An Extra’s POV

The store didn't hold a candle to its counterpart on Earth.

Perhaps that was why Rey was initially skeptical about it holding quality items.

It looked primitive, and while the design was fantastic, it didn't have that flamboyant ambiance that his homeworld's stores and malls had.

'I never went to high-end places on Earth, but even the places I went to are much better than this place.'

He couldn't blame the people here, though.

It was even unfair to compare them to Earth, to begin with.

'I'm sure places like the White House look much better than the Royal Palace. So, it only stands to reason that the marketplace would be inferior to Earth's.'

Both Rey and Noah were greeted by an attendant, who took them around and answered whatever questions they had.

Fortunately, they weren't asked to remove their masks or anything.

'They must be used to having anonymous customers…'

"I have Platinum Coins, so show me the good stuff." Rey blurted out as he found the lady showing him the common things in the store.

He wanted something better.

"A-ah! Right away sir!"

Rey and Noah were taken upstairs… to the true VIP Section of the Store.

In this place, all items began with 1 Platinum Coin. Not only was it much better designed than the ground floor, but the items all appeared better packaged—albeit they were fewer.

"Take a look around and get yourself a good-looking hooded cloak." Rey told Noah.

"Nothing more than 2 Platinum Coins."

For Rey, he planned on restricting himself to the same budget.

… That was until he actually began shopping.

*******

'Damnit! I wish I had more money!'

He had seen so many luxuries in the short moment of shopping that he felt downright broke despite having what many would consider a lot of money

Platinum Coin. It was specially enchanted to regulate the wearer's temperature—whether

got a nice-looking pair of shirt, trousers, and boots for 1 Platinum

set,

a ring worth

it looked, and its special effect of possessing a

all rich people have something like

he had to look the part,

checkout desk, Noah was already

robe which had an enchantment imbued to make him appear bigger and

Platinum Coins for some reason, but Rey considered it to be a

its effects to Noah's [Projection],

possible that the person they were meeting could see through Noah's usual disguise. But with

Looks like we're

and Noah left the store

heard the voice of their attendant as

I'm definitely

liked there, but they were far

up enough, there would be

******

you're sure this is the

and Noah were standing in front of a dark alleyway, crawling with

"Yeah."

his eyes

kind of respectable business place would be situated

Unless…

on… is it the black market? You didn't tell me

"I… I didn't?"

he listened

divulged everything about his adventures in the town and marketplace, he had conveniently left out the part

respectable establishment would collect so many Monster Cores from a stranger without asking questions or verifying their

this,

right! I should

was just like selling a bunch of very dangerous technology to a regular licensed store on Earth. Unless they could verify your identity, or you were also licensed to trade in such goods, no official store

why the Black Market

questions. No refunds. No

one was inexperienced in the way

sure I

Rey narrowed his eyes and

scary enough, and he was also garbed in

shouldn't be trifled with, and the same applied

set. Let's just get