Extra's Descent

"Lost dwarven technology?"

That was relatively new.

The Mirage Mask was given information in the tome—or rather, the novel he had read.

It dated back centuries ago.

If it was lost dwarven technology, then how was it present on earth?

Not even Brandon Locke had information on this question.

However, several theories flooded his thoughts.

"How long have you been here, Ironaxe?"

"Aye?

"On this planet."

"Human years?"

"Yeah."

"400."

"...."

However, he remained calm.

"I see."

This was what the professor meant back then about the world's lost history.

It seemed like dwarves have been omitted from the records. And most likely, they went into hiding.

"How did you come to be?"

"Too many questions, lad. I ain't here to teach ye history."

"No biggie."

He could find out on his own. However, this was perhaps interesting. If dwarves have been here for so long, then what about Aurelia?

Was she also a lost part of history?

An elven race that had long disappeared?

Or were they in hiding as well.

Interesting.

Truly, interesting.

This progression.

It was way too different.

"Anyway this ring. I can buy it off you, right?"

"Eh, whatever. Do what ye want. I've warned ye anyway."

"On a discount."

"Aye, aye."

Then, Ironaxe walked towards a desk. Seemingly retrieving something from the drawer. It was the same device that Matthew had.

He neared Brandon and said.

"Put yer card here."

Brandon did just that.

Beep—

A beeping sound rang out.

Then, on the screen of the device displayed:

[Transaction completed!

Client: Moriaty

Total Credits: 10,000,000]

"Moriarty, aye? Shit name for a shit lad."

"...."

"Now give me that mask of yers."

"How long will it take?"

"Maybe a day."

"....I need that mask."

"Aye, aye. Give me an hour then. In exchange, I'll give ye permission to take one of the masks I have stored over there."

Ironaxed pointed on the side without looking at Brandon, his eyes glued on the Mirage Mask.

"Anything?"

"Aye, aye. Yer my VIP customer now."

"Heh."

Brandon scoffed slightly. He didn't expect this kind of encounter at all. He had found out more about the world's history, a new artifact that would greatly assist him, and now he had become an important patron to this crazy old midget's shack.

Brandon strode ahead, entering a different room. There, right above the furnace, there were several masks with runic symbols engraved on it.

Scanning, Brandon could tell.

The magic power coming from the masks paled in comparison to the Mirage Mask.

And most probably, it didn't have the same effects.

But regardless, he shrugged his shoulders.

Identity aside, wearing a mask was the norm in the blackmarket anyway.

And so, he picked up whatever color looked nice.

And for him, it was always…

"This black one looks good."

Grabbing the mask that was attached to a nail on the wall, Brandon donned it.

Tracing the mask with his fingertips, he injected mana into it.

"Wonder what the effect is—"

He felt it.

It was sudden. But he knew.

"....!"

His eyes widened.

"This mask…."

It entirely masked any trace of his mana. He knew it. He could feel his mana stuck tightly in his bones, ready to be unleashed anytime.

And so, several ideas flooded his thoughts.

If he could summarize his thoughts, it was all directly related to covert operations.

With the mask, he could entirely hide his trace. For that reason, he couldn't be sensed.

The blackmarket had truly left him astonished.

Then, he rushed back towards Ironaxe.

"Ironaxe! How much is this?!"

"Aye?"

Ironaxe turned his head slightly.

"Phantasm Mask?"

"Yes. This. How much?"

"20,000,000 Credit."

"Discount?"

"Only 20%"

"I'll take it."

And so, the exchange began again.

At the end of it…

[Credit: 5,000,000]

In other words, 20 coins.

He still had some left to spare.

"To say the least."

That being said, Brandon walked towards the door and twisted the door knob. Before leaving, he turned his head slightly and said,

"I'll come back later, Ironaxe."

"Aye, I hope ye don't. Also, tell those idiots outside that the shop is closed fer today."

"Heh. Sure."

He scoffed and left the shack.

Slowly closing the door, he turned around and paused.

"Uh…."

There was a long line ahead, and all eyes fell on him.

"Took you long enough, bastard!"

"Why did Ironaxe close the doors?"

There was a bit of a ruckus outside. It seemed like he was in the shack for way too long, angering the other clients.

"Ironaxe has asked me to announce that the shop is closed for today. Come back tomorrow."

"Huh?!"

"Bullshit!"

"Eh. Suit yourselves."

Brandon shrugged and walked away.

Walking ahead, he could hear the ruckus behind him.

"Sir Ironaxe! Are you there?"

"Sir Ironaxe! Please, we've been waiting for a long time."

Clank—!

The door abruptly opened, revealing the robust midget with a long beard, wrinkles all over his face.

"Didn't that boy tell all of ye that shop is closed fer today?!"

Ironaxe exclaimed. Experience adventures on m _v _lempy _r.

"If ye don't leave in ten seconds, yer all permanently banned from this establishment. Ye hear me you fuckers?"

Everyone looked stunned, eyes wide open. And in that instant, they all dispersed like flies.

"Haha."

Brandon couldn't hold back his laugh.

"Guess that midget really is popular."

Continuing to walk, there, the familiar figure of Matthew registered in his peripheral vision.

"How'd it… go?"

"Pretty good mask, right?"

"Uh."

"Let's go, Zero."

The two walked ahead.

Then, Brandon halted, turning his head slightly to look at Matthew.

He pursed his lips.

"Also, do you have any spare credit?"

"...."

*

For this day, he had only planned to sightsee. To peer out on the changes of the current blackmarket, in comparison to the previous blackmarket throughout every progression.

And in his conclusion, this version of the blackmarket was the most different of all.

'Especially because I met a dwarf that easily.'

But that made him ponder.

Was the dwarf on the Milis Continent side?

Or was he just… there?

Strictly for business?

"Eh."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll find out eventually."

Once they take control of the blackmarket, interrogating Ironaxe would be easy.

And so, wandering around with Matthew, Brandon stopped by the drug section.

"Are you interested, Sir?"

"...."

The pills had caught his attention.

These pills….

He knew.

These strictly government confidential pills.

Pills that would help someone break through the S- Ranks. It was popular a decade ago.

But after the side–effects were known, it was quickly recalled by the government, and was banned.

Yet for some reason, they were still surfacing in the blackmarket.

'Interesting…'

He had never seen these in Brandon Locke's memories. Because Brandon Locke didn't go to the blackmarket to buy these pills.

What he went there for was to plead pathetically.

One of the progressions where he had gotten way too desperate, he walked into enemy territory, and prostrated himself in front of the enemy.

He was truly pathetic.

Brandon leaned close, scanning the pill.

"How much?"