The sun was slowly sinking on the horizon as Xu Ran delved into the narrow alleys of the slums.
I wish I could avoid taking this risk and just go straight to a guild to buy a weapon… he thought as he walked.
But with only 10,000 yuan, it wasn't going to be easy. Even if he found something, it would be a weapon on the verge of breaking.
He stopped in front of a massive door, hidden between two dilapidated buildings.
There's only one solution…
The black market.
A place where shady deals, illegal goods, and stolen items mingled… Officially, it didn't exist. Unofficially, it was controlled by powerful influential groups. For the poor, it was also one of the few places where you could hope to find a rare gem among the rubble.
As he was about to enter, two guards blocked his way.
— Stop. What are you doing here? one of them asked.
— This isn't a place for kids. Go back to your mother.
Xu Ran wore a hooded cloak that concealed his face. He slowly lifted his head and fixed the guards with his gaze.
His eyes were calm. Cold. Completely without hesitation.
Here, there were unwritten rules.
Lambs were devoured before they even passed through the gate.
— What am I doing? he replied flatly. Isn't it obvious?
— I'm just here to run some errands. Isn't the black market open to everyone? Since when does it care about the age of its customers?
A silence fell.
Their eyes met. A brief but intense silent confrontation ensued. Xu Ran forced himself to project absolute confidence. If I lose, I become a lamb…
Finally, one of the guards cleared his throat.
— Ahem… excuse me, dear client. I didn't recognize you right away.
Yeah, right… Xu Ran thought. I'm clearly not a regular here. But… it seems to have worked.
The guards stepped aside.
— Enjoy your shopping, dear client.
Xu Ran passed through the door.
Inside, it looked more like a clandestine bar than a market. A long counter occupied the center, behind which the staff stood.
Xu Ran approached.
— What can I do for you? an employee asked.
— I'm looking for rank E weapons.
The man seemed surprised.
— Rank E? You too?
— Me too? Xu Ran repeated, frowning.
— No… never mind. Give me a moment.
The employee walked away to fetch a tablet listing the available weapons.
In the meantime, Xu Ran observed his surroundings. Is this the black market they were talking about? It's completely different from what I imagined…
Then he caught a familiar face.
That girl… I think I've seen her somewhere before…
Before he could think further, the employee returned.
— Here you go, dear client.
Xu Ran took the tablet and started scrolling through the list.
Rank E equipment usually ranged from level 1 to level 15. Its quality directly influenced its level. On the black market, some weapons also had additional constraints and flaws—excessive weight, difficult handling, structural defects—a mix of quality and limitation that lowered their value… or their practicality.
Venom-Dagger – Poisoned Dagger – Level 7
Moonlight Bow – Bow – Level 8
Twilight Saber – Saber – Level 9
These are all decent starter weapons… but what I'm looking for is a really heavy weapon of level 5… he thought as he kept scrolling.
Then his eyes landed on a sheet.
Degraded Great Hammer
Type: Heavy Blunt Weapon
Rank: E
Level: 5
Length: 2.11 meters
Weight: ≈ 1 ton
Durability: 900 / 900
Description
A massive hammer with a raw, imperfect structure.
Originally designed for a much stronger wielder, it was artificially downgraded to remain within the limits of rank E.
Even so, its weight remains excessive, making it extremely difficult for a low-level user to handle.
Oh… interesting.
Normally, a weapon with this durability should have reached level 9. But its weight and length made it nearly impossible for a low-level user to wield. Which beginner would dare carry such a weapon into a life-or-death battle against monsters?
So it's too heavy for beginners…
And for those who could wield it… the durability is insufficient against the monsters they fight.
Exactly as expected.
A level 25 user or higher could theoretically lift two tons with one hand. But the creatures they fought would destroy this weapon far too quickly.
A weapon unusable for almost everyone…
Xu Ran smiled beneath his hood.
… except for me, since this weight problem isn't an issue.
But his smile faded when he saw the price.
25,000 yuan…
Even with all its flaws, it was still so expensive.
As he pondered a solution, a conversation caught his attention.
— Hey bro! Doesn't that girl look familiar?
— Seriously? You just got back from an adventure and you're already thinking about another?
— Haha, no, but admit it, she's stunning.
— Careful. That's Su Mo, the young mistress of the Su She guild.
Xu Ran froze. This was the girl who had seemed familiar to him too.
The Su She guild.
One of the three largest guilds in Jinjiang.
— I knew she looked familiar… But why would she be here?
— You don't know? While you were gone, there was a conflict with the young master of the Long Tang guild. Over a weapon: the Scarlet Thorn.
— Tss… that weapon? It's good, but with its flaws, there's no reason to make such a fuss.
The weapon might just be an excuse… They could be fighting for reputation. These two guilds are always in conflict anyway…
But apparently… it seems Su She won.
He immediately searched for the weapon on the tablet.
Scarlet Thorn
Type: Rapier / Sharp Weapon
Rank: E
Level: 5
Weight: ≈ 600 kg
Durability: 800 / 800
Description:
A fine rapier with a dark red blade, forged from materials far above standard rank E quality.
Created by the renowned blacksmith Master Tie in hopes of producing a powerful weapon for beginners, Scarlet Thorn proved to be an expensive failure: far too heavy to be wielded effectively at low levels.
Still, its sharpness is exceptional, and its durability borders on absurd for a weapon of this rank.
Linked Skill:
Scarlet Flame (Active – Rank E)
The blade ignites along its edge.
Effects:
• Adds fire damage
• Temporarily enhances cutting power
Duration: 10 minutes
Cooldown: 6 hours
An exceptional weapon…
And it even comes with a linked skill.
His gaze flicked to the price.
75,000 yuan…
Haha… no chance.
But most importantly… it's too heavy.
He smiled.
And that's exactly where I come in.
Xu Ran called the staff.
— I'll take the Degraded Great Hammer.
— Very well, sir. It will be ready in ten minutes.
Perfect.
Ten minutes to play my cards.
He stood up.
System! Time to enchant.
Then he calmly made his way toward the young woman: Su Mo.
End of Chapter 3