Chapter 3: Black Market
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As I was about to escape from the rooftop, I quickly returned and bound the five loan sharks who had collapsed with the strongest rope I could find from the construction site at home.
Beating up that bastard classmate of mine one more time was just a bonus.
“Huff… This should buy me at least half a day.”
Even though I had knocked them out with precise strikes to their vital points thanks to the stroke of luck, they would wake up within a few hours.
I hadn’t even unlocked my strength stats yet, and with my ordinary strength, I couldn’t keep them unconscious for long.
However, by tying them up like this, I had bought some extra time before the ones who woke up could rush to their boss and report about me.
“So, what now?”
The real problem starts from here. Well, the money I borrowed before has been repaid several times over, so there’s no need to pay more.
But I still hadn’t managed to cleanly resolve my relationship with the boss and the loan sharks.
I lacked both the skill and the power to do so.
Even though they are a trashy organization involved in illegal activities and crime, their power and influence are formidable.
At least within this city, their considerable wealth and the network of connections it has created grant them absolute power.
From a few small guilds that have settled here to some companies and the politicians living here, they have their claws in countless places.
“So they must have thought they could mess with the family of a B-rank hunter, believing their backing was strong.”
In the end, even overwhelming power succumbed to an insurmountable force and faced destruction.
The boss was even a former Rank [E-] player. Even though retired, having had time to become stronger, they are still a formidable force.
In other words, my current abilities are insufficient to defeat even just the boss.
“I guess my only option is to run.”
Originally, I would have had to work as a slave under them for five years, and only after the organization collapsed would I be able to move to another region.
But now… for the sake of my brother’s safety, we need to relocate.
Given that they have figured out my brother’s hospital, living here has become too risky.
“But where to?”
My brother’s illness was an incurable disease with no known cause or even a name. Therefore, we needed to be in a region with at least a D-rank healer and life-supporting facilities.
After much thought, one region came to mind.
The capital, Seoul.
Even before the regression and now, Seoul has been a place I wouldn’t even want to spit in the direction of, a place of both affection and hatred.
It’s where I lost my parents and where those who sent my young siblings to an orphanage in a remote region for their own greed are still alive.
Eventually, my brother’s condition worsened, and we had no choice but to hospitalize him in a major hospital in Seoul, living there until just before his death. But for me, it wasn’t a good place.
“But now things are different.”
When I was young, I had no choice but to endure. Back then, I had no way to do anything.
I had to watch with my own eyes as my parents, once called the heroes of Korea, were abused and discarded like dogs, and their property was seized under absurd pretexts.
That week was the clearest memory of my childhood and showed me the ultimate fate of obedient hunting dogs.
Our parents, who were heroes, became traitors and scum who drove their team members into a deadly trap, and their immense wealth was seized under the ridiculous pretext of “surpassing the lion.”
In reality, that wealth probably ended up in the stomachs of those who abandoned our parents.
“Before the regression, I had no power and no authority, so I had no choice but to give up on revenge.”
But now things are different. I now have a way to gain power and an endless amount of resources that will give me authority.
〚Currently available Purple Coins: 100,000,000〛
〚Currently available Common-Rank [F-] Magic Stones: 1,000,000〛
〚Currently available Pure Gold Ingots: 10,000〛
〚Currently available Consumables: 3〛
Compared to the endless wealth in the Golden Treasure Vault, these numbers are almost insignificant, but to me right now, they are truly invaluable.
“With this money, I can cover my brother’s hospital expenses and even buy a nice apartment.”
In fact, there would still be enough left to live lavishly for several months.
Currently, Purple Coins have a value of about 1,000 won each.
Common-Rank [F-] Magic Stones vary in value depending on their purity but are worth about 5,000 to 7,000 won each.
Pure Gold Ingots, 100% pure, are worth a fortune, as they are featured in prestigious auctions with extraordinary values.
“But I can’t sell them openly.”
An unawakened non-hunter suddenly selling all these items after awakening?
I would immediately be suspected of being an unregistered awakened individual, and if they think I’ve engaged in illegal activities, I’d be dragged to the inspection department with no defence.
Well, if I really wanted to sell them all, I could do so at my intended destination, but there was no need to take such risks. With the warning of bad luck, safety should be the priority.
