The Receptionist widened his eyes at Nachal’s intimidating voice.
Whether it was himself, sitting at the Black Market’s reception desk, or the scoundrel who’d come to sell off a couple of brats, both of them were at rock bottom all the same.
But what made that bastard act so high and mighty, talking in that tone? Let’s see your face. That’s exactly what his expression said.
The lower life drags you, the more that kind of pride rises up to the surface.
Taehoo had definitely gone through times like that. That’s why he understood.
‘But you have to pick the right people to stand tall against.’
With that thought from Taehoo, the middle-aged Receptionist glared back at Nachal with a defiant look. But as soon as Nachal’s threatening gaze met his, he quickly dropped his eyes.
It was a face that looked like it had committed a few serial murders, and the sheer presence was enough to crush anyone.
[In a place this ruthless, acting like that is just asking to die a dog’s death, isn’t it?]
Taehoo agreed. Either this guy had been lucky so far, or he hadn’t been in a place like this for long.
Nachal soon opened his mouth.
“How much can you give me?”
“Ah, yes… just a moment.”
The man glanced at Taehoo and Muncheol, who were bound with thick ropes, with a completely different tone than before.
With their arms tied tightly with ropes as thick as snakes, they looked exactly like merchandise.
When Taehoo and Muncheol lowered their eyes, looking as if they’d lost the world, the mood grew even heavier.
“They seem decent enough as products… How old are they?”
“The one in front is thirteen, the one behind is fifteen.”
A strange light flashed in the Receptionist’s eyes.
It was only natural—kids exactly in the age range they wanted had come up for sale.
“You’ve brought the ones who fetch the highest price these days. Did you already hear the rumors?”
“No, it was just a coincidence. Is there a special reason?”
Nachal answered as if he knew nothing.
The Receptionist, thinking this was his chance to make up for his earlier mistake, quickly spoke.
“These days, there’s a Sponsor who’s buying up kids exactly in the age range you’ve brought, Master. As long as their age checks out, he sets a high price without asking any questions, so we set those aside as special goods.”
As he spoke, he pushed forward the paperwork that needed to be filled out.
Just as the information suggested, there was no real need for verification.
‘Hmm, so he’s not completely clueless. Is this how he’s trying to make up for his mistake?’
The information the Receptionist had let slip was definitely tempting to any trafficker.
If you went around gathering just kids of that age, you could make a fortune for a while.
Sure enough, those who survived long here had their own ways.
Of course, that didn’t change the fact that these kinds of conversations were enough to make one sick to the stomach.
“Three thousand per head, six thousand in total.”
Sure enough, they were being treated as special goods—a thick wad of cash was placed on the desk.
At the same time, the rope Nachal was holding, which bound the two of them, was handed over as well.
‘At this rate, they won’t even bother putting us up for Auction.’
With that judgment, the three exchanged glances.
Nachal with encouragement, Muncheol with resolve, and Taehoo with a plan. Each held different feelings.
Still bound, they were dragged off to a damp cell.
It was a space that brought to mind a holding cell, with six kids, all staring with dead eyes, each occupying their own spot.
All of them were around the same age as Taehoo and Muncheol.
The sight was enough to make anyone feel disgusted.
‘Sure enough, seeing as they’re setting the kids aside like this, they’re being treated as VIPs.’
From the way things were going, it was obvious they wouldn’t be put up for Auction.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t leave merchandise that should be treated as valuable in such a filthy cesspit.
“Get in.”
Like dragging a dog on a leash, the Receptionist pulled the rope into the cell.
After shoving the two inside, the man left without another word.
‘Bastards I’d like to tear apart…!
Once I finish this mission, I’ll erase this kind of inhuman place from existence.
In my past life, I’d only ever made that vow in my heart, but not anymore.
The two of them found a spot in the corner, and Taehoo looked around with hardened eyes.
‘The stench is unbearable.’
The condition of the place was one thing, but the smell was something else entirely.
It seemed like the kids locked up inside weren’t even given a bathroom. Some of the kids’ pants were already stained black with filth.
In an environment so horrific, it was only natural the kids’ spirits would slowly die.
Taehoo’s eyes scanned the kids one by one.
His gaze stopped on one in particular.
‘As expected, there’s a connection to the Dantalion House.’
[You know him?]
Yeah, very well.
Kim Ju-hyeok.
In his previous life, the leader of the Stray Dogs and the only member of the Dantalion House who ever took their side.
He liked survivors like you, he’d said, and had shared a few drinks with me.
‘That was exactly five years, wasn’t it.’
After that, Ju-hyeok was assigned to a mission and died. It was one of the few good memories Taehoo had of the Dantalion House.
[The people from that House probably never imagined their own spy would get caught up like this.]
Ba’al let out a snort.
That’s the advantage of living two lives, isn’t it.
Thinking that, Taehoo watched Ju-hyeok closely.
‘Only one spy I can identify… The odds are low that they’d plant more in a mission like this.’
The Belial House wasn’t yet a big enough player, nor did it have the potential.
In other words, it was highly likely Ju-hyeok was working alone.
‘A three-way standoff between the Nam Clan, Dantalion House, and Belial House is inevitable. I’ll guide the two Houses into a collision, and then take all the groundwork Jin-tae Kim has laid out. Best to keep the Black Market out of it as well.’
Having confirmed the Dantalion House’s involvement, Taehoo solidified his plans.
And just as Taehoo was surprised by an unexpected face—
Creak.
With an unpleasant noise, someone entered the cell.
It was a different man from the Receptionist who’d brought them in earlier.
[He’s here.]
Jin-tae Kim revealed himself.
“These are the goods this time, huh.”
