Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece-Chapter 51: Black Market [2]

The building stood at the edge of the black market, its facade cleaner than the surrounding structures but still bearing the subtle marks of recent renovation.

A simple brass plaque beside the door read:

Gray Owl Consultations – Discreet Information Services

Kyle pushed open the frosted glass door, a small bell chiming softly overhead. The interior was sparsely furnished, a reception desk of dark polished wood, a few chairs lining the walls, and a single mana-lamp casting a cool blue glow over the space.

A young woman with sharp green eyes and ink-stained fingers looked up from behind the desk, her expression shifting from surprise to cautious professionalism.

"Welcome," she said, straightening. "How can we assist you?"

Kyle approached, keeping his tone neutral. "I require two services. Information retrieval and documentation."

The woman, her name tag read Lena—studied him for a brief moment before nodding. "Of course. Please, follow me."

She led him past the empty reception area into a back office where a lean man in his late thirties sat behind a cluttered desk. Wire-frame glasses perched on his nose, and his sleeves were rolled up to reveal faint traceries of old spellwork scars along his forearms.

"Marcel," Lena said, "we have a client."

Marcel looked up, his gaze sharpening as he took in Kyle.

"First one this week," he remarked dryly. "What do you need?"

Kyle didn’t sit. He kept his stance relaxed but deliberate.

"Two things. First, comprehensive intelligence on the Viper gang operating in Maplewood—territory, leadership, known associates, recent activities.

Second, a forged identity. Military background, no outstanding warrants, plausible enough to pass moderate scrutiny."

Marcel’s eyebrows lifted slightly. "That’s specific." He leaned back in his chair. "We can provide both. The documentation will take forty-eight hours. The intelligence—three days, assuming no complications."

"Acceptable."

Lena, still standing by the door, interjected. "Payment?"

Kyle reached into his storage ring and placed the Crysta Notes on the desk. "Half now. Half upon delivery."

Marcel didn’t reach for the money immediately. Instead, he studied Kyle again. "Name for the documentation?"

"Dain Vorsk."

A pause. Then Marcel nodded. "We will need a contact method."

Kyle recited the address of a temporary encrypted inbox he’d set up for this purpose. "Encrypted drop. No direct links."

Marcel’s lips quirked, the closest thing to approval Kyle had seen from him.

"Smart." He finally picked up the Crystas, before passing it to Lena.

"We will begin immediately."

***

The mana train hummed softly as it glided through the night, its blue-tinged windows reflecting the scattered lights of the countryside.

Kyle leaned back in his seat, fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest as he sorted through his thoughts.

’Gray Owl Consultations.’

The name echoed in his mind. In the novel, they would become the most reliable information brokers in the kingdom within a few years—so good that even Cedric relied on them.

Right now, they were still struggling, which worked in his favor. They had been eager for a client, and he had been careful not to raise suspicion.

But this wasn’t just a random decision.

His fingers stilled as he focused on the real reason he had sought them out:

’The Sword.’

Months ago, Garrick Voss, the leader of the Maplewood gang, Vipers, had purchased what he thought was just a decorative blade at a local auction. A fancy trophy for his collection.

He had no idea it was a Growth-Type Artifact.

In the novel, a rogue demonic cultist would eventually recognize its true nature, slaughter the Vipers, and steal it for himself. That sword would later become a nightmare—a weapon that evolved with its wielder.

Kyle’s jaw tightened.

’It hasn’t happened yet.’

The fact that the Vipers were still active meant the demonic human hadn’t struck. But he didn’t know when it would happen. The novel had only mentioned it in passing no exact dates, no warnings.

He had to move now.

Garrick is Grade 3 Silver from the information he found himself.

A months ago, Kyle wouldn’t have stood a chance against him. But now?

His fingers curled into a fist.

’I can take him.’

He had trained relentlessly, pushed his all affinity to its limits, and even sparred against Aurelia’s brutal drills. Silver ranks weren’t untouchable anymore—not for him.

But fighting wasn’t the smartest option.

Stealing the sword outright would be suicide. The Vipers’ hideout was a fortress, and Garrick wasn’t careless enough to leave a prized possession unguarded.

No, Kyle needed to get inside.

That’s why he had ordered the fake identity.

’Dain Vorsk.’

A disgraced former soldier, skilled but expendable. The kind of man the Vipers would hire for dirty work without asking too many questions.

And once he was in?

He had to find a way to steal that sword.

The train’s automated voice announced the approach to Valtheris Central Station, pulling Kyle from his thoughts. He exhaled, watching his breath fog the window slightly.

This wasn’t just about stealing a sword.

If Garrick realized what he had, he had either use it himself or sell it to the highest bidder—which could be worse than the demonic cultist.

And if the demonic cultist showed up while Kyle was there?

He grimaced.

’That would be a big problem for me’, as he also didn’t know how strong that demonic cultist at current time.

****

Kyle slipped through the front door as quietly as he could, wincing when the hinges let out a faint creak.

The house was dark except for the dim glow of mana-lamps left on in the hallway. He checked the clock in the entryway—12:03 AM.

’Good. Aurelia’s probably still at the academy.’

He let out a slow breath and eased the door shut behind him.

Then the lights flicked on.

"Where were you?"

Kyle’s entire body locked up. His fingers, still gripping the doorknob, went stiff. Slowly, he turned.

Aurelia stood at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She was still in her instructor’s uniform, her dark hair slightly disheveled, as if she’d just gotten back herself.

Kyle’s mind scrambled.

"Ah... Big Sis," he said, forcing a casual smile. "I was just—uh—watching a movie. With Reo."

’Please buy it. Please buy it.’

Aurelia didn’t blink. "Reo?"

"Yeah. You know, Reo Dustbane? From our class?" Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, trying to look sheepish. "He dragged me out. Said it was some new action flick. Lots of explosions. You would hate it."

Aurelia’s eyes narrowed. "Funny. Because I ran into Reo at the training grounds an hour ago. He said he was doing night drills." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

’Shit.’

Kyle’s stomach dropped. He scrambled for another excuse. "Oh. Right. I meant—after that. We went after."

Aurelia took a step forward. "After midnight?"

"It was a double feature."

She stared at him.

Kyle swallowed. "Okay, fine. It wasn’t Reo."

"Then who?"

"Eleanora." The name slipped out before he could stop himself.

Aurelia went very still. "Princess Eleanora?"

Kyle nodded quickly. "Yeah. She, uh... invited me. Some historical drama thing. Royal family stuff. Figured it would be rude to say no."

For a long moment, Aurelia just looked at him. Then, to his surprise, her shoulders relaxed slightly.

"That," she said slowly, "I actually believe."

Kyle blinked. ’Wait. She’s buying it?’

Aurelia sighed, rubbing her temple. "Just... warn me next time. I thought you’d gotten jumped in some alley."

Kyle let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. "Yeah. Sorry."

She gave him one last look before turning toward the kitchen. "There’s leftovers if you are hungry."

Kyle watched her go, his pulse finally settling.

’That worked?’

***