As VIPs, both Min-Su and Jin had a certain priviledge which was that they were allowed to witness and purchase the goods prior to the exhibition. To the organization, as long as they got their money, it didn't matter who bought what. And so, it was the perfect way to ditch the psycho once more.
Jin and Min-Su had been led further in inside the underground. There was on the second level underground now and there were many cages and glass containers with merchandises inside. As they moved through the rows, they could see all kinds of oddities and treasures... and very weird things. Passing by a certain glass wall, Jin noticed only a paper with some writings upon it:
[ Babies and Newborns
Alive or Dead
Whole or in parts
Price upon request
The Childbirth Association]
Needless to say, it was a surprising add. Sophia did tell them this was an evil organization but Jin didn't expect that. He thought of slavery when she mentioned it but it seems to be something bigger. As he remained standing in front of the glass, the attendant came with an amiable smile: "Would you happen to be interested in this kind of goods, Sir?"
"No...Just slightly curious. What do they use them for?"
"Cultivation, of course. Some skills require such 'items' to be learnt correctly. They are also vastly used when it comes to demonic arrays and evil forging. It is one of our top sellers too and we can attest for the credibility of the Childbirth Association"
"...Right. How do they even get the goods?"
"Sadly not every baby is wanted. Let's say that the Childbirth Association provided a solution to this inconvenience"
"...I see"
Childbirth Association...Not a name you would associate with evil and yet... Even if a baby isn't wanted, to give him up and left him to this kind of fate was quite brutal. He wasn't feeling much though. There wasn't any pulsion to enact justice or right a wrong. This was simply how this world was. He wasn't strong enough to deal with this and even if he were, he would not.
What was the point? If one died, another would be born to take its place. As long as sentient beings were there, cruelty would follow. As for him, he was nothing more than a half-witness. He knew what was happening but choose not to make a move. Just like in his past world. So many wars and atrocities that everyone knew of, yet not many were doing anything. Most people were aware and uncaring. As long as it didn't affect you, why would you do anything?
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Jin had already witnessed and lived through much of this. He knew that being a hero was not rewarding at least. He had a good rival back in the days who really enjoyed his self-made justice, playing vigilante in some city. In the end, that guy died while eliminating the last of the syndicate that was 'corrupting' his city. A month later, there was a new syndicate but there was no new 'him'...
Life was just like that. There was no point in involving yourself in the business of others most of the time. It was sad but the truth, a sad truth. And Jin was not the kind to fight for justice from the start anyways. After he satisfied his curiosity and while he knew there was more to it, he just moved on to the next glass container.
Min-Su had been watching this one for quite a while. There was a living plushie inside...No, wait, it wasn't a plushie. It was a spiritual beast. There was a little paper outside talking about it:
[Carnassid Newborn - 3 Months old
Perfect age to be tamed.
Can evolve up to the 60th stage with enough resources and time.
Powerful hunter, especially in forest.
Plant affinity.
Widely known for its strength and agility in adulthood
Fertile]
The little beast was very cute. It looked like an obese baby cheetah with plants growing on its head and back. It had yet to become the monstrous beast they claimed it could. Min-Su was very attracted to it. He asked the attendant: "How much is this little thing?"
And the attendant, still with his business smile on, replied something Min-Su would never forget: "Only seventy-five million golds, Sir"
Min-Su nearly fainted at the price. One had to understand that the value of a pup of this kind of beast was tremendous due to its potential. The 60th stage was where high level ended and expert level began. This creature had the potential to become incredibly strong and a worthy partner to any beast tamer around. It was especially perfect for those who spent their times in forest and had themselves an attribute related to it.
There was also the difficulty in capturing it to take into account. This was the pup of such a strong beast. Not just everyone could go and take it back home. It required some ability. A lot of it. Which was why this price, that was immense compared to anything else they ever came in contact with, not considered too high.
With top grade goods come top grade prices as well.
Min-Su swallowed his saliva and moved on as Jin laughed to himself. He was aware from the start that it was unlikely for either of them to buy anything. He came here to make contacts with the black market of this world and see what was in demands. It would be great if there was something worth buying that they could buy, but he wouldn't dream too much about it...
They soon arrived at the next item, and it was a live creature chained into a cage. This was a slave, alright. In the end, they hadn't been wrong, they did practice slavery. It was not the only thing they did is all.