Chapter 131: A Plan to Infiltrate the Black Market
Sunlight hit his eyes directly. Warm and irritating.
Max frowned.
"...ugh..."
He blinked several times until the image stopped spinning.
The corridor ceiling. The walls scarred by battle. Broken furniture scattered around.
And voices.
"...wake up."
A soft glow illuminated the scene.
Dorian was kneeling beside Neros, one hand resting on his chest. Healing magic flowed in warm tones, running through the knight’s body.
Moonlight and Elanor stood to the side. Already awake. Tired... but conscious.
Max pushed himself up from the ground with effort. His whole body ached.
"...what... happened...?"
Dorian didn’t look up.
"That’s exactly what I’d like to know."
His tone was serious.
"Who was capable of casting such a powerful sleep spell?"
Max clenched his teeth. He remembered the darkness, the fog, his hammer bouncing, the orc’s smile... and Chloe.
He straightened abruptly.
"...one of those idiots who broke into the castle," he said, his voice hardening. "They came to kidnap Chloe."
Then it hit him. His gaze swept across the corridor.
"...Chloe..."
He swallowed.
"...where is Chloe? Does anyone know anything about her?"
No one answered.
And that was worse.
Footsteps echoed from the corner. Don appeared, walking calmly, though his expression wasn’t his usual one.
"Young Master Max..."
He stopped in front of the group.
"...there is no trace of the king’s pet."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Max lowered his gaze.
’...damn them...’
He clenched his fist.
"...it’s them," he muttered. "The Seven-Pointed Star sect."
He looked up at Dorian.
"You must know them."
It wasn’t a question.
Dorian let out a quiet sigh.
"Yes."
He stood, crossing his arms.
"I’ve heard of them... and crossed paths with some."
His gaze grew more serious.
"They operate in different criminal groups. Specialized spellcasters."
Pause.
"Each focused on a specific type of magic."
Elanor nodded, recalling.
"One of them used magic that required constant concentration..."
She frowned.
"...he never stopped chanting."
Max gestured slightly with his chin.
"That one."
His voice tightened.
"A deep sleep spell. Extremely powerful."
He clenched his jaw.
"It took time to cast... but once it was finished..."
He didn’t need to finish.
Everyone knew the result.
A metallic sound interrupted the moment.
CLINK
Neros moved.
"...tch..."
He opened his eyes and slowly sat up... and the first thing he saw was his sword, stuck in the wall, broken.
His gaze hardened.
Then he looked around, searching for the orc’s sword he had taken.
Nothing.
"...and the other one..."
He growled under his breath.
"...no sign of it either."
He ran a hand over his face.
"...great..."
His tone dropped, dangerously low.
"Now I’ll have to find another metal..."
He clenched his teeth.
"...before my little sister finds out the sword she gave me got broken."
Don cleared his throat softly.
"The king is... quite concerned."
Everyone looked at him.
"He has already ordered a search across the entire city."
He took a breath.
"They want information on the kidnappers to make posters."
Max looked up immediately.
"No."
Dorian spoke at the same time:
"No."
They looked at each other.
And nodded.
Max stepped forward.
"If those guys see posters..."
His gaze hardened.
"...they’ll disappear even faster."
Dorian added:
"Or speed up the transaction."
Moonlight tilted her head.
"...then how do we find them?"
Silence hung for a moment.
Dorian looked at Max. Max looked at him.
Both spoke at the same time:
"The black market."
Moon blinked.
"...the what?"
Elanor frowned.
"I don’t know what that is either."
Dorian exhaled softly.
"In the Grand City..."
He crossed his arms.
"...there are hidden passages. Portals that connect to another plane."
Pause.
"...a place beyond the reach of the law."
Max continued:
"They sell all kinds of things there."
His voice turned cold.
"Stolen goods. Forbidden items."
He looked down briefly.
"...animals... people."
Elanor’s eyes widened in shock.
"...people...?"
Neros let out a dry laugh.
"The guard has been trying to find one of those portals for years."
He shook his head.
"We never managed."
His gaze fixed on Dorian.
"The criminals we capture never talk about it."
He sighed.
"...it’s impossible."
Dorian smiled calmly.
"That’s because no one ever asked me."
Neros reacted instantly, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him slightly off the ground.
"Why would you know that?"
His voice was dangerous.
"...are you one of them?"
Dorian didn’t lose his smile.
"Me? No."
He crossed his arms.
"...but I grew up among them."
Max watched them.
’...right...’
He remembered that part of the story from one of his favorite characters in the game.
"...makes sense..." he muttered.
Meanwhile, Moonlight raised her hand.
