The faint glow of dawn seeped through the cracked window of Mark's inn room. Outside, the marketplace was beginning to stir, but Mark remained buried under the thin blanket, lost in thought.
For the first time since his unexpected reincarnation, he allowed himself to reflect on the life he had left behind.
Mark Tennyson on Earth
Mark had always been an ambitious soul. At 28 years old, he carried the burden of unrealized dreams and the scars of relentless rejection. A native of Chicago, Mark had spent his twenties chasing one innovative idea after another.
In college, he had been the guy who stayed up all night in the library, sketching prototypes of devices no one had asked for. "Mark the Mad Inventor," his classmates called him, half-joking, half-jealous of his unrelenting creativity. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and a vision to change the world.
But the world didn't share his vision.
Mark's first venture, SmartSprout, was a portable device designed to help small farmers automate irrigation using solar power. It was simple, effective, and inexpensive. Yet, when he pitched it to investors, he was met with polite smiles and dismissive shakes of the head.
"This is too niche, Mark," one venture capitalist said. "Focus on something with a broader market."
He tried again with NuTrek, an app that gamified fitness routines by integrating virtual reality. Rejected. "We're not seeing the scalability," another investor had said.
And then there was VibeCharge, a wireless charging station with customizable designs. This time, the rejection was more personal. "Look, Mark," his former mentor told him, "you've got great ideas, but maybe you're just not cut out for this."
Those words haunted him.
By the time he hit 28, Mark was living in a tiny apartment with peeling paint and a broken heater. His startup debts piled up, his friends drifted away, and his health declined.
The night he died was supposed to be a fresh start. He had been working on a new idea, a modular battery system for electric vehicles, and had planned to pitch it the next morning. But instead, his heart gave out, overwhelmed by stress and exhaustion.
As the darkness closed in, his last thought had been bitter: Why wasn't I enough?
Return to the Present
The screech of a rooster broke Mark's reverie, pulling him back to the present. He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. The room was modest but clean—a significant upgrade from the apartment he'd left behind.
"Guess I've got a second chance now," he muttered.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind, followed by the appearance of a glowing screen.
System Update!
You have unlocked the Level System.
Since you are the god's favorite, all your base stats have been maxed.
Stats:
Strength: MAXIntelligence: MAXAgility: MAXCharisma: MAXStamina: MAXLuck: MAX
However, to grow stronger and unlock additional products in the Shopping System, you must level up by selling goods.
Current Level: 1
Experience Points (XP) Required for Next Level: 1000
Mark's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? Max stats? God's favorite? I thought I was just some random dude who got reincarnated!"
The screen flickered, and a new message appeared:
Explanation:
You have been chosen by the Divine Merchant, a god who values innovation and trade. He has granted you this system and these stats to test your potential. Prove yourself worthy by building a business empire that spans the 16 continents of this world.
Mark stared at the screen, processing the information. He wasn't just here by chance; he had been chosen. And for the first time in years, he didn't feel like a failure.
"All right, Divine Merchant," he said aloud, clenching his fists. "You want me to prove myself? Challenge accepted."
A New Beginning
Mark swung his legs out of bed, eager to start the day. His body felt different—stronger, faster, more energized. He tested his strength by lifting the heavy wooden table in his room with one hand.
"Okay, this is going to take some getting used to," he muttered, setting the table down gently.
After a quick breakfast of stale bread and water from the innkeeper, he returned to his stall in the marketplace. This time, he was ready to take things to the next level.
Opening the system, he browsed the catalogue and noticed a new section titled Unlockable Products.
Unlockable Products:
Medical Supplies: Requires Level 3Advanced Technology: Requires Level 5Heavy Machinery: Requires Level 10
Mark's mind raced with possibilities. If he could sell basic goods and build up to more advanced items, he could revolutionize entire industries in this medieval world. But first, he needed to hit Level 2.
He restocked his inventory with items that had sold well the previous day—instant noodles, chocolate bars, and tools—and added a few new items, including spices and soaps.
As the marketplace buzzed to life, customers flocked to his stall.
"Do you have more of that sweet brown bar?" a noblewoman's servant asked, referring to the chocolate.
"How about those sharp tools?" a blacksmith inquired.
Mark grinned, his confidence growing with every sale. His earnings skyrocketed, and by midday, the system chimed again.
Level Up!
You have reached Level 2.
New Products Unlocked: Basic Medicines (e.g., bandages, antiseptic cream).
Mark's eyes lit up as he saw the new products in the catalogue. He immediately added them to his inventory, knowing they would be a hit in a world where even minor infections could be fatal.
By evening, his stall was nearly empty, and he had earned over 2000 gold coins. As he packed up for the day, he couldn't help but smile.
"This is just the beginning," he thought.
The soft rays of sunlight filtered through the wooden shutters of the inn, marking the start of a new day in the bustling medieval city. Mark sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the shimmering blue screen that hovered before him.
