Dark Market — Part 2
“Ugh!”
The lieutenant brushed himself off and stood up.
“You’re serious, right?”
“About what?”
“About kicking those guys out.”
His eyes were wide and intense, almost bulging, as he asked me. I gave a slow, heavy nod.
“Of course. Can we really let the market stay in this state? I can’t even shop properly.”
“Heh heh heh. You’re really serious, huh? You’re really gonna help us?”
“Yeah, but make sure to tell Mr. Kim later that I helped. I’m not doing this for free.”
“Of course, of course! That’s only fair, right? Nothing in this world is free. Our big boss is far from stingy. When he hears that a superhuman like you helped out, he’ll definitely pay you a visit with a hefty reward.”
The lieutenant’s mood seemed to brighten as if he’d found new energy. He thumped his chest a few times with his good arm and then roared like a lion.
“Hey! You punks! Get over here!”
His voice rang throughout the entire market.
The Iron Fist gangsters, who had been slinking around nervously, the Poison Gang members posturing with their threatening demeanor, and the Naked Gang preaching their brainwashing sermons all snapped their heads in our direction.
The first to arrive were the Iron Fist underlings.
They looked at the lieutenant half-defiantly, half-fearfully.
“Boss, you should be resting. Why’re you doing this?”
“Did the big boss send word?”
“You idiots, shut up and come here. Do you know who this is?”
The gathered thugs stared at me, confused.
Then, one of them seemed to recognize me and let out a short gasp.
“Oh, a few days ago… He’s the one who crushed the Dagger Gang…”
I gave a brief nod.
A murmur spread among the gang members.
The lieutenant let out a sly chuckle.
“The superhuman here has agreed to help us for today. You know who he is, right? Even the big boss treats him like a friend! So, you all better treat him with respect, like you treat me. Got it?”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“W-we’re saved…”
“So, are we going to fight those guys?”
The lieutenant turned his gaze toward me instead of answering.
I crossed my arms and watched as Iron Scorpion and Exhibitionist slowly made their way over.
‘Getting into an actual fight… isn’t ideal.’
The market had already lost the trust of the merchants.
I wasn’t here to collect protection money, and making a bad impression would only hurt me in the long run.
“Not that I can’t fight.”
But I couldn’t let them think I was weak either.
And honestly, in a real fight, I’d have the upper hand against both Iron Scorpion and Exhibitionist.
“Oh?”
Iron Scorpion raised one eyebrow.
“You’re confident, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
“You think you can beat me?”
“You heard me.”
Her face twisted into a grotesque grin.
Her numerous silver piercings glinted like snake scales, wriggling as she moved.
Her left middle finger, which clicked like a scorpion’s tail, twitched menacingly.
Meanwhile, Exhibitionist let out a sinister laugh.
“Well, well, this is refreshing. To hear such brazen words outside of Bongcheon-dong… That superhuman over there must think we’re pushovers.”
“To be honest, yeah.”
“What the—!”
Exhibitionist exploded in anger.
His mana flared for a moment, and his short cape whipped around violently, revealing his flabby body underneath.
Iron Scorpion turned away with a look of disgust.
Still, her left middle finger remained focused on me.
Typical gangsters—resorting to insults first, huh?
“If you want to fight, I’ll gladly oblige.”
Thud!
I tossed my golf bag onto the pile of junk where the lieutenant had been lying earlier.
The heavy, dull thud echoed through the market.
Iron Scorpion and Exhibitionist both eyed the bag cautiously.
They knew.
They’d realized that at least two guns were inside the bag.
“How about this?”
“Huh?”
I grabbed a steel pipe from one of the Iron Fist gangsters who was standing dumbfounded nearby.
Iron Scorpion clenched her fist, and Exhibitionist clasped his hands together in prayer.
“You want to go?”
“Hmph, if you’re so eager to pay your offerings, I’ll gladly accept!”
I ignored him.
