There is a place called the 'Market.'
Market.
No one knows when, where, by whom, or in what form it was created.
However, three things were certain.
One was that any transaction conducted in the Market boasted considerable security, regardless of what was being traded.
Another was that the Guardian Constellation of the one who created and operated the Market was a Constellation named 'Ruler of the Reverse Side.'
Finally, as long as one knew the method to enter, anyone could use it freely without restrictions by paying a predetermined usage fee.
And that was the information Kim Joohyuk obtained after searching through the internet.
"Is this the place?"
In front of a ruined café located in a secluded area of Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
Looking at the café, Kim Joohyuk checked the post he had opened on his smartphone.
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How to Enter the Market. (+Plus things to watch out for, FAQs.)
Writer: Typing Cat
※ Before I explain, I want to let you know that my Constellation possessed a cat to write this post. Also, my Constellation said if you catch me, they'll smash everyone's heads, so please keep that in mind. Thank you.
Alright, today I'll teach you how to enter the Market, which is widely known among us Contractors.
Though I say 'method,' there isn't much to it. Just go to www.detectorone.com and make a Market reservation. It will tell you to go to a specific location within 50km of your current position.
Just go there and enter through the door as instructed on the website, and Market entry complete!
Since there are tons of questions, I'll answer things to watch out for and your curiosities.Bring 2 million won for the Market usage fee when you go. As soon as you enter, a Market employee wearing an anachronistic leather suit will come out to collect it. Just think of it as an entrance fee. Also, the Market is good, but they take a 5% commission on transactions, so watch out for that.Once inside, don't cause trouble. If you cause trouble and things go south, the Market Owner will kick you out, and you can never use the Market again. Since everyone trades in the Market because it's accessible from anywhere in the world and safe, if you can't enter, you become a cripple lol. Agreed?If someone picks a fight, ignore them. It's fine if Contractors fight among themselves, but since anyone can enter, Villains also frequent this place. Picking a fight with a Villain makes life exhausting, so just lay low, okay?
FAQs.
Is using the Market illegal in Korea because Villains roam around? Yes. But don't worry about it. Everyone who's somewhat capable in Korea uses it, so no one gets caught anyway lol.What if I get caught using the Market? Nope~ You won't get caught, so don't even think about it~ Everyone enters from different locations anyway, so the probability of getting caught is 0%.Since the Market can be used worldwide, can I go to another country through it? A lot of bastards ask this, but it's impossible. Why? Why ask me that? Just know that if you enter through a café door, you unconditionally have to exit through that same café door.
Lastly, your Honor the Judge, this post was written by a Constellation possessing a cat. I send infinite loyalty to the proud Republic of Korea, which doesn't even block the site despite saying the Market is illegal ^^7
Loyalty, loyalty!
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Kim Joohyuk read the long post once more, recalled the location he saw before leaving Valhalla, and entered the café.
The musty smell that hit him as soon as he entered.
Guessing from that alone that this place had been neglected for a long time, Kim Joohyuk moved his steps toward the side door of the café as written on the site.
"..."
An incredibly worn-out side door.
Thinking the door might tear off if he applied even a little force, Kim Joohyuk opened the old side door while harboring a strange doubt.
And.
"Hmm...?"
Kim Joohyuk unwittingly made a strange sound at the sight visible inside the side door.
The first thing he saw was a purple sky.
Next, he saw massive buildings reminiscent of a steampunk worldview standing here and there.
Black smoke rising from between those buildings.
Watching that scene, Kim Joohyuk wore a strange expression for a moment before realizing that this scenery was incredibly familiar.
Of course, it didn't mean he was familiar with unknown steampunk buildings.
The atmosphere.
Yes, the atmosphere was familiar.
Starting from that purple sky to the strangely cloudy moon floating above.
Strangely enough, it was incredibly similar to the night scenery Kim Joohyuk had seen almost every single day without fail 300 years ago.
How long had he been appreciating the scenery?
"is this your first time?"
At the sudden voice, Kim Joohyuk turned his gaze to look at the man who spoke to him.
The man, wearing a black leather suit that looked fitting for this worldview at a glance, wore a pleasant smile.
Kim Joohyuk easily realized he was an employee.
"Well, yeah."
"Then, are you familiar with how to use the Market?"
At those words, Kim Joohyuk nodded once, took out the cash he had withdrawn before coming here, and handed it to him.
With this, Kim Joohyuk's balance was exactly 30,000 won.
He had used up all the money he originally had plus the scholarship he received for being 1st place, or whatever benefit it was, but Kim Joohyuk continued speaking without minding it.
