Chapter 116: The Broker
Fwooo....
High above the streets of Playmore, Brandon remained crouched on the rooftop, eyes locked on the distant checkpoint massacre.
Smoke rose into the night sky, tiny sirens echoed far away, but somehow the city itself continued moving normally.
As if Playmore was already used to violence.
Brandon pressed the communicator again.
"You guys listening?"
Inside the Unknown Sector Champagne immediately answered.
"What happened?"
Brandon's tone remained serious.
"The Silver Moon are here."
The entire line went quiet.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
Champagne almost shouted.
Mardale Aranos immediately stood up from the couch.
"All of them?"
Brandon nodded despite them not seeing him.
"And they brought someone else."
"Strong?" Zachia asked calmly.
Brandon hesitated for the first time.
"…I don't know."
"But the guards at the border killed each other after talking to him."
Even Champagne stopped joking.
"What kind of Savage Power does that?"
Brandon exhaled slowly.
"I don't know."
"But whatever that man is…"
"…he's dangerous."
Meanwhile inside the political district, Aerin listened carefully before speaking calmly.
"Don't panic."
Everyone turned toward her through their comms.
"We deal with the Silver Moon when we meet them."
"For now…"
"…the mission comes first."
Even Nyx looked impressed by how composed Aerin sounded.
Mardale adjusted his gloves while leaning against the wall.
"There's another issue."
The team listened carefully.
"I'm running low."
Champagne blinked.
"Low on what?"
"Power."
Mardale replied bluntly.
He held up four fingers.
"I can teleport four more times at most."
"After that…"
"…I'll need darkness to recharge."
That immediately made everyone understand the seriousness of the situation.
Teleportation had quietly become the backbone of their entire operation.
Escape routes. Infiltration. Ambushes. Recon.
Everything relied on Mardale.
Wei-Wan's voice calmly entered the comms.
"Then we play safe."
Fah-jin agreed immediately.
"No unnecessary fights."
Wasabi adjusted the holographic screens floating around her wrists.
"We stay hidden."
"We gather information."
"And we move only when necessary."
Mardale smirked faintly.
"Look at all of you acting professional."
Champagne rolled his eyes.
"Don't get emotional."
* * *
Meanwhile far beneath the glowing upper districts of Playmore Wei-Wan, Fah-jin and Wasabi entered the infamous Black Market sector.
And immediately they understood why it was feared.
The place was massive, far larger than expected.
Rows of underground streets stretched endlessly beneath the city.
Neon lights flickered against steel walls. Masked traders negotiated openly. Illegal weapons hung from displays. Mutated Freaker organs floated inside glass tanks.
Stolen military technology, savage enhancers, old artifacts, drugs, poisons, and slaves.
Everything was for sale.
Fah-jin narrowed her eyes.
"…This place is disgusting."
Wei-Wan calmly observed the crowds.
"No."
He looked around carefully.
"This place is honest."
That sentence caught Wasabi off guard.
Wei-Wan continued walking slowly through the crowded pathways.
"Up top, people pretend to be good."
"Down here…"
"…everyone already accepted what they are."
A man nearby laughed while selling modified Savage weapons. Another group argued over assassination prices. Someone else openly traded military codes.
Wasabi adjusted her glasses nervously.
"…I hate how much sense that made."
Wei-Wan suddenly stopped walking.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"Leave the physical information extraction to me."
Fah-jin sighed immediately.
"Meaning violence."
Wei-Wan smirked faintly.
"Only if necessary."
Wasabi immediately shook her head.
"No."
"That's last resort."
She pointed toward both of them seriously.
"We stay anonymous."
"No unnecessary attention."
"No fights."
"And absolutely no killing random people."
Wei-Wan raised his hands innocently.
"…You people never let me have fun."
Fah-jin pointed toward him.
"You punched a man through a building last week."
"And he deserved it."
"That's not the point."
Meanwhile Wasabi's floating screens scanned faces throughout the market.
