Chapter 10 An Unexpected Encounter

John and David found it quite odd.

This restaurant was different from the type that would attract many customers, yet the owner was brimming with enthusiasm.

After a week, he had finally welcomed some guests.

It was said that the area near the Black Market was bustling with people, almost as much as the city center, but the reality had proven to be a disappointment.

The owner asked, "By the way, for an extra two dollars, you can get two more bottles of Coke. Do you want them?"

John replied, "No, we don't need them."

John felt helpless and suddenly saw a pretty girl outside.

John said, "David, come with me. I know how to get to the Black Market."

The owner asked, "Aren't you going to have the spaghetti?"

John replied, "We don't need it anymore."

John and David hurriedly left the restaurant and went out onto the street.

"Is my spaghetti not tasty?" The noodle shop owner kept reflecting, trying to find the problem.

The Black Market was located in the suburbs, but it was very crowded.

"Ava, Ava," John shouted enthusiastically.

In the crowd, a pretty girl turned her head.

Her face was delicate, her skin fair, and her eyes incredibly clear. She was clearly the object of many boys' affections.

Ava Davis looked puzzled, seeing the two people walking towards her.

Ava thought, 'Who are they?'

John said, "Ava, we're classmates. I'm John from the Beast Tamer Class."

David greeted, "I'm David. You might have heard of my story."

The two began to introduce themselves, trying to get closer to her.

Ava was the top student in her grade, consistently securing the first position.

Her scores in academic subjects were almost perfect, and her talent in Beast Taming was of an exceptional level.

Even her contract spirit was a rare A-level, and the school was grooming her to get into the Quantum Academy of Techno-Magic.

It could be said that she was on a completely different level from the two of them.

"Ava, do you know these two?" 

A handsome young man standing next to Ava stepped forward, intentionally or unintentionally creating a distance between the two parties. 

Despite his friendly face, there was arrogance and disdain deep in his eyes.

"We're classmates. Who are you?" David could see the other boy's arrogance and spoke angrily.

"Don't you know me?"

The boy raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile on his lips.

David said, "Do you think you're a Stellar Coin? Does everyone know you?"

The boy's face turned cold. He had never seen anyone dare to speak to him like that.

Seeing that a conflict was about to break out, Ava quickly intervened.

Ava said, "This is James Davis, the top student at Nebula High."

"So it's James." David suddenly realized, looking amazed.

This naturally greatly satisfied James's vanity, and he couldn't help but smile and let out a light hum.

"Never heard of him," David said mercilessly.

David asked, "John, do you know him?"

John replied, "No, but I have a feeling you'll go far!"

James asked, "What did you say?"

James looked over, not understanding but feeling it wasn't a compliment.

As a genius, he felt like he was being mocked.

"Do you need something from me?" Ava interrupted.

John and David, though they seemed odd, were just ordinary students.

If James took an interest in them, it wouldn't be good.

"Ava, we want to go to Black Market, but we can't seem to get in," David said, his eyes full of hope.

Ava said, "Coincidentally, I also want to visit Black Market. Let's go together."

James said, "Since you have things to do, I'll take my leave."

James offered to leave. John and David made him feel uncomfortable.

"Ava, I hope you'll seriously consider my proposal." Before leaving, James gave Ava a deep look and then turned to leave.

David asked, "Ava, what proposal?"

David, being straightforward, asked directly, while the usually talkative John remained silent.

"The city-level Beast Taming competition for high school seniors. James wants to form a team in advance." Ava explained briefly, not saying much more.

In her view, the competition was too far out of reach for the two of them.

Ava said, "Let's go, let's go to the Black Market."

The three of them entered the Black Market through another entrance.

Ava didn't need anyone to lead her.

She was a seventh-level Beast Tamer, already qualified to come and go freely.

Ava said, "I have other things to do so you can explore on your own."

Ava decided to leave after bringing them in.

Although she was kind, she didn't want to waste time with them.

David said, "Thanks, Ava. If you need anything, come find me at Beast Taming Class 5."

Ava nodded and left.

David and John were very curious as they looked around the Black Market.

Black Market was part of Dreamscape Drive in the City of Wisdom. It had seven intersecting streets lined with various stalls, bustling with people, and as lively as downtown.

Although it was called Black Market, it had some official backing; otherwise, it would have been shut down long ago.

"Earth Dragon King Beast Core for sale! This is from the only disaster-level Alternate Dimension in Auroria, worth a fortune, capable of forging a contract spirit artifact. Don't miss this opportunity!"

"Due to financial difficulties, a high-level Beast Tamer is selling a divine beast egg. If used, it can make a contracted spirit reach gold level immediately!"

"Good news! Good news! Anyone who spends over fifty thousand Stellar Coins at this stall today will receive a personally signed autograph. Buy now and get it!"

The shouts from both sides of the street were numerous; this was the stall area, mostly individual sellers.

Although it seemed like a scam, patient people could still find many treasures.

There were many treasures from Alternate Dimensions, and human material science couldn't fully explain them. There might indeed be undiscovered treasures.

David was very interested, constantly looking at the stalls and asking questions.

David asked, "How much for this Earth Dragon King Beast Core?"

"You have excellent taste. You have a bright future ahead. Today, I'll sell you this Earth Dragon King Beast Core at a discount."

"Only ten thousand dollars!" the stall owner said.

"Can it be cheaper?"

"How much are you willing to pay?"

"Ten dollars!" David proposed.

John felt helpless. Their conversation left him deeply shocked.

He thought David would be scolded, but the stall owner nodded decisively.

"Okay!"

David took out ten dollars and put the Earth Dragon King Beast Core in his pocket.

Watching them leave, the stall owner looked sad to have made ten dollars, then took another 'Earth Dragon King Beast Core' from a large wooden box behind him.

"David, you got scammed. This is useless." John couldn't help but say.

"I'm not that stupid. There's no such soil on Stellar Enigma. It must be from an Alternate Dimension. I bought a souvenir for ten dollars, totally worth it."

John felt helpless, wandering around the Black Market until he finally found his target.