171: Hayashi Shizuku

Next, Ran Quan continued on his way.

It wasn't until the next passage that the last purification agent in his respirator was less than 10%, but fortunately, he had arrived.

Along the way, he found some components, broken machines, and materials, which he collected one by one, and also killed a monster.

He returned to the Eleventh District from the passage.

He certainly wouldn't go to the previous black market; he had essentially walked from the east to the west, so he naturally wouldn't walk back.

Therefore, he needed to find out where the black market was on this side.

And the most convenient way to inquire about the black market was, naturally, to "ask" some "thugs."

Just a casual inquiry, and the people here were very enthusiastic, though their physical condition wasn't great; after answering Ran Quan's questions, they lost consciousness.

Ran Quan found the black market, where there were many people specializing in acquiring various items.

Ran Quan observed for a bit and chose someone who seemed more reliable.

This reliability wasn't about appearance, but rather through subtle observations, seeing the other party's reputation here.

After all, for black market dealings, reputation is very important; never mind how much profit is made or if money is scammed, at least the credibility would be good.

Ran Quan first bought a box, then found an unoccupied corner and dismembered a demon beast, placing it into the box.

The box was, of course, specially made; when placed inside, others wouldn't know what was in it, and the smell of blood wouldn't leak out.

After preparing, Ran Quan began searching for a buyer.

"Is there anything you need?" This Madam, who was likely very reputable and influential in this black market, didn't even wear a mask, directly exposing her appearance; she was a charming Madam of about thirty.

"Do you acquire monsters here?" Ran Quan asked her.

The Madam's eyes lit up; she glanced around and told Ran Quan, "Come inside and talk!"

Ran Quan followed the Madam into the shop.

The Madam waved her hand, and two men inside stood up: "Go watch the shop, I have a distinguished guest."

She then led Ran Quan into the inner room.

After Ran Quan followed her in, he found there was also a courtyard inside.

"Sit!" The Madam pointed to the tables and chairs in the courtyard and told Ran Quan, then walked over with her swaying, full figure and sat down: "I wonder what materials of the monster you have?"

"A whole, complete demon beast," Ran Quan told the Madam.

"Oh!?" The Madam's eyes lit up; she couldn't help but look at the box in Ran Quan's hand.

Ran Quan placed the box on the table.

The Madam was eager to reach out and open it, but halfway through, she stopped and told Ran Quan: "Apologies, I'm a bit impatient. It's been a long time since I've seen such good merchandise! Don't mind me! May I open it?"

After all, some sellers would mind if she just directly reached out.

"Of course!" Ran Quan nodded; so far, she was quite reliable.

He wasn't particularly afraid; his confidence came from his own strength.

The Madam opened the box, and a pungent, unpleasant odor assailed her. The Madam frowned slightly, but her eyes revealed delight.

The Madam looked again and again: "A very complete monster corpse..."

"What price do you offer?" Ran Quan asked, looking at the Madam.

The Madam thought for a moment: "800,000."

Ran Quan's pupils constricted slightly; so much money!

He had never had more than a thousand yuan in his hand; the richest he had ever been was during the "robbing the rich to help the poor" time when he was preparing to buy equipment to go to The Ground.

"Not satisfied?" The Madam looked at the silent Ran Quan; the other party had the strength to obtain a monster, and judging by the wound, it seemed to have been killed with a cold weapon.

If he wasn't from a major force, then his personal strength was absolutely considerable... One must know, daring to "melee" on The Ground... Never mind the strength of the monster, the protective suit couldn't withstand the monster's damage, no matter how good it was.

One must know, close combat with monsters is no easy task; going to The Ground itself is extremely dangerous, and doing something even more dangerous within that danger... In close combat with a monster, if the protective suit is accidentally damaged...

Therefore, generally, the monster corpses collected by various forces are incomplete.

It was also the first time the Madam had seen such a complete monster corpse; the wound on its head clearly indicated a single fatal blow.

Moreover, the technological level of this blade was not low; monsters are not wild beasts, but mutated beasts, and their strength, speed, size, and body hardness are all much, much stronger than the wild beasts of the previous era!

Ordinary bone-cutting knives can't even cut through the hide of a mutated beast.

"I can increase the price, 1,000,000! To make it a round number!" The Madam said, "This price increase is already a lot! Generally, the market acquisition price for blood is about 100ml..."

The Madam listed the acquisition prices for various parts of the monster, which naturally fluctuated based on the monster's type and rarity.

Ran Quan's monster was not highly mutated, and its rarity was not very high.

The reason it could sell for 1,000,000 was primarily because it was relatively complete.

"1,100,000! And also prepare some things for me," Ran Quan said, then stated his needs, asking the Madam to prepare some level 1 drinking water, food, and the latest respirator with 10 purification agents, while also requesting a gun and bullets.

"...Your price is too high!" The Madam thought for a moment, then shook her head slightly and told Ran Quan.

"Not high. Firstly, it's the completeness of the monster; when you acquire it, it benefits you, and also, whatever the black market acquisition price is, you'll make a profit! Most importantly, let's be friends; I definitely have more than just this one," Ran Quan told the Madam.

The Madam listened to Ran Quan's words; what he said was indeed true. However, doing business, especially black market business, is not for the faint of heart, but the Madam genuinely considered Ran Quan's words.

Ran Quan was indeed right; even if she gave so much, she could still earn several times the money. Most importantly, while Ran Quan was raising his price, he also asked for a lot of supplies that clearly indicated he intended to continue going to The Ground.

She could invest a wave! Upon hearing Ran Quan's words, the Madam realized Ran Quan was a "wanderer," not a "thug" from some force.

Although The Ground was very dangerous, she stood to gain without loss, so this investment was entirely feasible!

"No problem! I accept your price. Please wait a moment; I'll have someone prepare it... However, I do have a small request," the Madam told Ran Quan.

"Speak," Ran Quan nodded, then watched as the Madam looked him up and down, and he couldn't help but frown: "I don't sell myself."

"..." The Madam's face darkened slightly: "Don't overthink it... Hmm~ but it's not impossible... Would you be willing to join my organization?"

"Hmm... Let me introduce myself, I am Lin Diao, the Eleventh District head of 'Frontier' Technology," the Madam, oh no, Lin Diao, told Ran Quan.

"..." Ran Quan heard Lin Diao's words and was about to refuse, but then he thought about it; it seemed there was no need to be so hasty... If he joined an organization, when he sought revenge, never mind whether he would borrow the organization's strength, at least after "causing trouble," the organization would back him up...

"Can you introduce it?" Ran Quan asked.

At least for now, his evaluation of Lin Diao was "good person."

That's right, just "good person"; don't underestimate this. Here, especially in the black market, "good person" might be a derogatory term in others' eyes, but for Ran Quan, it was absolutely high "praise."

[Please, free little gifts!]