Danso walked to his room with many thoughts swirling in his head. First of all, he could not wait to use his new Soul Slimes on an opponent, but the main problem for him is the location of Takahashimi. Ever since he took out the avatar, Takahashimi has been missing. What would happen if something happened to him? That would mean that the entire city of Rein would have been compromised and they needed to get out of here fast.
Yet, that was also a problem. Haruki just recovered, not fully yet but he is starting to be better. Danso did not think Emily could handle more, after all mentally he believed that she was the one who got hurt the most. Transporting Tensei would be a mess since he did not even wake up yet and Natsuki is the most mature out of them all, so she would probably agree with him but Danso was not sure if one person agreeing with the rest going deeper in trauma would be the right solution. So he had to find a way to protect them. Even though he had only joined around a month and a half ago, he somehow feels wanted in the DMMS. He could not afford to lose that ever.
Danso stationed Karkous's nest around the hospital on ground while Zephyr's nest was watching things from the air. Of course since multiple soul slimes would be easily seen and could worry the others so Danso decided that all the soul slimes should camouflage themselves. It was something that Danso never knew that could be done until Karkous and Zephyr were arguing about whose nest was stronger on the way back to the hospital and stated both of their nests could camouflage.
At night, Danso slept rather peacefully and woke up the next morning. When he exited his room after taking a shower, he greeted everyone and ate breakfast, which were pancakes drizzled in rich maple syrup along with whipped cream at top, with everyone except Natsuki since she was healing Tensei.
"She's pushing herself hard for Tensei to recover quickly," said Emily to Danso.
Danso nodded and replied "I know,"
"So whatever you're doing that makes Natsuki suspicious, please end it. She should not get more pressured and worried for all of us," said Emily.
Danso tilted his head and made a confused face. "What do you mean?"
"A doctor is a profession that not many can master," said Emily.
"Of course, the soul energy proficiency required is very precise and high," said Danso.
"Yes, but that's not the full story. One person's life is in your hands. One person's wellbeing is in your hands. What happens if you make an error? That person could get injured or worse," explained Emily.
Danso understood what Emily was saying to him. He should not make any complications for Natsuki since she was working hard in a very mentally straining profession. He smiled and told her that he would do nothing except take walks outside occasionally to make sure that he could relax properly and stay fit. Emily agreed and continued eating her breakfast, along with Danso.
That same night, Danso received a letter in the mail. It was from 'Anon' or in reality: Xeno. Danso went back to his room and opened the letter and started to read it with a serious expression.
"This year's Black Market is special, since every four years in the Black Market the Shadow Royals host a Dark Auction where the rarest of rare items are sold. Of course the most powerful people in the country or beyond will come to this Black Market. The Northguard City Mayor is also coming along so we can ask him about the incident in a good manner or a bad manner. I am in Rein already, meet me by the City Square's Roselle Cafe, when the Black Market begins from two days from now,"
Danso crumpled the paper and threw it away. He thought about their deal and knew that he must do this in secret. The Black Market is illegal and if Takahashimi found out then he would be in massive trouble with the government. Yet, that was also a problem ever since Danso removed the avatars of Takahashimi and some generals he never met them again. He was worried but knew that Takahashimi would be fine since he is strong anyway.
A dark damp place underground. Rats are nibbling away at the garbage on the floor as a mysterious hooded woman walks through the sewers of Rein. The stench was unbearable, so she used her coat as a mask. Underneath the most secure and righteous city in the country was going to be the one event which every criminal and illegal kingpin waits for. The Black Market. The woman walked through the endless tunnel to eventually reach another man who was waiting with a lantern.
"Come this way," guided the man.
The woman followed the man as she was led through intricate tunnels eventually reaching the center room, where the Black Market would be held. There were many shops and bustling men selling without an arm or an eye. The items that were being sold were that not many people would even know about yet these were the best of the best in their position. The woman walked past all the shops at least twice.
