"Our Underground Black Market is the largest in the entire Southwest Region," the woman in the cheongsam said with a smile, a hint of pride flashing across her face. "Here, there's nothing you can't buy—only things you haven't thought of."
"Take me to see it first," Jacob said, his interest piqued by the woman's introduction.
Jacob entered the dimly lit Underground Black Market. What greeted his eyes was a long street lined with stalls selling various items. The stalls overflowed with a dazzling array of goods, making it impossible to take everything in.
Jacob noticed many shoppers like himself wearing masks, stopping by the street to browse items, hoping to find a bargain.
The street vendors sold everything—from Pokémon eggs to rare items, and even trafficked people. It truly opened Jacob's eyes.
As Jacob walked, he used his system's ability to examine the items and Pokémon eggs on the stalls.
This allowed Jacob to discover many valuable items throughout the vast free trade zone.
He walked and made purchases along the way. He didn't hesitate to acquire any A-rank items, and he was equally decisive when it came to Pokémon eggs with King-level potential.
After this trip, he had already spent several million Pokédollars.
Such extravagant behavior led the vendors in the free trade zone to see Jacob as a walking fortune, and they called out enthusiastically.
"Come and see! Top-grade Pokémon eggs! One for 10% off, two for 20% off, three for 30% off! Buy more and save more!"
"Starter Pokémon eggs! Extremely rare Contrary Ability Snivy! Its parent already knows Leaf Storm, giving you a head start above others!"
"A perfectly trained Machamp—a great helper for your home, easing your life's burdens!"
"A beautiful and charming Gardevoir. Those who know, know."
"Selling various slaves at low prices! Safe origins, healthy bodies, no major diseases!"
The shouts rang out one after another, like a bustling marketplace, but Jacob merely glanced before moving on.
Indeed, there were many valuable items in this free trade zone, such as a Cacnea with King-level potential, but the vast majority of goods were worthless.
Finding bargains was rare—most people got scammed.
Passing through the long street, the three quickly arrived at the end of the free trade zone.
In a narrow iron cage, men and women were locked with chains, their hair disheveled, huddled together. They raised their heads like walking corpses, looking at Jacob and the others with desperate, fear-filled eyes.
"Want to take a look? Top-quality slaves, just arrived a few days ago." Seeing Jacob and the others stop, the short man selling slaves turned on a faucet and sprayed water into the cage at the captives.
"Don't judge them by how they look now—the environment here isn't good. But once you buy them and take them back, wash them up and dress them properly, they're actually quite presentable, and their bodies are very healthy," the short man promoted vigorously.
Jacob, however, shook his head slightly. He didn't want to interfere with such matters for now—at least not before completing this mission.
This world, after all, differed from his original world. With the existence of Pokémon, which transcended natural phenomena, this world had many lawless individuals, and slave trading was a common occurrence.
"You even have this kind of business here?" Jacob asked.
"Of course. Where there's a market and demand, there will always be people willing to profit from it," the woman in the cheongsam said with a smile. "Not just human trafficking—any organ transplant you want can be arranged here."
"Blood drawing, blood type matching, and even custom hearts and kidneys can be completed in as little as one day," she said, holding up a finger.
"If you're truly interested, you should visit our official trade fair. The slaves here are too few—after all, he's just a private seller. It's difficult to produce high-quality goods that way."
Listening to the woman, Jacob felt a bad premonition. He realized he had still underestimated the murky depths of Black Dragon City.
Judging by the scale of Black Dragon City's Underground Black Market and underground casinos, it definitely wasn't something a single Heavenly King-level Trainer like Callum of the Duan Family could achieve alone.
Jacob thought of Sawyer, the Water-type Elite and one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Southwest Region. Could Sawyer, with his strength as the lowest-ranked of the Four Heavenly Kings, truly control the largest Underground Black Market in the entire Southwest Region?
Could it be Colby?
Jacob was startled by his own bold idea, but the more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
He didn't believe Colby was unaware of this matter.
If he knew, why didn't he seal it off and shut it down? Did he tacitly approve, or was Colby himself involved?
Jacob fell into deep thought. He began to scrutinize this mission, wondering why Zade had initially warned him to be extremely careful if the operation involved Callum, the eldest brother of the Duan Family.
Suddenly, Jacob felt this mission was far more complex than he had imagined, especially since he had joined Team Zero through Colby's connections.
If the mastermind behind this Underground Black Market was truly Colby, then things might be far more complicated than he thought.
"Mr. Ian, what are you thinking about? You seem so distracted." The woman saw Jacob lost in thought and waved her hand to remind him.
"It's nothing. Let's go—let's see those high-quality slaves you mentioned." Jacob waved his hand, temporarily suppressing the troubling thoughts in his mind. He decided that after returning, he would thoroughly investigate Black Dragon City's underground world, so he wouldn't end up being used as a pawn without even knowing it.
"Please, this way."
The three followed the woman into the second area of the Underground Black Market—the official trade zone.
Compared to the free trade zone, the official trade zone was a giant circular auditorium.
"This is our official trade zone. Auctions are held weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually."
"Today, there just happens to be a monthly auction. Compared to the weekly auctions, there are many valuable items at the monthly auction." The woman walked ahead of the three, her body swaying as she arrived at the auditorium's main entrance. "Especially at the quarterly and annual auctions—there might even be Pokémon with King-level potential appearing."
Pokémon with King-level potential?
Jacob frowned, looking at the woman, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.
"Although it's extremely rare, it has indeed happened before."
The main door opened, revealing the interior of the auditorium. The entire circular space resembled a stadium, with spectator seating and private boxes on the outer ring, and an auction stage in the inner ring.
"Mr. Ian, would you like to reserve a private box? Our private box fees are very reasonable. You can pay per use, or you can purchase an annual membership. It's 100,000 Pokédollars per use, or 2 million Pokédollars annually. How about it, Mr. Ian? Would you consider it?"
"Just for one time." Jacob didn't hesitate and paid directly.
"Mr. Ian is generous! I'll bring you today's auction item list right away."