Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
When Kuruna said this, (Player Name) (M) suddenly remembered that the supplies players had competed for last time seemed to be compensation from the Andor Empire to the Orc Royal Court for sending troops.
He couldn’t reveal anything now.
What if this Kuruna didn’t take him to the black market?
After thinking for less than a blink of an eye, (Player Name) (M) immediately covered up: “I really don’t know about this. I was traveling in Karari before, and I only recently came to the Death Desert. My destination is the Eye of the Demon. I heard the scenery there is beautiful and it’s a good place for a spring outing.”
The Eye of the Demon? A spring outing?
Kuruna, the old fox, was confused by what (Player Name) (M) said.
Good heavens, going to the Eye of the Demon for a spring outing with his woman.
This was indeed something those ignorant and arrogant human nobles would do.
If this noble went to the Eye of the Demon, he would die without a burial place. It was better to fall into its hands now. At least his soul could return to the River of Re after death, instead of becoming food for demons.
Now, Kuruna had no doubt about (Player Name) (M)’s identity as a traveling noble.
Furthermore, it labeled (Player Name) (M) as arrogant, foolish, and easily deceived.
Of course, this noble, tricked by someone, actually thought the Eye of the Demon was a beautiful place suitable for a spring outing. The person who tricked him wanted him to die!
“You are right!” Kuruna quickly adjusted his emotions, his face full of flattering smiles. “Karari is a remote place, so it’s normal not to know these things. Also, the Eye of the Demon is indeed a beautiful place. The demons there are hospitable, especially the succubi. When a young noble like you arrives there, a large group of succubi will surround you!”
(Player Name) (M): “…”
“That’s right, boss, you understand me very well!”
He showed a lewd smile.
Kuruna’s foxy face also revealed a smile that was both cunning and lustful.
They looked at each other and let out “Keke” laughter.
“To be honest, I feel like we’ve known each other for a long time. If you don’t mind, would you be willing to make a friend from the Orc race?”
Kuruna extended his hand.
(Player Name) (M) understood and also extended his hand to shake that old fox’s.
“Of course, I don’t mind! I like friends from other races the most. Just call me (Player Name).”
“Hahaha, I have high hopes for you. I’ll definitely ask my friends to give you a discount later!”
“Me too. If I have the chance, I’ll take care of your business more.”
As the two engaged in mutual flattery, the atmosphere gradually became harmonious. But only (Player Name) (M) knew that this was all Kuruna’s disguise, because Kuruna’s HP Bar was still bright red.
Human friend? Bullshit.
This old fox was probably brewing some malicious plan.
As they talked and walked, the road ahead suddenly widened.
They had walked down the spiral staircase.
Not far ahead was a not-so-wide underground river. Some fluorescent mushrooms grew around it. The mottled rock walls and stalactites were vaguely visible. The two walked across a wooden bridge built over the underground river and soon arrived near a stone gate.
Kuruna stepped forward and twisted the mechanism of the stone gate left and right. He didn’t hide it from (Player Name) (M) who was standing beside him. In his opinion, this young noble was already half dead.
“Boom—”
The stone gate slowly opened, and the light pouring out from the gap became brighter and brighter. Immediately, a bizarre underground world was displayed before (Player Name) (M)’s eyes.
The sky was made up of huge stalactites, shimmering with eerie light under the afterglow of the magic lamps. Tunnels lined with torches wound through this vast cave. Caves of various sizes hung like lanterns on the cliffs, with rock formations of varying heights. Human figures could be vaguely seen moving within them.
It was very quiet here, as silent as a devil lurking in the shadows, with an oppressive atmosphere.
The most frequent sound (Player Name) (M) could hear was the dripping of water from the stalactites.
With this monotonous sound, he knew his hearing was fine.
The sound of dripping water was like the heartbeat of a lurking wolf.
It struck the silent rocks and fell into the damp earth.
But it was lively here.
It was brightly lit, and the streets were crowded with guests wearing cloaks and masks.
They never spoke, because the merchants had written the goods and prices on wooden signs in front of their stalls and arranged the goods in order. You could take what you wanted directly, and it was a cash-and-carry transaction.
“Follow me,” Kuruna gestured to (Player Name) (M).
They walked down the stone path along the rock wall, and after countless turns, they finally arrived at a small stall.
(Player Name) (M) smelled a strong odor of fox stench and blood here.
This smell implicitly indicated that this stall belonged to Kuruna.
The wooden board of the stall was covered with a pitch-black cloth, and it was unclear what goods were being sold.
Seeing Kuruna turn and walk into a wooden house next to the stall, (Player Name) (M) curiously lifted a corner of the black cloth.
Inside were the dismembered limbs of a fox-woman orc. Seven heads were neatly stacked there. Although they were not human heads, (Player Name) (M) still felt uncomfortable both mentally and physically.
“Keke, these lowly creatures were disobedient. Coincidentally, a customer wanted to eat fox-woman meat. The obedient ones are sold to the customers above, and the disobedient ones are sold to the customers below,” Kuruna said sinisterly.
He appeared behind (Player Name) (M) like a ghost.
(Player Name) (M) was so scared that he shuddered all over, almost slapping him.
Now (Player Name) (M) understood why this was a black market. Selling female slaves of the same race could perhaps be said to be understandable, but killing one’s own kind and selling their meat, even among the orcs with their fierce customs, would probably be unacceptable.
Kuruna brought a mask and a cloak for (Player Name) (M) and helped him put them on.
It was most taboo to reveal one’s race and appearance when conducting transactions here, especially for a young, tender-skinned human noble. Someone might try to snatch this fat fish from him. Besides, most of the guests here were mentally unstable, so wearing a cloak and mask could avoid unnecessary disputes.
“Let’s go, Keke… I’ll take you to see my old friend. He has all kinds of medicinal herbs and ointments. I’m afraid you won’t have enough money to buy them,” Kuruna said and led the way.
(Player Name) (M) relied on his ability to be resurrected and boldly followed behind Kuruna. Subtly, this also made his “naive noble” persona more fleshed out.
