I, The Manga Artist, Became the Tragic Overpowered Protagonist

Chapter 3: [Black Market Tracking]

　　[Ding dong——The System has assigned a new guidance task, please check it, Host.]

　　Early that morning, I was awakened by the System's voice. I somewhat tiredly opened my eyes, only then realizing the sky was dimly bright.

　　The time was a little past six in the morning, last night I seemed to have fallen asleep leaning against the wall, I did not know who carried me to the bed.

　　The black-haired boy slowly sat up, only then noticing the inconspicuous little red dot in front of my panel.

　　I casually clicked it open, and a lengthy letter also appeared in front of me.

　　[Main Line Guidance Task: On the way to the Black Market, you will encounter many dangerous situations, only after completing the relevant nodes can the Host obtain the opportunity to return to the real world.]

　　Main line guidance task??

　　I looked at the title at the beginning, thought for a while, and a disdainful light laugh came from my nose.

　　Why was there no main line guidance task issued to me at the beginning?

　　The reason was very simple, the System simply did not expect me to survive.

　　The previous hosts probably also died in the opening plot like this, causing the System to think I would not survive either, so it simply did not consider the possibility of me going back.

　　And now seeing that I actually escaped from the Prosecutor's hands, it determined I had cultivation value, so it secretly brought up the main line guidance task in the middle of the night.

　　Very utilitarian, but also very realistic.

　　I did not care about the System's view of me, I continued to scroll down, and the listed guidance tasks also appeared one by one below my eyelids:

　　[·Fuse at least three or more E-level Spell Seals, method unlimited.

　　·Obtain relevant intelligence and methods to go to the City.

　　·Achieve one plot highlight without exposing your own identity.

　　After achieving the three tasks, you will receive a reward of two hundred points, and obtain one opportunity to return to the real world. Please be sure to live well, and maintain the plot highlight value.

　　In addition: Because of your outstanding performance, the mall will open to you in advance, compensating you with 50 points, you can purchase related items in the mall.]

　　The System did not even come out to talk to me, probably because it felt guilty.

　　Considering that after going to the Black Market, I was very likely to encounter danger, it was still better to buy some things in the mall in advance to prevent it.

　　However, after clicking open the mall system, I soon discovered... there were not many things I could buy at all.

　　The holographic map I mentioned to the System before also required a full 1000 points. And I only had fifty points on hand, almost all permanent products were unaffordable.

　　Flipping back and forth, only the prices of disposable items were slightly cheaper. I simply filtered the condition [24-hour time limit] products, and only a few sparse purchasable products appeared.

　　[Actor's Mask (Disposable Item)]: 30 points 【Permanent requires 7000 points】

　　Effect: Can completely cover one's identity for up to 24 hours, once removed, it is considered invalid.

　　Short Introduction: The mask discarded by a former member of the Red Magic Troupe, after heading to the Paradise World, he no longer needed to survive in this world in a disguised posture.

　　...What was the Red Magic Troupe?

　　I silently glanced at it, feeling quite puzzled inside.

　　While purchasing products, I could also gain further understanding of this world through the short introductions of the products, which was quite interesting.

　　However, from the short introduction, the items that could be purchased in the store had a high degree of fit with this world, so they would not be suspected by others.

　　[Do you want to purchase the item: [Actor's Mask]?]

　　[Yes.]

　　After successful payment, that exquisitely crafted deep red mask thus fell into my palm.

　　Wearing this mask, not only the face, the whole person would fall into a state that outsiders could not understand or recognize. There were permanent masks in the mall, priced around 7000.

　　A price I was destined to be unable to afford.

　　“Aaron? Are you awake? We are about to set off soon.”

　　At this time, Ange's voice came from outside the door again. He gently knocked on the door, but his voice carried a bit of hesitation, as if afraid of waking me up.

　　“I'm awake.” I put the mask back into the system space, “Coming right over.”

　　The Saman people's recovery ability was much stronger than other races, only one night, and the physical strength I consumed before had almost recovered.

　　When I pushed open the door and came to the living room, Ange had already prepared a table of food waiting for me.

