Chapter 49: Black Market (02)
Liora started going deeper into the underground market, unnoticed by anyone. Her eyes widened with fascinate everytime, she spotted something unique.
Various stalls were lined on both sides of the bustling pathway, selling everything from weapons and food rations to medicine and protective gear. But Liora could guess that these items’ prices would be skyrocketing. She could see that the amount here was abundant, yet people outside were still struggling and fighting for even a little bit of supplies.
And it was not like they would be unaware of this market. If Liora could find it in a few days, so could they. So it only concluded one thing—the prices were out of reach for most people.
The entire black market was buzzing like a beehive as people busily sold items while customers negotiated prices.
Her gaze swept over the many figures moving through the market—traders with hardened expressions, mercenaries assessing weapons, and survivors bartering whatever valuables they had.
Liora soon realized that it was not just a marketplace—it was the lifeblood of this new world, a place where people gathered to buy, sell, and survive.
A realization struck her as she observed a transaction at a nearby stall. A man handed over several dull, cloudy crystal cores to the vendor, who, after inspecting them, exchanged them for a handful of dried rations. Crystal cores were being used as currency.
Liora frowned slightly. ’So, these cores aren’t just for personal use... They’ve become the new money.’
It made sense. Money was useless in a world where survival was the only priority. But cores? They had value. Not only could they strengthen people, but they were also the key to buying necessities.