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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Into the Black Market
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"Everyone, good work. That's it for today."
Kim Jun-su let out a small cheer at Yeon Sung-hun's calm words.
He seemed thrilled about successfully clearing a D-rank rift for the first time.
Lee Ha-na didn't show it as much, but she looked just as happy.
Yeon Sung-hun understood their reactions fully, so he didn't say anything more.
There were a few minor issues, but the rift exploration had gone smoothly overall.
The only disappointment was that he still hadn't found the Mana Herb he wanted.
The thought of it made Yeon Sung-hun click his tongue briefly.
"...We'll take a break for now. I won't call on you for a few days, so rest up."
"Whoa! For real, hyung?!"
"Yeah. You've worked hard these past few days, so take this chance to recharge. Then we'll hit it hard again."
"Ugh... Hearing that makes it hard to relax completely."
Ignoring Kim Jun-su's exaggerated groan as usual, Yeon Sung-hun turned his gaze.
Na Seong-sil was deep in discussion with the association's cleanup crew about the aftermath.
"I've got to talk to Agent Na, so I'm heading out. You should go rest too. Ha-na-ssi, you head in and relax."
"Got it, hyung! See you next time!"
"See you later, Sung-hun-ssi."
After bidding farewell to his raid members, Yeon Sung-hun started walking.
Na Seong-sil happened to finish up and turned to look at him.
"Need something, Hunter-nim?"
"You busy, Agent?"
"No, I've handled the urgent stuff. What can I help with?"
Yeon Sung-hun glanced at the bustling cleanup crew.
"You know the cleanup team well?"
"Mm. Yeah, pretty well. Different departments, but we're all under the association.... Why do you ask?"
"I need some materials."
Na Seong-sil nodded cautiously at his matter-of-fact tone.
He'd been watching closely enough to know Yeon Sung-hun could make potions.
And that those potions were far superior to others.
So he could guess what he wanted.
"...Unfortunately, even if you talk to them directly, you won't get what you want. External removal is prohibited."
"Hm. Any way around that?"
"...Not through me. All materials are restricted to association workshops."
"What about Team Leader Gye?"
"Mm... Even the team leader would have a hard time. As you know, his personality doesn't win him favors with superiors or even peers."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded, recalling Gye Cheong-san's prickly, slightly twisted nature.
"To get materials from the association, you'd have to join as an association hunter. With your skills, Sung-hun-ssi, you'd get great treatment...."
"I'm not cut out for civil service life."
"...A shame."
Ignoring Na Seong-sil's bitter mutter, Yeon Sung-hun crossed his arms.
"Hm. Guess I'll have to approach a corporation then?"
"Corporations would be just as tough without a contract. You'd need to pay a premium fitting their profit motives, of course...."
"And that premium won't be cheap. No interest in unnecessary hassle."
He needed Mana Herb, but it wasn't essential right now.
His current potions were sufficient for the immediate future.
But advancing to the next level would require it.
If only he had his old comrade, he wouldn't be agonizing over mere ingredients like this.
Missing that scoundrel from his past life more than usual, Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue again.
"...Actually, there's not no way at all."
"Got a good idea?"
"Not brilliant, but... how about using the back channels?"
"...You mean the 'Black Market'?"
"Yes. Whatever you're after, you can get it there. Might be pricier than market value... but better than dealing with corporations."
"Can a public servant recommend that? It's illegal."
"As long as you don't get caught."
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled dryly at Na Seong-sil's nonchalant attitude, but pondered quietly.
The underworld's black market.
It wasn't unfamiliar to Yeon Sung-hun.
More precisely, not to Faust.
Before joining the continental war, before meeting his comrade, when he was just an unknown alchemist, Faust had frequented such markets.
Sometimes to acquire rare materials, sometimes to sell his potions.
Back then, Faust had skill but no reputation to prove it, no connections to merchant guilds.
'Above all, the black market paid more than official channels eventually.'
Not the full value of Faust's potions, but still exorbitant prices.
If the war hadn't come and he'd never met Mephisto, Faust might have become an underworld kingpin instead of the Golden King.
"The underworld, huh. Not a bad idea."
"Mm... Looks like you've decided. Still, be careful. It's a rough place, as you might know."
"Yeah, probably."
He nodded but didn't take it too seriously.
No matter how rough, could it compare to his past life's underworld?
Did his nonchalance show? Feeling responsible for bringing it up, Na Seong-sil warned again.
"Don't underestimate it. Reports say there are even Awakeners there. If you go, contact me or someone else first."
"Worried I'll get kidnapped?"
"Yes. With your abilities, someone might try to lock you up."
Yeon Sung-hun finally nodded gravely at Na Seong-sil's earnest words.
"...Thanks for the advice, Agent."
"No problem. Now I'm worried I put you in danger by mentioning it... Maybe I should talk to the cleanup team instead. So...."
"No. For the future, I need to check out the back channels at least once."
"...Even if it's risky?"
"Big risks come with big rewards. Don't worry. I'll prepare thoroughly."
Na Seong-sil fell silent at his casual headshake, then spoke.
"...Alright. If you're set on it, I won't stop you. But I'll still reach out to the cleanup team on my end."
"Hm. You sure that's okay?"
"Better with backup. I'll go with the team leader."
"No need to push yourself. Try not to cause trouble for you."
"Don't worry. I'm confident in keeping my position."
"Then why'd someone like you get demoted to this backwater?"
"...That was beyond my control."
Yeon Sung-hun smirked at Na Seong-sil's bitter mutter.
"Well, I'll head out now. Good work today. See you later."
"Yes, good work, Hunter-nim. Definitely contact me before going there."
With a light wave to Na Seong-sil's repeated reminder, Yeon Sung-hun turned away.
