The Industrialist

Lance was not sure if Mari was talking authentically or sarcastically. She had an indifferent look, mocking stares, and pouty condescending lips. Lance felt that Mari did not like people who lived and were born in the Commoners' Sector.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Whatever it may be, Mari would still process Lance's registration for Electrical Tier 1.

"That's odd. Is it free?" Mari looked at the SAC recommendations on Lance's CloudArchive Tablet.

"Yeah, I guess so," Lance said.

"Well, you're in luck. Promoting to Electrical Tier 1 amounts to 8000 units."

'8000 units? That's a fortune. No wonder only the middle-classers and high-classers could reach that far,' Lance thought.

"Congratulations, Mister Berkley," Mari said flatly, her eyes looking down on her tab. "You are now officially an Electrical Tier 1 Scientist. In your tab, you will see the perks."

"Thanks," Lance responded.

Lance glanced at his tab and navigated his perks as an Electrical Tier

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[Rank] Electrical Tier 1

[Perks]

[1] Access to Scrap Yard Tier 4

[2] Access to Omnexus Market – Tier 1

[3] One slot Business Opportunity

[4] Two-bedroom penthouse in Arcadia Villas, Tyronis Sector

[5] Slots for TOR positions

[6] Free PreMasters courses

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'I guess Veltrix Villas is out of the choices. Chesters wants me in SteamHaven, near the manufacturing plants.' Lance thought.

What surprised him was the One-slot Business Opportunity. It was hard to acquire a legitimate business in Axe Central City due to overacting GLD administrative orders in acquiring businesses. The Government somehow created stringent controls on acquiring businesses because the persistent rebels had been looking for ways to earn. His first business was fixed by the Mafia for only 1000 units, and only about Trading scraps. Lance had a license however; the Mafia had manipulated his legitimate business advantageous to their control.

Secondly, what tinged his interest in the perks list was the access to Omnexus Mart Market. He heard about these high-class markets that sold rare and masterwork-level components and outrageous fancy and expensive food, peculiar ornamental plants, and even antique and rare furniture.

Without further thought, Lance took an aerial bullet transit train bound for VeltraxBloc Sector where the Omnexus Mart Market was located. VeltraBloc held the center for High-End markets, malls, and Trade spots.

If SteamHaven was a flat sector, that comprised square-shaped vast buildings that only had three stories up, the VeltraBloc held multi-shaped peculiar structures, some of which had precarious designs. It explained that the VeltraBloc held the most people due to the scenic artificial gardens that surrounded these buildings.

As soon as he arrived at the train port, Lance decided to walk to melt with the scenery. It was his first time to set foot on a high-end market center. Lance ambled on a concrete patterned walkway, manicured with artificial zen gardens, fountains, obelisks, and even statues, comprised the place. People tend to get lost among the vast array of gardens and the grand architectural designs that held the structures, glass-filled, golden, and well-lighted.

Lance wanted to stay for the evening and just revered the dancing lights above. He could trance off for hours in just sitting on a bench and lazily watching passers-by and children running around theme parks.

Gold and shiny things shimmered against the bright overcrowded street lights as Lance entered the Omnexus Market. What fascinated him was a throng of high-end merchandise displayed in an array of stalls wrapped in gold-plated sheets. The streets were heaved by High Classers, big spenders. The jewelry sparkled against the shiny alleyways.

Lance felt like he was out of place. He wore clothes now the same as the mid-classers do but lacked jewelry.

Not only Jewelry that amazed the newcomer but also the masterwork-level items placed on shelves.

He recognized the Gravflex Module, a masterwork-level component used in hovercrafts as a gravity stabilizer. He meekly asked the price the Merchant who stood behind the counter, replied in a courteous and professional way of greeting like he had been in the corporate office, and the latter said 6000 units.

As he walked stall upon stall, he identified one of his requirements for his Railgun project. The Quantum Flux Capacitors, Masterwork level component, round cylindrical tubes sheathed with space-grade insulation for heat dissipation.

"Sir, how much for these?" he pointed to the Flux Capacitors displayed on one of the shelves in a particular store.

"Good afternoon, sir. I am Cyrus, your Merchant. Quantum Flux Capacitors are priced at 8000 units each," the Merchant held a welcoming smile.

"That much? Where did you get these?"

"It's already refurbished, sir. I think the scraps came from High Tier Scrap yards and refurbished by scrappers with high access and sell it off here." Cyrus responded.

Scrappers with high access had Mechanic and Electrical Tiers.

"How many do you have?"

"Only one for now sir? I just sold off one of these to one of the inventors just a month ago."

"Are there buyers for these components? There is mostly rare level to masterwork level here." Lance asked.

"Yes, sir. We are doing good business here. Wait a minute, I recognize you from someplace else," Cyrus said, his eyebrows furrowed. He had a friendly slender face, his body wrapped in a gold tunic and heaved with a variety of gleaming jewelry that hung on various parts of his body.

"Would you be kind to share your income here?" Lance neglected the gesture.

"Hmm… I knew it. You are the Savior of our City. Mister Berkley!"

"That's me," Lance said. "So, are you doing good here?"

"Well, it is not a secret that the Omnexus Market is a lucrative business. I will give you a range, just a hint. We are earning 2000 to 5000 units."

'That's rather low.' Lance thought. The income did not connect with his estimate.

"Wait? That's a month, right?" Lance clarified.

"No, sir. It's my daily income. Depending on the season of course." Cyrus smirked.

'What? Outrageous!' Lance cursed inwardly.

"This Demetrian Season, what is your most saleable product?"

Cyrus laughed. "Cigars, of course, Mister Berkley.

Well, the High echelons want to puff cigars during the cold season, don't you think?"

"I guess so. Where did you get the cigars from? I have heard that these were made from Terrabitha City."

"This is a black market custom approved. I am not really sure, but I got these from Jonaz Enterprises."

'The Mafia?' Lance had confirmed before that the Mafia had black market merchandise all over the city. He was not expecting that the mafia's reach would include the High Tier Markets. It's so obvious.

"Sanctioned?"

"Yes, Mister Berkley. We are sanctioned here. Although, only to an extent."

"Have you heard about the Committee on Illegal Scrap Use?" Lance asked. Jaqi must have audited this place.

"CISU, Jaqi Leric? Yes, I know Miss Jaqi. She frequently comes here for jewelry. I know what you are thinking. Why aren't we closed yet because of her? The GLD executive orders for CISU have many loopholes. And one of them, is the due process proceedings. I am sure CISU is investigating Jonaz Enterprises now. If they are closed, then we cease to sell off these black market merch. Then, High Echelon citizens would complain. You know them. They don't care if they got it illegally or legally, as long as the merch feeds their desires."