Chapter 29: Let Me Take a Look

Black market!

Rita instantly knew what this place was.

It was a game world, after all—black markets and slums were staples.

But unlike the stereotypical filth, this street was orderly, like the snack alleys near her old university.

Not dirty, but chaotic in its own way.

A dancer-clad woman posed seductively in the shadows. A scarred man sat on a rock, a spiked club beside him. An old lady with gleaming eyes clutched a small basket—none looked friendly.

But maybe this place had the kind of shop she needed?

Rita scanned her surroundings, moving deeper. Vendors called out, hoping she’d stop at their stalls.

“Puma Energy Potion! One bottle refreshes, two keep you tireless, three grant eternal youth.”

“Trained slimes—non-toxic, harmless, no residue. Perfect for a delightful night, for men or women!”

“Eighth-generation mage’s bust-enhancing secret! Craft a devilish figure, be the brightest star!”

What’s this nonsense? I’m not Cecilia—why would I need a mage’s secret?

Rita waved off a vendor with a tentacled chicken and stopped another peddling a jelly-like dagger.

Despite the motley crew, the market maintained order.

As Rita thought this, she heard shouting ahead.

“Who do you think lets you do business on the Lady’s turf? Her protection isn’t free!”

“Please, a few more days! Once I sell this treasure, I’ll pay!”

Rita followed the noise, finding a crowd around a stall. Two lightly armored debt collectors glared, gripping the stall owner’s clothes.

Oh, debt collection.

In typical novel plots, the stall owner would reveal an unrecognized treasure, snapped up by the protagonist, saving the owner and scoring a prize.

“What’s the treasure? Let me see.” Rita lowered her voice, pushing through the crowd.

“Hm?” One collector glanced at Rita, exchanged a look with their partner, and shoved the stall owner forward.

The owner stumbled, barely standing, looking at Rita with fear and surprise.

“Let me take a look.” Rita extended her hand.

“Oh! Oh, yes!” The owner nodded frantically, pulling out an old wooden box and opening it before Rita.

Inside, on a red cloth, lay a coiled, mosquito-coil-like object with a heart-shaped tip.

“What’s this?”

The owner’s eyes lit up. “This is incredible! Years ago, a succubus and a human girl fell in forbidden love. The world wouldn’t allow it, so the succubus was taken, leaving this tail as proof of their bond. Wars passed, and it ended up with me. I wouldn’t sell it if I didn’t have to!”

“What’s it do?”

“Perfect for brewing or alchemy—top-tier material! Even as a collectible, it’s rare. They say the Princess promised a Holy Knight title for a succubus tail.”

“How much?”

“Not much, just two hundred gold coins.”

Not much? I earned a thousand sleeping with the Princess.

Though… a thousand’s a lot.

“Let me see.” Rita leaned closer.

“Go ahead.”

She looked and nearly jumped.

Fake!

Rita shook her head, turning to leave. “Forget it, it’s fake.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” The owner slammed the box shut, trying to chase, but a collector yanked him back, landing a punch on his head.

“No running! Who knows when you’ll sell? Pay up!”

Poor guy.

His fate had nothing to do with Rita. Novels lied.

Not far off, someone called out repeatedly, seemingly for her.

Rita turned, finding two young, beautiful women behind her.

“Me?” Rita raised a brow.

“New face, huh? First time here?” One stepped closer.

“Why do you say that?” Rita didn’t confirm.

“You just called that vendor’s stuff fake.” The other spoke.

“Oh?” Rita’s guard went up, her fists clenching under her cloak. “You here to settle a score?”

“No, no, we don’t know him. What score?”

“Then what’s this about?” Rita asked.

“A warning. Cutting someone’s profit is like killing their parents. Outside, fine, but this is the Lady’s turf. That’s asking for trouble.”

Fair point. Not buying was one thing, but calling it fake did ruin his scam.

Her tail didn’t look like that—dry and flat, not round and lush.

Still, they’d chased her to say this, so politeness was due.

Rita nodded. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

“Don’t just thank us.” The woman rubbed her fingers.

Rita’s alarms blared. “What’s that mean?”

“Payment. We gave you valuable info—nothing in return?” The other chimed in.

Oh, that’s how it is.

Rita relaxed, pulling a gold coin from her pocket. Their eyes gleamed.

Normally, she’d never part with a coin so easily—her broken shop-treasure sword cost five.

But circumstances were special, and she didn’t want to linger.

She tossed the coin. One caught it, grinning ear to ear.

“Thanks for your patronage~ We’ll leave you be. Hope you find what you need.” She pulled her friend, turning to go.

“Wait.” Rita stopped them. “One coin’s not enough for that tip. Answer one more question.”

Pleased with the payment, they nodded. “Sure, what’s up?”

Rita was curious about this “Lady,” but with the exam over, she’d leave Solus City soon. Gossip was useless.

She hadn’t forgotten her goal.

“Any brothels nearby? The kind with just girls.”

The women exchanged a glance, now eyeing Rita like a soft lamb.

“Of course—far yet near~”