As soon as I regained my senses, I found myself lying in a vast hall filled with strange commotion. I was sprawled across a gleaming marble-like floor. The light from the chandeliers hanging above fell upon my eyes as if someone had imprisoned the sun inside glass. For a few moments, I remained there— then slowly sat up.
I brushed off my clothes. Though, there wasn't even any dust here.
A sudden thought flashed through my mind, why had Elisa said that while pushing me? "You saved my life twice…."
Her voice still seemed to echo in my ears. I shook my head.
"Forget it…" I muttered to myself.
"First, let me understand where I have arrived."
I looked around— and what I saw immediately made it clear that this was no ordinary place. Dazzle in every direction. Women dressed in expensive, shimmering outfits.
The sharp smell of alcohol. Laughter, noise, the clinking of coins. Some faces looked innocent— some cunning. Some eyes were red— from alcohol… some red— from greed.
It was no less magnificent than a royal court— except here, not crowns, but lust and wealth ruled.
I concluded inwardly, "This… is a modern tavern."
"Where along with liquor… beauty is also served."
Just then— a soft hand touched my shoulder from behind.
A woman, whose fragrance was stronger than the alcohol itself, came and stood very close to me. Running her fingers over my shoulder, she said in a velvety voice,
"There is no better place to wash away the fatigue of a long day's hard work."
I felt slightly uncomfortable. My eyes shifted around. She came even closer. With a faint smile, she said, "Sir… kindly favor me with a glance…"
There was habit in her eyes— the habit of seduction.
But my heart had not come here to linger. I gently yet firmly removed her hand from my shoulder.
"Excuse me," I said briefly and walked ahead.
Cutting through the crowd, I reached a long, gleaming counter. Behind it stood a middle-aged man. Neatly dressed.
Sharp eyes. In his hand was a glass— which he was polishing calmly with a white cloth.
There was an ease in his demeanor— the kind that only belongs to those who have seen far too much.
I stopped in front of him. For a few moments, he ignored me— as if I were just another insignificant part of the crowd.
Then I asked directly, "Mister… is this the Black Market?"
He lightly twirled the glass in the air. Then he lifted his eyes. His gaze settled on me as though I had cracked some ridiculous joke. His brows lifted slightly. A faint smile curved at the corners of his lips. And in that smile, there was less welcome… and more scrutiny.
Suddenly— the entire hall was plunged into darkness. The brilliance of the sparkling chandeliers went out in an instant, as if someone had twisted the neck of the light itself. And the very next moment— the whole hall erupted into chaos. The sound of glasses shattering. The scraping of chairs dragging across the floor. Panicked breaths.
The sharp screams of women tore through my ears. Some people ran toward the door. Some crouched down right where they were, trying to hide. The darkness was so dense that not even one's own palm was visible.
But the darkness did not last long— within a few moments, the chandeliers lit up again.
The light returned— but this time, it was not as lively as before. Now there was no noise… only silence. A kind of silence that is born from fear.
I looked ahead— the same middle-aged man who just moments ago had been calmly polishing a glass… Now a sharp, gleaming knife was pressed against his neck.
The blade was so close that a faint red line had appeared on his skin. The face of the one holding the knife was covered with black cloth. Only his eyes were visible— cold.
From his grip alone, it was clear— he was no ordinary thug. There was steadiness in his hands. Balance in his body. And from the position of his feet, it was evident— he was trained. A hunter… may be.
He pulled out a large black cloth from his waist. Spread it on the ground. Then his heavy, echoing voice spread across the hall— "All the coins… quickly put them into this cloth. Make a bundle. Now."
There was no need for him to shout— the command itself was enough. The entire room was frozen in fear. Women began emptying their purses with trembling hands. "Don't harm our boss."
Some men stood clenching their teeth— But none had the courage to step forward. I understood everything.
This was a straightforward robbery.
But I had to give him credit— he had entered alone. Such a crowd… so many potential threats… yet fearless.
That clearly meant one thing— either he had complete confidence in his strength… or he truly was very powerful.
And the electricity had not gone out without reason. He must have had another accomplice— perhaps somewhere in a dark corner of the building… from where the power had been cut.
I slowly took a breath. The situation was somewhat dangerous. But the anger within me… and the faint vibration of magic… were not going to let this silence last much longer.
Just then— I slowly raised my right hand.
I extended two fingers forward into the air. The magical energy smoldering within me began to gather at the tips of my fingers— first a spark. Then a flame. And the very next moment— A small yet extremely condensed fire bullet shot out at my command and struck the thug's hand directly. Boom! It was no ordinary fire.
It was concentrated magical burn— its impact was as if a gunshot had pierced straight through his elbow. His scream echoed throughout the hall. The knife slipped from his grip. Smoke began rising from his arm— the sharp stench of burnt flesh spreading through the air.
At that very instant— the man whose neck had just been held at knifepoint swiftly reached beneath the counter with lightning speed.
And in the very next second— a gun was in his fist. Without wasting even a moment, he aimed the barrel straight at the thug's skull.
Bang!
The sound of the gunshot tore through the silence. The thug's head jerked backward. The coldness in his eyes extinguished forever.
He collapsed right there— silent. Lifeless.
The one who moments ago had been a symbol of fear… was now nothing more than a corpse lying on the floor.
The fear that had spread through the room had now turned into stunned stillness. The man standing behind the counter slowly lowered his gun.
Then he looked at me. A strange smile appeared on his lips— neither completely grateful… nor entirely formal… but like one warrior recognizing another. There was a hint of friendship in his eyes.
He muttered, "Damn… he's dead. Last time he got away…"
Then in a clear voice he said,"Thank you, brother."
He made a slight gesture— calling me to come inside the counter, to the other side. I stepped forward.
Now every gaze in the room was fixed on me. Some eyes held fear. Some held respect. Some held suspicion.
But— there was one gaze… different from all the rest. It wasn't looking openly. It was watching secretly.
Yet its focus… was far deeper than the others. As if it were trying to observe me carefully.
Or… as if it perhaps already recognized me.
The man observed me for a few moments, then composing himself, said, "I am the owner of this building. And regarding what you asked… yes, sir, this is the Black Market. If you require any kind of assistance, please do not hesitate to tell me."
There was no longer the earlier ease in his voice. There was clear respect…
and behind it, concealed caution as well.
I did not consider it wise to waste time. I asked directly, "Is there any Hunter Guild nearby?"
My words were ordinary, but their effect was not. He widened his eyes for a moment— as if his suspicion had now turned into confirmation.
"I had already understood, sir… you are no ordinary person. You are a powerful hunter."
He bowed slightly.
"But it is quite late into the night. If you would not mind… please allow me the opportunity to extend my hospitality."
There was politeness in his tone— but along with it, a hidden nervousness.
I slowly raised my face and looked into his eyes. Just looked. Said nothing.
But perhaps there was something in my silence… that shook the courage within him. His hands began to tremble involuntarily. A faint layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He immediately said, "M-my apologies… that was not my intention. I understand. But there is no Hunter Guild for many miles from here. And… and it is quite late at night, so…"
I cut his words midway, "Fine. Arrange a room for me."
My voice was calm. But there was such steadiness in it that it erased the line between a request and a command.
He nodded at once, "Y-yes… I will arrange it immediately."
He turned and began issuing orders quickly. I watched him as he walked away.
A faint suspicion arose in my mind— why is he so afraid of me?
Had he sensed the magic within me?
Or… the night was still not over.
And this city… was going to reveal its layers slowly. Several gazes were still fixed upon me.