The cunning, dark eyes of the Black Merchant glimmered.

Kim Jin-Woo felt as though he had been caught off guard. He frowned and concealed his facial expression. “Something that I need… I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

Kim Jin-Woo tried to play dumb, but the Black Merchant seemed to know everything and said, “There’s a labyrinth nearby, ruled by the Basilisk King Anaxtus. I’ve met him several times before, and he seemed to be both impatient and violent.”

Kim Jin-Woo’s face stiffened. He could swear that the Black Merchant was threatening him. “What do you want?” he asked.

“I’m not the one who wants something,” the Black Merchant replied.

Kim Jin-Woo wanted to smack the Black Merchant’s detestable mouth, but he controlled his urge. He would feel uneasy riding roughshod over the Black Merchant. Instead, he asked, “What can you offer?”

“Now we’re talking!” the Black Merchant clapped and exclaimed in delight. “We, the Black Merchants, can obtain anything in the world. We can fetch you the resources...