A Dark Fantasy Spy

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Camila swallowed hard. Her delicate neck quivered slightly as her palm brushed over her dampened skin.

A cool breeze swept away her cold sweat, but the flapping hood hindered her vision. Just as she fidgeted with the fabric, Frederick, who had been counting bundles of cash in the living room, spoke up.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little…?”

Camila hesitantly replied.

The place she was about to enter was the black market. She had seen them a few times while passing through Africa and the Middle East, but this was her first time actually stepping inside.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

Frederick said.

“People often misunderstand the term ‘black market’ and think it’s as dangerous as it sounds. Brokers and dealers are ultimately just merchants, so customer trust is crucial for them.”

“You seem to have visited the black market quite a lot.”

“Yeah, I’ve been there plenty.”

Thud. Another bundle was placed atop the towering stacks of cash.

Frederick meticulously packed the money into his bag. Though she was curious about what he needed so much cash for, Camila refrained from asking about the purpose of the funds.

The cool desert night air was tickling her skin when—

Knock, knock.

A crisp knock echoed from the front door. Just as Camila hastily spread her palm to summon a flame, Frederick stopped her.

“Relax. It’s someone here to pick us up.”

“Someone to pick us up?”

“It’s an associate sent by the broker.”

Broker? When did he send a message? Camila cast a puzzled glance at Frederick.

While he confirmed the visitor’s identity through a peephole on the wall next to the front door, he grabbed sunglasses and a money bag.

Then, as if he had expected it, he opened his mouth.

“Weren’t you tipping the staff at the tea house earlier?”

The door swung open.

The man standing at the front was someone Camila recognized. He was the employee from the shop she had visited just before returning to the lodging.

The Arabic-looking employee bowed his head lightly in greeting.

“Good evening. Shall we go?”

He gestured politely down the hallway.

“Mr. Victor is waiting for you.”

Episode 16 – The Six Million Dollar Man

Contrary to its name, the black market is not an actual market.

It’s not like the traditional markets or bazaars typically depicted in novels that occur at specific locations and times. The black market refers to all markets where illegal transactions are conducted outside of government regulation, so it’s uncommon for them to have a fixed location. As soon as a base is established, it becomes susceptible to government crackdowns.

Of course, not all black markets are shapeless. In chaotic neighborhoods, merchants openly sell rifles and ammunition right on the market floor.

But today, I wasn’t interested in seeking out such riffraff.

…

The contact led us through the streets of the capital.

We went from the main roads to alleys, descended underground, then climbed up buildings repeatedly. After a dizzying spin around the capital, we arrived at a three-story building in the city center.

Its Arab-style carpets and decor were quite impressive.

Armed guards watched over the entrance, while women in what appeared to be office spaces examined counterfeit bills.

The robust broker emerged into the living room with a wave, greeting us with enthusiasm.

“Bonjour, Monsieur Frederick!”

The broker was an orc. With green skin and a massive muscular build, his protruding tusks were a dead giveaway of his Greenskin heritage.

Sipping on the tea offered to me, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the orc’s sudden presence.

“What’s with that, Victor? Is that some weird greeting you picked up somewhere?”

Jammer-Victor, a former Kien Empire officer currently working as a weapon broker.

The orc flashed a toothy grin.

“It’s a greeting popular on a place called Earth. How does it suit me?”

I was dumbfounded by his answer, bursting into laughter. Why would he say “bonjour” in the evening?

Though we’d known each other casually for over five years, I still couldn’t get used to Victor’s jokes. Nevertheless, since he had greeted me, I opened my arms and gave him a hearty hug.

It was a customary greeting among orcs.

“Good to see you, Victor.”

“Good to see you too, Freddy.”

Victor showed his welcome by giving my back a couple of hearty pats with his pot lid-sized palms.

“I was surprised to hear from Raniery. I didn’t expect to see you from Grandfather’s hometown.”

“Guess that makes it even more of a reunion?”

“Definitely!”

His ancestors were nomads from the plains where the Parahangas Mountains lay. Although Victor was born in the Kien Empire, he hadn’t forgotten that his roots were on the Mauritania Continent while still receiving his salary.

Perhaps that’s why he seemed quite happy to see me.

After our warm greetings, Victor, grinning widely, began the conversation.

“So, we’ll catch up later… but why are you here?”

“Why? I’m here for work.”

I replied dismissively.

“I came to catch someone who fled to the Mauritania Continent.”

“Yeah, I heard about it. A hero came here, right?”

Victor nodded knowingly. I realized one fact here.

Only a select few knew I was looking for Camila. Just the higher-ups from the Military Intelligence Agency who gave me orders and Francesca, the information agent. Aside from those two, no one else knew I was searching for Camila.

Yet, Victor seemed to be already aware that Camila had made her way to the Mauritania Continent.

This meant that other information agencies were also on the search for Camila.

