The Black Market tonight appeared no different from usual on the surface.
The Self-Defense Force, responsible for maintaining order within the Black Market, stood guard at every intersection corner.
Doghead Guard patrols passed by at intervals, deterring any with malicious intent.
But that was only on the surface.
Beneath this veneer of harmony surged a turbulent undercurrent, brimming with danger.
All because of the appearance of something that did not belong to the Demon King Castle Aisaridu.
Watching as the pursuers behind her rushed off in the wrong direction, the Elf Girl pulled her cloak tighter to cover her striking golden hair, lips pressed together.
A small, pale hand slipped out from under the cloak, palm opening cautiously.
A faint blue orb of light rested quietly in her hand.
The blue glow it emitted was so weak it seemed about to extinguish, flickering rhythmically like a tiny beating heart.
‘There’s not much time left.
I must get the Seed of Epiphany back as soon as possible and complete the Trial!’
Clenching the little light tightly, the Elf Girl’s eyes filled with resolve.
Just then, another commotion erupted not far away, heading toward her position.
A group of ugly Incubus—far rougher in their search methods than the previous Demonkin pursuers—were approaching.
At their head stood an Incubus in a tailcoat, eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, holding the leash of a half-human-tall Demon Hound.
The Demon Hound was hairless, its fire-red skin bare and covered with dense warts—giving an immediate impression of disgust and menace.
Its massive maw, bristling with fangs, hung open slightly.
Black, viscous drool dripped to the ground, releasing a stench of decay, while its nose pressed close to the floor, sniffing out residual scents.
Relying on its keen sense of smell, its steps halted before a stall where the Elf Girl had briefly lingered—a stall selling Skeleton Back Scratchers.
Grr~
The Demon Hound bared its fangs at the undead stall owner, growling low.
The Incubus tightened his grip on the iron chain, raised his eyebrow, and casually grabbed a Skeleton Back Scratcher from the stall, tossing it for the Demon Hound to chew, flashing a smile at the undead stall keeper.
“May I ask about the person who was just in front of your stall?
Do you know which direction she went?”
The ever-slow undead stall keeper opened his mouth.
Bones creaked with a ‘kaka’ sound as he spoke sluggishly: “That way……”
‘Crack——!’
The Incubus suddenly extended a purple hand, long nails instantly piercing through the undead’s mask and jamming into his skull’s eye socket, clenching hard.
Before a scream could escape, the stall keeper’s head was crushed into bone fragments, the undead fire within fading into nothingness.
After all this, the Incubus brushed bone powder from his palm in disgust, brow furrowing.
“Too slow.
Where do these low-level skeletons come from?”
He glanced around at the horrified stares surrounding him.
“Wait, why are you all looking at me?”
Only in the next second did he recall that, by the Black Market’s rules, fighting was strictly forbidden inside—no matter who you were.
All grievances must be settled outside.
Not caring whether the crowd believed him, the Incubus snatched the bone from the Demon Hound’s mouth and tossed it to the ground, bowing to the crowd with feigned apology.
“This little skeleton was selling fakes.
I lost control for a moment.
Sorry, I’ll compensate the Black Market’s manager later……”
***
Hidden in the shadows, the Elf Girl watched the entire scene unfold, her expression growing grim.
Tonight, there were two Demon Factions coveting the Seed of Epiphany in her hand—both major powers within Demon King Castle Aisaridu.
Unlike the earlier Demonkin, the Incubus was obviously more brazen—and even more dangerous!
They had even sealed off the Black Market’s only Exit, leaving her at a loss for escape.
‘Is there really no way for me to get this thing out tonight?’
As she pondered how to instigate conflict between the two factions to create an opening, a breeze suddenly swept from behind.
Her cloak fluttered.
Sensing something, her eyes widened and her form vanished from the spot.
Woof woof!
The Demon Hound caught the scent in the wind and barked furiously.
“Oh, so you’ve found the direction?”
The Incubus narrowed his eyes, gaze sweeping toward where the Elf Girl had just been.
***
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
“Hey, Hualí, are you sure this is okay? Selling your own Saint Sword….”
Jeilinfa glanced at Hualí beside her, the pile of Miscellaneous Trinkets nearly burying her petite form.
She hesitated.
Everyone knew Sidella had only given Hualí five Coin—hardly enough to buy much.
So where did she get the money for all these little trinkets?
“Selling the Saint Sword—is that really your idea of earning money, Hualí?!”
Jeilinfa’s upright sense of justice simply couldn’t accept this.
Hualí, you’re a Hero of the Human Race!
What kind of Hero sells their symbol of status for useless junk?
Yet Hualí seemed unfazed.
“Out with the old, in with the new~”
She winked, then added, “Besides, Jeilinfa, don’t you think she’s cute?”
Hualí dug out a palm-sized pink plush toy from the pile.
She pressed its belly, and a sweet girlish voice rang out.
“Yongchu Taffy Infusion meow~ Yongchu Taffy Infusion thank you meow~”
She pressed it again.
“Hehehehehehehehehe……”
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Jeilinfa’s forehead.
“T-that is pretty sweet…”
“Anyway, it’s not like I’m giving up the Saint Sword for good.
I just left it at the shop for now.
Once I get paid, I’ll redeem it!”
Hualí declared with conviction.
Jeilinfa tried to protest further, but Hualí interrupted.
“Look, they even have a Clothing Shop!”
Hualí exclaimed in surprise.
A Clothing Shop in the Black Market—no matter how you looked at it, it couldn’t be an ordinary place!
With a sigh, Jeilinfa had no choice but to follow Hualí inside.
As the two stepped in, the Elf Girl, fleeing her pursuers, slipped into the same shop just behind them.
“Huff~huff~”
She leaned against the door, making sure the Demon Hound hadn’t followed.
Only then did she relax, taking in the store.
To own an entire shop in the Black Market—the owner’s financial strength was not to be underestimated.
The clothes on display were made from the skins and furs of various races, part of a thriving gray industry.
In the largest Display Window stood a custom evening dress adorned with an entire set of Mermaid Scales, each scale shimmering under the lights—a dazzling yet nauseating sight.
‘Even within the Elf Tribe, darkness is hard to root out.
How much more so among the mongrel Demon Race?’
Shaking her head, the Elf Girl forced herself to focus.
The main issue was that the Demon Hound had memorized her scent.
She looked around and picked the cheapest garment, muttering as she headed for the fitting room.
“Hopefully changing clothes and some perfume will cover my smell.”
“Excuse me, miss. Before entering the fitting room, all Magic Bags must be removed for inspection.”
The Foxfolk Female Clerk politely reminded her.
“You think I’ll steal?”
“Sorry, miss, it’s store policy.”
Beneath her mask, the Elf Girl frowned slightly and turned away.
“Fine, I’ll change somewhere else.”
Out of the clerk’s sight, she carefully pulled out the faintly glowing Seed of Epiphany, then selected a piece of ladies’ underwear stuffed with Slime from the Display Window.
Taking out a small knife, she cut a hidden slit and slipped the Seed of Epiphany inside the Slime padding.
Finishing her work, she hung the underwear back in the Display Window.
“Good enough—no one would be desperate enough to actually buy something like this, right?”