As the Military bases sometimes needed dark items, the Babbitt Group was allowed to set up stores in the square. However, perennial contact with dark items would cause people to become influenced by the dark items.

Steve also checked the internet, finding that the Babbitt Group had attracted many soldiers in the military base to join its Black Tiger Battle Team. The strength of the Black Tiger Battle Team was not to be belittled, as they were ranked in the top 50!

This was a normal occurrence for large groups or n.o.bles to support battle teams by providing them with lots of resources. Of course, this kind of support was not given for free, as the corresponding battle teams must aid the masters in completing many dangerous tasks in return. Another option would be their serving them for a few years after they retired from the military bases.

That was exactly why Steve was reluctant to join a battle team. If he could, he would like to form a battle team of his own. Besides, he had enough money of his own and didn't need a corporate or n.o.ble sponsors.h.i.+p!

Steve found the Black Tiger Store easily, as it was a rare dark department store in the middle of the square. Steve went into the shop and a sales clerk came up immediately.

"Welcome, sir. What are you looking for?" the pretty sales clerk asked with a smile.

"I need Blood-Sucking Gra.s.s. Do you have any of that here?" Steve asked straightforwardly.

"Sir, you're in luck! The Blood-Sucking Gra.s.s only matures once every 10 years, so every Blood-Sucking Gra.s.s is usually booked in advance," the waitress explained. She then suddenly laughed and said, "However, a few days ago, the shop just brought in an extra Blood-Sucking Gra.s.s plant!"

"That's great. I want this Blood-Sucking Gra.s.s plant! It doesn't matter how much it costs!" Steve said, pleasantly surprised.

"That will be 100,000 in original gold for this Blood-Sucking Gra.s.s plant, sir. Are you sure you want to buy it?" The pretty sales clerk glanced at Steve to confirm again.

"Yes, I'll take it. Go and fetch the Blood-Sucking Gra.s.s please," Steve said calmly.

There was a glimmer of surprise in her eyes, as there were not many soldiers in the military base who could easily afford such a sum!

"Just a moment, sir. I'll fetch it for you." The pretty sales clerk laughed, then turned and went inside.

As Steve was waiting at the counter, a sudden quarrel erupted at the counter next to him. One of the voices yelling was slightly familiar...

"You're selling fake stuff!"

"Lady, what we sold you was really a perfect Subatomic Serum."

"But, its lasting effect was only half of what was advertised!"

"We only promise our customers that we sell the perfect Subatomic Serum, but we don't promise how long it will last!"

"That's cheating!"

"What evidence do you have to prove that we are cheating? If you're talking nonsense, be careful, or we'll sue you for slander!"

As he was listening to the noisy quarrel, Steve looked over curiously. A girl in a long black dress was arguing with the counter staff. Her long black hair fell down and blocked her eyes, which caused people to ignore her at times.

Steve, however, recognized her as the 16th person lucky enough to be selected as a soldier in the armored robots unit. It was Vivien!

"What happened, Vivien?" Steve stepped forward and asked her.

Vivien looked back and was surprised to see Steve. "Steve, why are you here?"

"I came here to buy some things." Steve frowned and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"I... I... I'm all right..." Vivian lowered her head and fidgeted nervously with her clothes.

Her expression revealed that she felt she had been wronged, but dared not speak out. Her body was even shaking. She seemed very frightened.

Then, she picked up the Subatomic Serum on the counter and said, "I'm going to leave!"

"Hold on!" Steve grabbed Vivien's hand and looked at the man at the counter. "I just heard that you sell fake goods!"