Read Misfortune Market: A HASEA CHRONICLES STORY (BOOK 1.5) for Free Online Page A

desire to have a place where we could all be ourselves without fear of ramifications from the Alliance and other organisations.”
    Something in his voice…it’s recognisable. Who is he?
    The Overseer started to walk up and down the stage, using grand gestures and speaking in exaggerated tones. “I do hope that every single one of you is having a fantastic time. This is the place to let yourselves go, to have fun and to engage in absolute and exquisite revelry. Drink, eat, barter, fight and fuck to your hearts content. No one will try and stop you.” He raised a finger. “However, pay heed. This market operates under one simple rule. No murder without my say-so. If this rule is broken, the repercussions will be severe.” The Overseer placed the side of his gloved hand against his doll face, as if he were about to share a secret. “Unless you spot a Chosen of course.”
    The crowd gave a raucous laugh. I couldn’t tell if the Overseer was being serious or not – it seemed that he was all about the theatrics – but it unnerved me regardless. Looking around at the others I could see that they felt exactly the same. We were vastly outnumbered, and by looking at a lot of the things on sale around us – outgunned.
    The Overseer continued his performance piece, capturing the attention of every person in the market. A hidden microphone made gave his voice power and it filled the room as he continued to speak. For everything else he was, I had to admit that the man could hold a crowd. In contrast to his flamboyant Punch and Judy act, the Devil remained deathly silent and still – poised and waiting for an opportunity, like a well trained attack dog.
    “You are all here for different reasons. Some of you came here to partake in activities that would otherwise be restricted,” he said. “Others are here to purchase weapons or items that would land you in White Mercy if you tried to obtain them through other means.” He leaned forward. “But a few of you… a few of you are the elite. You came here for a different reason entirely. To acquire the special items…the ones that require a special kind of currency. You came here for the auction.” 
    He emphasized the last word and a hushed stillness fell over the crowd. There was now no doubt that this was the most important aspect of the market, the reason that many people travelled from what was likely all around the world on a single day in June.
    The Overseer continued to walk along the stage, tapping his cane in rhythmic patterns on the worn wood. “The auction house will open in precisely one minute. Those who have not yet procured their notching coins are unfortunately out of luck.”
    A growl of frustration came from a few yards in front and the Dwarf who had barged past shoved his way back through the crowd, heading away from the stage. Guess he didn’t manage to get his notching coin, I thought. Whatever the hell that is. I glanced at Gabriella and gave a small shrug. In response she slyly pulled out her Biomote and got to work.
    “Those of you who have picked up your coins are in for a treat.” He leaned forward. “Behind me sits the finest, the most unusual, and of course the most illegal items available in the two worlds .” There were a few sounds of curiosity, but in general the crowd watched with raptured silence. “To bid, simply raise your coin in the air an state your coin number. You may bid on more than one auction, however I would advise against it. Too many notches can be hard to accommodate to all but the most connected.” The Overseer’s voice lowered and I could imagine him giving a genuine menacing smile behind his sinister mask’s fake one. “And I always collect my debts.”
    Gabriella nudged my arm and tapped the Biomote with a fingernail. I glanced down at the information display.
     
    Notching (as a method of debt repayment):
     
    Notching is an antiquated (and illegal) method of payment. Traditionally a lender offers a malleable