A few moments later, Uttar arrived at the outskirts of the Black Market. The entrance was hidden within an abandoned underground tunnel, guarded by fierce-looking warriors clad in dark armor. The air was thick with tension, the very presence of the place exuding an aura of lawlessness.
Merchants, mercenaries, and rogues moved about with cautious eyes. Some were there to buy, others to sell—but all shared one thing in common: they were dangerous individuals who lived by their own rules.
Uttar stopped a fair distance away, carefully observing the entrance. Though he possessed the VIP Card, he knew that entering carelessly was a mistake. This was a place where the strong preyed on the weak, and revealing his true identity could bring unnecessary trouble.
"I can't go in like this," he murmured to himself. "If someone recognizes me, I could become a target. I need to hide my identity."
With that thought, he quickly moved to a secluded alleyway, a dark corner where no one could see him.
Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a long black cloak and draped it over his body. The fabric was heavy, covering him completely and making it impossible to distinguish his figure.
Next, he retrieved a plain black mask and secured it over his face. His features were now completely concealed—just another nameless figure in the market.
Looking at his reflection in a small puddle of water on the ground, Uttar nodded in satisfaction.
"Perfect. Now, no one will recognize me."
Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the shadows and made his way toward the entrance of the Black Market. It was time to see what treasures lay within.
As Uttar approached the entrance of the Black Market, a sense of unease settled in his chest. The towering gates were guarded by several men, each exuding a powerful aura. Their mere presence sent a clear message—this was not a place for the weak. He narrowed his eyes, carefully observing their energy flow.
A slight frown formed on his face as he realized something shocking. Even a normal guard here is at the 6th Chakra level? Uttar murmured under his breath, his astonishment barely contained. This revelation changed everything. If even the lowest-ranked guards possessed such strength, then the true elites within the market must be far beyond his current level.
As he stood in line, watching the entry procedures unfold, his gaze suddenly shifted to a man ahead of him. The man, dressed in ragged robes, hesitated before stepping forward. A guard blocked his path, his cold, emotionless voice cutting through the tense air.
"Identity?"
The man stuttered, fumbling through his pockets, his face turning pale. "I-I don't have one… but I have gold! I can pay—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a flash of steel gleamed in the dim torchlight. The guard moved faster than Uttar could blink, and in the next instant, the man collapsed onto the ground, lifeless. A deep wound in his chest oozed blood, staining the dirt beneath him. The surrounding onlookers barely reacted—such brutal executions were clearly a common sight here.
Uttar clenched his fists, suppressing his instinctual urge to react. So this is the law of the Black Market… Strength is the only rule. He took a slow breath, steadying his nerves. If he showed any sign of weakness or hesitation, he would end up just like that unfortunate man.
The line moved forward, and now it was his turn. Uttar stepped up, his movements calm and composed. He knew that revealing his true strength was a gamble he could not afford. Unlike others, his chakra level remained hidden unless he willingly released it. This was an advantage granted by the mysterious golden ring on his finger.
Instead of showcasing his cultivation, Uttar let out a faint aura—not his chakra, but the unique energy he had obtained from the ring. It was ancient and profound, carrying an oppressive weight that even he did not fully understand.
As Uttar stepped forward in line, the tension in the air became palpable. The guards, standing tall with their imposing presence, instinctively felt something unusual about him. Yet, when they tried to sense his chakra, they found nothing. This immediately raised suspicion—there were only two types of people whose chakra could not be sensed. Either they were ordinary mortals incapable of cultivation, or they were so powerful that their chakra level surpassed the perception of those beneath them.
One of the guards stepped forward cautiously. "Identity?" he demanded, masking his unease with authority.
Without hesitation, Uttar reached into his robe and pulled out a small, unassuming card. The moment the guard's eyes landed on it, his expression changed drastically.
"A… VIP card?" he muttered in shock.
The Black Market Entry Cards were categorized into four ranks—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and VIP—with VIP being the rarest. Only a handful of individuals in the entire region possessed such a card, and each of them commanded immense respect. The guards, who had initially been on high alert, now exchanged uncertain glances.
The lead guard quickly composed himself, bowing slightly. "Sir, welcome! I will arrange for an assistant to guide you through the market." His tone had shifted from authoritative to deeply respectful.
Uttar's eyes remained cold and indifferent. "No need," he replied in a calm yet firm voice. "I will go by myself."
The guards dared not question him. The pressure they had felt earlier, the card in his hand, and his unwavering demeanor were enough to convince them that he was someone far beyond their reach.
"As you wish, sir," the lead guard said, stepping aside immediately.
Uttar entered the Black Market, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him. "So, this is the Black Market," he muttered to himself. From the outside, it had appeared to be nothing more than an underground tunnel, but the inside was astonishingly vast. Towering buildings stretched across the space, their structures defying the expectations of an underground hideout. Stalls and makeshift shops lined the pathways, each selling rare and forbidden goods.