Chronicles of Forgotten Extra-Chapter 109: Shadow Boy?

Let's see how much money I made.

Alden walked toward the Obsidian Exchange. The exhaustion from the fight was still there.

The walk back was uneventful.

No secret agents tailing him, no unexpected ambushes.

Just the sound of the bustling underground city.

It had been nearly five hours since he entered the Black Market, and there was still an hour till midnight.

His mind was still stuck thinking about the fight.

Who was Skullcrusher?

She was no ordinary fighter. Her ability, her skill—both far beyond what was normal. She had to be someone from a powerful background.

Just my luck.

I just hope she doesn't come after me with the whole 'How dare you defeat me?' cliché.

No…

He didn't think that would be the case.

She had accepted defeat too easily, and that smile… It wasn't one of resentment. It was one of interest.

He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

Right now, there was something far more important to deal with.

My money.

He soon arrived in front of the same no-name building—the Obsidian Exchange.

He stepped inside without any hesitation.

The same dimly lit and empty hall greeted him. The counter was the sole thing present in the hall.

Alden made his way to the reception counter. The same receptionist as before greeted him with a neutral expression.

"Cipher," he said simply.

The receptionist gave a small nod. "She's expecting you, Sir."

That was different.

Before, the receptionist had to send a message. Now, Cipher was already waiting.

He walked towards the same room.

It seems that the room was exclusively used by Cipher.

He took a seat, waiting.

It wasn't long before Cipher walked in, her ears perked up and her tail swaying in what looked like satisfaction.

Her face had a wide, satisfied smile.

"Hey, hey—Shadow Boy." She greeted Alden with an amused expression.

"Shadow Boy?" Alden raised an eyebrow.

She sat on the chair opposite to him lazily.

"Yeah," she chuckled. "That's what they're calling you in the arena now."

"You got famous on your very first fight." Her grin widened. "Congratulations"

What kind of name is that?

At least they should have given me a cool name.

But Shadow Boy?

Really?

Alden exhaled, shaking his head.

"And who exactly decided on that name?"

"The crowd, obviously." She continued, "You left quite an impression."

"You know. Not many people can wound the Skullcrusher, let alone win against her."

Alden frowned. "She's just Initiate Rank, isn't she?"

"Yeah," Cipher nodded, "and no one in the same rank as her has ever beaten her."

So, was she that strong?

"Does she have an influential background?" he asked.

"Wasn't that obvious?" Cipher gave him a knowing look.

"Should I expect trouble?" Alden's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Not from her. She doesn't seem like the type to hold a grudge over a fair loss." Cipher shook her head.

Alden let out a slow breath.

Good.

I guess I won't have to worry about that.

With that settled, it was time for the real reason he was here.

"So, how much did I make?" He barely restrained his excitement behind his impassive face.

Cipher grinned. "Excited, are we?"

She stretched lazily before pulling out a small, sleek ManaSync Tab.

Her fingers typed something across the screen.

After a second, she let out a low whistle.

"Well, well. You really hit the jackpot today."

She turned the screen toward him.

Earnings: 34,650,000 E

Alden blinked.

Thirty-four million?

That was almost sixty times what he had given Cipher.

And this number was after she took her cut.

For a moment, he just stared at the number.

That's… a lot of money.

More than enough to buy everything he needed for a while.

Maybe… even a Mythic Rank artifact.

Or—if he really pushed his luck—an Ancient Rank artifact.

No. That's stretching it.

Elite Rank artifacts were affordable, but Mythic and Ancient Rank artifacts?

Those were on an entirely different level—not just rare, but insanely expensive.

Still… This was a fortune.

"Your payment is already transferred to your new account," Cipher added.

Alden pulled out his new ManaSync, confirming the balance in his account.

Alden shifted his eyes away from the number. Money was useless without knowing how to use it.

"There's something else I need," he said calmly.

"Oh, what is it?" Cipher's ears perked up.

Alden looked at her.

"I want information on someone."

"Of course you do." Cipher smirked. "Who's the unlucky bastard?"

Alden didn't hesitate.

"Nyx Ravenscar."

The moment the name left his lips, Cipher's expression changed.

Her playfulness vanished, replaced by a serious expression before a smile appeared on her face.

It was not the same mischievous smile she had before. It was a calculating smile.

"Well, well." She spoke. "Now that's an interesting request."

Alden said nothing, waiting.

"That's a dangerous name to be asking about, Shadow Boy."

She knew who this Nyx Ravenscar was. She was the rank one student of the first year at Astralis Academy.

According to many unofficial sources, she was a disciple of Jeremy Voidforge.

One of the most terrifying men of the empire.

Alden wasn't surprised by the reaction.

"I only need information about her background. Nothing else." He stated his request clearly.

Cipher studied him for a moment before sighing. "Alright. I can look into it. But information like this? It doesn't come cheap."

It was risky, but that was her job.

If Alden had asked for information about Jeremy, she would've rejected it without a second thought.

She had heard what happened to those who tried that. They vanished without a trace one day.

But his disciple?

It was still doable.

As long as she doesn't dig enough to alert Jeremy, it won't be that risky.

"I'll pay." Alden didn't hesitate.

He quickly transferred one million Eras to Cipher. "Tell me if you need more."

He was curious about Nyx.

He had to confirm suspicion about her origin, if nothing else.

"It will take some time, and I'll find some information." She nodded, "But it won't be too much, as I can't dig too deep."

Alden nodded, he had expected that. Cipher was a cautious person after all.

If she found herself in trouble, she wouldn't think twice before abandoning the request.

Alden wasn't done yet.

"I need something else," he said.

"Of course you do." Cipher didn't even blink.

"A movement technique," he continued. "Something fast, efficient, and adaptable."

"Hm… Now, that's a bit trickier." She tilted her head slightly.

She scrolled through her ManaSync Tab.

"What's your budget?" she asked.

"Well, I just made thirty-four million." Alden raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, a big spender, huh?" Cipher let out a low chuckle.

She scrolled for a few more seconds, then stopped.

"Alright, listen up." She leaned forward. "There's an auction happening in an hour."

Alden blinked. "An auction?"

Cipher nodded. "A big one. You might find what you're looking for there."

"I can get you into the auction."

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"How much?" Alden asked.

"No charge," Cipher said, smirking.

Alden frowned.

He loved free stuff. But he knew one thing: Free things always came with a price.

Cipher chuckled.

"Now now, no need to be so suspicious." She continued. "Consider this as a gift … an investment."

Alden exhaled.

A gift from someone like Cipher? That could mean anything.

Still, this was an opportunity.

He weighed his options, then gave a small nod.

"Alright," he said. "Get me in."

Cipher grinned.

"Pleasure doing business, Shadow Boy."

She pulled out a black card from her pocket, passing it to Alden. "Here."

"Where is it?" He asked.

Cipher tapped her ManaSync Tab, sending him the location. "It starts in an hour."

Alden stood up. "Then I better get moving."

With his business done, he stepped out of the Obsidian Exchange.

His next destination.

The underground auction.