“Black Market? What’s that? Never heard of it.”
Andrea tilted her head in confusion.
She did know a bit about human society, but only the basics—most of her common sense had been hurriedly stuffed into her by Jody. But clearly, the multi-tasking Miss Manager had forgotten to give her a crash course on the city’s dark underbelly.
So, the inexperienced Red Dragon just stepped into the Black Market like that, and was immediately rooted to the spot by the scene before her eyes.
Unlike the clean and orderly marketplace inside the merchant guild, here the streets screamed of chaos.
On both sides, vendors loudly hawked their wares, waving weapons that no one knew how long had been gathering dust.
Some people had price tags written right on their backs; their faces were humble and servile, pretending to be willing slaves or servants, but their hollow, hungry faces couldn’t hide the greed burning in their sunken eyes.
Women baring large swathes of skin and posing seductively were everywhere. Some even wore animal trinkets, discarding their dignity as humans, wagging their tails like pets and begging passersby for favor.
Andrea couldn’t believe what she saw. Her delicate face wrinkled with disgust.
She tried to inch her way backward, but was quickly blocked by a hideous-looking woman.
“Miss, please come this way, what you need is over here.”
It seemed she had been brought somewhere dangerous.
Andrea mumbled inwardly, cranking up her vigilance, nerves taut as she kept a wary eye on her surroundings.
She wouldn’t be so naïve as to think herself human just because she’d spent a few days with Ailaira Green.
If she revealed her true identity in a place that screamed “danger” like this, she’d probably be swarmed in an instant.
Imagining the worst-case scenario, Andrea’s expression grew tense.
If real danger broke out, would that wicked woman come to rescue her?
Heh, she’d probably just sigh over losing a handy test subject, wouldn’t even spare a few seconds of sadness for me.
Forget it, if you want something done right, do it yourself. Escaping is my specialty anyway.
With her mind made up, Andrea seized her chance before she’d gone deeper into the Black Market. While the woman was distracted, she turned and bolted.
Her petite frame exploded with surprising speed, darting through the crowd. No matter how loudly the woman shrieked and chased behind her, Andrea never slowed down.
But when she finally reached the entrance, panting for breath, all she found was a grayish-white wall.
Andrea steeled herself, slipped off her coat and wrapped it around her right arm, carefully shifting partway back to her original form.
The next instant, red dragon scales rippled across her right arm, even her hand morphing into a razor-sharp dragon claw.
She gathered her strength and smashed her fist into the solid wall, unleashing a power far beyond human limits.
When the dust settled, the nearby crowd gaped in shock—a hole had been blasted clean through the wall by what appeared to be an obedient young girl!
But alas, behind the wall was not an exit, but a bizarre space teeming with chaotic magic currents.
The wild, restless magic inside made Andrea shudder.
Her danger sense screamed at her: even if she returned to her full dragon form, she wouldn’t survive in there.
“Hm? Someone actually broke through my space lock?”
A voice, clear as a lark and melodious, rang by Andrea’s ear.
She jerked in surprise, swinging her arm behind her as she leaped back, but felt nothing solid.
She frowned in confusion—the place where the voice had come from was empty.
“Was that an illusion?”
“Nope.”
Andrea’s pupils shrank.
This time, she saw it clearly—a twisted black shadow appeared at her side without warning.
A ghastly pale arm reached out from the undulating shadow, then long, slender legs.
A woman draped in a hazy black veil slowly emerged in front of Andrea.
She wore a fitted dress slit to the waist, showing off her voluptuous figure without a hint of restraint.
Thin fabric hugged her chest, barely restraining her generous curves, which swayed gently with her breath.
Her skin was as pale as wall plaster, without the flush of a living person.
If not for the lively smile she wore, Andrea might have thought she was facing a corpse.
“Hiss…”
Andrea sucked in a breath.
Her draconic eyes, able to perceive magic, saw the immense power flowing within this woman—equivalent to dozens of Ailaira Green.
Sweat beaded on Andrea’s brow, a testament to the pressure she felt.
Her mind spun furiously, searching for a way out.
But she could barely handle one Ailaira Green—could she possibly stand a chance against this super-sized version?
The Black Veil Woman seemed to have noticed something interesting about Andrea, folding her arms as she watched, making no move.
As the two faced off, the hideous woman who’d brought Andrea to the Black Market finally caught up, others in tow.
Seeing the Black Veil Woman, she shouted in delight:
“Manager, this girl broke the rules of the Black Market! If she doesn’t want to buy anything, she needs to leave the Black Market!”
Andrea retorted at once, “Tch! You people brought me here without even explaining, and now I want to leave—what’s wrong with that!”
“The rules of the Black Market are simple,” said the Black Veil Woman, sweeping her gaze up and down Andrea with a sly smile.
“Anyone who sets foot here must make a purchase before leaving. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Yukla, the founder and manager of this Black Market.”
“No matter why you’ve come to my turf, you must abide by the rules.”
Andrea gritted her teeth, desperate to punch that insincere, smiling face, but she tamped down her anger and said through clenched teeth, “So if I just buy something, I can leave, right?”
“Of course.” Yukla stepped aside, gesturing at the countless, diverse goods on display. “Every visitor is a guest. Take your pick.”
Andrea went up to a random stall and picked up a rusty Magic Wand, asking the vendor, “How much is this?”
The vendor glanced at Yukla, then slowly held up one finger.
Andrea thought she meant one Gold Coin and reached for her money, but the vendor sneered, “Ten thousand Gold Coins.”
“What kind of joke is that?!”
Since one Gold Coin equaled a hundred Silver Coins, this rusty Magic Wand cost more than two of her favorite gemstones!
The vendor burst out laughing, mocking Andrea.
“Little girl, that’s the going rate. Go ask anyone—everything’s the same price, ha ha ha!”
Andrea clenched her molars, glancing around at the uncaring, hostile stares pinning her from all sides, just like back then with her own kind.
Vile words cut like knives, slicing her off from the world, with nowhere to belong.
Finally, Andrea locked eyes on Yukla, who watched like a bystander enjoying the show, crooking her finger at Andrea.
“What’s wrong? Out of money?”
“Then let big sis offer you a way—you come and play a game with me, and I’ll pay you a handsome sum.”
“No need.” Andrea’s fury suddenly gave way to calm.
She took a deep breath, put the Black Gold Card Ailaira Green had given her into her mouth, and bent low.
There was no time to guess Andrea’s sudden move.
But Yukla, seeing the flash of the Black Gold Card, was struck by the name printed on it—a name that stopped her heart cold!
“Ailaira Green!!”
“She’s one of Ailaira Green’s people! Quick! Get her out of here!”