Alex stood at the edge of the newly established **CODE Marketplace**, watching as players and NPCs alike moved through the bustling stalls. The energy was electric, the air filled with the sound of trading, haggling, and the clinking of gold as legendary weapons, enchanted items, and Eternal Bite flew off the shelves. In just a few short weeks, CODE had transformed from an upstart guild to the most **influential trading force** on the second floor.
But with every step forward came more eyes watching, and Alex could feel the weight of that scrutiny pressing down on him.
"They're all waiting for us to make a mistake," Betsy said, stepping up beside him. Her eyes scanned the crowd with the precision of a hawk. "We're not just the new kids on the block anymore. We're the **target**."
Alex nodded, his thoughts aligned with hers. "Valen's watching us. I can feel it. Silver Serpent's been quiet since the last attack, and that's what worries me."
Betsy sighed. "Yeah, silence before the storm."
They had barely survived Valen's first attempt to sabotage their caravan. The rogue guild leader hadn't been seen since the ambush, but Alex knew he was out there, lurking in the shadows, plotting his next move. Silver Serpent wasn't the type to let a rival guild like CODE rise without putting up a fight.
"Have we shored up defenses on the trade routes?" Alex asked, glancing back at Drax, who was leaning against one of the newly installed iron pillars.
"Yep!" Drax replied, grinning. "We've got **shades** watching the caravans, along with a few hired mercenaries. No one's getting through without us knowing."
"Good," Alex said, though his mind wasn't at ease. There was a tension in the air, like a string pulled too tight, ready to snap at any moment.
Just then, **Eira**, their alchemist, approached with a serious look on her face. The bags under her eyes suggested that she hadn't slept in days.
"We've got a problem," she said, her voice low.
Betsy arched an eyebrow. "What kind of problem?"
Eira pulled out a small vial from her satchel and placed it on the table. The liquid inside shimmered with an unnatural light. "This is a counterfeit version of **Eternal Bite**. I found it being sold by one of the street vendors in Stonehaven."
Alex's eyes narrowed as he took the vial in his hands, examining it closely. "How is this even possible?"
"It's not," Eira replied. "It doesn't grant time like the real Eternal Bite, but it does give temporary stat boosts. It's a cheap knockoff, but if these start flooding the market, it could hurt our business. Players won't be able to tell the difference until after they've bought it."
Betsy cursed under her breath. "Valen. It has to be him. He's the only one sneaky enough to pull something like this."
Eira nodded. "It's possible. Whoever's behind this is using some kind of magical replica. It's not perfect, but it's good enough to fool the average player."
Alex set the vial down, his mind racing. **Counterfeits** were the last thing they needed right now. If word got out that Eternal Bite could be copied, their entire business model could crumble.
"We can't let this get out of hand," Alex said. "If these knockoffs spread, it'll ruin our reputation."
"We could go after the vendors," Betsy suggested. "Find out who's distributing these and shut them down."
Alex shook his head. "No. Valen's too smart for that. He's not leaving a trail we can easily follow. If we go after the small-time vendors, we'll just be playing into his hands. He wants us to **spread ourselves too thin**."
"So what do we do?" Eira asked.
Alex's expression hardened. "We're going to **control the narrative**. We'll launch a **new version** of Eternal Bite, something that's even more powerful and exclusive. If players know they can only get the best buffs and real-time bonuses from us, the knockoffs won't stand a chance."
Betsy grinned. "I like it. Keep them guessing, stay ahead of the competition."
Eira smiled for the first time in days. "I've been working on some new formulas. We could introduce **Eternal Bite Plus**, with enhanced buffs—maybe even something that gives players an edge in combat."
"Perfect," Alex said. "But we need to move fast. Valen's not going to wait for us to recover."
---
### **Setting the Trap**
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. **Eternal Bite Plus** was in production, and Alex had the shades working around the clock to churn out the new product. Meanwhile, Betsy and Eira set to work **marketing the new version**, sending out feelers to the most **influential players and guilds** on the second floor.
The message was clear: **Eternal Bite Plus** was the next level of power, something no one else could offer. With **enhanced stat bonuses** and an exclusive real-time boost, it was the ultimate advantage for players looking to dominate the floor.
As the launch day approached, the team knew that the stakes had never been higher. If Eternal Bite Plus succeeded, it would **crush the counterfeits** and secure CODE's place as the dominant force in the market. But if it failed… they could lose everything.
Alex stood in the center of the CODE Marketplace, watching as players gathered for the launch. **Guild leaders**, **high-level solo players**, and even **merchants** from across the second floor had come to see what all the fuss was about.
"They're all here," Betsy said, standing beside him. "Even some of Valen's people."
Alex's eyes narrowed. "Good. Let them see what real power looks like."
At the appointed time, Eira stepped forward, holding up a glowing vial of **Eternal Bite Plus**. The crowd went silent as she spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what you're about to experience is unlike anything you've ever seen before," she began, her voice calm and authoritative. "Eternal Bite Plus is the next step in your journey. Not only will it grant you the **time and strength** you've come to expect from our product, but it will also give you an **edge in combat** that no one else can match. This isn't just food—it's the future."
She handed the first vial to a **level 150 warrior**, a well-known player who had dominated several of the second floor's toughest dungeons. The warrior downed the vial in one gulp, and within seconds, his eyes widened as the system notifications began to flood his vision.
**[You have consumed Eternal Bite Plus.]**
**[+2 Hours of Real-World Time Granted.]**
**[+10 Strength, +10 Agility, +10 Stamina for the next 24 hours.]**
**[Bonus: +5% Attack Power for the next 3 hours.]**
The warrior grinned, flexing his muscles as the buffs took effect. "Now this," he said, his voice booming through the marketplace, "is the real deal."
The crowd erupted in excitement, and within minutes, the CODE Marketplace was swarming with players eager to get their hands on **Eternal Bite Plus**. Orders flooded in, and the vendors could barely keep up with the demand.
Alex watched it all unfold with a quiet satisfaction. They had done it. Not only had they beaten the counterfeits, but they had also **solidified their place** as the most powerful guild on the second floor.
---
### **The Shadow of Valen**
But even as the crowd celebrated, Alex's mind remained focused on the bigger picture. Valen hadn't made a move yet, but Alex knew it was only a matter of time. Silver Serpent wouldn't sit by while CODE grew stronger. They would strike again, and next time, it wouldn't be a simple ambush.
"Valen's playing a long game," Alex said quietly to Betsy as the celebration continued around them. "He'll let us think we've won, and then he'll hit us when we're not expecting it."
Betsy frowned. "So what do we do?"
"We prepare," Alex replied. "We keep expanding, keep growing stronger. And when Valen makes his move, we'll be ready."
---
The days that followed were filled with careful planning and **reinforcement of their defenses**. Alex expanded the **shade network**, using the shadows to monitor the marketplace and the trade routes. Drax and his team of **mercenaries** patrolled the caravans, making sure no one could interfere with their operations. And Betsy, ever the strategist, kept her ear to the ground, listening for any signs of **Valen's next move**.
But even as they prepared for the worst, CODE continued to rise. **Eternal Bite Plus** had become the most sought-after item on the second floor, and players from every city were flocking to their marketplace. **Trade routes expanded**, new alliances were formed, and even the **
Dwarven nobles** began to take notice.
Alex knew they were walking a fine line. The more powerful they became, the more enemies they would attract. But for now, CODE was winning—and that was all that mattered.