It was late; normally he'd go straight home, but tonight, the workshop first.
He needed proper preparations for the underworld.
'Gotta make those old tricks. Do I have the materials?'
Some he had, some not.
A few could be substituted, others might need recipe tweaks.
Looked like it'd take time before heading home.
A few days later, late evening. After dinner with his family, Yeon Sung-hun left under the pretense of a walk.
His destination: Korea's largest black market.
Na Seong-sil had given directions earlier, so no issues finding it.
In the flashy city center, past bustling streets, beyond winding alleys—that was it.
Yeon Sung-hun entered what looked like an ordinary hardware store.
The man at the counter behind iron bars glanced up.
"What brings ya?"
"Heard the 'Black Market' is here?"
The man stared at Yeon Sung-hun's blunt approach.
"Who're you with?"
"Do you ask customers that?"
"...First-timer, judging by you coming here. Not cops or officials?"
"Do I look it?"
"Nah, not at all. You seem familiar, like you've been a few times... but coming straight here says otherwise...."
The man stroked his chin, scanning Yeon Sung-hun up and down.
Yeon Sung-hun met his gaze evenly and spoke.
"Other entrances around?"
"Second visit and up, yeah—different doors."
The man shrugged lightly and asked again.
"So, who're you really? From some local outfit?"
"Gotta spill personal info to get in?"
"Not exactly... but I need to know if you're trouble."
"What if I am?"
"Just a doorkeeper, so I'd beg for mercy and flop down. Report up, naturally."
Yeon Sung-hun let out a light chuckle at the man's jovial tone, easing his sharper-than-usual edge.
Past life experience: these types were often the dangerous ones.
"Hunter."
"Oh boy, a dangerous one. Door's open."
Clank—
With a mechanical whir, what looked like a plain wall slid open.
Revealing stairs descending.
Yeon Sung-hun peered down, then glanced at the man.
"No pat-down?"
"Hunters can kill with bare hands. Hurry in—we gotta close up."
The man waved him on impatiently, showing no fear of a hunter.
Fake from start to finish?
Past memories resurfacing, Yeon Sung-hun chuckled again.
'Yeah, this vibe. Though Faust's era was rougher.'
Glancing once more, he descended.
Prepared for anything, but no ambush even as the door sealed.
Clank—
Wall shut behind him as he went down.
Short stairs to another door.
No guard this time; it slid open at his touch.
Bright lights and underground sprawl burst into view.
Vast hall, crowds milling about.
Yeon Sung-hun scanned briefly, then strode in casually.
Snippets of chatter reached his ears.
"Heard killer stuff from China arrived. One hit and nirvana."
"That Happiness crap? Yeah, it's that good?"
Drug talk.
"Heard about the auction?"
"Something special?"
"They caught a monster alive from a rift. Even foreigners coming."
Illegal monster auction from rifts.
"Table 7? Guy went all-in today."
"Saw. Dealer looked dead inside."
Gambling chatter too.
Noise everywhere, but Yeon Sung-hun sifted for useful info.
He headed to a quietly standing man in the corner.
The man glanced at the approaching Yeon Sung-hun.
"Business with me?"
"Looking for materials."
"Materials?"
"Potion-making materials."
The man sized him up.
"Maker yourself? Or proxy buyer?"
"Secret."
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged lightly; the man nodded slowly.
"Got it. This way to a room."
Yeon Sung-hun followed the silent-leading man.
"..."
The man was quite taciturn.
No questions about how Yeon Sung-hun picked him specifically.
Not a word until deep in the hall, at a room.
"Here."
One word, then he turned back.
No lingering; straight to his post.
Yeon Sung-hun watched briefly, then opened the door.
Simple room, no frills. A man sat smoking.
No greeting for the unknocked entry.
The man asked directly.
"Here for drugs?"
"No, materials."
"Hm. Blacksmith? Alchemist?"
"Locals are nosy."
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue, dragged a random chair from the corner, and sat opposite.
The man smirked, watching.
"Look young, but gutsy."
"Nice way of calling me arrogant."
"Cocky too."
He flicked ash and asked.
"So, what do you want? Monster corpses cost a fortune."
"Mana Herb. Got any Mana Grass?"
"Hm? Mana Grass? Gotta check."
Frowning slightly, he pulled a ledger from a drawer.
Yeon Sung-hun watched quietly.
"Not many looking?"
"Not common stock."
The man flipped pages calmly.
Then frowned deeper.
"Damn... no stock."
"...They say nothing's unavailable here. Guess not."
"Gotta have buyers to stock it. Why store useless weeds? Wastes money."
Tsk— He scratched his head.
"Anyway, nothing ready now. Want something else?"
"Can't source it specially?"
"That incurs fees. Got the cash?"
"How much?"
The man held up several fingers.
"Around this much."
"...Insane. Joking?"
"Reasonable price. It's from D-rank rifts at least—costs to raid and harvest. Plus, not regular stock. Premium for your special order."
Yeon Sung-hun tsked at the explanation.
Premium? Just grab one extra blade of grass on a rift run?
Better to do it himself, even if it took time?
"Other routes? Forget it. Association's blocked, corps are worse bandits. Deal with us—easier. Commit now, I'll discount."
"...Haggling up from the start, huh."
The man shrugged nonchalantly.
No denial. Yeon Sung-hun let out a hollow laugh.
'Right, that's how it is here.'
First time as Yeon Sung-hun, ages as Faust—he'd forgotten briefly.
"...Fine. Negotiation later. Trade in goods?"
"Hm? Depends what goods."
Go on, show me—his attitude said.
Yeon Sung-hun pulled a potion vial from his pocket and set it down.
Thud—
Clear red liquid sloshed gently in the glass bottle.
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