　　Alice sat at the table ahead of time quietly drinking porridge, when noticing me, her gaze seemed to dodge a bit.

　　I casually sat down at the table, hesitated for a moment, and still spoke:

　　“Yesterday it was you who sent me back to the bed, right? Thanks.”

　　“No need to be polite, everyone is having a hard time, supporting each other to live is not shameful.” Ange smiled, that pair of blue eyes as sincere as always,

　　“As long as you're fine, after eating in a while, prepare to set off.”

　　“Okay.” I nodded, and because of curiosity, asked one more sentence: “Speaking of which, isn't Alice planning to go with you?”

　　I just asked casually, but I found that Alice and Ange's faces both changed.

　　The red-haired little girl lowered her eyes and put down the bowl, she bit her lip, left a sentence [I'm full] and quickly returned to her room.

　　...Did I say something wrong??

　　“Please don't mind.” Ange looked in the direction Alice left, hurriedly explained, “Alice... she is a bit special, because of racial reasons, she can't leave District 13, this is the rule.”

　　At the end, afraid that I would have any misunderstanding about this, Ange continued to explain:

　　“Saman people who obtain the right to live normally in District 13 must accept the deprivation of Spell Seals, so don't worry that Alice will do anything to you, she is a very good girl, don't have prejudice against her...”

　　I see.

　　A trace of surprise flashed in my eyes.

　　I would not mock those kind people, although their actions were a bit reckless, but having such thoughts was precious.

　　But thinking about it, from the time I saw Alice, the other party had always been wearing a hat, probably to cover the horns on top of her head.

　　“I won't have prejudice.” I put down the bowl and chopsticks, “[Supporting each other to live is not shameful], isn't this what you said?”

　　“...You're right. Thank you.” Ange was slightly stunned, then showed a relieved smile.

　　This matter was temporarily put to an end, after eating, he and Ange also planned to set off.

　　Only before setting off, the System mysteriously ran out again to remind me:

　　[Although I think you should know, but I still want to remind you, you might have been targeted by someone.]

　　“Targeted?” I paused, expression vigilant, “Who? Prosecutors?”

　　[Not just them.] The System whispered,

　　[I don't know more, anyway, be more careful.]

***

　　City, Prosecutors' gathering place.

　　The latest team's Prosecutors' submitted report had been uploaded, the department supervision leader Sara assigned by the City was reviewing the materials on encircling the Saman remnants one by one.

　　The team he sent out was his particularly confident elite team, excellent equipment plus well-trained members, in the vast District 13, there were simply no opponents to match.

　　But the task report submitted by his most proud team member was blank.

　　“Ye, why is your report blank?”

　　“Because I don't remember.”

　　The silver-haired youth sat on the chair in the dim room, silver hair hanging at the ear, face still without any expression.

　　Ye would not lie, as the City's modified person, he would never betray them.

　　That was to say, there was a higher-level Spell Seal holder who made a move on him. And very likely mental type.

　　“Why would a mental type Spell Seal holder attack a Prosecutor?” Cold sweat floated on Sara's forehead, “People who can defeat Ye are few, that guy is probably very strong.”

　　The information just extracted from Ye's brain was mostly chaotic blank, obviously he suffered an attack from a mental ability user, thus causing obstacles in his narrative ability.

　　That mental type ability user was very vigilant, leaving no traces, which also greatly hindered their investigation process.

　　Would District 13 have such a strong Spell Seal holder?? Why had he never heard of it??

　　“Mr. Sara.” The female secretary whispered,

　　“You forcibly extracting Ye's memory like this, his body won't be able to take it, right? Just now Mr. Ye seemed to have fainted again, if this continues...”

　　“It's not your turn to instruct me.” Sara's tone became arrogant, “Aren't these tool people mass-produced? If broken, just apply for another one from above? Our current investigation focus is that mental type Spell Seal holder! Got it!?”

　　“I understand.” The female secretary no longer asked about this, “But above requires chasing that Saman remnant...”