Instead, I focused my mind and activated three traits.
[Mana Shield]
[Black Flame]
[One Point]
A translucent mana shield expanded around me, and black flames flickered along its surface.
Iron Scorpion and Exhibitionist’s eyes widened in shock.
That was when I thrust the steel pipe.
Ssshhh!
The steel pipe, though crude and heavy with air resistance, let out a sharp slicing sound as it cut through the air.
Everyone saw it.
The tip of the steel pipe gleamed coldly, leaving a shimmering trail in the air like a single, precise point.
“That… that’s…!”
“Ugh!”
Both Iron Scorpion and Exhibitionist let out startled cries.
A combination of a mana shield and the One Point technique?
Not something they could easily dismiss.
Especially in this environment where using guns was tricky.
What do you think?
You think you can take me on?
As I looked at them with a calm, indifferent gaze, Iron Scorpion and Exhibitionist exchanged glances.
Their faces were filled with frustration and hesitation.
Let me make it easier for them to decide.
“To be honest? I don’t even need the Iron Fist Gang’s help. I could take out both of you and all your lackeys by myself.”
“Impossible…”
“No matter how strong you are, you can’t take all of us on!”
“Really?”
I unzipped my tracksuit to reveal what was underneath.
I was wearing the same protective suit that I’d worn when I wiped out the Dagger Gang—bulletproof and knife-resistant.
Then, I casually tapped the golf bag.
Their faces darkened immediately.
In a fight between low-level superhumans, what’s the most important factor?
Equipment.
And Iron Scorpion, with her leather jacket and pants?
Exhibitionist, who was practically naked, holding just a religious relic?
I could end them in one second with a shotgun.
Iron Scorpion’s eyes narrowed like a snake’s.
“You won’t walk away unharmed, either.”
“Fair point. I might have to go hide in some remote village or flee abroad. I wouldn’t like that.”
Clang!
I tossed the steel pipe aside and shrugged.
I pulled the black flames and mana shield closer to my body, and the two of them continued to watch me warily.
“So, I’ve got a proposal for you.”
“A proposal?”
“Yeah. Let’s settle this with a one-on-one duel. Winner takes control of the market. How about it?”
“What? Are you insane? You expect me to duel a warrior-class superhuman?”
“You think I’d agree to that?”
“If you don’t, we’ll go all out. You guys can go to hell, and I’ll disappear abroad. What do you think? Not a bad deal, right?”
Their faces twisted in frustration.
Just then, one of the Naked Gang members whispered something into Exhibitionist’s ear.
Whatever he said must’ve been surprising because Exhibitionist’s eyes narrowed sharply.
Iron Scorpion overheard it too, and licked her lips with her forked tongue.
“Well, well. Turns out you’re quite famous, huh?”
“Heh heh. Guess you have the right to be cocky. Took out the Dagger Gang all by yourself, did you?”
“And I heard you even got baptized by the Saintess?”
“So, are you in or not?”
They both ground their teeth.
The gangsters behind them tensed up, and the merchants watched us nervously.
Some of the merchants had already begun packing up, clearly afraid the fight might spill over to them like it did with the junk shop owner.
I paused for a moment before speaking in a generous tone.
“Don’t have the guts for a one-on-one? Fine, let’s change the terms. We’ll each compete in whatever we’re best at.”
“Whatever we’re best at?”
“Yeah. Your Poison Gang is known for your poisons and drugs, right? Bring me whatever you want. I’ll drink it.”
“Drink it? You’re serious?”
“That’s only fair, right? What, don’t you have the confidence for that either? Then get lost.”
“Heh heh heh.”
Iron Scorpion let out a sinister laugh, her lips curling upward while her eyes remained cold as ice.
“Alright, fine. I’ll give you a bottle. Drink it. If you survive, you win. If you pass out or die, I win.”
“Deal. Let’s do it.”
“B-but, sir!”
The lieutenant called out to me in alarm.