Data flowed rapidly.
Illegal profiles.
Criminal records.
Known traders.
Then suddenly one profile froze her attention.
A name.
Repeated multiple times.
Connected to underground pharmaceutical trading. Connected to Frevage drug distribution. Connected to private auction movement.
Wasabi's eyes widened slightly.
"…Guys."
Wei-Wan immediately noticed her expression.
"What is it?"
Wasabi slowly turned the holographic screen toward them.
A single name glowed across the display.
"The Broker."
Underneath it was one terrifying line.
[Current Location: Playmore Underground Auction District.]
PING!
The glowing holographic screen reflected against Wei-Wan's eyes as the name remained suspended in the air.
THE BROKER
Even in a place like the Black Market that title carried weight.
People nearby subtly lowered their voices the moment the name appeared others pretended not to look, which only confirmed one thing.
The Broker was feared here.
Fah-jin crossed her arms.
"…That's dramatic."
Wasabi ignored the comment while scrolling through stolen files rapidly.
"No confirmed face."
"No official identity."
"No Savage registration."
"No birth records."
"No fingerprints."
Wei-Wan smirked faintly.
"So basically…"
"…someone important."
Wasabi nodded seriously.
"The Broker acts as a middleman for underground transactions."
"Weapons."
"Illegal Savage drugs."
"Human trafficking."
"Political corruption."
"And…"
Her expression darkened slightly.
"…Stimuleigh."
That immediately changed the atmosphere.
Wei-Wan leaned slightly closer.
"You sure?"
Wasabi enlarged the files.
Shipment records appeared. Encrypted messages. Auction transfers. Large financial movements hidden beneath false company names.
"This person is moving multiple drugs through the underground auctions."
"And according to these files…"
She paused.
"…the next shipment is tonight."
Fah-jin immediately narrowed her eyes.
"Meaning the drug is already in Playmore."
Wei-Wan looked toward the deeper sections of the Black Market where golden lights flickered beneath massive underground pillars.
"The auction."
Wasabi nodded.
"That's where the transaction happens."
Before they could continue a voice suddenly interrupted them from behind.
"You three are either very brave…"
"…or very stupid."
Instantly Wei-Wan's hand moved toward his weapon. Fah-jin stepped slightly forward. As Wasabi shut down the holograms immediately.
Sitting lazily atop a nearby crate was an old man smoking a curved pipe.
His clothes looked ragged.
But his eyes…were sharp, far too sharp.
He slowly exhaled smoke while observing them carefully.
"You're searching for The Broker."
Wei-Wan immediately spoke coldly.
"And if we are?"
The old man chuckled softly.
"Then you should stop before you die."
Fah-jin looked unimpressed.
"People keep saying that."
"And people keep dying."
The old man replied instantly, Wei-Wan studied him carefully.
This wasn't an ordinary merchant.
His posture was wrong, too balanced, and too calm.
"A former fighter," Wei-Wan thought immediately.
The old man pointed his pipe toward them.
"You're not from Playmore."
"That much is obvious."
Wasabi quietly whispered.
"How can he tell?"
The old man laughed.
"Because you still look surprised by this place."
Around them the underground market continued moving like an insect nest.
Deals. Threats. Smuggling. Hidden violence.
The old man slowly climbed down from the crate.
"If you want information…"
"…you pay."
Wei-Wan smirked slightly.
"There it is."
Fah-jin sighed.
"Of course."
The old man pointed toward Wei-Wan specifically.
"But not with money."
Wei-Wan raised an eyebrow.
"What then?"
The old man smiled strangely.
"A fight."
Fah-jin immediately groaned.
"Oh my god."
Wasabi pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Why does every information broker in this world want violence?"
The old man pointed toward a nearby underground arena hidden behind metal gates.
Crowds cheered loudly from inside, blood stained the floor, savages fought brutally while gamblers screamed overhead.
