Mutagen

Different from the day before, they all wore clothing that was defensive enough but comfortable to walk around wearing. These clothes looked casual clothing from before the outbreak. However, these clothes were not your usual ones.

Instead of the usual textiles used to make clothing, like silk or cotton, these clothes were made from fibers of mutated plants and silk from evolved silkworms.

The clothes they were now wearing were among the many items produced in the Mountain Base during this past month.

Why were they wearing casual clothes? It was because the plan for today was to go shopping.

Initially, Mei\'s suggestion was to look for a house to rent. However, the financial issue was settled during Mark\'s meeting with Ren since she offered a downpayment for the premium items Mark tried to sell to her.

But still, the plan to look for a house was changed. It was due to Ren suggesting to let her look for potential locations instead. Her suggestion might have some underlying things, but Mark had no problems with it.

It was because there was no way she would trust Mark just like that. It was better to monitor Mark\'s group somewhere close, after all. Ren\'s intention was not bad, and as long as they would not intrude in the private lives of Mark\'s group, he would not mind.

Besides, being under the surveillance and protection of the Black Lotus Group meant that there would be fewer insects invading their home. Mark had things to do, and it would be nice if he needed less time to waste because of pests.

Due to the previous night\'s events, the plans for today had changed. They now have some pocket money and free time to spend.

As the group walked out of the house, someone was waiting for them.

"Good morning? Is everyone ready to head out?"

Mako greeted the group, looking curiously at the clothes the members of Mark\'s group wore.

If Mako\'s relationship with Mark\'s group was much closer, she would not hesitate to ask where they got their clothes. After all, the clothes they wore were pretty unusual after the outbreak. And even more strange, Mark\'s group looked too clean. She could even smell the scent of soap and shampoo from them.

And despite the situation being too weird, Mako did not feel that curious. Instead, she was a bit envious.

Clean water was precious, even in the Reclaimed City. While they managed to establish a water purification facility, the water it could produce would not be enough to let people indulge in their urge to feel clean. The largest portion of the purified water was for drinking, while another larger part was for medical purposes. And what was left behind was divided into various necessities. As such, people had to find ways to collect water to clean their bodies.

There was no need to ask about baths. It was already lucky if an ordinary person could wipe themselves with clean water twice within a span of a single week. Even for Mako, although she could wipe herself with a wet cloth every other day, the last time she had properly cleaned herself was five days ago.

"Mako-nee-san, is something wrong?"

Emika noticed Mako\'s stare and asked.

"No, nothing."

Mako could only shrug. But now that her mind was cleared by Emika\'s question, it finally entered her mind. How in the world did these people in front of her take a bath?

Of course, no one would answer the question in Mako\'s head. And even if she voiced it out, the people in front of her would likely not answer.

Mark could read the emotions Mako had. And he had no reason to address it.

With that slightly awkward start, the group rode the same vehicle they used yesterday and went to their destination.

This time, Mako was the only one who accompanied Mark\'s group as their guide. Ren and the others were not always free. It was already lucky that they managed to accompany Mark and the rest through their registration process.

Although there were commotions caused by the events yesterday involving Mark\'s group, it was fine even if only Mako was present with them this time. It was because the destination today was the same as yesterday.

Conflicts could happen every time and everywhere. Due to the side effects in the mentality of many [Ability-holders], fights became even more frequent between these kinds of people.

However, actual fights were extremely prohibited around Toyosu. It was relatively noticeable yesterday when the leader of Blood Lion Troupe and Ren\'s older brother decided to retreat despite the humiliations they received.

Fights between [Ability-holders] were extremely regulated in the government-managed areas in the Reclaimed City, especially within the area of Toyosu. And the punishment for offenders was something that even Mane and Mitsui Keiji would want to receive.

What was the punishment? The offenders could choose.

Absolute obedience to the government, or death. And for free people with power and status, both punishments were unacceptable.

And since the ones overseeing these laws were powerful [Ability-holders], it would be hard to escape the punishment.

As such, today\'s shopping would be only for Mark\'s group and Mako. And...

...The hidden guards that Ren sent to protect them.

Mark was not surprised. Many things could unexpectedly happen, and Mako would not be enough to handle everything.

***

Mark\'s group reached the Toyosu Wholesale Market. The place where they could shop freely.

Yesterday, they saw a few stalls with interesting wares. For example, one stall was selling hard and gigantic shell-like things. They looked like the carapaces of crabs but several times larger. There was also a stall that sold materials from a variety of evolved animals.

Just by going around the wholesale market, they could see many interesting things.