Of course, to sell officially, I would need to obtain a proper hunter license first. Naturally, it’s impossible to get a hunter license in just half a day.
But since I need money right away, I must use other methods.
“Let’s sell at least the minimum.”
Just enough to cover my brother’s hospital expenses and find a place to live.
I then came down from the rooftop and headed out.
…
“Phew… I finally found it.”
After wandering around for a while after leaving the rooftop room, I had finally located a small, old public restroom in a park.
No matter how urgent it was, this was a restroom that no one would want to use.
But this place was a secret location known only to those in the know.
I went straight into the restroom and entered the second stall from the left.
“What was I supposed to do again?”
Right. I remember I had to do it this way.
Recalling the memory of the boastful E-rank Awakened I had heard before my regression, I opened my inventory and took out 100 purple coins. I poured them into the toilet.
Then I turned the lever to flush the toilet, and something amazing happened.
Swoosh!
The 100 coins disappeared in an instant as if they were being washed away by the water, and in their place, a small portal appeared.
“So it was the right answer.”
The Black Market, the most massive power dominating the darkness in South Korea. It’s a place owned by an S-rank Hunter, one of only five in all of South Korea.
In fact, while the Black Market is part of the dark forces, it operates somewhat like a semi-public business due to its status as an S-rank Hunter’s territory.
The fact that there is a strict order and an inspection department stationed there is proof of this. Of course, since it’s an S-rank Hunter’s area and was created for illegal activities, they strictly follow his orders and will not act unless it’s a major crime.
Thus, it is a place where all kinds of illegal activities are possible.
Now that there’s no time to register as an Awakened, this is the only place where I can exchange some of these assets for cash.
I swallowed as I looked at the portal, which had grown large enough to accommodate a person.
“We should be cautious, as we don’t know when misfortune might strike.”
Honestly, it makes me uneasy. Misfortune. Isn’t it true that all my misfortunes before my regression started with this curse?
‘I don’t know who cursed me, but…’
Since my original unique ability has become even stronger as a divine power, it’s unlikely that only misfortunes will occur now.
The difference between the stats of Legend and Myth isn’t so great, right?
“Even so, since misfortune is said to be approaching, I should be on guard.”
Thinking this, I donned the robe I had brought, put on the mask, and threw myself into the portal.
…
Whoosh!
As I fell, about ten seconds passed, and I began to see light as my vision changed.
Instead of the old and dirty restroom, a vast and expansive marketplace revealed itself.
‘This is the Black Market.’
It was a place I had only heard rumours about before my regression.
Honestly speaking, this was not a place for someone like me, an [F-] rank Hunter, struggling with poverty.
People who come here usually fall into one of three categories.
First, criminals who cannot use public channels or those who want to dispose of stolen goods.
Second, people seeking things that cannot be obtained in the public realm.
Lastly, those who come to trade after acquiring some rights from an S-rank Hunter.
If I had to classify it, I am currently in the first category. I came here to sell goods that are almost like stolen property as a non-Awakened.
Although the entrance fee of 100,000 won was quite steep, it wasn’t too bothersome. It was the fee I had to pay to the owner of this land.
‘In a way, this was originally part of the Abyss.’
It’s a similar case to my divine power, the Golden Tower. It’s a well-known case worldwide.
Even the S-rank Hunter obtained ownership of a region by luck while exploring the Abyss and turned it into the Black Market.
“Then why can’t I enter the Golden Tower?”
The reason is probably due to the ownership.
“I’ll probably get in someday.”
The Golden Treasure Vault, which contains endless wealth and miraculous elixirs, is just on the first floor.
If that’s the case, there are bound to be more floors above it, and I’m sure there won’t be any disappointments. I just need to focus all my efforts on increasing my ownership.
I slowly and leisurely made my way, aiming not to appear like a first-time visitor, heading toward the center of the Black Market, where the largest building stood.
[Black Money]
The massive building had this name.
“I’m in the right place.”
Black Money. It’s the only company directly managed by an S-rank Hunter in the Black Market, serving as a bank handling funds and resources from the underworld and an auction house for important auctions or items.
“And the bank also exchanges underworld money for public money.”
