Gino stared at the knife. He stared at Kaizen. He stared back at the knife.
"F-for free?" Gino repeated, testing the words like they might explode. "Just like that?"
"Just like that," Kaizen said, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Consider it a tip. A token of our... blossoming friendship."
Gino blinked. He looked at the boy.
Usually, people who owed him money were sweating. They were begging. They were counting every copper to make sure they weren't getting ripped off.
But this kid? He just tossed a museum-grade artifact onto the counter like it was a candy wrapper and said 'Keep the change.'
"You..." Gino started to chuckle. The chuckle turned into a laugh. A loud, belly-shaking roar that made the bead curtain rattle. "You are absolute chaos! I love it!"
He reached under the counter.
Slide.
He pushed the black ID card back across the wood.
"Here. Your soul is your own again."
Kaizen stopped the card with one finger. He didn't pick it up. Instead, he slid it right back to Gino.
"Not yet," Kaizen said smoothly. "I need another loan."
Gino's laughter cut off instantly. "Is that why you gave the knife for free? You have a gambling problem, kid?"
"Nah," Kaizen grinned. "Like I said, that's for our blossoming friendship."
He leaned in closer. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.
"What's your commission rate on unregistered dungeon loot?"
Gino froze. The dagger stopped twirling in his fingers.
The smile didn't vanish, but it changed. The warmth evaporated, replaced by cold, calculating business logic.
"Unregistered?" Gino asked slowly. "You mean... tax-free?"
Kaizen nodded.
In the Kingdom of Zenith, selling loot legally was a scam. The Hunters Guild took a cut. The Auction House took a cut. And the Government took a massive 49% tax on all "Historical Assets." By the time you cashed out, you were left with pennies.
But the Black Market?
The Black Market didn't believe in taxes.
"Standard legal rate is 49%," Kaizen recited. "Plus listing fees. Plus appraisal fees. It's robbery with a smile."
"And here?" Gino grinned, revealing his gold tooth. "We respect the hustle."
"So, what's the rate?"
Gino looked at the single knife in his hand. Then he looked at Kaizen's empty hands.
"For standard clients? 30%," Gino said. "But you... I feel like doing business with you is going to be very profitable for me... so..."
Gino tapped the counter rhythmically.
"For a VIP... for a partner... 15%. Flat rate. No government cut. No questions asked. I handle the cleaning, the fencing, and the hush money."
"15%," Kaizen mused. "Sounds fair."
"So," Gino leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with greed. "What did you find? A sword? A chalice?"
Kaizen just grinned. It was the grin of a man who had buried a literal treasure trove under a pine tree two hours ago.
"I found enough to retire," Kaizen whispered. "But I can't move it."
Gino's eyes widened. "Bulk?"
"Massive bulk."
"So you need a truck?"
"No," Kaizen said, pointing at Gino's hand. Specifically, at the simple golden ring on his pinky finger. "I need that."
Gino looked at his [ Vault Ring ]. The one worth a small fortune.
"Ah, the knife for the ring?" Gino asked, incredulous. "A loan worth 100,000 crowns..."
"Not a loan," Kaizen corrected. "An advance. Against the loot I'm about to bring you."
Gino stared at him.
It was a gamble. A huge one. If the kid was lying, Gino was out a fortune.
But he looked at the ancient knife in his hand. He looked at the calm, terrifying confidence in Kaizen's eyes.
Gino reached down under the table and pulled out a backup ring—a sleek silver band.
"If you're lying," Gino warned, holding it out, "I will sell your kidneys to a necromancer."
"Deal," Kaizen snatched the ring. He slid it onto his finger. It resized instantly to fit him.
[ Item Equipped: Vault Ring ]
[ Durability: High ]
[ Capacity: 1000kg ]
Kaizen grinned.
"Get the appraisal kit ready, Gino. I'll be back in an hour."
He turned and walked out of the shop, the bead curtain clicking behind him.
He stepped back into the sunlight of the market. The pressure was gone. The debt was about to be gone. And now, he had an inventory to bring back his fortune.
"Tax fraud," Kaizen whispered happily, "The true path to power."