Corey stood up and shut the office door and curtains.
“At first, I thought this would be a straightforward matter. But as I pieced together fragments from conversations around the crew, I realized something else. It turns out the place Romero and Mendoza went to… Was Blackshore Island.”
His face was grim, just the mention of Blackshore Island carried a heavy weight for him.
“Blackshore Island…” Matthew echoed.
Corey nodded and pointed to a map of the West Montiria Islands hanging on the wall.
“Blackshore Island is one of the largest islands in the West Montiria chain. If we compare it to our Ore Island, it’s about four or five times the size-roughly 74 acres. But the power structure over there is nothing like what we’re used to. There’s no Governor’s Keep, no Island Watch. No centralized official authority at all.”
At that, favonovel.com pulled out a neatly sealed folder from the drawer.
“I started collecting this information as soon as I learned their destination. But for some reason, all the usual black market sources and info brokers went dead silent the moment I mentioned Blackshore Island. It was like the place was taboo…”
“Eventually, I found one broker willing to talk, after paying favonovel.com a fortune. He gave me fragments, just enough to sketch out the basics. Blackshore Island is divided into thirteen districts, each governed independently. Some are so chaotic that they’re fighting over control, with stronger districts eyeing the weak like prey…”
“District 1 has the most power and relative peace. District 2 is strictly Iaw-abiding, rumor has it, even cursing at someone can cost you your legs. District 3 is pure chaos, no rules, just gangs ruling the streets. District 4 has the strongest economy and the most developed commercial zone on the island…”
“The rest? Some are ruled by a single dominant faction, others are war zones with multiple groups fighting for control. But the final one… The Black Market District.”
Corey turned to Matthew, his voice low with implication.
“District 13. That’s the stronghold of the underground merchants. Over there, you can buy humans, animals, sharks, even government positions from different countries. If there’s something you want, odds are someone there has it.”
Matthew opened the envelope in his hand and scanned its contents. His first impression was how disjointed everything was.
“‘Morton Malken, District 13 black market dealer… and Door 403?” Matthew read aloud, eyes narrowing slightly.
There was no other context. Just two cryptic lines written on a single sheet, while the rest of the pages were completely blank.
“These were the only two pieces of information that broker gave us,” Corey explained. “He said if favonovel.com revealed anything more, someone would come for his life.”
Matthew ran a thumb over the edge of the paper, expression thoughtful.
“He’s telling us that if we make it to Blackshore Island, we should first find Morton Malken in District 13. Then head to Door 403. That’s where we’ll learn what we need.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Corey’s face. “How can you be so sure?”
Matthew let out a quiet laugh. “The broker told me.”
Then his tone shifted, sharper now. “Alright. Start preparing a boat to Blackshore Island. It’s over 60 kilometers from Ore Island. Make sure it’s a speed vessel.”
Corey forced down his lingering doubts. “Understood!”
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