[The Black Market – Midnight]

The stench of blood, sweat, and burning incense hung thick in the air as you walked beside Ibuki through the labyrinthine alleys of the Black Market. Neon lights flickered above, casting jagged shadows against the wet pavement. Around you, desperate herbivores whispered in hushed voices, while black-market dealers haggled over fresh "merchandise."

Ibuki kept his usual steady pace, cigarette smoldering between his fingers. Despite your recent rise to power—taking the throne of the Shishigumi by force—there were still things he believed you weren’t ready to see.

Ibuki: "This place will show you how ugly the world can be, Boss. Power doesn’t mean you should look at everything."

You arrived at a small, dimly lit stall where a dull-scaled reptilian merchant stood behind a counter, arranging fresh body parts on ice. Severed hands, hooves, and tails—each tagged and priced accordingly. The reptile flinched as Ibuki stepped forward.

Ibuki tapped the counter, his expression unreadable.

Ibuki: "Vendor, extract the genitals."

The vendor swallowed hard, his forked tongue flicking out nervously. He gave a slow nod and gestured toward the back room. You moved to follow, but before you could step forward, a strong paw clamped over your eyes.

Ibuki: "Not for you, Boss. You’re still too young for this."

Then came the sound. A blade slicing through flesh. A sharp, high-pitched screech. The unmistakable wet thud of something soft and severed hitting a metal tray.

The reptile let out a broken, shuddering gasp, his voice strangled in pain.

Ibuki: "That’s the price for crossing the Shishigumi."

Another whimper. The faint shuffle of a plastic bag being sealed. The reptile's breaths were uneven, weak.

Ibuki didn’t remove his paw until the sounds died down. When he finally let go, he took a slow drag of his cigarette, exhaling smoke through his nose. His eyes held something heavy, but his voice remained steady.

Ibuki: "Let’s go."