Chapter 30: Underground Trading Market

Chapter 30: Underground Trading Market

Crack!

As the gaming pod hatch hissed open, nutrient solution drained from its chamber through hidden channels. Qin Ye stepped out, his body glistening, and immediately slammed his fist into the control panel beside him.

"What a piece of trash game—since when does a one-hour respawn cooldown even make sense?"

His mind replayed the moment he’d been swarmed by newly-spawned Bloodfiends just as he’d been about to land the killing blow on a level-10 Rageburst Beetle. He flipped the memory the bird.

Rising from the pod, he strode to the sofa, plopped down, and opened his banking app to process three transfers—the agreed payment for the three squad leaders who’d assisted in farming kills. Maintaining trust was crucial; he couldn’t afford to sour relationships that kept his side-income flowing.

Cursing aside, the game had him hooked. Its 100% realistic environment modeling, full-body sensory feedback, and infinite open world were revolutionary. But what truly addicted him was the limitless character build customization and the visceral thrill of power—like leaping several meters high or shattering boulders with a punch. These were experiences his real-world body could never replicate.

Still, the respawn mechanic grated on him. He was convinced it was a cynical scarcity-marketing ploy by the Lunar Eclipse Clan, an artificial frustration with no purpose beyond tormenting players.

After finishing the transfers, he showered, changed, and stepped outside.

The sight before him was a vast subterranean expanse—the Underground Trading Market. Torch-like energy flames blazed on the cavern walls, illuminating a bustling scene of alien lifeforms. Steelbone Orcs with iron-hard skin, Abyss Fishmen with gill-lined faces, Obsidian Men sculpted from living rock—all mingling in the market’s chaotic throng. Humans like himself were a minority here.

These beings were refugees, fleeing worlds consumed by mysterious cataclysms. The most powerful among them were the Lunar Eclipse Clan. According to their records, their species had opened eighteen interdimensional portals as their world collapsed, scattering survivors across realities. The contingent that reached Earth later relocated to the Moon, establishing the only alien colony off-world.

The Underground Trading Market, perched on the Human Federation’s border, served as a crossroads for intelligence, resources, and technology. Governed by a multi-species council, it was one of twelve such hubs on Earth. As a Tier-D Administrator, Qin Ye’s job was to patrol District D, mediating conflicts between species with wildly different customs and tempers.

"Move it, worm!"

A force shoved him sideways. Staggering, Qin Ye turned to see a three-meter-tall Stone Golem stomping past without a glance toward the market.

"Watch who you’re shoving, rockbrain!"

The Stone Golem froze. Slowly, its boulder-like head swiveled, black gemstone eyes narrowing. Then, spotting the Tier-D Administrator badge on Qin Ye’s chest, its posture softened.

"Apologies, Administrator", a voice crackled from the translator on its neck, suddenly meek. "I hadn’t realized—"

"One more incident, and I blacklist you from this market. Understand?"

The Golem bowed repeatedly as Qin Ye walked on, entering District D.

The market was a labyrinth of eight districts. His beat buzzed with merchants hawking wares:

"Geo Core Crystals from the Mogu Realm! Recharges any device six times longer!"

"Rapidbloom Sprouts from the Abyssal Earth World! Grows in poisoned soil—harvest every 68 days!"

"Soulshatter Shields from the Mystic Caverns! Last remaining unit! Auto-defensive—saves lives!"

At one stall, Qin Ye paused. The vendor was a green-skinned dwarf in a flashing-lit helmet, barely reaching Qin Ye’s chest. Trinkets etched with glowing runes hung across his torso.

"Old Hei", Qin Ye greeted, picking up a glowing green stone. "No trouble lately?"

The dwarf’s translator emitted a shrill laugh. "Us peace-loving Verden Sprites? Never!"

Qin Ye rolled his eyes. Verden Sprites were notorious hotheads, one of his most persistent headaches in District D.

"What’s this?" he asked, inspecting the stone. "Never seen it before."

"A prototype!" Old Hei jabbed a finger at it. "Psi-Blast Charges! Made by restructuring Essenceflow Stones. Extremely powerful. Selling it hurts, but our clan’s starving."

"Safe to handle?"

"Totally! Market rules are sacred! These use low-grade lingzhi—non-explosive unless triggered mentally. Imprint your consciousness, hurl it—boom!"

"100 Terra Credits."

The price referred to Terra Credits, the galaxy’s universal currency established 200 years ago by the Lunar Eclipse Clan, Human Federation, and other factions. Unlike the Federation’s internal Credit Notes, Terra Credits circulated everywhere.

"Can I test it?" Qin Ye asked.

"Pay first, then play."

Qin Ye swiped a silver card through the vendor’s terminal, inputting 100.

Beep!

The transaction cleared.

"End of Chapter"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end