"Then let’s go there."
She smiled, completely serious.
"They probably sell meat sandwiches I haven’t tried yet."
Silence.
Total silence.
Max covered his face with one hand.
"...this isn’t a food trip..."
But he was already on his feet.
His gaze... completely determined.
"...we’re getting Chloe back."
Neros stood fully, still frowning.
"...fine," he growled, looking at Dorian. "Then tell us the plan."
Dorian didn’t answer immediately. He looked at each of them. Measuring. Evaluating.
"...we can’t all go," he finally said.
His tone was firm. Practical.
"And definitely not someone dressed as a royal guard."
Neros’ eyes flashed with irritation.
"...I can disguise myself or go without armor," he replied without hesitation.
He clenched his teeth.
"If necessary, I’ll do it."
Max stepped forward.
"I’m going."
Dorian looked at him... and gave a small smile.
"I was counting on that."
Elanor raised a hand, thoughtful.
"How many should go at most?"
Dorian didn’t hesitate.
"Five. Any more... draws too much attention. Too dangerous."
Moonlight raised her hand immediately.
"I want to go!"
Max turned to her, serious.
"Not this time, Moon. It’s dangerous."
He crossed his arms.
"We’ll run into criminals and traffickers who would love to capture and sell a dragon like you."
Moon puffed her cheeks.
"And it’s not dangerous for you?"
She crossed her arms too.
"You’re weird to them too. They’d want to capture you as well."
Max opened his mouth... then stopped.
"...I’ve got an ace up my sleeve."
He reached into his infinite backpack and pulled something out.
The bracelet William, Lucifero’s butler, had given him.
He held it up for a moment... then put it on.
A glow spread across his body.
And he changed completely.
Red horns emerged from his head. A tail appeared behind him, swaying slowly. His skin darkened. His eyes... intensified.
A voice echoed in his mind.
[Illusion Bracelet: Demon Form]
[Enhanced Effect Unlocked: You can now use the spell ’Fireball’.]
Max blinked.
’...this is amazing.’
Don’s eyes widened.
"...impressive..."
Elanor also looked at him, clearly surprised.
"...I didn’t know you could do something like that..."
But Neros didn’t react the same way.
He just crossed his arms.
"When we rescued Abby," he said casually, "her butler gave us several of those bracelets."
He shrugged.
"To infiltrate the demon king’s castle."
Moonlight looked outraged.
"That’s not fair!"
She stomped the ground.
"I want to go with my dad too!"
Max turned serious again and stepped closer.
"...no."
Moon looked at him, surprised.
"You have a mission. Something more important."
He pointed at Elanor.
"Protect your mother."
Moon blinked.
Elanor smiled softly.
"...I was planning to go with you as well."
Max shook his head immediately.
"That’s even more dangerous. We can’t infiltrate the black market with the princess of Eldoria."
Don cleared his throat.
"I doubt His Majesty would allow the princess to go to such a place."
Pause.
"A place full of criminals."
Elanor sighed... but didn’t argue.
She knew they were right.
"...alright."
She adjusted her hair.
"Then I’ll stay and train magic with Moon."
She looked at her.
"...or we can read more adventurer stories in the library."
Moon hesitated... then nodded firmly.
"...okay."
She stood straight, puffing out her chest.
"I’ll stay and protect my mommy."
Max couldn’t help but smile a little.
Dorian clapped once, softly.
"Good."
He looked at the group.
"For now... we are three."
His eyes moved between them.
Max, Neros, and himself.
"...enough to avoid suspicion."
And his smile... wasn’t exactly calm.
"...and get Chloe back."
Max frowned slightly.
"...wait," he said, looking at Dorian.
"Who else is coming with us?"
Dorian rested a hand on his waist, thinking.
"You said five. We still need two more."
He smiled.
"The first... we’ll need a powerful mage."
His eyes moved to Elanor... then he shook his head.
"But since neither the princess nor Moonlight are coming..."
He smirked.
"...then there’s no better option than their teacher."
Neros made a slight annoyed gesture.
"...if we’re talking about magic," he said dryly,
"there’s no better person to bring than the Wand of Eldoria."
Max blinked.
"...the what?"
He looked between them.
"I’ve been in the castle all this time... and I’ve never seen her once."
He narrowed his eyes.
"...is she really Elanor and Moon’s teacher?"
Moonlight tilted her head.
"...I didn’t know people called her that," she said casually.
"To me, she’s always just Miss Seraphine."
Elanor nodded with a small smile.
"Yes."
Her gaze turned proud.
"Miss Seraphine is our teacher."
She nodded firmly.
"...and the most important mage in all of Eldoria."