These materials could also be sold to the bureau. After all, these could be used for the research and manufacturing of new weapons and equipment. However, unlike here, where they could sell the materials at their own price, the selling price in the bureau was fixed and much lower. Due to this reason, [Freelancers] would try to sell these materials here first and sell the unsold ones to the bureau. Of course, with the exception of items requested within the bureau\'s missions.

Mark\'s group went from stall to stall while looking at the materials. Of course, they, once again, became the center of unwanted attention. While Mei was the center of admiration, Mark was the center of jealousy. Such a contrast made Mark sigh and also made Mei a bit annoyed.

Still, they did not try to destroy their happy shopping with the unwanted attention they were gathering.

Mark would check the materials while asking the girls their opinions from time to time. While Mark already had equipment prepared for everyone, it would not hurt to have spares. Thus, Mark asked the girls for materials they were interested in when he decided to begin making the new ones. It was also nice if they could get materials to upgrade their current weapons and armor.

With Mako as the guide, Mark easily learned which items were fairly priced, cheap, or overpriced. He did not hesitate to reject the overpriced materials when he could get quality materials for cheap.

Unfortunately, this shopping was different from what one would expect. The wholesale market was only used by [Freelancers] for their wares. As such, no stores here sold clothes, jewelry, or food. Even so, the shopping was pretty enjoyable while discovering items from [Evolved Animals] that they had not seen so far.

The group walked around. It did not take long, and they ended up standing in front of the Four Squares Blacksmiths stall.

"You kids sure took your time."

The old blacksmith, Mori Yasuo, greeted Mark\'s group with crossed arms. By the looks of it, Yasuo grumpily waited for Mark\'s group to come since they entered the wholesale market. Unfortunately, the group went to other stalls first to shop, making him wait for quite a while.

"We didn\'t really schedule when I should show up here, though?"

Mark retorted with a shrug.

Yasuo stared at Mark, eyes half closed. He could not argue back since what Mark had said was true. They did have a deal, but the schedule was not properly established.

"Anyway, I have something to discuss."

Mark said, taking out a rolled paper from his bag. He then handed it to the old blacksmith.

Yasuo stared at Mark as he received the paper. He then unrolled it, and only then his stare left Mark. But then, his eyebrows frowned deeply.

"You... Let\'s go to the back. We can\'t discuss this here."

The old blacksmith looked really serious as he said those words.

Mako became too confused at the sudden change in the old blacksmith\'s expression. Her boss, Ren, and the old blacksmith, Yasuo, had known each other for a long time. As such, she was also the same. However, she had not seen this old blacksmith show this expression except for one time. It was during the death of their grand master, who was Yasuo\'s closest friend.

What was the content of the paper to make the old blacksmith as serious as when his closest friend died?

"It\'s fine to let them in too. Right?"

Mark asked, tipping his head to the rest of his group.

It did not take long for the old blacksmith to realize that there were pests around that were only waiting for Mark to separate from his group.

"It\'s fine," Yasuo sighed. "But also her?"

The old blacksmith looked at Mako.

"There shouldn\'t be any problem."

Mark smiled, not caring whether Mako learned the contents of the paper or not.

Yasuo gave a shrug and led everyone into the room behind his stall.

The room behind the stall was quite spacious. It should be a storage room before the outbreak. Now, Yasuo was using it as his on-store workshop. Blacksmith equipment decorated the room, and it was quite hot inside. It was probably due to the furnace, although it was not lit at the moment.

Yasuo took out some pins and pinned Mark\'s paper unto the wooden table at the center of the room.

The curious Mako did not stop herself and took a peek. What she saw seemed to be a blueprint of sorts with parts drawn meticulously. However, she was confused. The parts drawn looked irrational due to the intricate details it had. She felt that if this was a blueprint of a weapon, those details drawn on the parts were unnecessary.

But then, Yasuo opened his mouth and asked Mark.

"Is this design yours?"

Yasuo asked for confirmation. However, he already had a hunch due to the fact that the paper was relatively new. And so were the drawings on it.

"Yeah, that\'s my own design."

Mark honestly answered.

In fact, Mark was also curious as to why this old blacksmith reacted that way to his design. Was it too complicated? If that was the case, he could just reject it and say it was impossible to make.

But the answer to the questions immediately came as Yasuo asked Mark another question.

"Just... Who are you?" Yasuo took a deep breath to calmly ask. "Where did you learn to make an artifact?"

At those words, Mako\'s eyes widened in shock. She was a shadow too. A trained warrior with special abilities beyond humans. As such, she knew what artifacts were.

And artifact creation was a lost art. That was why the hidden societies in the modern world could only rely on blessed items and artifacts of the past. Because no one could create one anymore.

Yet, a blueprint of an artifact was in front of them right now. And the designer was no other than the mysterious man named Mark.