The Backstage Exchange was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaotic auction floor.
Mouse stood at the counter, his hands trembling as he held a heavy bag of platinum chips. "108,000 Credits," Mouse whispered. "I've never seen this much money in my life."
Lin took the bag. He didn't count it. The System had already verified the amount. He counted out 5,000 Credits and tossed them to Mouse. "Your cut. Plus the ticket fee."
Mouse's eyes widened. "Lin... you sure? We're partners?"
"For tonight," Lin said. "Now, stay here. Don't go outside yet. I have shopping to do."
Lin walked over to the VIP Armory kiosk. The clerk, a bored-looking woman with a robotic arm, perked up when she saw his VIP badge.
"Welcome, Diamond Guest. What do you need?"
"Skills," Lin said. "Stealth. E-Rank or higher."
The clerk tapped her screen. "We have a [Shadow Walk (E-Rank)] scroll in stock. 25,000 Credits."
"Show me."
[Skill Scroll: Shadow Walk] [Type: Active] [Effect: Become invisible for 10 seconds while in shadows. Attacking breaks stealth.] [Cost: 20 Mana / Activation]
It was perfect for his class. His clones were shadows; he should be one too. "I'll take it."
"Anything else?"
"Weapons. Daggers. Must be able to pierce D-Rank armor."
The clerk whistled. "Aggressive. I have a pair of [Twin Viper Daggers]. C-Rank Alloy. Acid-etched blades to prevent healing." She placed two sleek, black blades on the counter. They didn't reflect light. They looked like fangs.
[Weapon: Twin Vipers] [Grade: C (Low)] [Attack: 45-60] [Special: Anti-Heal (Minor)] [Price: 30,000 Credits]
30,000. That was steep. But Lin remembered Captain Marco's armor. And Julian's bodyguards. His bone dagger wouldn't scratch them. These Vipers would slice them like butter.
"Sold," Lin said.
[Transaction Complete.] [Balance Deducted: -55,000 Credits.]
Lin learned the Skill Scroll immediately. Whoosh. Dark energy flooded his veins. [Skill Learned: Shadow Walk (Lv. 1)]
Then he strapped the Twin Vipers to his waist. The weight was reassuring.
He had 53,000 Credits left. 50,000 was for his sister. That was untouchable. That left 3,000.
"I need consumables," Lin said. "Smoke bombs. Flashbangs. And... do you have Mana Potions?"
"Standard Smoke Grenades are 200 each. Low-Grade Mana Potions are 500."
"Five smoke grenades. Four potions." Total: 3,000 Credits.
[Balance: 50,000 Credits.] [Inventory Updated.]
Lin was broke again. But he felt stronger than ever.
He turned to Mouse, who was waiting by the door. "Mouse, listen to me carefully," Lin said, his voice low. "Go out the front entrance. Mix with the crowd. Take a taxi instantly."
"What about you?" Mouse asked.
"I'm going out the back alley," Lin said, adjusting his mask. "I have some trash to take out."
"Trash?"
Lin's thermal vision looked through the walls. He could see the heat signatures of three men waiting in the alleyway. One of them was pacing back and forth. Julian.
"Yeah," Lin said, his hand resting on the hilt of a Viper dagger. "Expensive trash."
（"Enjoying the massacre? Drop a Power Stone to feed the Clone Army!"）