Alden walked through the busy streets of Black Market.
The black market, unlike its na, looked really normal, just like any other bustling market.
Many vendors were selling their goods while custors were busy bargaining for them.
The lights from the lamps shone brightly, illuminating the roads.
The Black Market looked peaceful except for so occasional alleys Alden passed by.
He could see so shady people doing so really shady deals in those alleys.
But overall it was not like the general image one might have ford from its na.
To be honest, Alden didn't know much about the black market. It was just ntioned briefly in the novel.
Lucien had never visited it, and its only significance was in revealing the sches of a minor antagonist.
Cipher.
It wasn't a real na, just a code. The only na she had.
She had been sold into the black market as a child, taken in by a secret organization, and given that identity.
When the organization was destroyed, she found shelter here.
In the novel, she was a minor antagonist.
But what stood out was her reputation.
Cipher was one of the best brokers in the black market.
And Alden needed her.
She was useful after all.
The agency she worked for was called The Obsidian Exchange.
It wasn't hard to find.
It was situated sowhere between two towering buildings.
Its only mark was a sleek black symbol on the door.
Yeah.
Definitely not going to waste my ti finding that.
Alden scanned the market, searching for the right kind of person. Soone who would know but wouldn't ask questions.
His gaze landed on a vendor selling enchanted trinkets—soone used to dealing in secrets.
Alden quickly walked towards him.
He had a coin in his hand.
"Where is the Obsidian Exchange?" He asked, keeping his voice steady.
The vendor looked at him for a mont but didn't say anything.
Alden tossed the gold-colored coin in his hand to the vendor.
"Go straight." The vendor smiled as he pointed in a direction. "Take the third turn towards the right, and you'll be there."
Saying only that much, the vendor returned to his work.
Alden didn't say much as he started walking in that direction.
He had withdrawn all the money remaining in his account while he was wandering around.
Although most of the people in this world used digital currency for transactions, that didn't an physical currency was not available.
It was still there but was not used much.
The physical currency was in the form of coins.
Bronze coins represented hundreds of eras.
Silver coins represented a thousand eras.
Gold coins represented ten thousand eras.
And finally the highest level was platinum coins, which represented a hundred thousand eras.
Alden had withdrawn his money in the form of platinum coins, mostly with so other change.
The reason?
It was simple. Unlike digital currency, physical currency could not be traced to him.
So before he opened a secure account, he was going to use the coins.
Lost in his thoughts, he soon arrived in front of a building.
It was exactly similar to the description.
Sandwiched between two tall buildings.
Its front was plain except for a single symbol.
It had a crow symbol on its door.
Just the kind of place only those who belonged would recognize.
This is it.
Alden knew at the first glance that this was his destination.
He pushed open the door as he entered inside.
He scanned the inside.
It was very calm. A stark contrast to the bustling market outside.
There was only a counter in the room.
Alden walked towards the counter; a man stood behind it.
"How can we help you, sir?" The man asked politely.
"I need a broker." Alden answered quietly.
"Do you have anyone in mind? Or should I suggest you soone?" The man asked another question.
Most of the people coming here were regular custors and had their own specified brokers.
"I need Cipher." Alden answered plainly.
The man didn't react even slightly, but Alden noticed how his pupils shook slightly at the ntion of her na.
Well, she was a popular broker and expensive as well.
'So whoever wanted her might be a big client.' This was probably the thought process of the man.
The man soon typed sothing on his Arcane Interfere.
"Please proceed to room number 8." The man gestured towards a room. "She will be with you shortly."
Alden nodded and made his way towards the designated room.
The room was spacious and empty with only one table in the center with two luxurious sofas around it.
Alden sat on one of the sofas.
He was quite excited to see the infamous broker. She was soone who had kidnapped Seles in the novel.
She, for so reason, hated Seles to the bone.
And more importantly, Seles, for so reason, was very cautious of her as well.
But that was sothing that happened in the future, right now she might not even know Seles.
He didn't have to wait for long as a beautiful woman strode in the room.
Her each step was filled with confidence. Her purple eyes were sharp, and her violet hair cascaded down her back like waves of water.
Her body was well developed, to say the least. She wore an all-black suit, looking very professional.
But what stood out the most was sothing else.
Her cat ears and the tail behind her back.
She was a beastfolk.
She scanned Alden with her sharp eyes as she sat opposite him.
Cipher.
She wasn't physically imposing, but there was an aura around her that scread danger.
A small smirk played on her lips.
"…You seem new," she said, her voice smooth and a bit playful.
"Is that a problem?" Alden asked calmly.
"Do you think it should be?" Her voice was filled with mischief.
Before Alden could respond with anything, she interrupted him.
"Alright, enough with the mystery act. What should I call you?" She asked.
"Damien," Alden answered without even blinking his eyes. "You can call Damien."
He didn't want to waste ti thinking about so code na.
He was sure if he tried doing that, he would co up with so edgy na.
So he decided to save himself the embarrassnt and told her his na.
She raised her brows slightly.
"I was honestly expecting so edgy na…" She muttered.
"Would you prefer sothing more dramatic?" Alden smirked.
"Oh, absolutely." She grinned, tilting her head slightly. "How about sothing that screams mysterious and dangerous? Like… Shadowfang or Bloodhawk?"
"No thanks, I'm fine." Alden declined her offer politely.
Her personality was quite a surprise for him. He had expected her to be so calm and cunning type of villain.
She had outsmarted Seles and kidnapped her in the novel after all.
Instead her personality looked like so mischievous neighborhood old sister type.
"You are no fun, Damien." Cipher let out a fake, exaggerated sigh.
Alden didn't fail to notice her sharp eyes. She was acting like she was playing along, but internally she was evaluating Alden.
Her every word and action was ant to test Alden.
Then, in an instant, the playfulness vanished.
"Let's talk about business, shall we?" Her posture straightened. "Why did you choose ?"
"My brokerage isn't exactly friendly. If you're looking for sothing simple, I suggest you find soone cheaper." She spoke.
"I want the best." Alden answered without hesitation.
"Well, that's flattering." She looked Alden in the eyes.
"So what is it you need, Damien?"
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