Winter had fallen on the Grand Labyrinth. Icicles had formed everywhere, and pure white, powdery snow was scattered across the labyrinth. As a result, the labyrinthâs facilities that had previously been working in perfect order had frozen to a complete halt.
The fire in the furnace of Malaxus and the dwarves had been extinguished, and the shelters of the migrant refugees had been combined into one, just to preserve whatever warmth was left. Even the steadfast Under-Elves were crouching in corners trying to thaw their frozen hands.
They all waited for the sudden winter to pass, but the wave of cold never subsided.
âSigh.â Kim Jin-Woo wiped away the icicles that had formed on the throne.
The catastrophe that had blown into the Grand Labyrinth was due to the attributes contained in the Countâs Seal he had absorbed. He couldnât have imagined that a Countâs Seal, not even a Dukeâs or a Marquisâ Seal, could have held this much power; as such, the situation had set him back quite heavily.
The Nagas, who were born resilient against strong cold, were like fish in water; but more than half of the residents in the Grand Labyrinth were unable to carry out their daily tasks thanks to the freezing cold.
The Dwarves, who had to forge weapons for the Nagas, were busy keeping themselves warm by the furnace; the Under-Elves werenât able to perform their guard duties in the freezing cold. It was almost as if the giant creature that was the Grand Labyrinth had entered a deep winter hibernation.
âThis is driving me crazy.â No matter how much Kim Jin-Woo thought about it, it seemed the unwelcome winter wasnât leaving any time soon, and his troubles were only deepening. âThis⌠This situation doesnât look so good.â
In the meantime, the Black Merchant revisited the Grand Labyrinth while wrapped in thick clothes, as if he had expected this turn of events. Kim Jin-Woo could only hate the sight of the Black Merchant, with his laid-back expression and a fine fur of unknown origins covering him warmly.
âIâm letting you know this just in case, but the Seal that we delivered to you was without any flaws. If you think I may have a hand in your current situation, things might get a little rough between us.â The Black Merchant noticed Kim Jin-Wooâs upset look and belatedly made excuses, but Kim Jin-Wooâs expression didnât ease up at all.
Perhaps in order to appease his mood, the Black Merchant skipped the pleasantries and brought up the main purpose of his visit. âThis may not be a fundamental solution, but I brought this here in case it may be of use.â
Come to think of it, the Black Merchantâs procession was particularly long and bustling today. Giants and monsters several times larger than the escorting mercenaries that Kim Jin-Woo had seen previously were lined up, all carrying goods on their backs. The Black Merchant summoned them over and offloaded the goods.
âThose areâŚâ Kim Jin-Woo began.
âTheyâre coats made from the outer skin of a creature that lives only in parts of the Underworld where itâs cold year-round. Youâll find them to be of great use in living with this cold weather.â
It was nice to have overcoats, and they would come in handy, but Kim Jin-Woo was more angry than grateful. Judging from the amount of overcoats that the Black Merchant had brought along, it was as though he had anticipated this scenario from the start.
However, Kim Jin-Wooâs anger aside, it was more important to take care of his summons who had been suffering in the freezing cold. He beckoned to the Nagas, who rushed out and disappeared back into the labyrinth with all the goods that the mercenaries had left on display.
âAnyway, Iâll thank you for these.â Although Kim Jin-Woo conveyed his thanks, his expression said otherwise.
In response, the Black Merchant pouted sadly. He paused for a moment before continuing, âI was just about to discuss business with you anyway.â
Kim Jin-Woo, who had just been about to put the Black Merchant in a rough spot, felt slightly embarrassed and restrained himself.
The Black Merchant looked at Kim Jin-Woo as he searched through his belongings, before passing him an envelope. However, it was the exact same envelope that Kim Jin-Woo had seen countless times, an invitation for an ordinary black market auction.
âCalling it an auction might be a bit insensitive, considering whatâs been going on in the Underworld, but when could we ever rest?â the Black Merchant remarked.
He wasnât behaving out of the ordinary. He had simply returned to his usual submissive attitude as he rubbed his hands and asked Kim Jin-Woo to attend the auction.
âWe, the Black Merchants, have put special effort into this for everyone who was disappointed with the lack of an auction last year. From rare items to creatures youâve never seen before, I guarantee youâll find something that you desire!â
He spoke like a door-to-door salesman reciting his speech, before looking at Kim Jin-Woo warily and adding, âThis auction might be an extra special event for my Lord.â
Even before the Black Merchantâs cheap remarks, Kim Jin-Woo had already made up his mind. He had gained a significant advantage from obtaining Angela and Yoon-Hee from the previous auction that he had blindly attended, so he was already looking forward to what he might find in this coming auction.
Unlike back then, when his financial situation had been rather poor, he now had an endless supply of down gems obtained from plundering the Associationâs warehouse. As long as the Black Merchants had the right items ohn offer, there was no reason to decline their invitation.
The Black Merchant seemed to have read his mind, as he provided more information in order to secure a definite answer out of Kim Jin-Woo. âMany of our offerings that weâve prepared this time are items related to the Ancient Underworld. We had a hard time preparing this auction because the Deep Floor Nobles were rather difficult to deal with in the process of obtaining those items.â
âOho.â Even the usually stoic Kim Jin-Woo couldnât help but show interest this time. He thought that if he could obtain at least one item related to the Ancient Underworld, about which everything was still pretty much a mystery, he should be able to extract a lot of information.
