives] had tried to recruit them, but both had maintained their solo status.
Kaito guessed that both of them had probably achieved an S-rank mission evaluation at least once, which is how they knew about the hidden method for [Trait Fusion]. In a sense, the three of them were very similar.
"Bidding is fine, of course," Kaito said. "It's no loss to me."
He was in possession of an excellent fusion material that offered both scarce and rare options. Since both of them wanted it, he didn't care who he traded with.
[Conspiracy], despite the grim first impression from his crow mask, was actually a very rational type who was good at weighing pros and cons. He didn't waste time on useless complaints and made his offer directly.
"I can trade you for that material at a value of two C-rank Singularities."
Kaito glanced at the items on [Conspiracy]'s stall. Overall, this was a very fair offer. Kaito's own mental price for the material had been about what [Intestine Hunter] had originally offered: one C-rank Singularity and some Dimensional Points. After realizing the hidden functions of the [Training Hall] and the other facilities, Kaito was becoming increasingly aware that you could never have enough Singularities and Dimensional Points. A Reincarnator could absolutely convert a massive amount of resources into personal power, creating a positive feedback loop of growth—especially someone with his learning ability.
[The Intestine Hunter] sheathed her long blade and "tsked" as she heard [Conspiracy]'s no-nonsense offer.
"I have a very valuable piece of information," she said, changing her tactic. "I'm willing to trade that for your material. It's a piece of information that any Reincarnator would be tempted to hear."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. Her sales pitch had a strong sense of déjà vu. He happened to see the [Black Butler] broker approaching in the distance.
"This 'valuable information' of yours… it wouldn't happen to be related to a [Card], would it?"
[The Intestine Hunter] frowned. The two of them locked eyes, both instantly realizing they'd been scammed by an info-broker. Information was only valuable because of its timeliness and scarcity. If a piece of news was being spread everywhere, it was worthless.
"Fine, let this fool have the head," she snapped. "I need to go have a… discussion." [The Intestine Hunter] swished her cape and stormed off, revealing a large swath of pale skin. She was dressed scantily, but it didn't give an erotic impression. On the contrary, it only made her look more dangerous.
The [Black Butler] had just walked up. He saw [The Intestine Hunter] storming away after her conversation with Kaito and immediately guessed what had happened.
"That particular piece of information... there are about three different brokers selling it in the East Sector."
"The one who gave it to [The Intestine Hunter] was probably [Info-Scout]. And his reputation... well, you understand."
Seeing Kaito still staring at him, his malicious intent completely undisguised, the [Black Butler] quickly continued his explanation. "The loose information is known by about a hundred people. But the number of actual tracking pointers in circulation is less than ten. I can promise you that the one I gave you is tracking the target I believe is most likely to have the card. And the number of pointers tracking that specific person is, including yours, no more than three."
[Conspiracy], watching them, could see a faint magical light flickering around the [Black Butler]. This man wasn't as calm as he appeared. He was also terrified of [Mercenary Tao]. Even without much interaction, [Conspiracy] could feel a sinister aura from Kaito. The man was constantly radiating a kind of aggression. It was in the way his eyes would unconsciously scan a person's vital points, a detail Kaito himself probably didn't even notice. That was the source of his unsettling presence.
Kaito suddenly laughed. He reached out, as if to clap [Black Butler] on the shoulder. The broker instinctively flinched, and Kaito's smile widened.
"You're too nervous, Black Butler. I'm not like that woman. I'm not the type to hold a grudge."
[Black Butler] didn't need his monocle to know that was a complete lie. If he had given him faulty information, this terrifying man—who had spread a rumor about Vincent and then hunted him down in the real world—would absolutely have come for him next. He used his ability several more times to force himself to remain calm, and then spoke.
"The [Destiny] faction's stall is about to open. If you haven't bought that item yet, I can make an introduction for you. Consider it… compensation for the part of the deal I failed to mention." He was making another concession. A human didn't need to fear a wild beast, but there was also no need to needlessly provoke it. This was the [Black Butler]'s philosophy. He didn't approve of [Info-Scout]'s methods. Grasping for too much profit would, sooner or later, make you an enemy you couldn't afford—like [The Intestine Hunter].
Kaito was starting to genuinely appreciate the [Black Butler]. He then turned his attention back to [Conspiracy]'s stall and pointed at one of the items. "This one. Your price is two C-rank Singularities, which seems appropriate."
