The spell "Five Emperors' Protection" was of an extremely high tier—far beyond what an average exorcist could hope to wield.
Just as Ren Kuroda's energy slash was about to cleave into his opponent, a pentagram-shaped formation abruptly manifested in front of the enforcer. It absorbed the full force of Ren's attack—and then, together with the slash itself, dissipated into nothingness.
As Ren watched a graceful silhouette slowly step out from the shadows at the edge of the scene, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.
Finally, he thought, someone who can actually fight.
The entire chaotic clash had unfolded in the span of a heartbeat. As for the onlookers, they were already completely dumbfounded.
At first, they'd thought Ren was just a fool—someone suicidal enough to start a fight in the black market.
Then they decided he was merely reckless and hot-blooded, daring to kill Ketsuhyō right in front of the enforcers.
But just when they were convinced Ren was as good as dead, he shattered their expectations yet again—those supposedly invincible enforcers were being utterly overwhelmed in an instant.
"That young man is definitely not ordinary… Looks like the black market is about to change today."
"No kidding. Even an idiot can tell he's not normal. Who else could casually crush three B-rank enforcers like that?Don't be fooled by his youthful appearance—I bet it's a disguise. For all we know, he's some ancient monster from a major faction pretending to be young."
Anyone with eyes could see it—Ren hadn't even been serious in that fight, yet three B-rank enforcers were already finished.
Conservatively speaking, that meant his strength was at least A-rank. Possibly A+—or even S-.
An A+ was already the level of a great exorcist clan's patriarch. As for S-rank… that was territory reserved for the heads of the legendary Thirteen Demon-Slaying Houses.
"Black One… this guy—"
Black Thirteen—the enforcer who had cast the lightning spell—turned toward the newly arrived figure at his side, about to speak.
Smack.
Before he could finish a single word, he was slapped across the face.
"The master told you to maintain order in the black market," the woman said coldly,"not to personally jump in and stir up trouble.That Ketsuhyō wasn't the first time he abused black market rules to provoke others. If he died, so be it. But you idiots actually managed to drag in an enemy this troublesome."
Black One—the head of all black market enforcers.
She too wore a black outfit and a matching mask, but her slender, curvaceous figure made it obvious she was a woman of striking allure.
From the aura she had released when casting Five Emperors' Protection, Ren could tell her spiritual power was around A–rank.
Her exact combat ability was unknown, but A–rank spiritual power alone already placed her on par with top-tier exorcists like Yamato Kuka. In the current era, that made her unquestionably elite.
And yet—someone of that level was still just a subordinate.
That alone sparked Ren's curiosity about the true forces backing the black market.
He'd once believed that, after infiltrating Tokyo under the guise of "Hyakki Yagyō," he had more or less grasped the city's overall power structure.
Now, though…
It seemed Tokyo's waters ran far deeper than he'd thought.
The sword Ren had snatched earlier had already snapped in half after channeling his overwhelming spiritual power.
Seeing this new arrival, Ren showed genuine interest and was just about to draw Divine Blessing from his waist—
When she spoke, interrupting him.
"Please, sir, let us pause here. This matter was indeed mishandled by the black market. We are willing to offer compensation and a formal apology.No one has died on both sides yet, and the black market has no desire to make an enemy of a powerhouse like yourself.After all—having one more friend is far better than having one more enemy. Wouldn't you agree?"
Her words left Black Thirteen—already stunned from that slap—even more bewildered.
Because the Black One standing before him felt like a completely different person from the one he knew.
Though she was female, her usual methods were so ruthless that even fellow enforcers found them chilling.
And now?
She was speaking gently. Politely. Even offering compromise.
What the hell?
From Black Thirteen's perspective, they hadn't even done anything wrong. Anyone who caused trouble in the black market—regardless of background—was to be crippled on the spot.
Wasn't that her order?
So how did this suddenly become their fault?
That slap felt seriously undeserved.
Meanwhile, Black One was silently cursing the three enforcers for acting without thinking.
If killing Ren had been possible, she wouldn't have hesitated. His actions were undeniably slapping the black market's authority in the face.
If everyone behaved like this, where would their enforcers' prestige go? How would merchants fear them?
But after witnessing that slash firsthand, Black One understood something clearly—
Even if she and the remaining enforcers attacked together, they likely still wouldn't be Ren Kuroda's match.
She'd poured her full strength into Five Emperors' Protection, yet Ren's attack had looked like nothing more than a casual swing.
They hadn't exchanged direct blows—but the gap between their levels was painfully obvious.
Rules existed to restrain the weak.
To the strong, they were little more than suggestions.
If Ren were weaker—even with exorcist family backing—Black One could have killed him without concern. The black market's masters would have covered it.
But now?
They weren't strong enough. And summoning the powers behind the black market would only expose their own incompetence.
So, she chose de-escalation.
"Compensation isn't necessary," Ren said calmly."I already killed Ketsuhyō.But your subordinate slapped my little sister without any provocation."
The moment Ren finished speaking, the enforcer who had just staggered back to his feet—teeth missing, air whistling through his mouth—felt his heart sink.
Oh no… I'm dead.
Wasn't that slap already repayment?
This guy really held grudges that hard?!
And wait—earlier he said friend, didn't he? When did she become his sister?!
As expected, Black One didn't hesitate.
"Black Seventeen," she said coldly,"if you've made a mistake, you bear the consequences yourself. As black market enforcers, our duty is to maintain order.Slap yourself—until this young lady is satisfied."
Did Black Seventeen dare refuse?
Of course not.
He couldn't afford to offend Black One—let alone the master behind her.
Losing face was one thing. Dying was another.
So, filled with resentment, Black Seventeen shuffled over to Yuina Yako, repeatedly slapping his own face while apologizing through bloodied lips.
Whether he suffered less or more now depended entirely on this girl's mercy.
And yes—he deeply regretted that earlier slap.
Why had he hit her of all people, when Black Thirteen was the one close to Ketsuhyō?
Watching his pitiful state—bloodied mouth, whistling speech—Yuina eventually couldn't bear it anymore.
After he slapped himself a few times, she told him to stop.
With everything settled, Ren prepared to leave with Yuina—
Only to be called back by Black One.
"Sir, from what I've just learned, you came to the black market seeking yokai serum to save someone.To be frank, a mere C–rank serum hardly befits your sister's status.As a gesture of apology, there happens to be an underground auction tonight. Might you be interested?"
Through quick inquiries, Black One had already learned the cause of the conflict.
All this… over a single C–rank yokai serum.
And the moment she realized that, a new idea sparked in her mind.
At first, she'd suspected Ren was sent by a rival faction to cause trouble.
But his willingness to accept compromise immediately disproved that.
If he were truly here to stir chaos, he wouldn't have backed down so easily—especially when he clearly had the strength to do so.
The fact that someone this powerful had personally come to buy a C–rank serum also suggested he lacked any major backing.
A strong individual with no factional ties?
That was exactly the kind of person the black market wanted to befriend.
Even if recruitment failed, having such a powerhouse as an ally was never a bad thing.
Given Ren's strength, the serum clearly wasn't for him.
And Yuina Yako was obviously just an ordinary human.
It didn't take much thought to realize—the serum was meant for his "sister."
"The black market has auctions too?" Ren asked, stopping in his tracks."And it just so happens to be today?"
Truth be told, he'd already browsed the black market earlier and found nothing worth buying.
But an underground auction?
That instantly piqued his interest.