The hole was indeed deep.
But since he'd expected it, it didn't matter. Falling due to collapsing floors was something he'd gotten used to during his hunter days.
Soon after, Ferda landed safely on the ground.
'He said if I walked straight for 10 minutes, I'd come out.'
The passage was low. Ferda lowered his posture and began crawling forward.
After quite a long time had passed.
Thud—
A roar was heard from the end of the path he'd come from.
It wasn't the sound of something collapsing. Like he had done, it was the sound of someone landing on the ground through the hole.
A sneer appeared on his lips.
"Just arrived now?"
It was an unfamiliar visitor, but he could guess who it was.
It must be the little rat that had been following him from the mansion.
'Probably someone Shane Arcdute sent.'
The intermediate Expert knight who had tried to win over Ferda had gone missing.
Plus they'd confirmed that Ferda was stronger than expected. It was natural to be suspicious at this point. So they'd attached a little rat to monitor him all day.
'His skill is roughly intermediate Expert level.'
A bit stronger than Maxion who had visited him before.
However, there was no anxious look on Ferda's face.
Rather, he was even smiling as if things were going well.
Thud—
Just then, he could see the end of the passage.
Ferda roughly struck the wall with his mana-filled fist.
Thud!
Soon bright light entered his vision.
Ferda's eyes widened.
"This is quite a sight."
Honest admiration flowed out.
And for good reason. The underground market was as big and splendid as a city's night market.
Orange lights illuminated every corner of the alleys and numerous shops had opened their doors. Customers wearing robes and masks wandered around the shopping district looking for what they wanted.
While quietly watching this.
"Ah, right. A mask."
Ferda muttered as if he'd forgotten.
All the customers who visited the market were wearing drab-colored robes and ridiculous masks. Probably to prevent their faces and identities from being exposed. He knew that if you entered through the normal route, they'd provide them at the entrance.
Naturally, Ferda had neither.
But there was no need to worry.
"I can just get some."
Ferda hid in a secluded alley.
He headed to a nearby public restroom. No one was inside.
Ferda erased his presence and waited for someone to use the restroom.
About 5 minutes passed?
Someone came running from outside, panting.
"Ugh! It's coming out, coming out!"
A man with a fat body. His belly jiggling, he hurriedly pulled down his pants. Then he squatted right next to Ferda and let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew, now I can live... Gah!"
The man who had been muttering drowsily collapsed.
Because Ferda had roughly struck the back of his head. Soon after, someone wearing a rabbit mask walked out of the restroom.
"This is a bit loose."
Ferda frowned.
Even if he regretted it, there was nothing he could do. What mattered now wasn't this damn robe.
"Let's see. This is 8th Street, so..."
He moved while looking at the map he'd stolen from the man.
Soon after, he arrived at his destination.
4th Street, Number 13
"Naming sense worthy of a necromancer."
He let out a chuckle.
This was exactly the necromancer's shop he'd been looking for.
Confirming the 'Open' sign, Ferda opened the door without hesitation. With a creaking noise, the interior of the shop was clearly visible.
"Ooh."
The shop was quite clean.
It was well organized and there wasn't a speck of dust on the tables. While leisurely looking around the shop, something caught his eye.
A reagent bottle containing black liquid. He felt an aura similar to Death Herbs. Just as curious Ferda picked up the reagent bottle.
"That's a failure."
An unfamiliar voice came from behind.
An old man with a slightly bent back.
He wore a drab gray robe and a crocodile mask.
"I tried to make Specter Cloud but failed. Even if you break it, only black smoke comes out."
The old man moved with shuffling steps.
He took the reagent bottle from Ferda's hand and put it back in its original place.
"First time customer, I see. Who did you hear about this place from?"
There was no way he could answer that question.
He couldn't say he'd come after reading a novel.
So Ferda decided to get straight to the point.
"I came to buy Death Herbs."
"Death Herbs? How many?"
"As many as possible."
