Chapter 27 A Surprise Package
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The black market–an underground world built on the backs of interstellar pirates and corrupt. elites. Hidden in the Empire’s shadows, it served as a playground for the privileged, a den of vice where fortunes were squandered. But for the desperate, it was a blood–soaked stage where lives were gambled for entertainment and survival.
Even the authorities struggled to pinpoint these illicit arenas, let alone ordinary logistics companies. The moment someone stepped inside, their signal was scrambled, replaced with a fake location.
Under the blinding lights of the arena, two figures clashed, fists turning to claws, flesh giving way to fangs. What began as a brutal fistfight devolved into a savage battle between beasts, the air thick with the stench of blood and torn flesh.
Unlike the sanctioned combat tournaments held by the Empire, the black market fights had only one rule–there were no rules. The desperate and the destitute staked their lives for the chance at a fortune.
Jim had fought in over a dozen underground matches.
The fact that he was still breathing meant he had never lost. But he refused to kill, a stubborn line in the sand that neither the bloodthirsty spectators nor the black market’s operators appreciated. As a result, his winnings were slashed in half.
He needed the money, but not at the cost of his conscience.
His mother could only lay claim to the meager scholarships and legal part–time wages he earned. She had no idea about the dirty money he pocketed here. Every credit he made in the black market went toward buying the outrageously expensive suppressant drugs that slowed a therian male’s descent into madness.
Jim’s father had already reached a Ferality Index of 90. He was locked away in the Ferality Management Division.
A discarded husband had no one to bail him out. He was simply left to rot.
Jim knew the suppressant’s effects were temporary. The numbers would drop, but they would climb again soon enough. Still, he wasn’t ready to give up. As long as he could keep fighting, keep earning, his father could hold on a little longer.
If not for that, he wouldn’t have set foot in the black market at all. He would be in the Empire’s Military Academy, still the top of his class, still on track to graduate this year and enter the military headquarters.
He sat in the waiting area, his unnervingly beautiful face devoid of emotion. The fight on stage. was nearing its end. He was up next.
Silently, he scrolled through his chat history with Tessa, rereading the messages over and over. He had long since memorized every word, yet he couldn’t stop. His grip on the device tightened
Chapter 27 A Surprise Package
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A towering man, built like a bear and dressed in a black market staff uniform, stomped toward him and shoved a transparent, insulated container into his arms.
“Black Mamba! Someone sent this to you. Got lost in the signal interference and nearly got scrapped. Lucky for you, I caught it just in time!”
The black market stationed employees at fake addresses scrambled by signal interference, a precaution against govern crackdowns. Sometimes, unsuspecting outsiders like Tessa would send packages to people inside. Most of the time, these deliveries ended up at the false locations and were immediately destroyed.
Fortunately, one of the employees on duty today happened to be Jim’s friend. Thanks to him, Tessa’s gesture wasn’t in vain.
Jim took the insulated container with a puzzled expression. But when he saw what was inside, het instantly straightened, his dull eyes flickering to life.
His sudden reaction didn’t go unnoticed. The other fighters waiting for their turn in the ring. craned their necks, curiosity piqued.
“Who sent you takeout? Looks fancy as hell!”
“That ain’t takeout–look at the packaging. Way too nice for that.”
“Wait a second, this brand… Holy sh*t! This stuff’s expensive! Kid, you’ve got some generous friends. What the hell are you doing here fighting underground matches? Go cling to them already!”
People like them–living on the edge, with their lives hanging by a thread–had no one waiting for them, no one who cared. Seeing Jim receive something so carefully prepared, they couldn’t help but envy him.
They were curious too. If Jim had someone who worried about him, why the hell was he risking his life in a place like this?
Jim stayed silent, lowered his head, and opened the container. Gently, he took a steaming warm bun out of it.
The moment the rich aroma hit the air, a chorus of loud gulps echoed around him.
“What the hell is that? Smells incredible!”
“Hey, bro, spare me one?”
Finally, someone recognized it. “Wait, isn’t that a bun? Tessa’s giveaway prize from her live
stream!”
“A bun? Never heard of it before.”
“Who’s Tessa?”
2:11 PM
Chapter 27 A Surprise Package
held
up
his device. “Tessa’s an adorable young female–my dream matriarch!”
The screenshot showed a soft–looking a
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almond–shaped eyes gazing earnestly with jet–black hair and alabaster skin, her round,
at the screen. She was so cute it made hearts tremble.
A whole group of fighters huddled around, clicking their tongues in admiration.
“A sweet little thing like her made this? No wonder it looks so delicate.”
“D“mn, talk about lucky.”
“You, liking young female streamers? Wouldn’t have guessed.”
“Of course he does!” A deep, booming laugh rang out as Jim’s friend, nicknamed Grizzly, clapped a massive hand n his shoulder. Built like a bear, with a voice to match, he grinned mischievously. “You guys don’t know the best part–she even touched his beast form with her own hands!”
Send Gifts
