I am Just an Average Tamer

Brokers.

They are the individuals who deal in information, and secrets.

If someone needed rare items, forbidden knowledge, or even to make a person disappear—the brokers were the ones to approach.

They don't ask questions. They don't take sides.

For them, everything's a transaction, and the only language they speak is money.

Whether it's securing an illegal artifact, manipulating guild records, or smuggling across borders—if the price's right, a broker could make it happen.

But...

Brokers weren't just dangerous because of what they did.

It was who they knew.

From corrupt officials to ruthless assassins, their network extended far and wide. Cross a broker... and you might not live to regret it.

"Broker, huh?" Kai muttered.

From the corner of his eye, he spotted a man sitting at a table near the back of the inn.

Dressed in a sleek black coat, he exuded an air of authority.

His slicked-back jet-black hair gleamed under the dim light, and a thin scar ran down his left cheek—just enough to make him look dangerous without being overly intimidating.

A silver ring gleamed on his finger.

Across from him sat a middle-aged man, his face flushed from too much ale. He was speaking animatedly, his hands gesturing wildly as if trying to convince the broker of something.

But the broker...

He just listened.

His eyes—cold and calculating—never left the man's face.

Kai kept eating quietly, stealing quick glances at them.

When the broker was done with the man and exited the inn, Kai slowly stood up and followed after him.

He covered his face with the scarf again and pulled on the cloak.

Slowly and stealthily, he began tailing the broker.

At first, the man walked along the cobblestone streets, but then he took a few detours, eventually slipping into a narrow alley, which led to an abandoned warehouse.

Its stone walls covered in moss, and the wooden beams supporting the roof looked warped and weathered.

Kai followed him inside.

Eventually, the man came to a sudden halt and—

Swish!

Kai ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the dagger that sliced through the air.

But before he could recover, two more figures lunged at him.

Kai rolled to the side, dodging their attack.

A man slashed a knife toward his face.

Kai ducked low, grabbed the man's arm, and—

Crack!

"Argh!" The man cried out, collapsing and sprawling on the ground.

The second one came from behind, aiming a swift kick at Kai's back.

Kai reacted instinctively—

He bent backward, performing a backflip, landing behind the attacker.

Before the man could turn around—

Thud!

Kai delivered a sharp chop to the back of his neck, knocking him out cold.

Finally, the broker stood face-to-face with Kai.

His cold, calculating gray eyes bored straight into Kai's soul.

"..."

"..."

Silence fell between them.

They stood there, kept staring, without breaking the eye contact.

Until—

"Hahaha!"

The broker suddenly burst into laughter, patting Kai's shoulder.

"You've grown up a lot, boy..."

Kai let out a small chuckle, pulling down his scarf.

"Been a while, Dante."

"What brings you here?" Dante asked, still smiling.

"I want to make some money."

Suddenly, Dante's expression turned serious.

"You know what kind of business I deal in, right?"

"Of course, I know." Kai replied with a sly smile.

Dante's expression softened again.

"Don't worry. I won't drag you into anything shady. Follow me."

He turned away, and Kai silently followed.

[<He's a broker, right?>]

'Yup.'

[<Then how do you know him?>]

'He's Raven's younger brother.'

[<...>]

'Also... he's a mid-tier broker.'

[<You know what you're dragging yourself into, right?>]

'I've met him a few times before. Don't worry.'

'You can trust him.'

Dante led him to a wooden table placed in the middle of the warehouse.

Several chairs were arranged around it, and a few men were seated there.

With a subtle gesture, Dante signaled them to leave.

They nodded and stood up, giving Kai a quick, curious glance as they passed by.

Fortunately, Kai's face was still hidden beneath his hood and scarf, ensuring they wouldn't recognize him if they met again in public.

Dante sat at the table, and Kai took a seat across from him.

"So, what exactly do you want?" Dante asked, leaning in slightly.

"Actually..." Kai began, his tone casual but his eyes serious.

"I got a warning, and I'm suspended from being an adventurer for a month. I need work to make quick money and..."

Kai's expression hardened.

"And what?" Dante raised a brow.

"A bit of information..."

--

Kai stood in front of an equipment shop.

"Meow!" Vex stretched beside him.

Kai pulled the door open and stepped inside.

The scent of polished metal filled the air.

Weapons of various shapes and sizes lined the walls, while rows of armor and gear were neatly arranged on wooden racks.

A faint clinking sound echoed from the back, where the blacksmith was hard at work.

A burly man with a graying beard and hair stood beside the counter, his expression stoic.Kai slowly walked toward him.

Noticing the approaching boy, the burly man turned his head and offered a faint smile.

"Welcome, young man."

Kai returned the smile and gave a brief nod.

"Can you show me some daggers and throwing knives?"

The man nodded and turned to retrieve his request.

"Oh, and Senbons too."

The burly man returned with the items that Kai had requested.

He laid them out on the counter before him.

Few sets of sleek daggers with polished steel blades.

Beside them were throwing knives.

And finally, thin, needle-like Senbon, sharp enough to pierce through flesh, with some designed to hold poison.

Kai's eyes scanned the weapons carefully.

He ran his fingers along the blades, testing their balance and weight.

'Hmm'

After a moment of silent evaluation, he picked out the ones that felt just right in his hands-

Two Daggers, six Throwing Knives and twelve Senbon Needles.

Kai scanned around, his eyes lingering on a rack in the corner.

He walked toward it and grabbed a set of lightweight armor.

The armor was crafted from a reinforced leather, dyed with deep matte black to blend into the shadows.

Its design was sleek and flexible, allowing for silent movement.

Thin metal plates were sewn into the fabric, offering protection without hindering agility.

Kai's eyes then fell on a shelf nearby, where a full-face mask rested.

It was made of hardened leather; its surface was smooth but devoid of any markings.

The narrow eye slits were carefully cut to ensure a wide field of vision while concealing the wearer's identity.

Kai ran his fingers along the mask's edges before giving a slight nod.

He then placed the armor and mask beside the weapons.

"How much for them?"

Kai asked.

The burly man inspected the items for a moment.

After a brief pause, he spoke.

"Fifteen gold coins for the lot."

Kai handed over the coins and placed all the items inside his storage bracelet.

Once he stepped outside, he let out a long sigh.

"Now, I'm officially broke," he muttered under his breath.

He slipped his hands into his pockets and began walking along the cobblestone street,

Vex trailing lazily beside him.

Later, he booked a room at a nearby inn and entered to get some rest.

--

A group of five men sat around a round table, engaged in lively conversation.

Suddenly—

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Three projectiles sliced through the air, embedding themselves with deadly precision into their heads.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Their lifeless bodies slumped to the ground, the room fell into eerie silence.

"Who's there?"

A middle-aged man exclaimed; his voice laced with panic as he stood from his chair.

But before he could utter another word.

A shadow lunged from behind him, and—

"Argh!"

A blade pierced through his chest.

He stumbled forward, gasping, before collapsing onto the ground.

Tak! Tak! Tak!

The sound of footsteps echoed through the silent room.

A figure, clad in full black armor, emerged from the shadows, stepping into the man's line of sight.

"W-Who are you...?"

The last man's voice trembled as he stumbled backward, only to lose his balance and fall onto his backside, his eyes wide with terror.

The figure stepped forward, looming over him like a specter of death.

Then, in a cold, emotionless voice, it spoke—

"Ghost."