Heh. Fell for it that easily. What an idiot. And here I was, ready with a dozen backup plans.
Ravi wiped his hands clean and stared coldly at the unconscious Zayne.
He kicked Zayne once. Zayne dropped limp to the floor. Ravi then lifted his polished shoe and ground the heel viciously into Zayne's palm until blood smeared across the floor, yet Zayne showed no reaction.
Once he confirmed Zayne was fully unconscious, Ravi pulled out his phone.
Hey boss, it's done. The kid's no different from a dead pig right now.
Three or four minutes after the call ended, the door to the private room slid open. A shrewd looking middle aged man walked in.
If Zayne hadn't been knocked out, he would have recognized him instantly. This man was the black market dealer he sold a kidney to.
Well done. The dealer nodded at Ravi in satisfaction.
But boss, I still don't get it. Why go through all this trouble for some high school kid? If anyone finds out, we're screwed. Ravi couldn't help voicing his concerns.
A high school examinee. And not just that, an SSS class one. Someone like that could easily attract the attention of Old Shipyard Port's higher ups. If Zayne weren't a complete orphan with no background at all, Ravi never would have dared take the job.
Don't ask too much. The more you know, the sooner you die.
The dealer spoke with a cold glance. Get out. Without my order, no one approaches this room. Whoever disobeys, kill them.
Y yes, boss. Ravi nodded quickly and slipped out, shutting the door for him.
After he left, the dealer crouched beside Zayne and stared at him with the kind of awe a scientist might show upon seeing real extraterrestrial life.
His rough hands moved over Zayne's body.
Kidneys, spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, corneas, coronary artery, liver again, large intestine, small intestine.
His expression twisted into something hideous. Excitement glittered in his eyes.
They're back. I can feel it. Every last one is back.
All the organs this kid sold to me actually grew back. Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
He touched Zayne with greedy reverence, as if handling a priceless treasure.
If I can uncover the secret of organ regeneration… The dealer's eyes sparkled wildly.
If you master that secret, even the true giants of this city would bend the knee before you.
A voice whispered right beside him.
Yes yes yes, exactly. When that day comes, people will beg at my feet. The dealer nodded frantically, trembling with excitement at the fantasy.
Then something snapped in his mind.
There were only two people in this room. Zayne and himself.
So who just spoke?
Who?
He spun around fast.
And found himself staring straight at Zayne's emotionless face.
You're awake? Impossible. The meal I drugged had three times the usual dose. Even an elephant wouldn't wake up for six hours.
The dealer's face drained of color.
That's not the question you should be asking. I want to know how you tracked me down.
Zayne's voice was cold. He had specifically taken multiple detours after leaving the black market to ensure no one followed him. Yet this man still found him. How?
Hmph. I drugged you only to save myself trouble. You really think you're a match for me?
The dealer smirked as a dagger appeared in his hand. Only now did Zayne notice the man's profession.
Phantom Assassin. Level 20.
Phantom Assassins excelled in speed and concealment. Coming and going without a trace. The title was well earned.
No wonder Zayne never noticed being followed. A level 20 assassin tailing someone with no combat training was nearly impossible to detect.
Kid, surrender quietly. If I have to make a move, I won't guarantee all your limbs stay attached. The dealer licked his dagger with a twisted grin.
Zayne stared at him, his expression almost… pitying. It felt like a first grader threatening to punch an adult.
Forbidden SpellInfernal Overdrive.
Blood red fire roared across Zayne's body. He had considered using Worldbane Thunderfall to end the fight instantly, but indoors that would cause chaos. He needed something quieter.
Forbidden SpellEverfrost Gaze.
Forbidden SpellEverfrost Gaze: A Forbidden Spellcaster sacrifices their eyes. Before total blindness sets in, everything caught by their gaze is frozen solid.
He had never used this spell before. Every monster in the novice realm died in a single hit anyway. This was the perfect time to test it.
As the spell activated, Zayne's black pupils turned a flawless crystalline white, gleaming like sculpted frost.
He avoided aiming at the dealer's head and instead cast his gaze from the neck downward.
Before the man even realized what was happening, ice crystals began forming across his body.
What is this? What did you do to me?
He swung his dagger desperately. The blade struck the frost with a loud clang and flew from his grip. The ice remained unscathed. His palm ripped open, blood dripping down his wrist.
The frost spread fast. Within moments, his entire body below the neck was encased in a solid, gem like layer of ice.
At the same time, Zayne's world went black.
The spell worked beautifully. It was just a little rough on the eyes.
But for Zayne, that was no issue. With a thought, new eyes regenerated instantly.
Impossible. Impossible. You're only level 16. I'm level 20. Even if you're a Forbidden Spellcaster, you shouldn't be able to take me down in one strike. What are you?
The dealer trembled, disbelief etched into every line of his face. But struggling was useless. A Forbidden Spell cast at the cost of two eyes was not something he could break.
Well then. Now we can have a proper conversation.
Zayne rolled his newly grown eyes to make sure they worked.
Tell me, how many people know about my regeneration?
The dealer pressed his lips tight, refusing to speak. The frost creeping up his body left his skin purple with cold.
It's fine if you don't talk.
But at this rate, everything below your neck will be ruined. And once that happens, you'll go from a glorious level 20 to a rather useless vegetable.
Zayne walked to the table and poured himself a cup of tea.
Don't drink that. There's more drug in the tea.
The dealer burst out instantly. He wasn't worried about Zayne fainting again. He was terrified Zayne would pass out and leave him frozen in place permanently.
Zayne ignored him completely and drank the steaming cup filled with sedative.
His throat moved with a slow swallow.
...