"Because this is Playmore."
Wei-Wan slowly smiled for the first time since entering the market.
"…Now we're talking."
Wasabi immediately grabbed his sleeve.
"NO."
Wei-Wan looked offended.
"You said violence was last resort."
"It IS!"
"Well…"
He pointed toward the arena.
"…we reached the last resort very quickly."
The underground arena beneath Playmore exploded with noise.
"YEEAAA!"
"WOOOO!"
"FIGHHHHTT!"
Crowds screamed from metal balconies. Money exchanged hands rapidly.Blood stained the concrete floors from countless battles fought before tonight.
And standing at the center of it all was Wei-Wan.
Calm, relaxed, almost disappointed.
The first challenger rushed him with short blades.
Fast, aggressive, but deadly against ordinary fighters.
FWOOSH!
Wei-Wan sidestepped casually. Grabbed the man's wrist and snapped his balance.
CRACK!
Then elbowed him directly in the throat.
THUD!
The challenger collapsed instantly.
The crowd erupted.
"THAT'S IT?!"
"HE DROPPED HIM!"
"WHO IS THIS GUY?!"
Fah-jin sighed from the sidelines.
"He's enjoying this too much."
Wasabi adjusted her glasses nervously while trying not to look suspicious.
"At least he's winning quickly."
The second fighter entered immediately.
A massive Savage carrying chain gauntlets.
CHIING!
CHIIING!
He swung wildly but Wei-Wan flowed around every attack like water.
One step.
Pivot.
Palm strike.
Knee.
CRACK!
The giant man dropped face-first into the arena floor.
Unconscious.
The audience lost their minds.
"ANOTHER ONE?!"
"THIS GUY'S A MONSTER!"
"DOUBLE THE BETS!"
High above the arena the old man smoked his pipe while quietly collecting enormous amounts of money from furious gamblers.
"Ohhh…"
"…this is beautiful."
Meanwhile—
SNAP–SNAP!
Wei-Wan cracked his neck slightly.
"Next."
The fights continued.
And every single time the result was the same.
Savages. Martial artists. Knife users. Enhanced fighters. Mutated warriors.
Wei-Wan dismantled all of them.
Not through raw power alone but through pure combat experience.
He adapted instantly, read movements, countered habits and disturbed rhythm.
He fought like a man who had survived too many battlefields to fear another one.
Soon the entire underground arena began chanting his name.
"WEI-WAN!"
"WEI-WAN!"
"WEI-WAN!"
Even the announcer sounded excited now.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…"
"…WE MAY BE WITNESSING THE RISE OF A NEW KING!"
The old man finally stood up from his seat then calmly raised one finger, the entire arena slowly quieted.
"You've earned information."
Wei-Wan wiped blood from his knuckles calmly.
"Then talk."
The old man smirked.
"Not yet."
The crowd suddenly parted.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Heavy footsteps echoed throughout the underground halls.
Then something huge entered the arena.
A towering man wrapped in metallic woven armor stepped forward slowly. His muscles looked unnaturally dense. Steel wires twisted around his arms like living snakes.
One eye covered by iron plating.
The announcer screamed into the microphone.
"THE UNDERGROUND CHAMPION!!"
"THE WOVEN WARRIOR!!"
"Mochen Tshipi Irons!!"
The arena exploded with excitement.
Even Fah-jin narrowed her eyes seriously now.
"…Okay."
"That one's dangerous."
The old man pointed toward Mochen.
"Defeat him."
"And I'll tell you everything."
Wei-Wan smirked faintly.
"…Fine."
Mochen entered the arena silently.
Then finally spoke.
"You fight well."
His voice sounded distorted.
Almost metallic.
"But underground kings…"
"…don't survive with skill alone."
Purple energy flickered around his fingers unnaturally.
"My Savage Power…"
The steel wires around him twisted violently.
"…'Twisted.'"
CRRRRK!