But I was confident.
‘There are three famous poisons from the Poison Gang.’
Gray Reaper, Lover’s Kiss, and Wildcard.
‘She’ll use Wildcard.’
Gray Reaper is the ace up the sleeve of the Poison Gang’s boss.
Iron Scorpion probably has one bottle, but she won’t use it unless her life is on the line.
Lover’s Kiss causes its victim to die in the throes of pleasure.
But knowing Iron Scorpion’s sadistic nature, she’d want me to die in pain, so she’d likely use Wildcard. It’s a poison that makes you writhe in agony like divine fever.
“Who’s going first?”
“Me, of course.”
“Hmm, well, they say ladies first. I’ll let you go ahead.”
“Shut up.”
Iron Scorpion scoffed but didn’t refuse. She opened the pouch on her waist like a predator sizing me up.
“Here you go.”
Bingo.
The transparent bottle contained a black liquid swirling with silver specks.
As I took the bottle from her, Iron Scorpion winked at me.
“If you survive, maybe I’ll let you take me out. Show me what you’ve got.”
She even made an obscene gesture with her left metal finger, tapping it suggestively against her right hand.
I felt like throwing up.
What’s the point of having a pretty face if all those piercings make you look like a monster?
I said, sincerely,
“No thanks.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re ugly.”
“What? You crazy bastard!”
Iron Scorpion scratched her face angrily.
And that’s when I struck.
Bam!
A satisfying crack echoed as my fist connected.
A few of her white teeth flew through the air.
Iron Scorpion was sent flying backward.
And blood spurted from her mouth.
How’s that?
Strength and precision in perfect harmony.
“Ugh?”
“You bastard!”
“How dare you hit our boss!”
The Poison Gang members raised their weapons in a frenzy.
The Iron Fist gangsters quickly took up positions behind me.
Though they looked tense, the lieutenant, quick on his feet, grabbed the guns from my golf bag, which shifted the atmosphere instantly.
Three guns.
A shotgun, a rifle, and even a grenade launcher.
Iron Scorpion, who was being helped up by her underlings, spat out blood and broken teeth.
“Y-you son of a bitch… You really want to do this?”
“No. I took the poison, so I just gave you a punch in return. Like I said, we’ll compete in our specialties. My specialty is my fists.”
“Shit. One more hit and I’ll be dead.”
Her jaw was completely dislocated.
Her face was swelling up, a mix of bruises and blood.
She was grinding her teeth in fury, but she couldn’t explode in anger.
Not with the guns pointed at her.
No matter how brave you are, a gun demands respect.
“So, are you going to drink the poison or not?”
“I will.”
Pop!
Without hesitation, I uncorked the bottle.
A sour stench hit me immediately.
Ignoring my instincts screaming at me to stop, I downed it in one gulp.
Iron Scorpion’s eyes glinted with satisfaction, and the Poison Gang members began grinning, as if the fight was already over.
But I had my own backup plan.
[Poison Resistance], [Endurance], [Vigor]
[Meditation], [Focus], [Black Flame]
Poison resistance alone wasn’t enough.
The three great poisons of the Poison Gang were made by mixing toxins and narcotics.
However, unlike Lover’s Kiss, Wildcard was nine parts poison, one part drug.
Meaning, I had the perfect traits to withstand it.
Gurgle.
The signal came soon enough.
It felt like a storm had erupted in my stomach, much like the morning after eating a plate of fire chicken.
Then, heat spread across my entire body.
It wasn’t just my torso—my face was breaking out in painful, fiery rashes.
Iron Scorpion smiled brightly, in a way that didn’t suit her.
“How do you feel? Starting to hit you now, huh? Why don’t you give up while you can? Get on your knees, bark like a dog, lick my feet, and maybe I’ll give you the antidote.”
She wiggled her left middle finger at me again, taunting me.
I had let it slide before, but this habit of hers was really starting to get on my nerves.