Although the fees are high, this is the only way I can obtain urgent cash right now.
Without hesitation, I entered the building.
“Welcome. How may I assist you today?”
“I’d like to visit the bank.”
“I’ll take you to the second floor.”
…
Following the guidance of one of the many attendants waiting around, I ascended to the second floor, where a massive bank came into view.
The scene wasn’t much different from a regular bank. The only notable difference was that all the customers were concealing their identities with masks.
Just as the responsibilities of banks expanded to include the purchase of coins and magic stones after the appearance of the Abyss, the Black Money Bank here plays the same role.
Ding!
After a short wait, an alarm rang to indicate that it was my turn. Upon entering the designated room, I found an attendant wearing a fox mask seated inside.
As I closed the door and momentarily shifted my gaze, the fox gave me a peculiar look.
Chill!
Feeling a shiver, I looked at him, and the fox greeted me with a friendly smile as if nothing had happened.
“Welcome, customer. How can I assist you?”
“I’d like to exchange coins and magic stones for cash.”
“You mean you want to convert them into regular currency.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The fox mask began to guide me skilfully. As if the earlier feeling had been a misunderstanding, his face was now filled only with kindness.
“First, do you have a Black Bank account? A universal account for both regular and hidden currencies.”
“I don’t.”
“In that case, I will create an account for you. Opening an account requires one million won. Shall I proceed?”
“Yes, please.”
It was expensive, but since it could be used continuously once created, it was worth the investment. As my rank increased, I would visit the Black Market more frequently.
Of course, since the Black Market is somewhat influenced by the government and associations, the account cannot be used for purposes like tax evasion.
If caught, much heavier penalties would await.
Also, a portion of the enormous fees at Black Money is undoubtedly spent under the guise of taxes sent to regular channels.
In other words, it’s just a matter of closing one’s eyes to some illegal activities while both sides benefit.
“Your account has been successfully created. Here is your card. Since there are no transaction records yet, it’s an F-grade card. As your transaction history grows and your accumulated amounts increase, the card’s grade will automatically rise. Now, let’s check the assets you wish to exchange.”
Receiving the card, I opened my inventory and took out 5% of both coins and magic stones.
5,000,000 Purple Coins. 50,000 Common-Rank F-grade Magic Stones.
The enormous amounts poured into the pouch the attendant extended, and the settlement began.
“Th…that’s a lot.”
“Yes.”
The fox, who seemed experienced in such tasks, swiftly used his skills to appraise and settle the amounts.
“Currently, the exchange rate is 1,012 won per Purple Coin, but it will be settled at 1,000 won. So, 5 billion won will be settled. Since the purity of the magic stones is very high, we will buy them all at 7,000 won each. Thus, the settlement amount for the magic stones will be 350 million won. In total, it will be 5.35 billion won.”
I remained silent at the settled amount.
It was so much money that I wondered if even the lifetime earnings I had before regression would reach such a sum.
Though I felt like jumping up and cheering internally, I merely nodded calmly.
“Would you like to proceed with the transaction? If you do, —- the conditions will be met, and your grade will instantly rise to A. Therefore, the commission will be reduced by 5% per grade, from 45% to 25%! By the way, there are three remaining grades: S-grade for 10 billion won, VIP-grade for 100 billion won, and VVIP-grade for 1 trillion won!”
The fox mask, seemingly excited after a long time, provided rapid guidance with enthusiasm.
“I will proceed with the transaction. Please deposit everything into the account. And here is a tip.”
“4.125 Billion won has been deposited in full! Thank you!”
The transaction was successfully completed. My card instantly upgraded from F to A grade, and my account became substantially filled.
‘Yes, this amount is the best outcome.’
It was the highest amount a moderately wealthy hunter could sell in one go. Simultaneously, it was the borderline that the Inspection Bureau would not find suspicious in the transaction history.
Now, there was only one task left to do here. I followed the attendant directly to the seventh floor and, after handing over ten pieces of pure gold ingots as auction items at the auction house, exited the Black Money building.
“Is that guy reliable?”
“Yes. Are you doubting the fox? I’m providing high-grade information based on my position and career!”
And I didn’t know.
The curse of misfortune was already approaching right before my eyes.
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