Suddenly the arena floor beneath Wei-Wan spiraled unnaturally like cloth being wrung apart.
Wei-Wan instantly jumped backward.
FWOOSH!
The concrete exploded upward in twisting fragments.
BRRMMM!
The crowd screamed in excitement.
Mochen rushed forward immediately.
SWOOSH!
One punch and the air itself twisted around his fist.
Wei-Wan blocked but his arm bent painfully at an unnatural angle from the twisting force.
Even he looked surprised.
"Damn…"
Mochen attacked relentlessly now.
SHHWWORK!
SHHWWORK!
Every strike warped space around impact.
Metal railings curled, walls bent, even air pressure distorted strangely.
Wei-Wan ducked beneath a twisted elbow strike and countered with a spinning kick, only for Mochen to twist the momentum itself and redirect the attack back into Wei-Wan's ribs.
BOOM.
Wei-Wan crashed across the arena floor.
Wasabi stood up immediately.
"WEI-WAN!"
But Wei-Wan slowly stood again, bleeding slightly now, smiling.
"…Now this is a fight."
Mochen charged again.
FWOOSH!
The two collided violently.
Hand-to-hand combat erupted across the arena.
Wei-Wan's martial arts flowed sharply precise and brutal.But Mochen's Savage Power made every exchange dangerous.
Every blocked strike risked twisted bones and every dodge risked warped movement.
Soon even Wei-Wan realized something.
"If this continues…"
"…I would have to fight dirty."
Mochen grabbed his arm suddenly.
SHHWWORK!
Purple energy surged.
CRACK!
Wei-Wan's shoulder twisted violently with a sickening crack.
The crowd roared.
Mochen raised his fist for the finishing blow but suddenly Wei-Wan smiled.
"…Got you."
Mochen hesitated for the first time.
PSSH!
Wei-Wan suddenly spat blood directly into Mochen's uncovered eye.
The champion staggered instinctively.
Dirty, cheap, but effective.
GRAB!
Before Mochen could recover Wei-Wan grabbed both sides of his face violently.
Then twisted.
Not physically but strategically.
He redirected Mochen's own twisting force back onto himself.
SHHWWORK!
Purple energy spiraled out of control.
Mochen's Savage Power activated reflexively directly onto his own face.
CRRRRK—!!
The crowd gasped in horror.
Mochen screamed violently as his face distorted unnaturally before he collapsed to his knees.
Defeated.
Silence filled the underground arena.
Then absolute chaos erupted.
"HE WON?!"
"THE CHAMPION LOST!"
"THAT MAN'S INSANE!"
The announcer screamed at the top of his lungs.
"WE HAVE A NEW UNDERGROUND CHAMPION!!!"
Meanwhile the old man calmly collected mountains of gambling money with the happiest smile of his life.
Wei-Wan slowly looked toward him.
"…You used me."
The old man shrugged shamelessly.
"And I became rich."
Fah-jin pointed at him angrily.
"You old scammer."
The old man laughed loudly.
"Relax."
"I keep my promises."
His expression slowly changed afterward.
Becoming colder more serious.
"You wanted information about Stimuleigh."
Wasabi stepped forward immediately.
"Yes."
The old man slowly removed his pipe.
Then smiled.
"…You're too late."
The team froze.
The old man bowed slightly.
"Because I…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…am The Broker."
* * *
Deep beneath Playmore…the underground network continued moving like a living line.
Wasabi immediately activated her communication device the moment they exited the arena.
Static flickered.
Then the other teams answered one after another.
"Wei-Wan speaking."
Aerin's voice followed.
"We hear you."
Wasabi adjusted her glasses quickly while walking beside Wei-Wan and Fah-jin.
"We confirmed the location of the Stimuleigh."
Silence.
Then everyone listened carefully.
"The Broker himself admitted it."
"The specially crafted briefcase carrying the Frevage drug…"
Her expression hardened.
"…is currently inside the Underground Auctions."