His eyes were devoid of emotion. After quickly checking over the kids, he spoke.
“I’ll take them for now.”
As expected, Jin-tae took the kids without any procedures.
‘He might have someone backing him.’
That much Taehoo could guess, but he couldn’t predict anything more specific. It was just one possibility.
He’d find out more during this mission.
But with the Belial House, Dantalion House, and now a possible backer… It felt like he was caught up in some massive current.
[What, getting scared?]
Ba’al seemed to sense Taehoo’s thoughts and asked,
‘No, not at all…’
Taehoo was actually excited.
It was a chance to throw a wrench in the Dantalion House’s plans, and to properly prove himself.
There was no reason to be scared in a place like this.
He just needed to focus on the picture he was drawing in his mind.
‘And besides the spy, there’s one more unexpected face…’
Taehoo grinned to himself, finding it all interesting.
Soon, the kids were dragged out of the Black Market, all tied together.
A damp, long corridor stretched out before them.
The rope that had bound Taehoo and Muncheol was now lengthened to tie all eight kids together.
At the very front, Jin-tae Kim held the rope, strolling along leisurely.
Taehoo and Muncheol exchanged glances now and then, sharing their thoughts, while Taehoo kept a close eye on Dantalion’s Stray Dog.
And then—
[A Quest is starting!]
Just as the mission was about to begin, a message window appeared.
Muncheol received the same thing, and the two of them read it over without showing any reaction.
[Next Trial, First Mission.]
Description – You have been chosen as the Shadow of the Family and Nachal’s apprentice! Nachal expects you to show results in your first mission, regardless of success or failure!
Reward – Sword of Soul Reincarnation, Form 1, Bonus Stat Point +6
Special – There is no time limit on this mission!
‘The Sword of Soul Reincarnation—that’s the sword form Muncheol used!’
If that was the reward, Muncheol would probably get something different.
‘No need to be curious about that. Just learning the martial arts of the asuras is a huge gain for me.’
Even if it wasn’t everything, it was certainly enough.
Besides, the Sword of Soul Reincarnation had an irregularity to it, different from the traditional sword style of Nam’s Sword Path.
He thought of all the things he could do with it as he walked.
At the end of the corridor, sunlight was pouring in.
‘From the moment we step out, that’s when the real thing starts.’
Nachal had told him to be as careful as possible, and to be ready to give up if necessary.
‘No time limit on the mission. That’s a very favorable condition for me.’
Soon, sunlight poured over his eyes. He shielded them with his hand.
Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw a clearing surrounded by dense trees.
The kids’ eyes also widened as they adapted to the light, looking around as if to ask where they were.
A bit of life returned to their faces. After all, sunlight was a welcome thing.
‘So the Black Market’s corridor connects all the way outside Ganghwa Island.’
The pouring sunlight was proof enough.
After giving them a moment to adjust to the light—
“Alright, kids…!”
A strangely excited voice echoed across the clearing.
Jin-tae Kim’s voice, directed at the kids, was completely different from when he’d dealt with the Black Market staff.
There was even a touch of madness to it.
“Unfortunately, this uncle can’t take all of you with him.”
And it was true.
Hearing Jin-tae’s words, Taehoo immediately understood his intent.
‘So he’s filtering them here… Of course, you wouldn’t just take any kid off the street to raise as an assassin for the clan.’
If they’d just taken anyone, the number of Assassins of Belial at the time of the great culling would have numbered in the thousands.
‘Alright, then. I’d better try to save as many kids as possible.’
Dantalion’s Stray Dog also wasn’t someone to be disposed of just yet.
When everything was in the palm of his hand and he’d gained everything he wanted, that’s when he could discard them.
“Uh, excuse me…”
Taehoo raised his hand, putting on his most pitiful voice.
Muncheol was momentarily flustered by the unexpected move, but quickly assessed the situation calmly.
‘Good, watch closely.’
Taehoo was pleased with Muncheol.
“What is it?”
Jin-tae, apparently surprised that anyone could speak up in this situation, responded.
“I, uh, need to use the bathroom. Now that we’re outside, I thought I wouldn’t have to go in my pants anymore…”
“What? Puhaha!”
He burst out laughing at Taehoo’s clueless remark.
A kid who’d soon have to fight to the death, saying he didn’t want to wet his pants!
It was hilarious, no two ways about it.
Then, as if a fun idea had struck him, Jin-tae’s lips curled up to his ears.
“F-fine. Go anywhere over there, just do your business or whatever.”
He could barely hold back his laughter, even stammering his words. At the same time, he roughly untied Taehoo’s bound arms.
Having received permission, Taehoo shuffled away, acting bashful.
As Taehoo moved off, Jin-tae approached one of the dazed kids.
He brought his mouth close to the kid’s ear.
“Hey, kid. Here’s your chance to live!”
Just as he had with Taehoo, he untied the kid’s rope and pressed a dagger, drawn from his belt, into his hand.
“Go stab that brat over there taking a piss from behind. Then this uncle will guarantee your life.”
The fifteen-year-old understood Jin-tae’s words perfectly. In his eyes, a cold killing intent was forming.
Jin-tae whispered in his ear, not even watching.
“If you show any hesitation… I’ll kill you myself.”
Taehoo, with his senses expanded through mana, was listening to everything.
He was sure the kid wouldn’t end up dead.
‘Alright, Jin-tae Kim. Time to welcome a veteran new recruit who’ll tear your throat out…!’
The combination of thirteen years in this life and the experience of his past life made that absurdity possible.
Ting.
Unaware of Taehoo’s thoughts, Jin-tae flicked a coin with a joyful smile.