"I know how to use it, but I don't know the details. Can you tell me a bit?"
"Please ask anything."
The man smiled lightly.
"...?"
Kim Joohyuk felt a strange sense of incongruity there, but he ignored it and spoke.
"I want to sell some jewelry I have. Where should I go?"
"Do you intend to sell via auction?"
Kim Joohyuk seemed to think for a moment, then shook his head.
"I just want to sell it quickly."
"In that case, I think you should go to District 3 next to the Auction House. Walk straight from here, and at the five-way intersection you see next, take the third path from the left. You can go straight there."
"Can I sell quickly if I go there?"
"Since there are mostly jewelers, weapon dealers, and those dealing in various illegal goods and stolen property there, I believe it will depend on how you negotiate."
"...In short, it's a marketplace."
"Correct."
"Who is the most trustworthy person in District 3?"
"He doesn't give high prices, but there is talk that a man named 'Morris' values stolen goods or jewelry most appropriately."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. If you have any questions about things like this, please ask anyone wearing a leather suit like me at any time. The usage fee includes the cost of such services, along with self-purification efforts."
Saying that, the employee took out a white cat mask and handed it to him.
"What is this?"
"A small service I offer. Honestly, it doesn't matter if you don't use it, but we recommend wearing a mask here."
Kim Joohyuk nodded as if that made sense, accepted the mask, and put it on.
"Thank you."
With those words, he waved his hand lightly and began walking toward the place the man indicated.
Man, it's filthy complicated.
A thought that flashed through Kim Joohyuk's mind for a moment.
Honestly, if he wanted to sell the gold bars or jewelry comfortably, it wouldn't matter if he just took them to a nearby gold shop and sold them.
However, since it could become a problem after selling, he had entered the Market despite enduring the inconvenience.
According to the information he found, goods transactions in the Market guaranteed absolute security.
To conclude simply, Kim Joohyuk was thinking of offsetting potential future annoyances by dealing with this present annoyance.
Anyway, I should sell this quickly. If I have time left, I'll do more training.
Thus, Kim Joohyuk quickened his pace slightly.
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Morris could be called one of the veteran merchants of District 3, having sold various stolen goods for over 30 years.
In fact, while there were incredibly many merchants in District 3, there were only a few, including Morris, who had continued doing business for over 30 years.
Then what happened to the rest?
Some retired, but honestly, most of the merchants who started with Morris were dead.
Because of what?
Of course, the reasons merchants died were countless and varied, but most of those reasons boiled down to one thing.
Because they ripped off buyers and sellers.
As years and experience accumulate, a merchant becomes more seasoned and moves to touch even larger sums of money.
Furthermore, since there was considerable security for those trading goods inside the 'Market,' merchants with some seniority moved to see a little more profit.
Of course, it wasn't bad at first.
Even if they realized they were ripping off a buyer or seller, it was almost always discovered after the transaction was concluded.
And even if it was discovered just before the transaction that they intended to rip someone off, this was the Market.
If anyone tried to commit violence outside of designated acts within the Market, they would immediately be bounced out and expelled, so the merchants were safe.
Yes, in this Market.
If merchants stayed in the Market forever, it wouldn't matter if they ripped off buyers, but regrettably, that was impossible.
Because the Market had rules.
Anyone who entered the Market could not stay for more than 12 hours.
And one who left the Market could only return after a 3-hour restriction period ended.
3 hours, which could be called a mere trifle.
However, if that 3 hours was time prepared to kill a person, it was more than enough.
Because of that, Morris had kept one iron rule he set for himself over the last 30 years.
Do not deceive the customer.
Not because he was sincere or righteous, but to protect his own life, he had done business for the last 30 years keeping only that self-imposed iron rule.
"...Where on earth did you get this?"
But.
"I heard people don't ask such things here?"
He was experiencing that iron rule he had endured for 30 years shaking, albeit momentarily.
Looking at the ring he was holding, Morris unwittingly raised his gaze to look at the man who had just entered.
As expected, he couldn't see the face thanks to the mask everyone wore in this Market.
However, judging by his voice, his age was early 20s at best.
Yet, what Morris was holding in his hand right now was a stolen good far too enormous for someone in their early 20s to bring.
A relic from the Era of Destruction... you say?
The Era of Destruction.
To be precise, a relic from 300 years ago, when it was said this world might have completely perished.
Did I see it wrong?
Morris checked it several times through his Magic Eyes while gauging the reaction of the man standing in front of him, but no matter how he looked, this was indeed a relic from the Era of Destruction.
Therefore.
"So, how much can you give me?"
At the man's words, Morris couldn't say anything.
(End of Chapter 16)
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