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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Black Market Deal
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"The color... is excellent."
Jeong Hyun-su, the manager of Black Market Exchange No. 5, let out an involuntary sigh of admiration.
He wasn't an expert, but years of handling all sorts of goods had honed his eye, allowing him to instantly recognize the value of the potion before him.
"A recovery potion?"
Instead of answering, Yeon Sung-hun nodded leisurely.
At that gesture, Jeong Hyun-su realized the initiative in their conversation had completely shifted to the other man.
This was a blunder so severe it rendered their earlier verbal sparring pointless.
Chastising himself for the late realization, Jeong Hyun-su composed his expression and asked,
"What's the grade?"
Judging the flow had turned in his favor, Yeon Sung-hun replied calmly,
"Lowest grade, by my standards."
"...The grade seems awfully low compared to the color."
"It's the lowest by my standards. By common measures, it'd be mid-grade at least."
Jeong Hyun-su, who had been inspecting the potion with a disappointed look, widened his eyes at Yeon Sung-hun's follow-up.
"Mid-grade recovery potion?"
"If you want to verify the effects, a little demonstration is fine."
"...I'll call someone with Appraisal."
"There's a skill like that?"
"It's not widely known."
"Convenient."
With Yeon Sung-hun's quiet mutter ending the exchange, Jeong Hyun-su summoned someone.
A short while later, a man entered the room.
He had a frail, unthreatening appearance, but Yeon Sung-hun didn't let his guard down.
Having an Appraisal skill meant he was essentially an Awakened Hunter.
Yeon Sung-hun didn't show it, but he was ready to hurl a potion from his pocket at any moment.
The frail-looking man checked the potion without a word.
His gaze swept over it lightly, without any telltale signs.
And then.
"...Appraisal complete."
"Grade?"
"Undeniably mid-grade. Generously, it could pass for mid-high grade or better."
"...Good. You're dismissed."
Jeong Hyun-su nodded and waved him off casually.
The man bowed politely to Jeong Hyun-su and left as quietly as he'd arrived.
Watching him go, Yeon Sung-hun asked,
"Pretty high up in the ranks, huh?"
"Enough to manage an exchange like this."
"There are multiple exchanges like this?"
"Didn't you see a few rooms on your way in? They sell slightly different things, but yeah, a few similar ones."
"Hm. I see."
Jeong Hyun-su stared fixedly at Yeon Sung-hun, who nodded leisurely.
"You made it yourself?"
"I've said it before, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't pry. What's important right now isn't that—it's this."
Yeon Sung-hun pointed to the potion on the table.
Jeong Hyun-su nodded in agreement.
"Right. The deal comes first. We can discuss the rest later."
"So, is this potion worth enough?"
Without needing a verbal reply, Yeon Sung-hun's knowing smile—mixed with amusement—drew a hollow laugh from Jeong Hyun-su.
"I've felt it since we met, but you've got some guts. Do you even know where you are?"
"Black Market."
"Exactly. Don't forget this isn't a place for the nice guys. If you want to leave in one piece."
Was he more than just an ordinary exchange manager?
An Awakened Hunter, apparently. A chilling aura emanated from Jeong Hyun-su as he glared threateningly.
It was as ferocious as a beast growling.
A normal person would have shrunk back in terror, but Yeon Sung-hun wasn't ordinary, even if he hadn't Awakened yet.
After all, wasn't he Faust, who had arrogantly lifted his chin amid the continent's greatest figures?
He'd even boldly demanded scales from a savage dragon.
No way he'd cower before some underworld thug.
'Well, from the looks of it, he's no ordinary thug.'
But that wasn't important now.
Yeon Sung-hun smirked at the menacing Jeong Hyun-su.
"If so, you'd lose a customer. No—a good trading partner. And gain a new enemy."
"...Wiping out one guy like you is nothing for us."
"Then why not try? See if it's really nothing."
Yeon Sung-hun said flatly.
A real clash wouldn't be ideal for him either, but he wasn't worried.
The other side wasn't stupid enough to gut the goose that laid golden eggs.
His potions were worth that much.
So, it all came down to momentum.
Show weakness, and he'd be devoured.
Neither Yeon Sung-hun nor Jeong Hyun-su intended to go all the way.
They were just sharpening their edges to avoid looking weak.
Both knew this well.
The tense standoff of glares ended first with Jeong Hyun-su yielding.
He retracted his aura abruptly and let out a low sigh.
"Hoo... I can't win. Been rolling around somewhere for a few years?"
