There were hundreds of different companies and even more individuals that owned shops in the City of Sparrows.
Most of them sold daily use items but quite a few were specially made for the upper class and rich people.
And in the city there were only two shops like that: Danzo Silk Garments and Danzo Beaded Handbags.
Both shops were owned by a family with a history of a hundred years — the Zabren family.
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Daniel and Mikhail stepped down from the mana bus and stood in front of a vintage old building.
It was the Danzo Silk Garments.
"I thought we were going to the black market." Mikhail said, confusion clear on his face. "But this…."
Daniel only smiled and walked inside, and Mikhail followed after him.
A lady walked towards them as soon as they entered. She bowed and smiled. "How can I help you?"
"The Sun is brighter than the Moon." Daniel said calmly. "The Sun is mightier than war."
The lady's smile dimmed and she turned around. "Follow me."
'Is this supposed to be the code word for visiting the black market?'
Mikhail thought as he silently walked after them.
The lady brought them deeper into the shop before she opened a door that led downstairs.
She bowed and smiled. "Please."
Daniel walked inside and Mikhail quickly followed, asking. "Is this a passage to the black market?"
The lady closed the door behind them but the lamps on either side made it easy for them to navigate.
"Yes." Daniel replied. "The Zabren family is one of the few families that operate black markets in the human continent."
They stopped in front of another door where two enormous men waited for them.
They checked for any weapons on them before one of them opened the door.
"You can go."
Daniel pushed Mikhail in first and then followed after.
Mikhail squinted his eyes as the sudden brightness blinded him for a second.
He blinked to adjust before he looked around in awe.
'..Damn.'
The entire place was like a bazaar he had seen on Earth, with people on either side selling items ecstatically.
The bright neon lights made everything shine and hundreds of people walked around, looking at things.
Daniel began to take the lead once again. "This place was part of the underground travel network but was abandoned later on as it wasn't used by many."
He guided Mikhail through the dense crowd as he continued. "Later on, these abandoned places turned into markets for all sorts of shady deals and were backed up by the Zabren family."
Mikhail looked around the place while he got a hold of himself.
He was quick to adapt to his surroundings while his gaze shifted around.
Mikhail saw a lot of items from poisonous herbs to ground human bones. People shouted loudly while haggling for prices.
The area cleared up a little, giving both of them a little more space to move.
"But why are we here?" Mikhail asked in confusion. "Do you need some items for the next case?"
"Yes." Daniel nodded his head. "I needed a few items to do a ritual."
Mikhail looked at him doubtfully. "Ritual?"
Daniel only smiled and didn't say anything else.
"Look around for a while." He said. "I will buy all the necessary items and will meet you at the exit in half an hour."
Mikhail wanted to protest but he thought against it.
'Maybe I should look around and see if I can find something good.'
He also had the purple mahogany with him. Asking for its market price wouldn't hurt.
"Alright." Mikhail nodded towards Daniel.
The middle aged man didn't say anything else and vanished into the crowd.
Mikhail began to wander around the place with an observing look on his face.
He noticed a few unique plants like the moon flower, red human flower, ladybug plant, and even minerals like iron ore.
'I remember these plants being used for medical treatment.'
Mikhail thought, noticing a few herbs that didn't even grow on the human continent.
'What a fascinating place….'
He thought, his mind trying to understand how much better the black market of bigger cities would be.
While walking, Mikhail abruptly stopped as a thought passed through his mind.
'….What if I use [Enhancement] on my luck here?'
This place in all practical sense was a treasure trove, and with enhanced luck Mikhail was sure he would find something good.
'What if I find an item that can make me a millionaire instantly?'
He licked his lips and began to prepare himself.
With a single thought he used [Enhancement] on his luck.
Holding back his excitement, Mikhail began to walk once again through the streets.
Luck worked in a way that no one could understand. He could miss a sign in a blink so Mikhail was extra careful.
But he didn't have to be, because suddenly he stumbled on a rock that made him almost lose his balance.
'This is it!'
He straightened his back and looked on either side of him. The stall on his left was closed and there was only one shop on his right.
Mikhail walked towards the shop which was owned by an old man in his sixties.
The old man was sleeping peacefully on his chair while there were only six items placed on the stall.
Mikhail frowned and looked at all of them intently.
The items were: an old watch, a cup made of a fake skull, a big old key, a box full of needles, a rotating joker and an old book.
'….They all look ordinary.'
There was not a single item here that stood out. Mikhail even began to doubt his [Enhancement].
'No, maybe I am missing something.'
After thinking for a second, he picked up the old watch.
As soon as he touched it, the old man woke up with a loud cough.
He looked at Mikhail with groggy eyes. "Are you stealing, brat!?"
"No." Mikhail replied calmly. "I am just looking at them."
The old man looked at him doubtfully but didn't say anything else.
Mikhail on the other hand began to transfer mana into the item.
'Nothing…'
He put down the watch and picked up the next item.
'Nothing as well.'
He kept on doing it until he hesitated on the joker.
'…Man, I hate jokers as well.'
He did the same thing with it and got nothing. Finally he picked up the old looking book.
Mikhail infused mana into the book and immediately got a reaction.
'What?'
The book ate his mana!