Black Market Trade Fair

"Alright, I've given you the antidote too. Now practice your dissections in the laboratory without worry. When you have time, read the introductory texts on the bookshelf. Once you're familiar with the basics, I'll teach you the beginner's alchemy experiments."

Piscis had no idea what Rein was struggling with right now, but since he had already given him the antidote, what he needed to guard against now was Rein running away.

"Yes, Teacher."

Rein nodded and did not test Piscis's patience any further.

The two said little else. The old man resumed studying the Gold Potion Recipe he had just acquired.

Meanwhile, Rein, whose plans had been thoroughly disrupted, fell into deep thought.

He vaguely felt that something was off.

Now that he knew the truth about the Zombie Potion, Piscis's appearance in the Weasel Bandit Group suddenly seemed exquisitely timed, yet Rein could not figure out what his purpose was.

And the background of this Weasel Gang was also worth pondering.

Not just anyone had the nerve to assassinate an imperial noble in a major territory like Blazing Steel Fortress. The mastermind who had happened to hire assassins to kill Baron Morin had to be someone with considerable influence.

Perhaps this leader, Quinn, had connections to that mastermind from the start?

But clearly, Piscis and Quinn were not on the same side.

Tsk, tsk. This was getting interesting.

Although he could not figure out what conspiracy lay behind it all, one thought in Rein's heart was unwavering.

He could not stay here any longer!

"Since this medicine will only take effect in three years, my life is safe for the time being. The Oma Empire is so vast, and there are plenty of high-level medical Extraordinary. Surely I can find someone capable of curing this poison."

The poison in his body would not flare up within a month, which at least resolved the immediate crisis.

After weighing the pros and cons, Rein had already made his decision.

He would escape the Weasel Bandit Group according to his original plan!

Three years was not a short time, enough for him to try every possible method of detoxification.

Even if he failed to find a cure during that time, he now had the antidote formula. Brewing several more doses would not be difficult. Even if his body developed resistance to the medicine, it could still buy him a few more years.

With that thought, Rein acted as though nothing had happened. He moved to the dissection table, picked up a scalpel, and calmly began his usual dissection practice.

Out of the corner of his eye, Piscis caught sight of Rein's restored composure and raised a brow. That crafty brat—he absolutely could not let down his guard again.

Suddenly, as though he had remembered something, he turned and said, "Oh, I almost forgot."

"What is it, Teacher?"

Only after seeing Rein look over did the old man continue, "Stay in the laboratory and don't wander around for the next two days. Two days from now, there'll be a large Black Market Trade Fair near Storm Lake. By then, nearly all the bandit groups in southern Oma will be gathering there."

Rein was slightly surprised. "A Black Market Trade Fair?"

He had heard the term before, but had never had a clear idea of what it meant.

Put nicely, it was a trade fair. Put bluntly, it was a marketplace where bandit groups met up to unload stolen goods.

At such gatherings, the major bandit groups would bring out looted contraband, stolen merchandise, and other shady goods to "exchange what they had for what they needed."

He had heard it would be lively, with good-quality goods at cheap prices, and that astonishing treasures often appeared there as well. For example, high-powered firearms controlled by the Empire, military steam equipment, and rare materials.

But Rein had spent the past year since crossing over in base training, with no qualifications to leave, so he had naturally never seen such a thing.

"Mhm."

Piscis nodded and continued, "This black market gathering will be the largest in nearly a decade. The auction house will certainly have plenty of good items. Alchemists from the major bandit groups will also be meeting to exchange knowledge. I'll take you there to broaden your horizons and introduce you to some peers."

Such gatherings were indeed a paradise for independent alchemists, because potion materials acquired through robbery were cheap enough to feel like they were being sold by the basket.

There was even a chance to purchase potion formulas and secret tomes of advanced knowledge that were monopolized by high nobles at imperial auctions.

This was one of the few ways independent alchemists mixed up with bandit groups could obtain advancement knowledge.

"Thank you, Teacher."

A glint flashed through Rein's eyes as he casually nodded in agreement.

He had been worrying over how to find an excuse to leave the base. Wouldn't the crowded black market gathering two days later be the perfect opportunity to escape?

Had the old man suddenly grown a conscience? Was he really planning to nurture him as a proper disciple and take him out to see the world?

Clearly, that was unlikely.

"Looks like this old bastard is planning to make his move in two days."

Instinct planted that thought in Rein's mind, and the more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

The old man currently wished he could imprison Rein in the laboratory every day, yet now he was saying he would take him out. His intentions were obvious.

Rein knew very well that now Piscis had obtained the Gold Potion Recipe, he would be even less willing to give up on acquiring Baron Morin's treasure. The only explanation for his calmness was that he was already certain he had Rein completely under control.

For example, perhaps he had hired a helper such as a hypnotist, a Mental Extraordinary!

With Quinn at the Weasel Bandit Group's base, it was certainly inconvenient to act.

Therefore, the Black Market Trade Fair two days later would be the best chance to meet up with reinforcements!

The Weasel Bandit Group's Steam Machinery City sped across the wasteland at full speed, headed for Storm Lake several hundred kilometers away.

Clearly, Piscis was not worried that Rein would see through his scheme. He had naturally guessed that this newcomer would think of escaping after receiving the antidote.

The reason he had told him about the Black Market Trade Fair in advance was also because he feared the newcomer might cause a commotion while trying to flee and arouse Quinn's suspicions.

If he wanted to run, a trade fair packed with people was the most suitable place. That was Piscis's unspoken hint.

Rein had to admit that it really was the best opportunity.

There were still two days until the Black Market Trade Fair opened, and after advancing to Corpse Stitcher, Rein's five senses had improved immensely.

He had previously tried to find an opportunity to escape, but he had discovered a faint presence outside the laboratory.

It belonged to an Extraordinary thief who was exceptionally well concealed.

Without his heightened perception after advancing, Rein would never have detected his existence.

Clearly, Piscis had helpers within the group as well.

The Excellent Gold Quality potion had greatly enhanced Rein's body, granting him physical abilities no weaker than those of veteran Awakened.

That gave him some confidence that he could force his way past the "watcher" and escape.

But the risk was enormous.

The Ice Ridge Wasteland was sparsely populated, with few terrain obstacles. It would be easy for someone to track him. Even if he killed the "watcher" and escaped from the Mechanical City, the commotion would definitely alert Quinn, the third-tier Demon Hunter.

The Weasel Gang, a group of professional assassins, possessed extremely strong prey-tracking abilities. Once they were alerted, Rein's chances of escaping would be very low.

Instead, waiting two days for Piscis to take him out of the base openly would be the best opportunity.

At that time, the old man would surely find some secluded place to "make his move." Dealing with one old man and one Mystic System Extraordinary who was poor at close combat would be far easier than facing the Weasel Gang's professional assassins.

Only then would it truly come down to who had the better methods.