Death... and me

Meanwhile, Roan arrived at an inconspicuous building at the borders of the Inner City Wall. It didn't look all that new, but it was still better than most buildings in the Outer Region. When he and Dudle entered, the shop attendant immediately came forward.

"So it's Dudle, huh? Are you here to-"

However, he also noticed Roan right behind, so he stopped what he was going to say.

"Hello, young man. Do you need any antiques? They might not be on par with Spiritual Tools, but they are quite pleasing to the eyes. Well, I'm not sure if young people like you would have interest in this kind of shop, though."

Roan looked at Dudle, waiting for him to do his thing.

"Ahem... Senior Gval. We need some black rabbits."

Gval was obviously the name of the attendant. When he heard that, his eyes narrowed.

"Dudle, did you forget the rules?"

Dudle became nervous. Usually, there would be a process to accept new members for each black market. After all, it's not like they could keep it in the open.

"I know that I'm being too pushy, but I can vouch for this young man. I'm willing to pay the fee later if anything happens."

Gval looked at Roan and checked his cultivation with his Spiritual Sense. Only then did he notice that the teenager in front of him was already in the Core Formation Realm. 

"Oh! To have such a cultivation at this age is quite good. Where'd you come from, boy?"

In fact, Roan looked a few years older thanks to Rean's technique. Otherwise, Gval wouldn't show just this small reaction.

Roan shook his head after hearing the question.

"That's my business. There are a few things I need that aren't available just anywhere. That's why I asked Dudle here for some help."

Gval didn't find it that surprising. The majority who came to the black market would often hide their own identities. He was pretty sure that the appearance he was seeing right now wasn't Roan's real face either. 

Gval then looked at Dudle, who seemed pretty nervous.

"Something's not right. Little boy, did you do something to this idiot here? I find it difficult to believe that Dudle would just bring you here like that, especially since he knows the rules."

Roan faintly smiled in response.

"Sure enough, you would notice this much."

Roan then put a hand on Dudle's shoulder, which made the guy tremble for a second.

"His life is basically in my hands. I told him that he had to bring me to a Black Market or he would die. That's why he came straight here. By the way, he only has around 20 minutes left to live."

Dudle felt helpless.

"Senior Gval, I'm sorry. I was careless, and now I have poison in my body. I'll do anything. Just let this little demon buy the things he needs, will you?"

Gval couldn't help but snort.

*Swish!*

Before Dudle could even react, a needle pierced the center of his head as fast as lightning! Not only that, but a similar attack also came in Roan's direction. However, Roan hadn't dropped his guard for even a second since he arrived in this place.

'Death Style, First Movement Form, Show Steps!'

Roan merged with the shadow around, swiftly dodging the attack directed at him. The needle then passed through the walls before disappearing outside. As for Dudle, he simply dropped on the ground, dead. Well, Roan didn't give a damn anyway.

"Oh! Young man, you're quite fast."

Roan's faint smile didn't disappear even for a second.

"Thanks for the compliment. So, can I have access to the Black Market?"

Gval, who had just attacked, was taken aback by those words. Soon after, he laughed out loud.

"Hahaha! What a funny boy. Anyone at your age would feel nervous or would have fled straight away. I've never thought that you would be showing such confidence."

It turns out that Gval was at the Initial Stage of the Core and Soul Fusion Realm. So it was quite easy for him to get rid of Dudle, especially since the latter was directing his guard at Roan instead.

"You don't seem to care about what I did to this idiot here."

Roan shrugged his shoulders as he said.

"I already killed a few of his friends who tried to rob me, so why should I care about this final survivor? I only want one thing, access to the Black Markets. If I can't get it here, I'll try somewhere else."

"Oh! The way you put it, it seems like you are pretty confident in your chances of escaping, uh?"

Roan nodded, not trying to deny it.

"I'm not only confident. I'm absolutely sure I can do it."

Gval couldn't help but feel the urge to try Roan's abilities after hearing that. However, he gave up in the end. He could tell that Roan wasn't an average cultivator.

"There is no need to look for another place. However, you will have to go through the procedures before we allow you to enter the Black Market."

Roan nodded.

"I was expecting that much."

Seeing that Roan didn't mind, Gval then turned around and headed to the back of the shop. Roan didn't say anything and followed as well. As for Dudle's body, Roan was sure that it wouldn't be there anymore by the time he came out.

They quickly arrived in a separate room. Inside, Gval accessed a secret compartment where a few black tokens could be found. He took one of them and sent his Spiritual Sense inside. A few moments later, he looked back at Roan.

"This is the token that grants access to the three Black Markets available in the Inner City. However, I need proof of your intentions. We can't have just anyone stepping inside, after all."

Roan pondered a bit before asking.

"What do you need me to do?"

Gval nodded, satisfied.

"Just now, you used a movement ability based on the Dark Element. Obviously, you have some cultivation technique that provides you with Yin Energy. You are an assassin, or at least, you know how to act like one. That being said, your task will be to kill a certain someone. Bring me his head, and you will get access to the market."