'What the fuck?!'

Rey felt his heart thumping as he heard the muffled conversation between Lucielle and Brutus.

He didn't want to believe what they were saying.m, but Rey knew how foolish and irrational that would be.

'They're talking amongst themselves, so they're most likely telling the truth.'

Rey felt like he had to check for himself, but he felt a wave of hesitation hit him.

'There's a lot going on here that I don't understand. I… I don't know anymore…'

As he stared at the Royal Dungeon entrance, he felt a sigh escape his beaks.

'What the hell? All that effort… for nothing?'

He felt shitty, to say the least.

'It could be an intelligent monster that did this, but why do I find this hard to believe…?'

To Rey, this felt like the work of a person.

And there was no one else that crossed his kind but the mastermind that set him up a few days ago.

'Who else would be behind this? They clearly know of my escapades, so it wouldn't be surprising that they know of the Royal Dungeon…'

But if that was the case, it meant the malefactor knew Rey's full capabilities—or there was a high chance that they did.

That possibility was unsettling.

'They know who I am and what I can do, but I don't know who they are…'

It was frightening!

Rey had never felt this powerless since he arrived in this world, and it didn't matter the Skills he had at his disposal at this point.

He was still very vulnerable.

'I might have to leave the Royal Estate. I don't know if it's safe…'

But once he had this thought, Rey thought about everyone and everything he would be leaving behind.

They weren't much, but they mattered to him.

'No! I can't risk it!'

However, they didn't matter as much as his safety.

'I can't deal with this guy right now. I have to grow stronger and smarter.' Rey had been pushed to a corner, and he could feel his thoughts in shambles.

'If it's him that took all those Monster Cores and resources, then there's a chance he also knows about my deal with the KariBlanc Group.'

It was possible that this malefactor would one-up him by making a deal with the Company, rendering his own agreement with them obsolete.

'They have more to gain by following the mastermind, whoever they are…'

Rey would have bitten his lips if he had any. He could feel frustration within him rise to an unexpected degree.

'This… this is… unpleasant!'

However, despite all of these thoughts and worries, Rey considered the possibility that he could be wrong.

Perhaps it wasn't the mastermind. Maybe it was some other party.

Maybe it was even a monster!

'Either way, I don't think the Royal Dungeon is where I should be right now…'

Rey had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

'With so many Monster Cores gone, there's a high chance that the market will be saturated by a lot of them!'

Rey still had a considerable amount with him, so he knew it would be wise to get rid of them as soon as possible.

…. Before they lost their value.

And so, as he watched Lucielle and Brutus prepare fly in the air—thanks to the former's Wind Magic—Rey flapped his wings and went his way.

'I better hurry!'

*********

The Black Market was the same as usual—sketchy places, and legitimate areas that seemed as mainstream as a market could get.

Rey was currently donning his disguise, and he had taken the form of a more mature individual so as to hide his identity.

His Orichalcum Mask was going to distort the prying gazes of detection Magic, but he knew that high-level ones could probably get past its effects.

Thus, the need to have a different face under his mask.

Other than that, though, Rey had to look imposing, so he adored this persona to suit those purposes.

His skull mask, his dark cloak, and the aura of danger he exuded, made the lowlives avoid him, and the strong recognize him.

'Noah should be just about done with business. I might even bump into him…'

As Rey was having this thought, he noticed a masked individual walk past him.

'H-huh…?'

This masked person had golden hair, and the air he exuded was of dignity—not befitting a place like the black market.

Rey couldn't keep his eyes away from the young man who kept walking without paying him any kind.

Somehow… he felt familiar.

'Why does that guy remind me of Adonis? Na… it can't be him.'

Someone like Adonis wouldn't be caught dead in the Black Market.

The matter was on Rey's mind for a few seconds, but once his eyes spotted the building that was his destination, it was soon forgotten.

Instead, the thought of business quickly overwhelmed him.

'I have to get these Monster Cores sold no matter what! Even if they're at a discount.'

An overwhelming amount of Monster Cores were about to flood the market.

Rey knew that if he didn't make haste, his entire business plans would crumble before his very eyes.

'It's a bit early, but… I have no other choice.'

********

Rey was welcomed gracefully into the KariBlanc building.

He was shown the path upstairs and even escorted by an esteemed individual like the VIP that he was.

"Your subordinate is still discussing with Sir Aldred Winsley. Would you like to join them?" He had been asked.

Rey was surprised that Noah hadn't left the building yet, but with what was on his mind, he considered it to be a trivial issue.

"Yes, I would." He had responded.

He was then taken to the front of the room that Noah and Aldred occupied.

It seemed a more fanciful place than the one he remembered using.

'I guess they want to treat us better as Exclusive Sellers…'

Rey managed to crack a smile as he opened the knob and entered the room.

'Let's just hope I can maintain that status.'

*

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Thanks for reading!

Sorry the chapter is a little shorter than usual.

I appreciate the support and comments, everyone!

The Golden Tickets and Gifts too! They all go a long way

Y'all are the best!