　　“Whoever wants to do that task can do it, besides, didn't someone say he escaped to the ninth district?” Sara dissatisfied said,

　　“Most Saman are natural type Spell Seal holders, purely comparing abilities, they are not our opponents at all. That guy was seriously injured when he left, probably already dead in some corner unknown.”

　　Lost in the barren mountains and snow ridges, not to mention a child, even adult Saman people could not stand it.

　　And what could a child do? Not really expecting him to make some big article??

　　“Mental type Spell Seals are very rare, even if can't seize, must think of every way to win over.” Sara squinted his eyes,

　　“This job is handed to the Bounty Hunters to do, isn't [Pyramid] very idle recently? Let them wander around the Black Market... maybe there will be unexpected surprises.”

　　The most frequent exchange with District 13 was District 11, if he was not in District 13 now, he must have gone to District 11.

　　If I could win over the mental type seal holder, with the other's power, I would not need to stay in this damn remote wilderness to work.

　　·

　　From District 13 to District 11 did not require long-distance travel, although the City deprived the Dark Alley of technology development rights, but considering action convenience, each area also set up Terminal Transfer Systems.

　　“Apply for a pass, we are going to District 11.” Ange took out a small amount of money, handed it to the staff in front.

　　“Done, go over there to queue for the car yourselves.” The female staff in work clothes chewed bubble gum while carelessly tapping on the computer a few times, handing the crystal blue pass to me.

　　The terminal area was inconsistent with the entire District 13's style, that feeling was like coming from the 14th century to the 21st century...

　　Maybe a bit exaggerated, but this was indeed my real feeling.

　　District 11 was much livelier compared to District 13, this was the gathering place for merchants, black blood flowed through every street, permeated with a rotten stinking smell.

　　In addition to the market open to normal people, there were also many underground markets hidden in the dark in the Black Market as well as Bounty Hunter centers. When passing the bounty shop, I also saw the bounty order about myself, and the frighteningly high bounty amount.

　　...So what was the point of a bounty without even a face.

　　The only thing that made me care was, from earlier, there were quite a few gazes looking towards me, when I went to chase the other's figure, those gazes disappeared again.

　　Someone was tracking me?

　　“I want to go over there to see, Ange, you go in first.” I decisively shook off Ange who had no combat ability first. If the other was coming for me, having an extra burden around was indeed troublesome.

　　“Can you do it alone? First time here, won't you be unfamiliar with the road?” Ange was a bit worried.

　　“Not to that extent. Meet at the door in one hour.” I waved my hand indifferently.

　　Indeed someone was tracking us.

　　After a period of time, I finally spotted three people secretly tracking me, those people wore light golden mink thick clothes, faces wearing square scarves, and under their eyes was tattooed an inverted triangle tattoo.

　　[It's 【Pyramid】!] The System was the first to tense up, [This group of Bounty Hunters are the dogs under the District 13 Prosecutor chief! They must be coming for you!!]

　　“Prosecutor underlings?” I looked at the row of mental resistance E above their heads, fell into silence, “This value is serious?? I thought I saw wrong.”

　　[Government Prosecutors and ordinary Bounty Hunters are definitely different, but they have more people.] The System helpless, [Lock of Logos use still has side effects, you take it easy.]

　　“Those three people are also Spell Seal holders, right?” I was quite interested, “Since they are coming for me, why not turn their plan against them, let them find me not just fine?”

　　Bounty Hunters should have quite a few good things on them, this could also conveniently loot bags.

　　[You want to deprive their Spell Seals?]

　　“Why not?” I countered.

　　[...Host, you, good luck]

　　The System that originally wanted to urge me to go to the Black Market to buy a few cheap Spell Seals to make do silenced, finally decided not to interfere with the Host's behavior.

　　Since I was so confident, I should be fine... right?

　　Looking at those Bounty Hunters who noticed me, I also began to act deliberately, planning to lead them to a remote corner.

　　Only halfway there, I discovered something was wrong.

　　Those people who were originally following me, but halfway suddenly turned a bend, actually walking towards Ange's direction!?

　　Wait? Weren't they coming for me??