System Notification:
You are now Level 2.
New products unlocked: Basic Medicines (bandages, antiseptic creams, and herbal remedies).
XP Required for Next Level: 5000.
Mark's fingers drummed against the edge of the bed. Yesterday's success had been exhilarating, but it had also left him with more questions. He couldn't shake the idea that the Divine Merchant, the god who had sent him here, had chosen him for a reason beyond selling chocolate and noodles.
But why?
Back to the Marketplace
After grabbing a quick breakfast in the inn's common room, Mark made his way back to the marketplace. The streets were alive with the usual chaos: merchants shouting over each other to attract customers, horses clopping along the cobblestones, and the occasional street performer juggling flaming torches.
When he reached his stall, he found a small crowd already waiting for him.
"Sir Mark! Do you have more of those magical tools? The ones that cut through wood like butter?" asked a lumberjack, holding up a shiny steel axe from yesterday's inventory.
"My master wants another batch of that sweet brown treat!" chimed a young boy in a nobleman's livery.
Mark smiled, his mind already calculating the profits. He opened the system interface and began restocking his inventory.
Restocking Items:
Steel Tools: 10 unitsInstant Noodles: 50 packsChocolate Bars: 30 barsBasic Medicines: 20 units
As the items materialized in front of him, neatly packed in sleek, modern boxes, the crowd gasped in awe.
"How does he do it?" one man whispered.
"A sorcerer, maybe?" another speculated.
Mark kept his mouth shut, letting the mystery work in his favor. He had no intention of explaining the mechanics of his system to anyone—at least not yet.
A New Challenge
By midday, Mark's stall was bustling with customers. The new medicines were a massive hit. Bandages, in particular, sold out within hours.
But as the day went on, Mark noticed something troubling.
"You're charging too much!" a grizzled old farmer barked, slamming a pouch of coins onto the counter. "These medicines should be affordable for everyone, not just the nobles!"
Mark frowned. It was a fair point. He had been pricing his goods based on demand, and while it made sense from a business perspective, it didn't sit right with him. He wasn't here just to make money—he wanted to build something meaningful, something that would change lives.
After some thought, he adjusted his pricing model, introducing discounts for essential items like medicines and tools. The decision cost him some immediate profits but earned him goodwill among the locals.
System Update
Late in the afternoon, as Mark was wrapping up his sales, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
System Notification:
Congratulations! You have reached 5000 XP.
You are now Level 3.
New products unlocked: Enhanced Farming Equipment, Energy Supplements.
Mark's eyes lit up. Enhanced farming equipment could revolutionize agriculture in this world, and energy supplements would be a game-changer for laborers and adventurers.
But before he could dive into the catalogue, another notification appeared.
New Quest Unlocked:
Build Your First Supply Chain.
Objective: Establish trade partnerships with at least two local merchants to create a steady flow of goods and resources.
Reward: Access to Logistics Tools (e.g., modern wagons, magical storage crates).
"A supply chain, huh?" Mark muttered. "Now we're talking."
Reflecting on the Past
That evening, back at the inn, Mark lay on his bed, staring at the wooden ceiling. The day's events had left him both exhausted and exhilarated.
His thoughts drifted back to his life on Earth. He remembered the countless hours he had spent trying to perfect his inventions, the sleepless nights fueled by cheap coffee and sheer determination, and the crushing disappointment of rejection after rejection.
Maybe I wasn't meant to succeed on Earth, he thought. Maybe I was meant for this.
A faint knock on the door snapped him out of his reverie.
"Come in," he called.
The innkeeper, a plump woman with kind eyes, stepped inside. She held a tray with a steaming bowl of stew and a loaf of bread.
"You've been working hard, lad," she said, setting the tray on the table. "Thought you might need a proper meal."
Mark smiled, touched by the gesture. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
As she left, Mark sat at the table, savoring the hearty meal. For the first time in years, he felt... at peace.
A New Morning, A New System Feature
The next morning, Mark woke to yet another system notification.
System Update:
Congratulations on your progress, Mark Tennyson. As the Divine Merchant's chosen, you have unlocked a new feature: Stats Overview.
Current Stats:
Strength: MAXIntelligence: MAXAgility: MAXCharisma: MAXStamina: MAXLuck: MAX
To maintain your edge, you must level up regularly. Selling goods and completing quests will grant XP. Failing to level up for an extended period will result in stat penalties.
Mark chuckled. "So there's a catch, huh? Figures."
Still, the system's mechanics made sense. If he wanted to dominate the market and build his empire, he needed to stay sharp.
He got dressed, grabbed his inventory ledger, and headed downstairs, ready to face another day in the marketplace.
As he stepped outside, the city greeted him with its usual chaos. But this time, Mark didn't feel overwhelmed. He felt... in control.
"This world doesn't know what's coming," he thought, a determined smile spreading across his face.