Casablanca was a different beast altogether. Unlike the ancient, mystical air of Marrakech, Casablanca smelled of salt, exhaust fumes, and raw ambition. It was the city of skyscrapers and shadows, the perfect playground for a syndicate like the Shadow Market.
Omar stood on the Corniche, the Atlantic waves crashing against the rocks below. He closed his eyes and summoned the System interface.
"System, relocate the primary entrance to these coordinates. Let's find a place... discreet."
[Store Relocation Initiated...]
[Scanning for suitable anchor point...]
[Anchor Found: An abandoned warehouse in the Ain Sebaa industrial zone.]
[Relocation Complete. Cost: 50 Cosmic Credits.]
Omar walked away from the coast and toward the industrial district. Inside the dark, rusted warehouse, the familiar pitch-black wooden door with glowing runes manifested. He stepped inside, greeted by the cool, ozone-scented air of the Emporium.
"Kaelen, status report," Omar said, shedding his jacket.
The Ghost Knight emerged from the forge area, his armor now etched with violet lines from the Dwarven coal. "The Mana-Steel is tempering, Master. And the 'gift' you requested for the auction is ready."
On the counter sat a small, elegant briefcase. Inside wasn't a weapon, but something far more valuable to the greedy elites of Casablanca: [The Elixir of Perfect Clarity]. It didn't just heal; it temporarily boosted a person's 'Mana Sensitivity', allowing even a non-magical person to feel and manipulate energy.
"Good," Omar smiled. "Tonight, we don't just sell. We disrupt."
The auction was held in the basement of a luxury hotel in the Maarif district. To the outside world, it was a private charity gala. To the Awakened world, it was the 'Apex Exchange'.
Laila was waiting for him at the entrance, wearing a stunning silver gown that hid at least six daggers. "You're late, Merchant. And you're dressed like... a student."
Omar, wearing a simple but clean black suit, shrugged. "A real merchant doesn't need to look rich. He just needs to hold what the rich want."
As they entered the ballroom, Omar activated his [Merchant's Eye]. The room was a sea of gold and red status windows. CEOs, high-ranking military officers, and even famous influencers—all of them were 'Awakened' or 'Seekers'.
[Alert: Multiple High-Level Mana Signatures detected.]
[Warning: Shadow Market Enforcers are present (Rank A-).]
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen," a voice boomed from the stage. A man in a white tuxedo, known as The Auctioneer, stood behind a podium. "Tonight, we move beyond gold. Tonight, we trade in the future."
The first few items were standard: Mana-crystals, low-rank enchanted jewelry, and scrolls. Omar watched, unimpressed. Then, the Auctioneer's voice dropped to a whisper.
"And now... the item you've all been waiting for. From the laboratories of our European partners: The MK-1 Mana-Disruptor. A weapon that makes even a C-Rank hunter as dangerous as an S-Rank."
He pulled a sheet off a sleek, metallic rifle. It was a more advanced version of the ones Omar had looted. The crowd gasped. The bidding started at five million dollars.
"Ten million!" shouted a businessman in the front row.
"Fifteen!" yelled another.
Omar stood up, his voice cutting through the noise like a cold blade. "I offer zero dollars."
The room went dead silent. The Auctioneer narrowed his eyes. "This is a serious event, young man. Guard! Remove this—"
"I offer zero dollars," Omar repeated, walking toward the stage with a calm, terrifying confidence. "Because that weapon is obsolete. It's a toy made of inferior scrap metal."
He opened his briefcase, and the glow of the Elixir of Perfect Clarity illuminated the entire room. The mana density in the ballroom spiked so high that the glass chandeliers began to vibrate.
"I offer a partnership," Omar said, looking directly at the hidden cameras he knew were broadcasting to the Shadow Market leaders. "I am the owner of the Infinite Realm Emporium. And I've decided that from tonight, the Shadow Market is no longer the biggest player in this city."
The System chimed frantically:
[Chaos Triggered: Reputation +500!]
[New Status: Public Enemy of the Shadow Market.]
[Hidden Reward Unlocked: 'The Merchant's Territory' (You can now summon Kaelen for 60 seconds outside the shop).]
The Auctioneer turned pale. "Kill him," he whispered into his earpiece.
Omar didn't move. He just looked at the shadow behind him. "Kaelen... the stage is yours."