The Book Eating Magician

Chapter 10

Dealings With A Black Market Trader #2

In any city, the outskirts were always more deserted than the center, with fewer people walking around. The same was true for Bergen City. The tall buildings were gradually decreased in height, and the clean roads became covered in dirt. The nobles would automatically frown at the sight.

However, Theo just felt a strange nostalgia.

‘This area hasn’t changed at all.’

It was different from the main streets which were always changing. Most of the hanging signs were difficult to read, worn out from the wind and rain. It was also common for signs to fly away or to have no letters written. If Theo stepped into the dark alleys, he would see the beggars tossing and turning.

The scenery, which remained the same despite the three year gap, caused Theo to think back on past memories.

‘Three years ago.’

Three years ago, he had just entered the second grade.

The Theodore Miller of those days hadn’t been cynical nor distant from others. In the first year, the lessons had focused on theory rather than practical skills, so he had been able to get better grades than everyone else.

Theo’s future prospects shone brightly enough for some noble children to pay attention to him. He knew there was a black market trader in this area because he had visited it with a friend at that time.

“Ha, what friend?”

Theo laughed coldly at the memory. As soon as his inferiority was revealed, they all turned their backs on him. The one they’d regarded as their friend was an ‘excellent magician’, not ‘Theodore Miller.’ It was ridiculous that he hadn’t recognized their duplicity, and their act of turning their backs on this relationship was disgusting.

He recalled up to here. Theo stopped walking as he arrived at his destination. There were no errors in his memory.

“This place… is it open?”

However, Theo hesitated for a moment without turning the door knob. There was no sign on the shabby shack. The windows showed no signs of being cleaned, and the stairs creaked like they would fall apart at any minute. If there wasn’t a sign saying ‘OPEN’ on the door, he might have turned around.

In the end, he turned the door knob.

Kkiiik.

The decrepit door opened with a strident sound, and as it opened, the interior was revealed. In short, it was a general store. There were many miscellaneous things piled up, of which the purpose of many of them was impossible to guess. However, unlike a general store, the prices weren’t attached.

One of the characteristics of a black market trader was that the prices would fluctuate due to bargaining with the owner.

‘So, any naive or stupid person will have their nose cut off.’

Black market traders were still merchants. They were talented at extracting money from the pockets of their customers. In fact, their main source of income was selling things cheaply. So, when using a black market trader, it was necessary to be accompanied by a person who wouldn’t be easily shaken.

Theo recalled this fact and prepared his heart. It was at this moment that…

“What, a customer?” A flippant voice was heard from somewhere. Theo turned toward the counter and realized one more thing.

‘…The black market dealer has changed.’

In the past, it had been a balding middle-aged man with a sturdy physique, but the one who greeted him now was a slim young man. The arms exposed under the sleeves were clearly trained, and a snake-like gaze was staring out from between dropped eyelids which made him appear sleepy.