…

I subtly shifted my gaze to the side.

There stood Camila, her face partially hidden under her shawl, staring in fascination at Victor.

“Wow. An orc….”

…

Victor leaned closer and whispered.

“Who is that girl?”

“…That’s a thing.”

Though he was curious about her identity, since she was someone I had brought along, he didn’t press for confirmation.

A little away from Camila, Victor casually provided me with important information.

“The Empire is putting great effort into locating the hero. I don’t know about the Imperial Guard HQ, but someone from the military has come out.”

“They dispatched an information officer from the Reconnaissance Command?”

Victor nodded gravely.

“Exactly.”

“Is this even an issue that needs the information unit involved? The Guard could handle this themselves.”

“I don’t know all the details, but the Ministry of Defense took the first step. The Duke informed the Crown Prince that the hero has gone missing.”

“Hmm….”

Hearing that intelligence unit executives were turning the Mauritania Continent upside down in search of Camila made me ponder for a moment.

“I need to be careful.”

“Take care of yourself, friend. There’s no other client who pays as generously as you do. Haha!”

Victor clapped me on the shoulder, laughing heartily.

Smiling through the tingling pain that flowed through my shoulder, I lightly nudged his belly.

“Man, you still got the strength. Thanks for the info, though. Time to start wrapping things up?”

“Right.”

I handed the money bag to him. After unlocking it and checking the amount, Victor nodded with satisfaction.

“I checked the money. It seems quite a lot for the cost of goods, but…”

The toothy-grinned broker began to smile.

“Follow me, friend. I have everything you need prepared.”

…

“Alright, then. Let’s take a look.”

Victor illuminated the basement.

Beneath a regular housing area was an immense stockpile of firearms.

“Are these all rifles supported by the Ministry of Defense?”

“Some were brought in from the Empire, while others were obtained from different countries as well. I also have some sourced locally, so feel free to look around.”

I slowly examined the displayed firearms.

As expected from a conflict zone, Victor’s armory was a hodgepodge. While there were ‘genuine’ items produced by the Kien Empire’s royal armory, there were also ‘knockoffs’ illegally made in tribal forges.

Victor spoke.

“You know this, but there are many replicas disguised as the real deal here. They are handmade copies with inscriptions. But all the items I deal with are genuine.”

“What’s this one?”

As I picked up a pistol from among the firearms, it looked just like the standard issue of the Imperial Army, but upon closer inspection, the details were different.

Victor didn’t even examine the pistol closely. From a few steps away, he gave it a quick glance and replied briefly.

“Oh, that’s a friend from the East. The Northeast Alliance. They copied the Imperial Army’s firearm.”

“Did they pay the licensing fees?”

“Do you think those yellow monkeys would have?”

Meaning it was an illegal copy.

Although it was an illicitly produced item, its condition was quite decent. The Mauritania Continent often had circulation of Imperial Army weapons, making the procurement of compatible ammunition and parts easy, which I liked.

But the part I liked the most was something else.

The firearms produced by the Northeast Alliance didn’t have lot numbers. Rather than being erased by someone, it was a factory choice not to stamp them.

“This one looks good.”

I gathered as many firearms without lot numbers as I could. Just in case something went wrong, I could swap parts from other functional firearms during reassembly.

After collecting enough guns and ammunition, Victor naturally started showing me other items. Bulletproof vests, knives, grenades, even combat rations and night vision gear—truly the inventory of a broker supported by foreign armies.

“Take everything you want!”

Victor generously offered me prime goods. And at prices much lower than the black market rates.

It was so low that it made me wonder if he was even making a profit. They say “cheap things are damaged goods,” and I started to suspect that he might be clearing out defective items.

When I shared such concerns, he actually got a bit offended.

“Hey, do I look like the kind of guy to sell trash? I’m giving you a good deal, and you’re questioning me?”

“Because a penny-pinching old man like you selling it so cheap is suspicious.”

“Man! Thanks to you, I’m starting a new business in the North, and things are going well through the connections you introduced, so I’m just returning the favor. If you don’t believe me, just take it at the original price.”

Just to clarify, applying the black market rates, I should have paid more than triple the amount.

I couldn’t hide my doubts while scooping up the goods and continued to question.

“Is that it?”

“Well, while I’m grateful and offering the discounted price….”

While replying, Victor suddenly looked around, lowered his voice.

“There’s something I really want to ask you.”

“What are you curious about?”

“That girl you brought today. Who in the world is she?”

Thick fingers pointed to the ceiling. Right above the basement was the living room where we had just sat.

And there was Camila.

Leaning forward, Victor began to ask questions drenched in curiosity.

“Ah, so who is she? A coworker? You’re not cheating on Raniery with another girl, are you?”

“Shut it.”

Because of some acquaintances, I had managed to buy the equipment necessary for the operation at low prices.