âHow about it; does this tempt you enough?â the Black Merchant asked with a very encouraging look on his face.
âNot bad. But is the Underworld situation stable enough to start another auction?â Kim Jin-Woo took the opportunity to ask about the situation of the Underworld.
The Black Merchant gave him a good answer. âWell, those on the Lower Floors may not be able to afford the items, but this auction isnât for them in the first place. Given the current circumstances, only those who are at least of the Viscount title and above should be participating in the auction.â
Kim Jin-Woo, who hadnât been able to obtain information on the Lower Floors, listened to the Black Merchant with a serious expression.
âThose who bid on the auction will probably be the Counts. Theyâve been rather stressed out in the past year, so we foresee this auction to be quite competitive,â the Black Merchant added. In addition, he talked about other current news in the Underworld, even though Kim Jin-Woo hadnât asked for it.
âMm.â Kim Jin-Woo had already obtained all the useful information he could out of the Black Merchant, and a look of boredom quickly returned to his face.
The Black Merchant quickly shut his mouth in surprise. He exclaimed, âAh, look at me! Iâm holding up a busy person just to talk nonsense. Well, you know what they say, the older one gets, the less socially aware one becomes. Iâm just that kind of guy right now.â
With his round face and short, exaggeratedly waving limbs, the rather young-looking Black Merchant could almost be Kim Jin-Wooâs nephew, based on his appearance.
It was hilarious for him to make such a statement while having such a face, but Kim Jin-Woo didnât point it out. Doing so would only lengthen the useless chatter.
But once again, the Black Merchant curled his lips as if he had something else to say. And as expected, he asked one more question. âArenât you curious how old I am?â
âNot really,â Kim Jin-Woo replied flatly.
âIs that so? I was hoping youâd be at least a tiny bit curiousâŚâ The Black Merchant seemed rather embarrassed, as he quickly changed the topic. âOh, by the way. Once this auction begins, youâll be unable to leave the auction house midway.â
âYouâre mad,â Kim Jin-Woo said.
It was said that the flag of the Black Merchants would even put a war on hold in the past, but now, when the Moai were invading, the peace of a labyrinth couldnât be guaranteed with merely their flag alone. On top of that, Kim Jin-Woo couldnât figure out why he had to put up with such a condition.
âThis is a decision weâve made because of our own difficult circumstances, so we ask for your understanding,â the Black Merchant replied.
This matter was too important for a mere few words to be convincing, however. If anything happened while Kim Jin-Woo was participating in the auction, he would be left helpless in case of any emergency. It was an unacceptable condition.
âUrgh, I was actually only going to tell you this on the day of the auction.â The Black Merchant looked at Kim Jin-Woo, who was struggling over whether or not to participate in the auction, and added that there was no other choice. âThereâs someone participating in this auction who isnât from this Underworld.â
Kim Jin-Wooâs attitude changed upon hearing the unexpected information.
âBut what Iâve heard is that heâs in the same situation as you, Milord,â the Black Merchant added.
âWhat?â Kim Jin-Woo suddenly felt his heart palpitate, blurting out the question without even thinking.
The Black Merchant explained, âWhat I mean is that he, too, may be a Highlord.â
Kim Jin-Woo had heard that there had been another Highlord born in the Underworld, but after hearing it from someone else, he couldnât help but be surprised again. He asked, âIs this certain information?â
âHave I ever lied to you, Milord?â the Black Merchant replied.
After hearing that much information, Kim Jin-Woo couldnât help but attend the auction. Thus, despite his displeased expression, he made up his mind.
âThus, no matter what, please grace us with your attendance for this auction. We promise that it will be a very beneficial time for both us, the Black Merchants, and you, Milord.â The Black Merchant left a rather gracious message before he gathered his escorting mercenaries and returned to the darkness of the Underworld.
***
The summons, who had almost frozen to death in the cold, were able to escape the chill by wearing the coats delivered by the Black Merchant.
âHow are they going to survive this rough Underworld if theyâre like this?â Dominique, who was totally immune to the cold, lamented as she watched the Under-Elves and the dwarves wrap themselves in thick coats.
âThere is such a thing as coincidence,â Kim Jin-Woo replied.
If the Countâs Sealâs attribute had been fire, it would have been the Nagas suffering. Now that he thought of that, Kim Jin-Woo couldnât help but breathe a sigh of relief. But deep down, he knew all too well that it wasnât just a mere coincidence.
Considering the history of the Black Merchant, who always suddenly appeared at the perfect time to deliver the precise item he needed, he knew that this was also yet another arrangement crafted by the Black Merchants.
Thanks to that, he had been able to absorb a Countâs Seal even before he had taken away Parthenon and Denarionâs Seals, gaining a massive advantage in the process. Still, he was unable to figure out what the Black Merchantâs plan was.
But, as always, problems in the Underworld couldnât be solved just by worrying about them.
âI should be able to obtain some information when I attend the auction,â Kim Jin-Woo said.
âPlease be careful, Master. No matter how much I think about this auction, I canât help but feel that thereâs some kind of malicious purpose behind it,â Dominique replied.
âSo do I. But thereâs no way for me to figure it out if I just sit around and watch,â Kim Jin-Woo said. Looking at the invitation to the auction that was just around the corner, he tore the envelope open and took out a portal scroll.
âThatâs why Iâm going to go figure it out myself,â he said while tearing the parchment.
A portal to the Black Merchantsâ stronghold opened in front of them.