The One Who Holds The World

Hidden Markets

In the intense heat of the afternoon, Lars and Ace were hard at work, carefully dismantling a portion of the massive alien spaceship. The twisted metal frames and strange alien machinery posed a challenging puzzle, but their years of experience made them adept at the task. The clang of tools and the hum of alien energy filled the air, creating a symphony of industry around them.

As they worked, Ace leaned in closer to Lars, a look of curiosity mixed with concern on his face. "Hey, Lars," he began, his voice barely audible over the noise. "I overheard something interesting this morning. Rumor has it that there's a precious stone hidden somewhere inside this spaceship. Apparently, it's valuable enough that the higher-ups are planning to inspect the site soon."

Lars felt a jolt of anxiety at Ace's words. The memory of the stone he had found last week flashed through his mind. He had kept it hidden, knowing its significance, and the thought of losing it now made him uneasy. If the higher-ups discovered the stone, he would be in a precarious position. He could deny finding anything, but if they knew he had it and hadn't turned it over, it could cost him his job—or worse.

Maintaining a casual demeanor, Lars shrugged and responded, "We've been working on this site for months and haven't seen anything special. It's probably just a routine inspection. You know how these things go—lots of talk, not much action."

Ace nodded, though he still looked slightly apprehensive. "Yeah, you're probably right. But still, if there is something valuable in here, we need to be careful."

Lars forced a smile, trying to hide his unease. "Don't worry about it, man. We just need to keep doing our job and let the higher-ups do their thing. We'll be fine."

As they continued their work, Lars couldn't help but feel the weight of the secret stone in his possession, a constant reminder of the precarious situation he found himself in. He knew he had to be cautious, but he was determined to keep the stone for himself and exchange it with money if he needed some extra cash because he knew everything aboard the ship costs a ton of money in the black market.

Days passed, and Lars found himself in an unfamiliar part of Batang Angas. It was his first time venturing into a place he had only heard rumors about—an actual black market for smuggled goods, alien tech, and various other illicit items. He aimed to get the stone appraised and see just how valuable his find truly was.

Living in the slums and maintaining good relationships within his community had its advantages. Information was currency, and Lars had gathered enough to know exactly where to go and whom to contact in the black market. It was easier than expected to piece together the steps needed to navigate this shadowy underworld.

Lars stopped in front of what appeared to be a normal hardware store. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside. One of the laborers approached him with a friendly, yet cautious, demeanor. "Sir, are you looking to buy some wood or materials for construction?" the laborer asked.

Lars glanced around before replying in a low voice, "Pabili po ng itim na bigas."

The laborer's eyes flickered with recognition, and he nodded subtly. "Right this way, sir," he said, leading Lars to a door at the back of the store.

They walked down through a hidden passage that opened up into a bustling market, filled with the sights and sounds of trade that one would never expect behind a simple hardware store facade. Alien tech, rare materials, and all manner of contraband were on display, each stall guarded by vigilant eyes. The underground market was a maze of dark alleys, stalls, shops, and bars, with all sorts of illegal activities taking place. The air was thick with the smell of smoke, exotic spices, and a faint metallic tang from the alien technology on sale.