I closed my eyes.
Activating my Meditation trait, I focused on the poison coursing through my body.
It wasn’t easy.
Trying to cleanse poison with mana is never an easy task.
It was like trying to pick up a greased egg with greased chopsticks and then throw a fastball with it.
But Poison Resistance and Endurance suppressed the poison.
Meditation and Focus helped me manage it.
As my body weakened, Vigor replenished my strength.
Ping.
My head grew slightly light, but I held on.
The small amount of narcotic mixed into Wildcard wasn’t enough to impair me.
The drug had a mild, euphoric effect meant to speed up the heart and increase blood flow.
But instead of falling victim to it, the narcotic effect played right into my hands.
Acquired the trait: [Drug Resistance]
Just as I thought.
I gathered all the poison inside me and pushed it toward my left hand.
I drew a sword from my golf bag and slashed my left palm, releasing the black liquid in a small fountain.
“H-huh?”
“H-how’s that possible?”
“Is he a wuxia hero or something?”
“I’ve only seen that in movies…”
A sour stench filled the air as the poison splattered on the ground.
There was no need to double-check.
It was definitely Wildcard.
Iron Scorpion, who had been so smug just moments ago, was now pale as a ghost.
Her face was completely drained of color, like she’d seen a corpse rise from the grave.
“Wanna go again?”
“Huh?”
“I said, wanna go again?”
I gave her an opening, and her expression quickly shifted from fear to calculation.
Her hand instinctively moved toward her left hip.
Ah, right.
You keep Gray Reaper in there, don’t you?
But Iron Scorpion didn’t go for Gray Reaper.
Perhaps she remembered her boss’s orders, because she hesitated, then pulled out a different vial from her waist pouch.
This time, the liquid was pink.
It shimmered like rose wine, and the liquid rippled like delicate petals.
“T-this is the last one!”
Iron Scorpion shouted desperately.
“If you win this time, I’ll admit defeat! But this one’s twice as strong as the last poison!”
Oh, I know.
This was one of the deadliest combinations of poison and narcotic, a true work of art.
But I didn’t hesitate.
I uncorked the vial, savored the sweet scent, and drank it down slowly.
The anxious look in her eyes was strangely satisfying.
[Poison Resistance], [Drug Resistance], [Endurance]
[Meditation], [Focus], [Black Flame]
Lover’s Kiss was actually easier to handle.
What good is stronger poison if my traits are optimized to deal with it?
If Wildcard had been soft countered, this was hard countered.
Thanks to that, I processed it even faster than the last time.
With my still-bleeding left hand, I poured the pink liquid out, and Iron Scorpion’s eyes shook as if caught in an earthquake.
“T-that’s impossible!”
“My turn. Get ready.”
“Kyaaaa!”
Iron Scorpion tried to flee, but it was too late.
I grabbed her by the leather jacket and yanked her back.
“S-sis!”
“Let her go!”
The Poison Gang shouted, but that was as far as it went.
They just screamed loudly but made no move to act.
Where’s loyalty in a gang? Nowhere.
No one wanted to get beaten to a pulp on behalf of someone else.
“W-what are you going to do?”
Iron Scorpion shrieked.
I simply smiled and grabbed her.
Specifically, her left middle finger.
The one that had been so arrogantly raised all this time.
“No, noooo!”
She realized what I was about to do and let out a shrill scream.
She swung her spiked gauntlet at me, but it didn’t hurt much.
I was already using my mana shield.
“Next time, keep your hands to yourself, got it?”
I didn’t need a response.
With one swift motion, I ripped her metal finger right off.
It wasn’t just attached to her hand—it was integrated all the way through her wrist, connected to her nerves and blood vessels.
When I tore it off, pieces of bone, flesh, and veins came with it.
“Gaaaaaah!”
Her scream echoed through the market.
A few of the weaker merchants collapsed on the spot.
–TL Notes–
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Damnnnn brutal