"Just an active Hunter."
"Yeah? Pretty high rank, then?"
"Hit D-Rank recently."
"You'll climb fast, then."
Jeong Hyun-su sighed again softly.
"Fine. Let's make the deal."
"Hm. Then..."
"One question first."
"What?"
"Can you supply this potion ongoing?"
Yeon Sung-hun crossed his arms with a 'hm' at the expected question.
He'd anticipated it.
No fool would pass up ongoing business.
"Depends on the terms."
"...So if the terms are right, you'll keep supplying. Good."
Jeong Hyun-su nodded slowly and continued.
"First, the Mana Herbs you wanted—free of charge. And any materials you need going forward, we'll provide, whatever they are."
"Surely that's not all? Just materials in exchange?"
"We don't sell our consciences, even if we sell everything else. No freeloading."
"An underworld guy saying that with a straight face."
Jeong Hyun-su smirked at the sarcasm and pressed on.
"We'll pay separately for the potions. Enough to satisfy you."
"Materials free, plus separate payment for potions. Generous terms. What's your ask in return?"
"Nothing."
"...Nothing?"
"Yeah. Nothing. Just supply the potions, and we won't demand anything else."
Yeon Sung-hun frowned at Jeong Hyun-su's calm statement.
It was too one-sidedly favorable to him.
As Faust, such treatment was par for the course, but now he was Yeon Sung-hun.
No fame to speak of, yet these terms were overly generous.
Some hidden agenda?
As Yeon Sung-hun pondered suspiciously, Jeong Hyun-su spoke up, reading his reaction.
"No ulterior motives. We just want to keep dealing with you."
"...Can't take that at face value."
"Fair enough. It's not an offer we'd make lightly."
Jeong Hyun-su shrugged lightly with a smirk, prompting Yeon Sung-hun to ask,
"You see this as preferential treatment on your end... Why?"
"Because this potion's worth it."
"Just a mid-grade potion?"
"You said it yourself. Lowest grade by your standards."
Yeon Sung-hun let out a quiet sigh of admiration.
He'd remembered the offhand remark.
"If you call mid-grade your lowest... what's next? I'm very curious."
"So this is an investment?"
"You buy stocks you think will rise."
"Now I see I'm the one taking the loss. Investment's too low."
"Not enough trust for an all-in. We need minimal safeguards too."
"What if I'm all bluff?"
"Then we'd have to crush you."
Yeon Sung-hun smirked as Jeong Hyun-su lit a new cigarette casually.
"Fun. Guess I'll have to work hard just to stay alive."
"Deal, then?"
"Grab on tight. You barely caught the last train."
"Others you're eyeing too?"
"They won't know it, but yeah, a few."
"Got plans, huh."
"You need a blueprint before building anything."
Yeon Sung-hun stood lightly.
"Mana Herbs by when?"
"Come back tomorrow."
"Fast."
"Once we invest, we back it fully."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly and spoke again.
"Other materials too?"
"Putting me to work right after the contract... What do you need?"
"Lynx Flower, Moonflower Grass, Wrap Lizard heart, Muscle Bear gallbladder, Creep Wolf pericardial tendons, Snow Troll blood, Green Orc groin, and..."
The list was so vast that Jeong Hyun-su struggled just to jot it down.
Finally, after a long recitation, Yeon Sung-hun stopped.
He actually needed far more.
But judging even Korea's largest Black Market couldn't source everything easily, he'd trimmed the list.
Jeong Hyun-su sighed after barely noting them all.
"Really... a lot."
"How long for these?"
"...We have a few in stock, but most are rarely used, so it'll take time."
"Hm. Tomorrow, Mana Herbs plus whatever you have on hand, then."
"...You're confident, right? No results, and you'll pay dearly."
Perhaps due to the sheer volume Yeon Sung-hun requested, Jeong Hyun-su warned lowly.
Yeon Sung-hun nodded.
"Not scamming with my life on the line."
"...You'd better."
Jeong Hyun-su sighed heavily.
Checking storage and dispatching to Rifts would mean massive work.
Way too much for him alone.
'Gotta get help from the others. Report to Dad first.'
It was practically an after-action report, but he wasn't worried.
This would pay off big.
Not blind trust in Yeon Sung-hun—his own instincts.
Even as the Black Market boss's son, his rapid rise to exchange manager came from such gut feelings.
"What time tomorrow?"
"Same time. I'll prep... Hm. Want my contact? I'll call when ready."