Aerin immediately understood.
"So that's where the real operation is."
Champagne's voice burst through the comms confidently.
"HAH!"
"So basically everything depends on the boys' team."
Mardale sounded annoyed already.
"Please don't say it like that."
Champagne ignored him completely.
He slammed both fists together dramatically.
"WE GOT THIS!"
Zachia sighed deeply.
"Why do I suddenly feel less confident?"
The communication line ended shortly after.
Meanwhile on the opposite side of the city Mardale Aranos stood with Champagne and Zachia before one of the largest hidden structures in Playmore.
The Underground Auctions.
Even from outside the building radiated wealth.
Golden architecture. Black marble pillars. Massive Savage guards stationed everywhere. Luxury vehicles lined the streets.
Champagne whistled softly.
"…This place screams corruption."
Mardale nodded casually.
"That's because it is corruption."
He raised one hand.
Spatial energy flickered around them then instantly vanished.
Zachia looked confused.
"…Why didn't you teleport us inside?"
Mardale pointed toward the enormous building.
"Protective Savage Powers."
The others looked at him seriously now.
"There are anti-teleportation systems layered throughout the building."
"Anti-phasing."
"Anti-cloaking."
"Anti-space distortion."
He smirked slightly.
"Playmore's underground elites don't trust anyone."
Champagne crossed his arms.
"Reasonable honestly."
Mardale sighed.
"So the only way inside…"
He pointed at the entrance.
"…is the normal way."
The three approached the giant golden doors confidently.
Massive guards scanned them carefully.
Then suddenly Mardale stopped walking.
"…Wait."
Champagne narrowed his eyes.
"What."
Mardale scratched his head slightly.
"I forgot the VIP Ticket Cards."
Silence.
Zachia blinked slowly, Champagne looked genuinely offended.
"…Are you serious right now?"
Mardale immediately pointed at both of them defensively.
"This is YOUR fault too!"
Champagne almost exploded.
"HOW?!"
"You should've reminded me!"
Zachia rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"Mardale…"
"…this is literally our first time in Playmore."
"How would we know rich people need invitation cards?"
Mardale paused.
Thought about it then nodded.
"…Fair enough."
Champagne looked like he wanted to punch him.
"Move."
Mardale suddenly said.
WHOOSH....
Spatial energy vibrated around only his arms.
His hands distorted strangely as though entering another space entirely for a split second his forearms disappeared.
Then reappeared holding three glowing black-and-gold VIP cards.
Champagne stared at him.
"…Where did you even get those?"
Mardale smiled proudly.
"Late poor rich bastards."
Zachia looked horrified.
"You robbed people?"
"Technically…"
Mardale shrugged.
"…they still have their money."
Champagne started laughing immediately.
"THAT MAKES NO SENSE!"
The guards approached them afterward. Mardale smoothly presented the VIP cards. The guards scanned them carefully.
Then immediately bowed.
"Welcome to the Underground Auctions."
Golden doors slowly opened.
The moment they entered all three of them froze slightly.
The place was enormous, not merely large, enormous.
Hundreds of luxurious seats descended downward like a royal theater.Massive crystal chandeliers floated overhead.
Transparent screens displayed current bids from around the world.
Savages.
Politicians.
Military officials.
Business tycoons.
Royal representatives.
Criminal syndicates.
People from every corner of the world filled the auction hall. All hidden beneath elegant masks and expensive clothing. Servants moved gracefully between crowds serving glowing drinks on silver trays.
Champagne slowly accepted a drink.
"…I suddenly understand why corruption survives so long."
Zachia looked around cautiously.
"There are too many powerful people here."
Mardale's expression became unusually serious.
"Remember why we came."
His eyes slowly scanned the gigantic room.
"The Stimuleigh briefcase is somewhere inside this building."
Then suddenly the lights dimmed.
A voice echoed throughout the underground hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen…"
"…welcome to tonight's special auction."
To be continued...