Chapter 14 Episode 4: The Black Tiger Raid Team
The Troll Market in District 10's commercial zone was where raiders disposed of their loot and items.
Any raider city worth its salt had at least one Troll Market.
With no fixed prices, everything was settled through haggling. Wholesalers with street-side stalls were busy negotiating with raiders.
"300? Are you kidding me? Hey old man, take a good look at this. A perfectly preserved ice spirit heart for just 300? You're trying to rip me off hard," Ja-geon snapped as he grabbed a wholesaler.
The merchant looked at Ja-geon with startled eyes. 'This brat's got some attitude. Can't be older than early twenties...' But this was no ordinary merchant—he'd been grinding in the Troll Market for ten years.
"Now look here, there's a slight blemish right there. When used as decoration, any flaw decreases an ice spirit heart's value," the merchant pointed out with a magnifying glass.
The ice spirit's heart was eternal ice that never melted—a fist-sized crystal of breathtaking beauty.
"Every damn merchant lies through their teeth the moment they open their mouths! How many guys do you think can bring in flawless ice spirit hearts? This is Grade A quality! Quit your bullshit and fuck off." Ja-geon shoved the heart back into his bag.
The merchant grabbed his arm. "Wait now! How about 400? I'll take the loss..."
"Done talking to liars. Beat it." Ja-geon pushed him away dismissively.
"500! 500!" the merchant shouted desperately.
"Should've started there." Ja-geon immediately produced the item again. The merchant sighed and completed the transaction.
"Boss, you've got serious guts. Munch munch." Across the way, Big Bo held chicken skewers like a bouquet, sauce smeared around his mouth as he wolfed them down, his plump belly jiggling.
"Stop stuffing your face, you pig." Ja-geon clicked his tongue and snatched a skewer, devouring it in one bite.
"That merchant was practically begging," Big Bo observed between chews.
"He'd take the loss if we walked. He'll resell it higher anyway—ice spirit hearts are hot items."
"Oooh, makes sense!" Big Bo marveled. After two months following Ja-geon, he'd learned not to question his younger leader's wisdom. The boss was just the boss—following him never led to losses, only gains.
As they bickered—Ja-geon kicking Big Bo (who somehow kept his chicken skewers aloft while falling) about his constant food talk—a group approached from across the street, whispering:
"That them?"
"Yes, boss. The duo that's been cleaning out low-level dungeons lately."
"The lean one looks decent... but that fat one? Hmph. Never seen a raider that obese before."
"They say he's a shield bearer. Even if he dies quick, he'd be useful, no?"
The man called "boss" extended his hand to Ja-geon: "Pleasure. I'm Kim Choon-sik, leader of the Black Tiger Raid Team."
Ja-geon stared blankly before nudging Big Bo: "You know this guy?"
Big Bo shook his head as Kim Choon-sik cleared his throat and summoned his team with intimidating presence: "Never heard of the Black Tiger Raid Team?" He shrugged theatrically—they were Baejae City's most famous raid team after all, often tipped to become a full guild.
"Why would I bother knowing every random raid party that's not even a guild? If you've got no business, we're done here."
Jageun said, sounding annoyed.
Kim Chunsik hastily reached out.
"Wait! Hold on! I've heard about you. Word is you're that famous duo who clears low-level dungeons. Must be pretty skilled to handle them with just two people. Our Black Tiger Raid Party wants to scout you."
Kim Chunsik spoke hurriedly.
Passersby watched the scene unfold.
"The Black Tiger Raid Party is scouting them? Who are these guys?"
"Ah, I recognize them. That duo everyone’s talking about. They specialize in low-level dungeons."
"Even if they clear with just two, they’re clearly only good for low-tier stuff."
"Nah, rumor says they’re tackling mid-level dungeons soon. If the Black Tigers want them, they must have real skills."
A raid party with guild potential. That alone made joining worthwhile. The Black Tiger Raid Party was an elite group renowned across Baekje City. Raiders queued up hoping for membership.
"You all swarmed here for this trivial matter? Must have nothing better to do," Jageun mocked.
The Black Tiger members behind him scowled. "This bastard! How dare he disrespect our boss!"
Kim Chunsik raised a hand to silence them.
"...Are you refusing? Doesn’t seem like a bad offer."
Jageun had no intention of accepting.
Thud.
His heart suddenly pounded. A headache throbbed deep within his skull. Darkness crept into his vision as phantom afterimages flickered across his sight. Against his will, the corner of his mouth twitched erratically.
"Hey?"
Kim Chunsik stared at the trembling Jageun.
Jageun lifted his head and offered a faint smile—a hazy, bone-chilling grin. Kim Chunsik instinctively stepped back.
"You’re mistaken about something," Jageun declared, spreading his arms. "I don’t kneel beneath weaker men. I’ll only join if you surrender the entire raid party to me."
Kim Chunsik’s face stiffened. The members behind him looked ready to draw weapons.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Just stating facts. Those who lead must surpass their subordinates. You’re weaker than me, Kim Chunsik. The thought of you above me is laughable."
Kim Chunsik’s face flushed crimson as humiliation and rage surged through him. Spectators’ snickers echoed around them.
"You… mother’s-milk-stinking brat…" Kim Chunsik growled, each word dripping with venom.
"Planning to draw your sword here, Chunsik? The Paragon Knights are watching from over there." Jageun nodded toward men in blue uniforms observing from a distance—Paragon’s holy knights on patrol.
The Paragon of Order stood foremost among the Seven Major Deities. Their knights policed the raider world, while Paragon’s devotees focused solely on maintaining order between raiders and society.
"C-Captain! What are you doing? That’s Kim Chunsik of the Black Tiger Raid Party!" Bigbo stammered, trembling. He too knew Kim Chunsik’s reputation.
"What’s so great about Kim Chunsik? I’m Shin Jageun. My name’s cooler anyway—honestly, doesn’t ‘Kim Chunsik’ sound ridiculous?" Jageun laughed. The crowd joined in until Black Tiger members harshly shoved them away.
"You dare mock… my parents’ gift? This brat…!" Kim Chunsik teetered on the edge of rationality, itching to draw his sword despite the knights’ presence.
"Boss, control yourself," the Black Tiger members urged.
"Take your boss away quickly, pups. His face is red enough to combust," Jageun taunted.
Black Tiger members glared murderously as their vice-captain stepped forward. "Watch your back in dungeons, rookie. Stay out of our sight."
Jageun closed the distance. "You’re the ones who should worry. Meet me in a dungeon, and you’ll all… die. Heh heh."
The vice-captain’s eyes widened at the audacity of this "low-tier brat… but…"
It wasn’t empty bravado. Unmistakable bloodlust shimmered beneath Jageun’s words.