"Your purpose is to absorb negative energy, I see. Then how about this?"
The old man rummaged around and pulled something out.
A reagent full of purple liquid. It looked suspicious at first glance.
"It's a potion I made. Much cheaper than Death Herbs and more effective."
A voice full of pride.
Meanwhile, Ferda said nothing. Thinking this was a positive response, the old man grinned and opened a drawer. Purple potions began appearing on the desk.
"Just five silver coins per bottle..."
"Not interested."
That's when Ferda answered in a firm tone.
It might be true that the potion was more effective.
But he wasn't really inclined to try it. The reason was simple.
He didn't want to feed some potion made by a necromancer who didn't even have Great Person grade talent to Silvan.
"All I want is Death Herbs."
Even if it was a bit slower, feeding Death Herbs would be safer.
Hearing the blatant rejection, wrinkles formed around the old man's eyes. He looked displeased, but that wasn't his concern. Ferda kept his mouth firmly shut and waited for the old man's answer.
Some time later.
"Twenty silver coins per root."
The old man spoke. A blunt tone.
"Stock is one hundred twenty roots."
About 120 roots should be enough.
Ferda nodded without hesitation. That's when the old man added.
"If you buy them all, I might give you a little discount. Let's see, all together..."
"Is payment with something other than money possible?"
"What?"
Irritation mixed into the old man's voice.
Ferda didn't wait for his answer. He just casually threw out one thing mentioned in the novel with an indifferent tone.
"I know you've been researching Dullahan recently."
As soon as that sentence ended!
The old man's mouth shut tight. His eyes behind the mask turned cold.
"...Who did you hear that from?"
"I'll supply the materials you need."
"Answer my question first."
A voice as cold as his gaze flowed out.
Ferda asked back as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Is that important?"
"You're saying you investigated my personal information."
The old man and Ferda's gazes locked in midair.
An uncomfortable silence continued. After a moment, it was the old man who spoke again.
"You broke the underground market's unwritten rules. Get out. There's no deal."
Along with a clear order to leave.
Deep hostility could be felt in his voice. The old man roughly turned away as if he had nothing more to say. However, Ferda's face was full of composure.
Because there was still a story from the novel he hadn't told.
"The mercenaries of Verraine."
It was just a short phrase. But the effect was considerable.
The old man froze solid.
He didn't know the exact reason, but the words 'mercenaries of Verraine' were a huge weakness for the old man. In the 4th cycle, someone who visited this place had pressured the old man with those words.
The old man who closed his mouth kept rolling his eyes.
He seemed to be hesitating. Watching this, Ferda spoke again.
"I don't understand."
"What?"
"Is there a need to worry?"
"...What are you trying to say now."
Anxiety and impatience settled in the old man's eyes.
Looking directly at this, Ferda said.
"Receive materials to use for Dullahan research and hand over Death Herbs in return. That's the end. It's a simple trade."
If you comply with the trade obediently, nothing will happen.
Words close to a threat. The old man clenched his fists tightly.
But that was only for a moment.
"Sigh, somehow today's luck has been particularly bad..."
The old man dropped his shoulders in resignation.
But his eyes weren't dead yet.
The old man scattered cold glances from behind his mask and replied firmly.
"I'll tell you in advance, but I won't accept anything half-hearted. To make a Dullahan, you need materials from at least beginner Expert level or higher."
"You'll definitely be satisfied."
Ferda smiled confidently.
"It's intermediate Expert level material after all."
"In-intermediate Expert?!"
The eyes behind the mask widened.
He was so surprised he even stammered.
"You obtained materials of that level? A corpse that's only been dead for a day?"
Distrust filled the old man's voice.
But he had no intention of responding. Ferda asked indifferently.
"Will you accept the proposal?"
"...If what you say is true."
"Deal made. Wait just a moment."
Ferda grinned wickedly.
"I'll prepare it soon."
His gaze turned to the shop's ceiling.
It was time to drag out the little rat hiding in the ceiling.