With my arms full of items, we exited the basement and returned to the living room.

“Anyway, Freddy. Did you find everything you needed?”

“Yeah.”

I responded as I sipped the tea Victor had served. The fragrant aroma rising from the traditional tea was delightful.

Camila had stepped away, giving us space to talk comfortably.

Victor settled into a chair in the prime spot. He then relaxed and draped his arm over the money bag.

“Alright, treat’s over. Now let’s talk business.”

“……”

“What information do you need today?”

Thick green fingers tapped rhythmically on the money bag.

Since he found it odd that I was carrying so much money for the cost of goods, he must have picked up on the fact that I had come looking for information.

“I need information about a person.”

“Personal information? Hmmm….”

Victor folded his arms and hummed thoughtfully.

“I’m afraid when it comes to information about the hero, I’ve got nothing. If I did, I would have told you already.”

“No, not Camila.”

“Who then? Spill the name.”

I took a drag from my cigarette and lit it.

“Sheikh Nasir Al Hassan.”

When the name slipped out along with pale smoke, Victor’s eyebrows twitched.

“…That warlord leader?”

“Yeah.”

“Why’s the bounty-hunting fellow in your interest?”

“Why do you think?”

It was a simple statement that I needed information due to intelligence agency work. At the same time, it also meant that I didn’t want him to delve in further.

Fortunately, Victor didn’t press for specifics.

“I can guess what’s going on. It’s because of the three factions of warlords.”

As he said, this area was divided into three major factions of warlords.

The self-sufficient or Mauritania-centric warlords, the ones friendly to the Second World, and the ones friendly to the First World. A political confrontational structure based on their political inclinations.

Sheikh Nasir Al Hassan’s faction leaned toward the latter. They maintained a suitable relationship with democratic nations while opposing other warlords. And of course, nobody here was ignorant of the reality that ‘opposition’ meant armed conflict.

“Hmm….”

Victor pondered with a serious expression.

No wonder, the Kien Empire’s Ministry of Defense supported the anti-democratic faction.

In other words, they were essentially Victor’s source of money.

“Freddy. I don’t know exactly what business you have, but if Hassan’s faction gains power, it’ll create problems for my operation.”

“So?”

“I have one request.”

Victor said.

“When I ask for help, don’t ask why—just help me once. Just once.”

“……”

“Can you promise me that?”

Seeing Victor lock eyes with me without saying a word, I gave a heavy nod.

“…Sure. I promise.”

“Thanks, friend.”

Victor finished his tea in one gulp and slammed the cup down with a clatter.

“Okay. I’ll tell you all the information I know.”

…

After the information exchange.

By the time we exited the building, the bright moon was shining over the desert. I called out softly to Camila, who was sitting in the yard.

“What are you doing?”

“…Huh!”

For a brief moment, I heard her swallow a breath.

Startled, she shivered and quickly hid whatever she had been holding in a paper bag.

“Is it already over…?”

She had a suspicious demeanor.

I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing Camila.

“…What did you eat while I was gone?”

“Oh, no! I didn’t eat anything!?”

She hurriedly denied it, but her body reeked of heavy spices.

Recognizing the distinct scent, I clapped her back, and Camila’s whimper echoed through the desert night air.

“Seriously, this kid… picks up anything thinking it might be food. I’m losing my mind here.”

“Ugh….”

“I need to work, so stop eating and hurry up. We have to get moving early tomorrow morning.”

With tears brimming in her blue eyes, Camila asked.

“You must’ve gotten the information you wanted. By the way, what do you need to do…?”

“I have a mountain of tasks piled up ahead of me. I need to prepare a lot before I can meet the warlord leader.”

So, we had to be busy moving from tomorrow onwards.

However,

“Before that, there’s something you need to do.”

“Me…?”

Camila’s face, which had looked sad, brightened up instantly.

“I’ll do it!”

“You haven’t even heard what it is yet?”

“Oh, you wouldn’t give me something dangerous, would you?”

“You might regret this…”

“Don’t worry. Just leave it to me!”

…

A short while later.

“Kyahhh!”

Camila, who had gone to check out the mirror in the bathroom, rushed out with a tiger-like swift movement, grabbing me by the collar.

“What is this?!”

“What do you mean?”

“My hair! What happened to my hair?!”

Camila yelled, shoving the chopped mess of her hair in my face.

Her hair, horrendously cut, looked like it had been butchered.

Taken aback, I awkwardly scratched my head while holding the scissors.

“Uh… I was trying to give you a nice trim, but my skills aren’t really….”

“……”

“I’ll buy you some clippers; I think your head shape would look good even if it’s shaved. Whoops!”

“You bastard…!”

With her hair all hacked up, Camila cornered me and started to pummel me.

That early morning, I discovered that Camila had quite a talent for hand-to-hand combat.