Chapter 33: Stealing a Moment Amidst the Chaos, The Rules of the Black Market!

After ending the call, Su Cheng glanced at the last remaining external neural interface and the skeletal virus source code carrier.

He chose not to proceed with synthesis upgrades.

Because he wasn’t sure if continuing synthesis would preserve the skeletal virus.

Previously, synthesis upgrades would transform even damaged components into something entirely new.

Mechanical prosthetics, weapons, nutrient fluids—even their appearances would be brand new!

If synthesis caused the skeletal virus source code to be lost, the cost would outweigh the benefit.

Glancing at No-Brain, if he could purchase the final mechanical prosthetic from the black market, then synthesizing beyond an A-grade prosthetic without replacing the original body could allow him to help No-Brain find similar units for synthesis.

He had promised him long ago.

There was so much to do.

“What are you staring at? Never seen a handsome guy before?” No-Brain shot him a glance.

“Remember, I was the one who beat Big Head, you loser,” No-Brain said.

Su Cheng nodded. “Yeah, impressive. Wait till I show you what a first-strike kill looks like.”

“You? Just full of hot air. You fought Big Head for five or six days, unlike me—smooth victory,” No-Brain shook his head and waggled it, brimming with pride.

“Smooth victory? After beating Big Head, you’re level seventy already. Where’s the smooth part?” Su Cheng replied.

He opened a snack bag and took out a pack of scallion crackers.

Fresh food!

He looked at the brown crackers dotted with green scallions inside the transparent packaging.

Snacks.

Such a distant word for ordinary remnants of humanity.

Yet in the affluent district, they were everywhere.

As soon as he tore open the package, a strong aroma of scallions filled the air.

He inhaled deeply several times.

Twenty years!

This was the first time he had tasted anything besides nutrient fluid!

He picked up a cracker and placed it in his mouth.

Crunch.

The cracker shattered with a crisp sound.

The flavor of scallions burst forth, salty and fragrant.

The texture was rich, crisp, and doughy.

Each bite sent vibrations through his entire mouth.

Delicious!

Su Cheng devoured them one after another, unable to stop until the pack was empty.

This was food from the old century!

“People back then were truly lucky,” he murmured.

He then pulled out a can of orange-flavored soda.

Click.

Hiss.

The aluminum can opened, releasing a burst of gas as tiny bubbles fizzed to the surface.

Su Cheng lifted it to his nose and sniffed, then took a big gulp.

Glug.

Instantly, the strange taste and texture lit up his eyes.

The carbonation mixed with the drink flowed down his throat into his stomach.

Then the gas surged back up.

Burp~~~

He couldn’t help but belch.

If only it were summer and the soda cold—what a refreshing delight it would be!

“What are you doing? You look like a deer caught in headlights. Gross,” No-Brain said disdainfully.

Su Cheng curled up on the sofa with several snack packs, munching on scallion crackers and sipping soda, utterly joyful.

This was a rare experience!

A rich man’s experience!

The intensive exercise over the past two days had increased his nutritional needs.

Fortifying fluid didn’t provide nourishment, so he was genuinely hungry now.

Though nutrient fluids were more economical, snacks were more satisfying!

“You don’t get it. This is the lifestyle of the wealthy!”

“Let me have a bite.”

“Get lost, eat your energy blocks.”

“I can’t really drink that. So stingy, you jerk.”

“Give it here, let me play for a bit.”

No-Brain transformed again into a wisp of monkey hair and handed the controller to Su Cheng.

“Come on, let me see how you play. The White-Robed Swordsman has two phases—don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Su Cheng took a sip of soda, a bite of cracker, and played the game.

Bliss!!

…

Night.

Su Cheng drank a bottle of premium nutrient fluid, then rode his bike toward the abandoned city.

The black market occupied a fixed street, but he didn’t know its exact location or how to enter.

Helpless, he had to ask Yang Siqi again.

“...” Yang Siqi propped her chin on her hand, sighing helplessly. “Spill it. What now?”

“Where is the black market?”

“Number 911 Street in the inner city. In front of a roadside bar stands a big guy named Jason. He’s the guide to the black market, wearing a black badge on his chest. Find him, and he’ll take you in. Zip.”

Yang Siqi licked her lollipop and continued, “There’s an entry fee—at least 100 Union Coins. You have to follow the rules there. Jason will explain them. If you don’t see him, he’s probably inside drinking. Just wait.”

“Thanks. I’ll bring you more snacks next time.”

…

Soon, Su Cheng arrived at Number 911 Street.

The inner city was livelier at night than during the day.

Projections on skyscrapers were even more explicit.

Colorful neon lights painted pedestrians in various hues.

Drunk people vomited indiscriminately by the roadside.

Revelers embraced women as they entered bars and hotels.

A scene of excess and decadence.

Here, it was hard to believe this world was abandoned.

After parking, Su Cheng approached the bar; no big guy stood by the window—it seemed he had gone inside to drink.

He waited patiently by the window.

“Welcome back.”

Soon the bar door opened, and a tall blond blue-eyed man approached Su Cheng.

“Hunter?”

Jack sized up the figure clad entirely in black before him.

Su Cheng nodded. “To the black market.”

Jack said coolly, “Of course. Everyone who comes to me wants to get into the black market, so…”

He extended his right hand, rubbing his index finger and thumb back and forth with a blank expression.

“I understand.”

Su Cheng took out his Hunter card and transferred 100 Union Coins directly.

One hundred Union Coins!

Just for a guide, that was a hefty price.

Though it stung, he had to enter the black market.

Seeing the money, Jack’s face lit up with enthusiasm.

“Sir, follow me. You look new here. Is this your first time at the black market?”

Was this some lost ancient art of changing expressions?

Su Cheng nodded helplessly.

“Let me tell you the rules of the black market,” Jack explained as they walked.

“When buying, you can’t ask about the origin or destination of items. All transactions are private. Don’t inquire about the identity of sellers or buyers.”

“In the black market, causing trouble is forbidden. If you want to fight, you must apply for a duel. We’re more than happy to watch.”

He patted Su Cheng on the shoulder.

“Trust me, we also love to bet on those.”

Su Cheng raised a hand to stop his overly familiar gesture.

“Oh, okay. You seem pretty introverted.”

Jack shrugged.

“Also, outside the market, you can’t reveal the entrance to others directly. You must introduce them to me or other guides like me.”

He pointed to his badge, carved with scales and a gold coin.

“The last and most important rule: the big boss is God here! He created everything in the black market!”

Jack’s expression turned serious.

“No one can go against the big boss’s will or harm him in any way. Otherwise, the black market will make them disappear from this world forever!”