[Conspiracy] followed Kaito's finger and saw it was a tattered collection of poetry, practically just the cover.
[Poetry Collection: Thou Shalt Not Die (Fragment)]
[Quality: Silver Story Equipment]
[Description: A book from a certain world, imbued with a special ability and information.]
[Requirement: Spirit > 8]
[Effect 1: This is a consumable item. Current Uses: 2/3]
[Effect 2: Tear off a page and apply it to a target. If the target is in a near-death state, they will be healed. Otherwise, it has no effect.]
[Effect 3: Torn pages cannot be restored.]
It was a very special consumable. It had the quality of [Silver Story Equipment] and a powerful effect, but it was a consumable with only two uses left. If it were the complete, non-consumable ability, its price would be astronomical, far beyond that of a normal lineage item.
[Conspiracy] had priced it at two C-rank Singularities, which wasn't expensive. Kaito guessed that [Conspiracy] himself likely had some kind of healing ability, so he didn't need this item and was selling it off. He might even possess the [Thou Shalt Not Die] ability itself.
This ability was clearly from the Bungo Stray Dogs world. [Thou Shalt Not Die] was a unique power that could heal a target... but only if they were on the brink of death. Therefore, to use this ability to its fullest, one had to be a master of putting someone into a near-death state. If a target's injuries weren't severe enough, you just had to stab them a few more times until they were, and then the ability would work.
"Deal," [Conspiracy] said after a moment's thought. Although his item was a higher quality, it was a consumable. The material Kaito was offering provided a permanent enhancement. They both got what they needed.
[XX53562211 (Mercenary Tao) has initiated a trade with you.]
[You have lost Item: Thou Shalt Not Die (Fragment)]
[You have obtained Special Material: Head of the Heartless Demon (Douma)]
After the trade was complete, Kaito left with the [Black Butler]. They weaved through the massive streets of the bazaar, finally arriving at a row of stalls in a very inconspicuous location. This place was far from the main facilities, and few Reincarnators ever passed through.
But this row of stalls was not lacking for customers. Kaito understood. The [Destiny] organization hadn't chosen this remote spot because it was cheap; they had done it out of arrogance. They were confident that no matter where they set up shop, other Reincarnators would be forced to find them.
"Tsk. How arrogant."
[Black Butler] nodded. The arrogance of [The Chosen] was well-known among all Reincarnators. But just like their status, these people truly were the darlings of the Nexus. As long as they didn't actively seek out high-risk missions, their own main quest difficulty would never be particularly high. And even if they did end up in a dangerous mission, they were almost always "coincidentally" placed with extremely powerful Reincarnators.
"But," he added, "they have the capital to be arrogant."
He led Kaito to a stall in the second row. A man with short blond hair, emerald-green eyes, and pale skin was idly fiddling with a stone fragment. When he saw [Black Butler] approach, he raised an eyebrow and put the item away.
"Is this the 'dangerous customer' you were telling me about?" The man's avatar was, Kaito noted, quite narcissistic.
"Hah. Then Mr. Black Butler must have misunderstood me," Kaito said. "I've always been a law-abiding, model citizen."
He glanced at the man's stall.
[Directional Anchor]
[Quality: Blue]
[Description: A special item created by the Alchemist 'Glaze', possessing a powerful, special effect.]
[Effect 1: In conjunction with a Record Pointer, can anchor onto a target's mission world and allow the user to follow them.]
[Effect 2: This item is one-time use and will disappear after use.]
[Effect 3: This item has a LOW priority. It can be blocked by a target with MEDIUM or higher authority/priority.]
[Glaze] saw the ugly man looking at his item, and his lips curled into a smirk. He loved watching the astonished expressions of normal Reincarnators when they saw the items that only [The Chosen] could create. [The Chosen], as the beloved of the Nexus, were given special treatment under the rules. They had discovered they could interfere with the Nexus's rules to a certain extent, which had led to the founding of the [Destiny] organization and the creation of items like this.
[Glaze] braced himself and looked at Kaito, anticipating his awe.
"You," Kaito said, his voice flat. "You're a very useful tool."
[Glaze] froze. He was staring into a pair of eyes that were looking at him as if he were nothing more than a convenient piece of equipment.
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