"Don't use it to dig into me. That's for later, with more trust. And no tails."
"Don't we need minimal safeguards too?"
"Attach one, and if they get hurt, not my problem."
Jeong Hyun-su smirked at Yeon Sung-hun's casual shrug.
"See you tomorrow."
With Jeong Hyun-su's farewell, Yeon Sung-hun's first Black Market visit ended.
Exiting through a different door than entry, he smirked.
"Not admitting no tails till the end."
He understood their side.
Minimal safeguards made sense.
He trusted they'd understand his response to tails.
"Wanted to head home and rest... Damn, gotta take the long way."
Tsking briefly at the unwanted hassle, Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue.
For future relations, shaking them gently would be best, but his mood might make it rougher.
"Warned 'em anyway. No complaints."
Muttering lowly, he left the dim alley for the bustling streets.
Despite the late hour, crowds thronged the area.
They wouldn't lose him in the throng, but it'd be work.
A quick warm-up before the real mix-in?
Grinning mischievously, Yeon Sung-hun strode confidently.
The tailing agents assigned to Yeon Sung-hun numbered three.
All Awakened Hunters, not ordinary folk.
Jeong Hyun-su rated him that highly, though there was reason for three Hunters.
Since Yeon Sung-hun was a Hunter too, normal tails wouldn't cut it.
These were pro intel agents, so Jeong Hyun-su expected no issues.
One would've sufficed, but three for his warning—should yield results.
Jeong Hyun-su had no plans to exploit the intel gained.
Treating him as an equal partner, no grabbing weaknesses.
Just a minimal safeguard, for emergencies.
"That cocky punk. I'll shake him down."
His giggling didn't sound like mere safeguards.
Thus, Jeong Hyun-su leisurely awaited their return while organizing his report to his father, the Black Market boss.
Yeon Sung-hun wasn't dumb enough to go straight home, so it'd take time.
By the time he finished reporting—generously timed—they'd be back?
As Jeong Hyun-su thought that, the agents returned.
Much faster than expected.
Did Yeon Sung-hun trust him and head home?
Gotten all the info?
'That sly fox trusting me? No way.'
Then why so quick?
Lost him?
Pros like them?
Impossible.
Then what?
Pondering, Jeong Hyun-su could only sigh at their state.
"...What the hell happened...?"
"...Sorry. Got careless..."
"Mmph... mmph. Mmph..."
The trio's condition was pitiful.
Clothes pristine at departure were filthy with dirt, faces covered in hives.
Writhing as if itchy all over, not just faces.
One mumbled muffled sounds like a mute; another was out cold.
Even the least bad had a glaring bald spot smack in his lush hair.
Staring at it, the agent clutched his mouth with a 'Kuh...!'
Bittersweet loss of his mane.
"...What the hell happened?"
Stunned by their wreckage, Jeong Hyun-su asked lowly.
The freshly balding agent replied gloomily; less than an hour since dispatch.
"Potions got us."
"What? Potions? You idiots drank the ones he gave?"
Tailing pros caught and chugging offered potions?
Beyond stupid—brainless.
Jeong Hyun-su scowled fiercely; the agent waved frantically.
"No! Not drank—hit by thrown potions."
"...Thrown potions? Those exist? First I've heard."
"Us too. Caught us off-guard, and in that moment..."
Trailing off sheepishly, Jeong Hyun-su sighed.
He could guess the scenario.
But still, pros should've handled a surprise.
"Careless."
"No excuses. Thought D-Rank Hunter, max... so..."
The agent bowed deeply; Jeong Hyun-su rubbed his forehead.
One might rage at failure from carelessness, but he didn't.
Sending three when one sufficed invited complacency.
His fault too, partly.
Plus, that gleaming dome killed any anger.
And honestly, not all bad.
No target intel, but new info gained.
Almost like Yeon Sung-hun fed it to them deliberately.
"Thrown potions... impressive."
Ignoring his men's plight, Jeong Hyun-su thrilled at the novel potion type.
This alone validated investing in Yeon Sung-hun.
At least, he seemed good for his word.
"And he sniffed out three hiders?"
Current mess aside, these were trained intel pros, skilled sans special abilities.
Careless or not, spotting hidden experts?
Then precisely lobbing potions?
"Hunter skills on point too?"
A combat Alchemist.
Beyond rare—unheard of.
"Right choice."
A thick smile spread as Jeong Hyun-su tapped his fingers rhythmically.
He liked his new partner immensely.
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