Marvin gestured toward the stall with a calm smile. "Let's go inside and talk," he said to the owner, his tone firm but friendly.
The stall owner hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances with his wife and daughter, before nodding. Together, they stepped into the back of the small stall. Inside, the modest room was cluttered with various goods -sacks of grains, jars of preserved fruits, and bundles of dried herbs stacked against the walls.
The owner motioned toward a chair. "Please, have a seat," he said politely, though his eyes remained wary.
Marvin took the offered seat, letting his gaze sweep around the room. "A cozy setup," he remarked before leaning forward slightly. "Now, let's discuss business."
The owner folded his arms, his suspicion only deepening.
"What I said back there was true," Marvin began, his tone level. "But before we go any further, there's one thing I need to say."
The stall owner stiffened, his skepticism growing. So, it's a scam after all, he thought bitterly.
Noticing the tension, Marvin held up his hand. "Don't worry. I mean exactly what I said—I want to buy your goods. All of them."
The owner's brow furrowed as he waited for the catch.
"But," Marvin continued, leaning back, "I don't just want to buy them. I want you to work for me. Bring more people on board. I'll give you land to farm, and you can sell your goods directly to me. No middlemen, no forced low prices, just honest business. What do you think?"
The owner blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such an offer. His wife exchanged a hesitant glance with him, while their daughter stood silently in the corner, watching the exchange with wide eyes.
"You're serious?" the owner asked, his tone uncertain but intrigued.
"Completely," Marvin replied, a small, confident smile on his lips. "I'm the new lord of this territory, and I need people who are willing to work and grow alongside me. This offer benefits us both."
The room fell silent as the stall owner considered the proposal,
The stall owner hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Lord Marvin, we trust you, but if you could provide more details about the deal, it would help us understand better."
Marvin leaned forward slightly, his expression were calm but firm. "I'm new here, but I've already started to see how things work in this territory. Almost everyone here is struggling, desperate, and yes -crooked. Not because they want to be, but because they've been abandoned by the world outside these borders."
The stall owner's gaze softened as Marvin's words struck a chord. He thought of his own past -the struggles, the betrayals, and the isolation that had brought him and his family to this place. "You're right, my lord," he said quietly, his voice was carrying a mix of pain and agreement.
Marvin smiled, a touch of determination flickering in his eyes. "I can understand why they act the way they do. But I don't want this territory to remain a pit of despair and desperation. I want to transform it into something we can all be proud of -a place where we rise above our circumstances."
The stall owner studied Marvin closely, his mind racing. There's something different about this lord, he thought. All the other nobles who ended up here were selfish and corrupt, but this one…
Marvin continued, his tone steady. "Here's my offer. I'll buy your goods at 10% above the market rate -no haggling, no scams. All I ask is that you agree to work with me and bring others who are willing to do the same."
The stall owner's wife nudged him gently, and he glanced at her before turning back to Marvin. "That… sounds good, my lord," he said, a note of hope creeping into his voice.
Marvin extended his hand. "So, do we have a deal?"
The stall owner didn't hesitate. He clasped Marvin's hand firmly, a smile breaking across his face. "Of course, my lord. It's a deal. Thank you for giving us this opportunity."
Liren stood proudly and introduced his family. "I'm Liren Zuvich. This is Sofia, my wife, and that's my daughter, Sylvia." He placed a hand on his chest. "I promise you, my lord, I'll bring more people willing to work."
Marvin nodded, about to respond, when a sudden jolt coursed through his body, causing him to stiffen slightly. What the— Before he could react, a glowing window appeared in front of him, visible only to his eyes.
---
Congratulations! You have completed your task.
Rewards:
•Small Silver Dagger +1
•Popularity Points +3
---
Before Marvin could fully process the message, a small, gleaming silver dagger materialized in his hand, the blade catching the dim light in the room.
Liren's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly masked his surprise, straightening his posture. A dagger appearing out of nowhere? He must be a magician, Liren thought, his mind racing.
He glanced at his wife, who looked equally stunned but remained silent. This is my opportunity to befriend him, Liren realized. A noble lord with magic was rare, and aligning with someone of such power could change his family's fate.
Marvin, noticing Liren's expression, tucked the dagger into his belt with a casual motion. "As I said, we'll build something remarkable here, Liren. Together."
"Yes, my lord," Liren said eagerly, bowing slightly. "I'll make sure to spread the word about your generosity and vision."
Marvin allowed himself a small smile, but in his mind, he couldn't help but marvel at the strange turn his life had taken. A system, a magical dagger, and now a growing alliance? This is only the beginning.
Marvin quickly snapped back to reality, noticing the way Liren was now looking at him -half awe, half curiosity. He scratched the back of his neck and murmured under his breath, "I can guess why he feels like that, but it's still weird."
Clearing his throat, Marvin straightened up. "You know where you can find me, right? There's a mansion near the city center. Well, it used to be a mansion. You'll understand when you see it."
"Yes, my lord," Liren replied, bowing deeply.
Marvin gave a nod, turning to leave. He could feel the weight of Liren's gaze on his back as he stepped outside, the bustling sounds of the market once again surrounding him. One step at a time, he thought, heading back toward his so-called mansion,
Marvin returned to the ruins he now called home, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment. He plopped into the creaky chair by the fireplace, A grin tugged at his lips as he leaned back. "Now that I've taken the first step, I just have to achieve my goal," he murmured to himself, determination glinting in his eyes.
For a moment, he let himself bask in the satisfaction. "This doesn't feel real," he thought, fingers idly drumming on the armrest. "But it sure is motivating."
With a deep breath, Marvin called out for the system, his was voice steady. Instantly, the familiar translucent screen appeared before him.
---
| System Profile |
•Host: Marvin Lacoste
•Status: Banished
•Popularity Points: 3
•Spells: None
•Cubical Storage: Locked
•Market: Locked
Task: Gather the trust of your subjects, 3 or more. (Completed)
---
Marvin stared at the screen, his grin widening. "Three points, huh? It's not much, but it's a start," he muttered, running his hand through his hair.