Edward stepped through the dense underbrush, his boots crunching softly against the mossy forest floor. The glow of the system's interface lingered faintly in his vision, but he forced himself to focus on his surroundings. The woods eventually gave way to a dirt path, which led him to a ridge overlooking King's Landing.
The sight stole his breath.
The sprawling city buzzed with life, nestled against the shimmering waters of Blackwater Bay. It was a study in contrasts: towering stone structures like the Red Keep and the Sept of Baelor loomed over ramshackle neighborhoods of timber and thatch. Ships dotted the harbor, their masts swaying gently, while the bustling market square pulsed with activity. Smoke curled lazily from countless chimneys, blending with the salty tang of the sea breeze.
Edward's analytical mind went into overdrive. The city's defensive walls were impressive but unevenly maintained, and the streets below seemed haphazardly designed. Even from this distance, he could sense the chaos of the market: shouts of vendors, the clinking of coins, and the constant shuffle of feet.
The culture shock hit him harder than he anticipated. Everything here felt raw, unrefined. There were no neon lights, no sleek skyscrapers, no hum of machinery. Yet, there was something oddly captivating about the tangible energy of it all.
He descended the hill cautiously, blending into the flow of travelers heading toward the city gates. Merchants pushed carts loaded with goods, peasants carried bundles of firewood, and a troupe of performers juggled flaming torches to the amusement of passersby.
As he approached the gate, Edward's first obstacle appeared: the guards.
They were clad in mismatched armor, their weapons worn but serviceable. One stepped forward, his face set in a scowl. "Toll's two coppers to enter the city."
Edward hesitated. He had no currency—at least, none this world would recognize.
The system flickered to life in his vision, offering a potential solution.
System Notice:
Trade Option Available: Random Item from Earth (Inventory Restrictions Apply)
A faint hiss sounded as the system materialized an object in Edward's pocket. He reached in and pulled out a pen, a simple ballpoint pen.
He held it up to the guard. "How about this?"
The man squinted at the pen, clearly unimpressed. "What is that?"
Edward clicked the pen, causing the tip to extend, then scribbled a quick mark on a scrap of parchment lying nearby. The guard's eyes widened at the clean, dark ink.
"It's a writing tool," Edward explained, keeping his tone calm. "Far more efficient than a quill."
The guard snatched the pen, turning it over in his hands. "Never seen anything like it…" He nodded grudgingly. "Fine. You can pass."
Edward suppressed a sigh of relief as he slipped through the gates.
---
Inside the city, the sensory overload was even more intense. The narrow streets teemed with life, the air thick with a cocktail of odors—baking bread, sweat, animal dung, and the sharp tang of salt from the nearby harbor. Street performers competed for attention with merchants hawking everything from fresh produce to poorly crafted trinkets.
Edward paused at a bustling market stall, his eyes scanning the goods. Exotic spices, bolts of fabric, and crudely forged tools filled the vendor's table. The system flickered to life again, overlaying information on each item.
System Insight:
Saffron (Grade B): Priced 15% above local market average. Source: Volantis.
Fabric (Linen): Moderate Quality. Potential resale profit: 10%.
The data flowed effortlessly into his mind, but as he reached out to activate a more detailed analysis, a message appeared:
System Restriction Activated:
- Trade Initiation Fee: 10% of Earnings in Local Currency.
- Dimensional Trade Limitations: Restricted to Transactions Valued under 100 Gold Dragons Until Level 3 Upgrade.
- Living Entity Trade Locked (Requires Specific Conditions).
Edward's brow furrowed. Of course, the system wasn't going to make things easy. The creator had clearly designed these limitations to ensure he couldn't simply overwhelm the world with unlimited resources.
A new message popped up, almost taunting in its simplicity:
"The more difficult the game, the greater the reward." —System Creator
Edward smirked grimly. "Figures."
As he moved through the market, he noticed something else: the system wasn't just tied to trade. A faint glow surrounded certain individuals, and when he focused on them, additional information appeared.
Subject: Merchant (Spices)
Skill: Negotiation (Moderate)
Reputation: Local, Trusted
Potential Trade Partner
Subject: Street Performer (Juggler)
Skill: Coordination (High)
Reputation: Local, Low
Value as Talent: High (Alternate Use: Combat Trainer)
Edward's mind raced. If the system allowed him to trade in people—not as slaves, but as talents—he could build an empire from the ground up. But the ethical implications nagged at him. Could he really justify using people as assets?
Another system prompt appeared, as if reading his thoughts:
Living Entity Trade Restricted: Requires Consent and Clear Terms of Exchange.
Edward let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. At least there were some safeguards.
He turned his attention back to the market, his mind already working. If he was going to survive—and thrive—in Westeros, he'd need to start small, establish connections, and leverage every advantage the system gave him.