Chapter 6: Pulled into the Water

"News about 'Mad Dog'?"

The black market merchant, who had expected Ye Qi to get up and leave after the transaction, was taken aback and raised his head.

"Last night, I got some very interesting news about 'Mad Dog'!" A mysterious smile appeared on Ye Qi's face.

Today, Ye Qi came here for two reasons: to complete the weapon transaction and to gather specific information about "Mad Dog" Kino from the black market merchant. All of this was to help him complete his "C+ Level Task: Mysterious Expansion!"

Initially, Ye Qi only wanted to casually inquire about "Mad Dog." However, upon seeing the two bodyguards behind the black market merchant, he suddenly changed his mind.

This was Ye Qi's first time facing a C+ level task, and he didn't know how difficult it would be. Even if he inferred from the most difficult D-level tasks, it was just a rough estimate. Otherwise, Ye Qi wouldn't have rushed to find the black market merchant to exchange for powerful firearms. But Ye Qi had to admit that his luck was really good this time. A simple firearms transaction not only got him the firearms he wanted but also a very special magical statue. Moreover, it seemed that he had found some help—two bodyguards and an unknown number of gunmen behind the black market merchant.

From the two bodyguards standing there like statues, their occasional display of fierce and bloody aura, Ye Qi could guess that they were definitely from special forces or a mercenary group. And they were definitely skilled, otherwise, they wouldn't be standing behind the black market merchant who had just faced a life-threatening situation. Therefore, if these two joined his task, it would significantly reduce the danger—especially when facing "Mad Dog's" gunmen and ordinary subordinates, someone would help him share the firepower.

Of course, getting the black market merchant's bodyguards to work for him wasn't an easy task. Even if they had the same target, "Mad Dog," it wouldn't be enough. Therefore, Ye Qi decided to set up a plan to make the black market merchant willingly send the two bodyguards to help him.

"What news?"

Mentioning "Mad Dog," the black market merchant felt the wounds that had been treated start to hurt again. His originally gentle smile instantly turned somewhat gloomy, and the hatred in his eyes was evident. Clearly, the events of last night had made the black market merchant hate "Mad Dog" to the core.

Ye Qi didn't rush to answer but scanned the surroundings. The black market merchant immediately waved away everyone except the two bodyguards behind him, then turned his gaze back to Ye Qi.

The demon hunter slowly extended a finger: "One thousand gold ponts, guaranteed to be worth it!"

"One thousand? Ye, are you extorting me?" The black market merchant gasped, looking at Ye Qi with disbelief, but Ye Qi, who maintained his mysterious smile, clearly had the upper hand.

Gold ponts, a type of gold coin more popular than the paper currency used by ordinary people, were the undisputed hard currency. The usual exchange rate was one gold pont for two hundred paper currencies. In a 1:200 ratio, the one thousand gold ponts Ye Qi proposed were equivalent to 200,000 paper currencies. With 200,000, an ordinary person could buy a medium-sized house in the suburbs and live a carefree life until old age. Therefore, one thousand gold ponts was definitely not a small amount, even for someone as wealthy as the black market merchant.

However, the black market merchant eventually nodded in agreement.

The importance of a key piece of information could determine the outcome of a battle. Although he understood this, the black market merchant was not someone who would submit to threats. As he pushed the one thousand gold ponts to Ye Qi, he whispered, "Ye, I hope your information is worth this. I don't want our friendship to have any cracks!"

"Of course!" Ye Qi, marveling at the black market merchant's wealth, casually took the one thousand gold ponts in a bag, carefully counted them, and threw them into the weapon box at his feet. Then he said to the black market merchant who had been waiting for a long time, "Mori, do you know the Dark World?"

The Dark World, a general term used by demon hunters and the Church to refer to the circle of dark creatures unknown to ordinary people.

"Dark World?!"

The black market merchant's brows furrowed. Clearly, he, who was not an ordinary person, had heard of this circle.

After all, except for the Church or demon hunter families who were well-off and had no worries about food and clothing, demon hunters from the Demon Hunter Union still needed to earn their own living. To live better, demon hunters inevitably had to interact with black market merchants and other marginal figures. Over time, these clever marginal figures naturally learned some things. The Church was helpless about this, and although it repeatedly complained to the Demon Hunter Union, it was always met with the response, "We also need to eat and survive. Otherwise, you pay for us!"

"Ye, are you a hunter?"

Hunter, the term ordinary people used to refer to demon hunters. Clearly, the black market merchant had already guessed Ye Qi's identity and associated it with why "Mad Dog" had been so arrogant recently. Thinking of the rumored Dark World, the black market merchant became restless, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

"Um!" Ye Qi nodded with a smile, looking at the sweating black market merchant, knowing that his goal was almost achieved. Now, he just needed to add a little more pressure.

"Because of the two gunmen I encountered yesterday, I had someone investigate 'Mad Dog's' recent activities and found that this guy has hooked up with some 'mysterious' creatures. So, Mori, if you want to take revenge on 'Mad Dog,' you might as well give up!"

The C+ level task definitely involved a battle, and he would definitely encounter some dark creatures, so Ye Qi wasn't lying. But his seemingly well-intentioned advice was not out of kindness. On the contrary, Ye Qi was forcing the black market merchant.

After all, people like the black market merchant and "Mad Dog" lived a life where death was always around the corner. Although they might disregard others' lives, they would never disregard their own. Last night, "Mad Dog" sent gunmen to infiltrate the black market merchant's room, killed several of his subordinates, and forced him to flee in a panic. This indicated that "Mad Dog" had declared war on the black market merchant. Once the war started, it would be to the death, until one side was completely defeated.

Originally, the black market merchant's forces were stronger than "Mad Dog's," or he wouldn't have been so confident in seeking revenge last night. But after learning that "Mad Dog" had connections with the Dark World, the black market merchant was clearly at a significant disadvantage. At this point, the black market merchant had no choice but to either wait for death or flee far away.

Not to mention whether the black market merchant was willing to give up his current business, even if he was willing, whether "Mad Dog" would let him go was another issue.

These intricacies were clear to anyone who wasn't a fool. Facing "Mad Dog" with connections to the Dark World, anyone could see that the black market merchant's strength was too weak, and he might not even know how he died.

The black market merchant knew this, but he didn't want to give up years of hard work, and there was still a chance!

Looking at Ye Qi sitting across from him, the black market merchant, disregarding etiquette, quickly walked to Ye Qi, grabbed his hand, and pleaded, "Ye, you must help me!"

Facing the black market merchant who had finally taken the bait, the demon hunter couldn't help but smile lightly, "Of course I can! But your people must follow my orders! And the reward after this task..."

"No problem! As long as Ye is willing to help, anything is fine!" The black market merchant personally opened the car door for the demon hunter and gestured for him to enter. The demon hunter picked up the box, shrugged, and said, "My pleasure!"

...

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