The man in the black robe took the item from his pocket, left the Exchange Hall, and walked down the same alley to reach the main road. Slowly, he began moving in one direction… As he moved ahead, he began to see many shops, such as:
Potion House : Where black market potions were sold. (Potions are used when a vampire is injured, as their core breaks. This potion prevents further cracking and helps in faster recovery. The core is what holds the fragments of a vampire's soul together, making potions essential for them.)
Blood Vendor : Where all types of raw blood are available — Red Blood, White Blood, Blue Blood, Silver Blood, Gold Blood, Dark Black Blood. These are different blood types extracted from monsters depending on their level. When monsters are killed, their blood is collected.
Blood House : This place purifies the raw blood collected by Blood Vendors with the help of Smiths and Magicians, then seals it into capsules for sale.
Magician Market : Where items created by magicians are sold — like mirror-eyes, small magic stones (which can explode when thrown, charged with magic by wizards).
Magician Home: Where you can hire any magician for personal jobs (white-collar services).
Smiths World : This is where Smiths can be hired. Depending on your requirement, they forge weapons or artifacts.
Private Room Cottage : A hotel-like model with: (Normal Room – where you can stay and rest peacefully. Hard Room – where you can conduct important work.)
This is the outer side of the market — present in every city and territory. But behind the shops and alleys lies the real hidden market:
Hidden Sectors of the Black market:
Assassination Office – where you can hire people to kill someone.
Magician Office – where magicians do the opposite of white-collar work.
Gambling House – where gambling takes place.
Madira House – where black liquor is sold.
Information Office – where all kinds of information can be found.
Exchange House – you already know about this.
Back to the story:
The Black Robe man walked past the Private Room Cottage and stopped. He walked to the counter, gave 2 Red Blood Capsules, and took a Hard-Level Room.As he entered the room, he removed his robe... and we all know who he is — Duke.
Duke took out the item he had acquired from the Exchange House. He opened it… inside was a map.
Duke spread the map open. It was sealed by a wizard's magic. Upon focusing, Duke realized — this map had been locked by Dual Magic, and the wizard who cast it was above Level 7.
(Dual Magic: A magic where two elements are used. Only wizards above Level 6 can perform it. A basic form includes one Hidden Element and one Major Element. But when both are hidden, it's called Upper Level Dual Magic.)
Duke (thinking):Hmm... This wizard has definitely cast an upper-level spell. He built a wall of two elements on top of the map — that's why the previous owner couldn't unlock it. Alright… I'll need a safe place to open it. I'll also need a high-level Soul Artifact or a Level 7 magician… I'll look into this later...
Then Duke left the Private Cottage, walked past a mirror-walled hall, and reached outside his house gate.The Gatekeeper informed him:
Gatekeeper: "Arthar was looking for you."
Duke (nods and walks inside)
Arthar: "So you're here... Take this."
Duke: "What is this, brother...?"
Arthar: "It's the Academy Admission Token. You'll need to show this when entering the academy."
Duke: "Can I skip going to the academy? What if someone kills me there? I'm still at noob level."
Arthar: "You weren't scared wandering alone in the Black Market... but you're scared of the academy?"
Duke:"That..."
Arthar: "Forget all that... we have many of our people there. Don't worry. If things get out of hand, go to Veronica."
Duke: "Yeah... now that's all that's left… to hide behind a girl to survive."
Arthar: "If you don't want to hide, then become powerful. Now go, prepare. All the brothers are leaving tomorrow morning. Go with them. This time, we're taking the jungle route by carriage. Veronica will also join you in Section A."
On the other side, in Gry House:
One of the vampires who came from the Dark Hall that morning was currently in Gry House. He was welcomed warmly. Now, he was sitting with James in the meeting hall.
James: "So, how was the journey?"
Rogar: "It was good. And congratulations to you too — your daughter's engagement is done."
James: "Yes… look, here comes Danial."
Rogar: "How are you, Danial? So when are you joining North Hall, like us?"
Danial: "Not yet… I'll think after reaching Level 5. Right now, our house has one genius already in North Hall."
Rogar: "Oliver? He is a genius... and talented too. Even the Hall Master acknowledges him."
Danial: "Yes, he's talented. Why are you here though?"
Rogar: "Since I was nearby, I thought I'd meet my sister (James's wife) and my brother-in-law too."
Danial: "What brought you to this side?"
Rogar (pauses a little): "I went to Falcon House."
James: "But you didn't mention it. What work did you have there alone?"
Rogar: "Oh, I wasn't alone. My partner was with me. He left directly from the Hall. I thought since I'm in the area, I'd visit you too."
Danial (directly): "So you just came to give congratulations? Done congratulating?"
Rogar: "You know the Falcon Family... the only thing left was to insult us and throw us out. I don't know what pride they still carry. They're not the Falcons they used to be... and Arthar — he…"
(He stopped mid-sentence, but James and Danial caught on.)
James: "That Arthar what? Say the whole thing… don't leave it halfway."
Rogar (after thinking): "He rejected the offer to become the disciple of the Hall's Second Master — without even thinking."
(While this conversation was happening, Queen had come to meet her father. She overheard the conversation while standing at the door.)
James (shocked): "What!?" (He looked at Danial)
Danial was shocked too. He never thought Arthar would miss such an opportunity. The Second Hall Master of Side Hall was a Level 7 Magician, who had a strong chance of reaching Level 8 in the next 10 years. And that magician had only one disciple, who was at Level 5.
Danial (thinking):Arthar… what have you done…
James: "You were making room for him, for the Hall Master's disciple position. You should have helped us — but you were helping him? What benefit do you get?"
Rogar: "Even we didn't know. The Hall Master personally sent him a letter. Even I and my partner weren't informed. It said: 'Forget the past, work with us, grow your family.'"
Danial: "Did he know that the letter was sent to him personally?"
Rogar: "Yes, he was told... and yet he rejected the offer."
Danial (smiling): "He still hasn't changed... It's in the Falcon blood. They'd rather die than bow down... they hate relying on others."
Rogar: "Hmmm... but what kind of arrogance is this… that'll lead them to the grave?"
Danial: "Pride…"
(Hearing this, Queen quietly turned away from the door… and walked back to her bungalow.)