One could purchase items of various grades, but the significant drawback was that the market for selling items was severely restricted. It was, in fact, illegal to sell items. While black markets existed, information about their location and operating hours remained a closely guarded secret, known only by a select few.
This restriction did not, however, mean that people couldn't trade items among themselves. They could, but such transactions had to be kept strictly confidential, or they risked being perpetually on the run if the government happened to learn about their activities and decided to crack down on the culprits.
Trading items was explicitly illegal in Section 2.
However, there was no law prohibiting anyone from trading items in Section 3 or Section 1. These areas functioned almost as free zones. The government in Section 1 was heavily preoccupied with dealing with relentless gangs that regularly attempted to overthrow the ruling authority, or they were defending the region from being entirely overtaken by the aliens.
In the case of Section 3, it was primarily the aliens' zone. The aliens, for their part, couldn't control what human beings chose to do within their territory.
Ivan had mentally prepared himself to conduct an illegal item trade, should the opportunity arise. He hoped that he would have sufficient resources to pay for the item he most desired. The item he coveted above all else was a defensive one—something that could protect him from suffering damage during combat.
Daiyu returned to Ivan's apartment around 11 PM. Ivan had thoughtfully prepared a delicious dinner for her before her arrival. She was genuinely delighted to find such a sumptuous meal awaiting her. She expressed her appreciation for Ivan's efforts with warm hugs and tender kisses. They both thoroughly enjoyed each other's company while Daiyu dined. Afterward, they went to bed, lying in each other's comfortable embrace.
Daybreak arrived, painting the sky with soft hues.
Ivan got out of bed. He had meticulously planned his routine for today yesterday. He was going to resume work today and would continue until noon. This timing was perfect for him because Daiyu wouldn't be home after noon. At that time, he would return, get some rest, and then head to Greg's Martial Arts Centre to train. After his training there, he would return home, rest again, and then visit the gym where he had signed up as a member.
Greg's Martial Art Centre did have a gym area, but Ivan decided not to make use of it because a handful of people were constantly occupying the equipment. The sheer number of individuals present made it a headache, often requiring one to wait for another person to finish using a piece of equipment before getting their turn. He preferred a gym where there were fewer people or where there was a surplus of equipment for every customer to use.
Ivan stepped into the underground parking lot from the elevator carriage. He walked briskly towards his new car. Time was of the essence in his line of business. It was 5:55 AM, and the day had already broken. He had to hit the streets before other drivers could, thereby making the competition for fares easier for him.
As he was a few steps from arriving at where his car was parked, he saw the back of a familiar figure. It was Valentine, his new neighbour. The new neighbour still wore the thick-rimmed glasses from their previous meeting. Today, he was dressed in a plain blue shirt tucked into plain black trousers, sporting a pair of brown wingtip shoes.
'He seems to like wearing wingtip shoes,' Ivan thought, noticing the particular footwear Valentine favoured.
Valentine turned around to see who was approaching. A wide smile beamed on his face upon setting eyes on Ivan. It was as if he had seen someone he genuinely needed at that moment.
"Good morning, my good neighbour, Ivan," Valentine said, stretching out his right hand for a handshake.
Ivan casually and weakly grasped his neighbour's outstretched hand. He stopped before Valentine and glanced at the box Valentine had beside him.
"With that smile, I'm guessing that you badly need help," Ivan remarked.
"You are correct!" Valentine said jubilantly, with a hint of childish excitement. "This box is my toolbox. I'm heading to my workshop and need a lift to get there. I haven't set up my car-hailing account, so I couldn't hail a cab to help me get there."
As he was speaking, he unlocked the box. Ivan instinctively took a couple of steps back to give himself space to react if there was a hidden threat within the box. One side of the unlocked box slammed heavily to the floor. The opened box revealed an array of phone repair tools meticulously placed inside. Ivan estimated that more than two hundred repair tools were contained within this single box.
"Alright, I'll help you, but you have to set up your cab-hailing account," Ivan stated.
"I will do that. I'm grateful for your help." Valentine locked the box and then heaved the box up with his knees and arms. He held the box at his abdomen region with his arms.
"Open your car's boot," Valentine squeezed these words out through held breath.
"That's not a good idea. I have something fragile in there." Ivan helped Valentine place the heavy box in the back seat of the car.
Ivan cursed inwardly. The heavy box might dent the seat where it rested.
"Is the fragile thing inside the bag you put in the boot yesterday?" Valentine asked, his tone surprisingly casual.
Ivan was stunned that Valentine knew he had put his kit bag in the boot yesterday. Inside that kit bag was his switch-axe and some clothes he would change into when at the gym. He furrowed his brows, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.
"I was taking a curious stroll down the parking lot last night. I saw you arrive here from the elevator with the bag. I wanted to say hello, but I didn't want to leave a bad impression about myself, so I ignored you," Valentine explained, a little nervous.
'Well, you have certainly left a suspicious impression about you now,' Ivan mused about the revelation.
Valentine had, in fact, lied about taking a stroll in the parking lot. He had set up covert surveillance cameras around the building to track Ivan's movements. So, he had seen when Ivan had returned to the parking lot from test-driving his new car last night, to his subsequent return to his apartment, and then his return to the parking lot with the switch-axe in the kit bag.
Valentine's primary aim here was to evaluate Ivan. If Ivan had something alarming to hide, this simple encounter and the revelation would have caused him to react, perhaps in a way that would expose his secrets. But Ivan would be in for a surprise when he realised that Valentine was very powerful.
Ultimately, Ivan had nothing genuinely alarming to hide, and he was not an insecure psychopath who easily lost his cool when someone made a suspicious move around him.
Ivan covertly confirmed that Valentine indeed had a phone repair shop before he drove him to the destination. After that, Ivan continued his day, diligently following the routine he had set for himself.
With Greg's permission and guidance, Ivan trained his proficiency in using the switch-axe. At one point, he trained with a sword owned by the centre. He did so because he couldn't bring Black Riot with him to the centre due to the attention it would attract.
Apart from Lady Flux, none of the special characters secretly surveilling Ivan suspected that he possessed an S-rank weapon.