WebNovels

Chapter 29 - Black market!

Bob laughed.

"Bro, you got guts!"

"Never seen someone this crazy!"

"Ballsy as hell!"

Alex threw his head back.

Laughed.

"I AM crazy!"

"If the protagonist's just like everyone else..."

"Then what's the point?!"

Bob shook his head.

Grinning.

"You're insane, man."

"I will find you a doctor when I get rich..."

"No need! I am a doctor!"

"Doctor of what?"

"Of looove!"

..."TF"

1 hour later.

They arrived at the old district.

Dark alleyways.

Old buildings.

But ahead—

Light.

Noise.

The black market.

Alex's eyes lit up.

The entrance was a massive archway.

Red lanterns hanging.

Inside—

Bright lights everywhere.

Crowds of people.

Voices overlapping.

Shouting.

Laughing.

Haggling.

Alex could smell everything.

Nightclub scent.

Alcohol and perfume.

Food smells.

Grilled meat, spices.

And spiritual energy.

Thick in the air.

"Damn..."

Bob whispered.

"This place is huge."

Alex grinned.

"Let's go."

He stepped forward.

But—

A massive hand blocked him.

Alex looked up.

A huge guy in a suit.

Built like a brick wall.

Bald head.

Scars on his face.

Arms crossed.

"Pass."

His voice deep.

"Show me your pass."

Alex froze.

"Pass?"

The big guy nodded.

"Black market access pass."

"No pass, no entry."

Alex's mind went blank.

Pass?

Lilian never mentioned that!

Auntie!

Bob looked at Alex.

"You got one?"

Alex shook his head.

Shit.

He thought fast.

Then—

He brushed his hair back.

Covered half his face with one hand.

Struck a pose.

"Does..."

"This handsome face count?"

Bob covered his mouth.

Trying not to laugh.

The big guy's eye twitched.

"..."

"Get lost."

Alex's smile froze.

Fuck.

Bob was dying trying not to laugh.

"Pfft—"

Alex stepped back.

Okay that didn't work.

Now what?

Right then—

A system notification appeared.

[Three Options Available!]

[Option One: Turn around and go home to get a pass from Auntie]

(May bring her enormous danger!)

Reward: Large amount of spiritual power, Title: "Auntie Sacrificed to Heaven, Infinite Power!"

[Option Two: Force your way in! Who are they to stop me?]

(Risk of death)

Reward: Upgrade to Grade 9 Beast Tamer!

[Option Three: Find a way to sneak in!]

Reward: Your contract beast gains the ability to digest potions to boost attributes! Effect depends on potion quality and function!

Alex's eyebrows furrowed.

Option One would cause trouble for Lilian?

Why?

He thought hard.

Then it clicked.

The monopoly.

The organization controlling vine potions.

If I use Lilian's pass...

They could trace it back to her.

Especially if I'm selling vine potions inside.

His eyes widened.

Shit.

Without this system...

I wouldn't have realized.

This martial world...

Really is survival of the fittest.

Option Two was out too.

Force my way in?

I'm only Grade 10.

That's suicide.

He glanced at the big guy.

Yeah, no.

So Option Three.

But how to sneak in?

Alex's eyes scanned the area.

Then—

He saw it.

Several delivery trucks.

Pulling up to a side entrance.

Workers unloading boxes.

And on the side of one truck—

Big letters:

"WOMEN'S PRODUCTS"

Alex's eyes lit up.

Perfect.

The two arrived at a pink truck.

Pink.

With butterfly patterns on it.

Very...girly.

Alex peeked into the driver's cab.

A pretty young girl!

Wearing a hat.

Fiddling with her phone.

The truck had just turned off.

So obviously...

The stuff inside was being delivered to the black market.

Alex's eyes lit up.

Opportunity!

He turned to Bob.

Lowered his voice.

"Listen..."

5 minutes later.

Bob's eyes went wide.

"What...what?!"

"You crazy?!"

Alex smiled.

"This is exciting."

Bob grabbed his hair.

"Why...why not just..."

"Borrow her pass?"

Alex shook his head.

"That's not exciting."

