It was Friday, the day of the awaited meeting.
Axel stood just outside the school gates, dressed in a black cotton T-shirt, loose-fitting jeans, and a plain baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. The sun dipped lazily behind the skyline, casting long shadows across the pavement as students filtered out around him.
He checked the time again. Late.
"Axel?" a familiar voice called out.
Yanin jogged over, slightly winded, her usual stoic expression softened by the breeze brushing through her hair. A few steps behind her, Mico arrived. Unhurried and perfectly composed, like she was stepping onto a private runway.
She wore a high-waisted cream skirt that fell just below her knees, paired with a black off-shoulder blouse that framed her collarbones with casual grace. A thin silver chain glittered at her neck, matching the subtle earrings peeking out from under her waves of glossy, red hair.
Axel raised an eyebrow. "I've been waiting for a while. Twenty minutes late from the time we agreed to meet."
Mico blinked at him, then gave a short, dismissive snort. "Hey, not everyone can show up looking homeless like you."
He gestured to his shirt. "It's minimalist."
"It's criminal."
Before he could fire back, Yanin stepped between them, arms folded. "Can we just go already?"
"Lead the way, Miss Fashionably Late," Axel said with a sarcastic bow.
Mico didn't respond, just started walking, heels clicking confidently on the pavement as the other two followed.
About a block down, a sleek black luxury car idled by the curb.
Mico smirked. "You really didn't think we'd be walking there, did you?"
"Well, I was thinking more on the lines of taking the subway." Axel replied.
"Or the bus" Yanin added.
"Get in losers." Mico opened the passenger's seat and went in while Axel and Yanin were sitting at the back.
"Miss Valeine and friends," the driver greeted, tone polite.
"Joshier, drive." Mico laid back.
The ride was quiet, uncomfortably so. Three introverts sealed in one vehicle with too much silence and nowhere to hide. Axel passed the time watching cat videos, occasionally suppressing a laugh. Yanin stared out the window. Mico seemed content to scroll through her own feed.
Thirty minutes later, the car rolled to a stop.
The car pulled to a smooth stop in front of what looked like a dead-end alley tucked between two high-rise buildings. Graffiti covered the walls, and flickering neon signs buzzed overhead in languages Axel didn't recognize. This wasn't some clean, overmarketed downtown auction hall. It was the kind of place that you would never find unless you were actively searching.
Mico stepped out first, her heels tapping lightly against the cobblestone as though the grime beneath her feet didn't exist. "We're here."
Axel slipped out after her, looking around. "You sure this is the place? Looks more like where people get mugged, not where they bid for magic swords."
Yanin crossed her arms. "Wouldn't be surprised if both happen here."
Mico flashed a knowing smile. "It's the Black Market. If it looked normal, it'd be shut down in a week."
She approached the brick wall at the alley's end and pressed her palm against a faint insignia no one else seemed to notice. The moment her mana touched it, the bricks shimmered, then twisted, revealing a short tunnel filled with violet light and low ambient sounds.
"Hidden entrance? Awesome." Axel spoke up, itching to go.
"Hold on." Mico turned, handing them each a plain black mask. "Wear this. No real names, no real faces."
They pulled the masks on.
Then, they entered.
Inside, the tunnel opened into a sprawling underground plaza buzzing with life. Lanterns of enchanted flame floated above every booth, casting warm glows across long tables stacked with strange goods; enchanted weapons, rare herbs, beast pelts, potions in bottles that twitched like they were alive. Caged beasts that growled low enough to rattle the ground.
People of all kinds roamed the aisles, cloaked nobles, black-robed mages, rogue adventurers. The air smelled of incense, mana, and the faint tinge of something burnt.
Axel's eyes flicked across the crowd. "You weren't kidding… this place is insane."
Yanin nodded. "I've only heard rumors, but this… this is next level."
Mico turned back toward them. "We've got 1 hour before the auction starts. I've got a short list of things I need, but feel free to explore. Don't wander too far. You know, in case you get kidnapped and auctioned off."
Axel raised a hand. "Would I at least go for a good price?"
"You?" Mico looked him up and down. "Maybe if they sold you as a half-functioning scarecrow."
"Or a sentient broom; stick-arms." Yanin added.
"Hey! I've been bulking recently, and you can't talk. Your arms are like half the width of mines." Axel countered.
"It's called a sleeper build. If I flex a little, you'll see." Yanin quipped.
Mico clapped twice. "You two, stick together and explore or follow me if you want. Don't do anything stupid. Joshier and I will head out."
The driver? When did he get here?!
Before Axel could process it, Mico and Joshier vanished into the crowd.
Then, a light tug on his sleeve.
"There's a fighting rink over there," Yanin said, nodding toward a stone pit where sparks and shouts echoed. "Let's check it out."
Axel looked over. "Aight, lead the way."