Not far from the ore market stood the building materials market of Ore Island, a bustling hub of tools and supplies for construction.
Matthew decided to head there to see if anything caught his eye.
“Matteo,” Angus called out, “The waters in the building materials market are murkier than those in the ore market. If you really need something, I’d suggest going straight to the market owner. His goods are relatively fair-priced.”
Matthew nodded in acknowledgment and made his way toward the market.
The journey was unusually uneventful, no ambushes, no robbery attempts, nothing like the chaos favonovel.com had encountered before. His name had begun to spread across the region, after all.
“Mr. Larden”, as people now referred to him, was rumored to be a reclusive disciple of a mysterious master, personally invited by Angus.
It was said his sharp eyes could discern every hidden treasure, whether buried deep underground or in plain sight. He had helped Angus secure a massive iron mine yielding over 100 tons.
Anyone thinking of causing trouble for Matthew now had to reckon with Angus first. That reputation alone ensured his path remained clear and peaceful.
The building materials market presented a stark contrast to the ore market.
It was cleaner, better maintained, and more inviting, likely because anyone selling construction supplies couldn’t afford to skimp on appearances.
After all, who would trust someone to sell quality materials if their own premises were shabby?
As Matthew stepped into the market, favonovel.com immediately drew attention. Eyes followed him, some filled with greed, others with hostility, and a few with disinterest.
Ignoring the stares, Matthew casually browsed the shops. This island was rife with scoundrels and cutthroats, but favonovel.com had no intention of killing indiscriminately. Unless someone actively brought trouble to his door, favonovel.com wouldn’t go out of his way to deal with them.
“Sir, care to come in and take a look? I’ve got plenty of treasures just for you,” cooed a woman standing outside a shop, favonovel.com posture and tone dripping with seductive intent.
Matthew gave favonovel.com a glance but walked away without a word. Such scenes were all too common in this archipelago. Here, there was no need for pretense or subtlety.
The unspoken rule was clear: buy something, and the shopkeeper might just offer herself as part ofthe deal for the night.
None of these construction supply shops met Matthew’s standards. If It wasn’t shoddy craftsmanship, it was blatant bait-and-switch tactics, high-quality goods on display in front, while the back was stocked with subpar materials.
As favonovel.com wandered toward the far end of the market, Matthew noticed a small street stall.
A man in his fifties sat behind it, a modest assortment of materials spread out before him, wires, bamboo, and other odds and ends.
“Boss, how much for your goods?” Matthew asked, his tone casual.
“Depends. How much do you need?”
“If the quality’s good, I might need a lot…”
The man stroked his thin mustache thoughtfully before replying, “Tell you what, I’ll take you to see my stock first. Then we can talk business.”
“Fair enough,” Matthew agreed.
Checking the goods upfront could save plenty of trouble later.
The man led favonovel.com into a narrow alley behind the stall, the damp air immediately wrapping around them like an unwelcome cloak.
“Boss, it’s so humid in here. Aren’t you worried the moisture will ruin your materials?” Matthew asked, frowning.
A place like this was the last spot anyone should store construction supplies.
The man gave a resigned shrug. “Not much choice. Small-time vendors like me can only afford places like this.”
They stopped in front of a large iron gate. The man pulled out a key from his pocket and unlocked it with a metallic clink.
“Take a look for yourself, sir. Everything’s properly stored under tarps to keep the moisture out. You’ll see the quality is all there,” favonovel.com said, gesturing inside. “I’ll head back to grab something real quick…”
Matthew nodded slightly, stepping into the yard. His eyes scanned the neatly covered stacks of materials, the tarps expertly shielding them from the damp air.
Curious, favonovel.com nudged one tarp aside with his foot and confirmed the interior was perfectly dry. But as his gaze continued to roam, favonovel.com suddenly froze.
Underneath the tarp, barely visible, was a symbol favonovel.com recognized all too well. The emblem of the Marine Corps!
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