Free Web NovelChapter 27: The Time for the Wipe Out
Amon soon arrived at the black market.
The moment he stepped out of the vehicle, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Before him stood a luxurious skyscraper that pierced the clouds like a steel giant. Its reflective glass exterior shimmered beneath the afternoon sunlight, while countless floors stretched high into the sky.
For a brief moment, Amon was genuinely surprised.
Such a structure should have attracted enormous attention from the government.
Yet it stood openly in the heart of the city.
There was only one explanation.
The government itself likely had a hand in its operation.
Or perhaps certain influential figures did.
Either way, it was proof that the forces behind the black market possessed terrifying power.
Despite the revelation, Amon remained calm.
His expression didn’t change in the slightest.
"We’ve arrived."
Jacob quickly stepped out of the driver’s seat before hurrying around the vehicle. He opened the doors for both Amon and Moon with the respect of a subordinate serving his superior.
Amon merely glanced at him before looking away.
Soon, Jacob led the pair toward the entrance.
Two imposing men stood guard outside.
Both wore black suits, dark sunglasses, and communication devices attached to their ears. Their muscular physiques strained against their clothing, giving off the impression of trained professionals rather than ordinary security guards.
As the group approached, one of them stepped forward.
"State your purpose for coming here."
His gaze swept across the trio while his hand drifted casually toward the reinforced handgun secured at his waist.
The weapon wasn’t for decoration.
It was powerful enough to kill an E-Rank Hunter.
Jacob calmly opened his wallet and handed over a black card.
The guard examined it carefully.
His expression immediately changed.
A moment later, both men stepped aside.
"You may enter."
The group proceeded inside without another word.
Several minutes later, they entered an elevator and ascended toward the fifth floor, the section dedicated to equipment, relics, and skill scrolls.
Once the elevator doors closed, the guards exchanged glances.
"That was him, wasn’t it?"
"The Butcher?"
The first guard nodded.
"There can be no mistake. That mask is unmistakable."
The second guard frowned.
"What about the man beside him? And that woman in white?"
"No idea."
The first guard shook his head.
"Let’s report it to the boss. People associated with the Butcher aren’t individuals we should investigate ourselves."
"Fair enough."
The second guard immediately agreed.
They were merely small fish.
Some waters were too deep to swim in.
...
The elevator doors slid open.
Amon stepped onto the fifth floor.
His gaze swept across the spacious interior.
Luxurious chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
Rows of reinforced glass cabinets stretched across the hall, displaying countless relics, weapons, skill scrolls, and dungeon treasures.
The entire floor radiated wealth.
A professionally dressed employee quickly approached them.
"Welcome, gentlemen."
His smile was polite and practiced.
"Are you looking to purchase or sell?"
Jacob glanced toward Amon.
"I have these to sell."
Without hesitation, Amon extended his hand.
One after another, twenty dungeon cores appeared and fell onto the counter.
The employee’s eyes widened slightly.
Even Jacob looked impressed.
Twenty D-Rank dungeon cores.
That wasn’t a small transaction.
"And I’d also like to purchase a skill."
The employee’s smile deepened.
"Of course."
He examined the cores before giving a quick estimate.
"Each D-Rank dungeon core is worth approximately fifteen thousand dollars."
He paused briefly.
"For twenty cores, that would be three hundred thousand dollars."
Cough.
Cough.
Jacob deliberately cleared his throat before flashing his black card.
The employee’s expression froze for a fraction of a second.
Then his smile became even more professional.
"My apologies."
He adjusted his estimate.
"We’re feeling generous today. Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars."
"What do you think, gentlemen?"
Amon was genuinely surprised.
Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. free𝑤ebnovel.com
His previous annual salary had barely exceeded fifty thousand.
Yet he had earned seven times that amount in a single day.
No wonder countless people risked their lives becoming Hunters.
The rewards were absurd.
After a brief moment of thought, Amon nodded.
The employee immediately signaled to a nearby assistant.
A young woman approached and carefully collected the dungeon cores.
"Please follow me."
The employee gestured toward the surrounding displays.
"What type of skill are you looking for?"
He led them toward a reinforced glass cabinet.
"This relic was recovered from a dungeon and originally belonged to an A-Rank Hunter."
Inside rested an ancient skill scroll.
The pressure it emitted was noticeably stronger than the surrounding items.
"The price is one million dollars."
The employee smiled.
"However, for you, there’s a fifty percent discount."
Amon studied the scroll with interest.
It was obvious the man had shown him the most valuable item first.
Still, he remained patient.
"Show me everything."
The employee nodded.
"As you wish."
They moved to another display.
"This is a genuine B-Rank skill that grants metal manipulation."
Another cabinet.
"A C-Rank stealth technique capable of concealing your presence to an extraordinary degree."
Another.
"One of our few movement techniques. D-Rank, but remarkably effective. Its movement speed borders on short-range teleportation."
Another.
"A beast-control skill. Extremely useful for reconnaissance and support."
One after another, the employee introduced the best techniques available.
Eventually, he stopped.
"Of everything you’ve seen, which interests you most, sir?"
Amon considered his options.
His greatest weakness was mobility.
Without hesitation, he chose the movement skill.
The D-Rank technique cost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
After that, he selected a damage amplification skill.
Its current rank wasn’t particularly impressive.
However, Amon possessed Fate Points.
Given enough upgrades, even an ordinary skill could become extraordinary.
By the end of the transaction, nearly all three hundred and fifty thousand dollars had vanished.
Amon felt a slight sting.
Money came quickly.
It also disappeared quickly.
The realization made him frown.
Suddenly, the door opened.
The atmosphere of the room shifted.
A woman entered.
She wore a crimson dress that hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating every graceful curve without appearing vulgar. The deep red fabric contrasted beautifully against her fair skin, making her seem almost impossible to ignore.
Long raven-black hair cascaded down her back like flowing silk.
Her eyes were perhaps her most striking feature.
Sharp.
Confident.
Dangerously intelligent.
They possessed the kind of gaze that seemed capable of seeing through people’s secrets.
Every step she took was measured and elegant.
Not hurried.
Not hesitant.
Someone accustomed to having others wait for her.
A faint fragrance followed her movements, subtle yet captivating.
Unlike the artificial perfumes worn by most women, hers carried a refined scent that felt strangely intoxicating.
Amon’s attention sharpened.
At first glance, she appeared completely ordinary.
Yet his instincts disagreed.
Something about her felt wrong.
Or perhaps dangerous.
The sensation was subtle.
Like standing beside a sleeping predator.
The woman stopped directly before him.
A warm smile appeared on her crimson lips.
"The Butcher."
Her voice was smooth and alluring.
"I’ve heard many wonderful things about you."
She paused deliberately.
Long enough to make her next words feel intentional.
"You’ve managed to capture my interest."
Amon remained silent.
The woman didn’t seem bothered.
Instead, her smile widened slightly.
"I have a proposal."
Her eyes locked onto his.
"What do you think about joining my organization?"
There was no need to think.
Amon had already made his decision long ago.
Organizations came with obligations.
Restrictions.
Leashes.
And Amon had no intention of wearing one.
"I don’t plan on joining any organization."
The rejection came instantly.
Yet the woman’s expression didn’t change.
Not even slightly.
Avery studied him for several seconds before tilting her head.
Her smile remained calm and mysterious.
"Interesting."
Then her gaze slowly shifted.
For the first time, she looked toward Moon.
The woman in white stood silently beside Amon like a shadow.
Avery’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"Or perhaps..."
Her voice softened.
"You’re already affiliated with one of the hidden organizations operating in this world?"