There were many shops but what exactly made these items illegal? The items were those obtained after stealing a part of Soul Beasts and normal citizens cannot obtain any Soul Beast's dead parts unless they are part of the government. Even having a Soul Beast as a pet is prohibited and people require a licence. Since Danso was in the DMMS he got away with it easily.
Soul Beasts were not the only things being sold, normal illegal things were also being sold such as enhanced drugs and weapons crafted by the fangs or bones of Soul Beasts or even crystals infused with soul energy without the government knowing. The woman was genuinely pondering if she should buy something in the Black Market or not. The prices were really high therefore she was holding back. Her business which was a restaurant in Akuza was not doing great due to the First Ninjaro Raid but she had a secret mission she had to accomplish here.
"Highest Grade Soul Crystals being sold here!" tried persuading a vendor.
"The Spit of the Uranium Illama! The drink that will increase your speed and strength in an instant!" persuaded another vendor.
"The Meat of a Bullion General!" tried persuading another Vendor.
When the woman heard about the Bullion General she paused for a minute. A picture was formed in her mind, a grey haired beast with a bull for a face and a humanoid body with massive muscles and carrying a blade that not even the Werewolves of the Night can carry. Shattered silver armor and pale skin along with deep yellow eyes that defined their species. They also had multiple battle scars since violence is in their DNA. So the Meat of a Bullion General surprised and intrigued her. She went to confront the vendor.
"Excuse me, what is this?" asked the woman pointing at the Meat in a glass and alkanium box.
The Vendor smirked and began to speak. "This is the Meat of a Bullion General! It took about the lives of hundred and fifty men to get this rare meat! If you eat it you get some DNA of the general which has many advantages," explained the Vendor.
"How much is it?" asked the woman.
"Ten Platinum coins!" exclaimed the Vendor.
The woman's jaw dropped on the floor when she heard the price. In Lukia the currency was simple. There were four coins, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The average earning of a beggar on the street per day was around hundred bronze or one silver. It was really handy as change. The average of a person working a normal job such as a technology employee per month was 3 Gold Coins or 300 Silver Coins. Chocolates or small snacks would cost around five-seven bronze coins while food at restaurants such as the Battle Restaurant would cost per item would cost around ten or fifteen bronze coins. Then there were Platinum coins. Ten Platinum coins were the yearly salary of a doctor!
The woman obviously tried to negotiate but the vendor would not budge. She took some money from her savings in her wallet and paid the vendor. The vendor smiled and said 'Pleasure doing Business with you," and she picked the meat and put it in her bag and secured it with soul energy so no one would steal it. She spent so much money on it, it would be a shame if anyone stole it.
Then as she was walking around looking for more items, she took a rest and decided to buy some cheap food in the Black Market itself. Even though it was situated in a sewer the hygiene was really well maintained and the walls looked as good as new. It really seemed like a fancy street shopping vendor complex. She opened her hood to eat to reveal her face. She had purple hair with green eyes which were light as grass in spring. She had a lean body with a height of 175 cm and she looked really fit. Her face did not have a single freckle or pimple and it was fair.
Then there was a ruckus. Two men, one of which looked awfully similar to her, were running away from the guards. The rich men and illegal kingpins were on high alert maintaining high security to catch the men.
"We really started things off in the worst way possible didn't we?" asked one man panting as he was running.
"Yes we did," replied another man creating multiple bodies to fool the guards.
The taller one of the men lit his leg on fire and started to fly and reached to the center of the Black Market. The shorter one managed to fend off some guards before joining him in the center before taking a deep breath. The woman watched all this ruckus happen and unsheathed her mace. It was filled with Holy Steel Spikes and the bat part of the mace was an alloy of Titanium and Holy Steel.
"Hello everyone!" screamed the taller man.
"We are here on behalf of the Terror Trinity!" screamed the other man.
They both showcased the signatures of the Terror Trinity. The woman smirked as she watched the taller man speak and persuade the guards with ease.
"Danso you have not changed at all have you?" thought the woman.