Bob was speechless.

"You..."

"You really are..."

Alex added in his mind:

Can't complete the option without sneaking in!

System has to work this way!

Also if he used the girl's pass, he might get her into trouble! He isn't someone like that!

"Come."

Alex pulled Bob.

Hid in the bushes nearby.

"Wait."

The two crouched there.

Like two thieves.

Bob kept looking around nervously.

"I...I think..."

"This is a terrible idea..."

Alex patted him.

"Trust me."

"I'm the protagonist."

"Protagonist's luck, you know?"

Bob rolled his eyes.

Finally—

The girl in the hat put down her phone.

Pushed open the door.

Jumped down.

She walked to the back of the truck.

Opened the cargo door.

Click.

Door opened.

Alex's eyes went wide!

Bob froze too.

Inside—

A whole box full of cosplay outfits!

Maid costumes.

Black ones, white ones.

Nurse uniforms.

Pink ones with cross symbols.

Bunny girl outfits.

Ears, tails, fishnets, complete sets.

Police uniforms.

Hats, handcuffs, batons.

And school uniforms.

Sailor outfits.

Various styles.

Various sizes.

Bob's face went red.

"This...this..."

Alex swallowed too.

This black market...

Really sells everything...

But he quickly snapped back.

"Here's our chance."

He stood up.

Fixed his hair.

Put on a sunny smile.

Walked over.

"Hey there, miss!"

His voice friendly.

Natural.

The girl turned her head.

Looked at Alex.

Froze for a second.

She took off her hat.

Long hair fell down.

Cute face.

Big eyes.

"Hm?"

A bit confused.

"You are..."

Alex pointed at the truck.

"Are you delivering to the black market?"

He kept smiling.

Sunny.

Handsome.

The girl looked at him.

Then at the truck.

"Yeah..."

Her voice a bit wary.

"Who...who are you?"

Alex leaned one hand on the costume boxes.

Casual.

Confident.

"I'm Alex."

"Just passing by."

"Got attracted by your beauty."

He smiled.

That sunshine smile.

"And you?"

"What's your name, beautiful?"

The girl's guard dropped a bit.

Her face flushed.

"I...I'm Ivy."

She tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I deliver for a company."

"My company, well..."

She suddenly glanced at the pile of costumes.

Her face went redder.

"It's not—"

She waved her hands frantically.

"I'm not into these things!"

"I just..."

"Just doing it for money!"

Alex nodded seriously.

"I totally understand."

"Gotta make a living."

Ivy relaxed.

"Yeah..."

"Exactly..."

Alex suddenly took her hand.

Gentle.

But firm.

Ivy froze.

"W-what—"

Alex leaned close.

Right by her ear.

His voice low.

"Wanna play a game?"

Ivy's heart raced.

His face so close.

So handsome.

"A...a game?"

"Yeah."

Alex smiled.

"Count to thirty."

"Eyes closed."

"Then you'll see a surprise."

He pulled back slightly.

Looking into her eyes.

"An amazing surprise."

"You won't believe it."

Ivy's face burned.

This guy...

So forward...

But...

She nodded shyly.

"O...okay..."

"Good girl."

Alex winked.

Ivy covered her eyes with both hands.

Started counting.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three..."

Alex immediately turned.

Waved frantically at the bushes.

Bob! Come on!

No response.

Bob!

He waved harder.

Still nothing.

Where the hell is he?!

"Seven..."

"Eight..."

Then—

Alex saw someone.

A huge guy in black.

The guard from the entrance.

Walking this way.

Fast.

Holding a photo.

Looking around.

His face dark.

Very unfriendly.

Shit!

Alex's heart dropped.

The guard's eyes scanned the area.

Getting closer.

"Fifteen..."

"Sixteen..."

Alex looked at Ivy.

Still counting.

Eyes covered.

Looked at the guard.

Almost here.

Fuck it!

He jumped.

Right into the truck bed.

Dove into the costumes.

Buried himself.

Maid outfits everywhere.

Nurse costumes.

Bunny suits.

He pulled them over himself.

Completely covered.

Held his breath.

More Chapters