Chapter 6: A Merchant's Awakening
Adam sat in his small apartment, the dim light of his desk lamp illuminating the scattered items he had brought back from the second world. Among them were glowing stones, strange metals, and, most importantly, a single skill book.
The book hovered slightly above the surface of the table, its cover radiating a faint golden hue. The title, written in an unfamiliar script, seemed to shift and shimmer when viewed from different angles.
"This thing is worth a fortune," Adam muttered, leaning back in his chair. His fingers tapped against the table as he considered his next move.
The skill books were unique to the second world, and in his modern world, the mere existence of one could turn heads. Awakeners spent fortunes on anything that could give them an edge, and skill books? They were priceless treasures.
The system message appeared in bold, glowing letters before his eyes, drawing a smirk from Adam.
"Oh, now you're speaking my language," he said.
He picked up the book carefully, turning it over in his hands. The weight of it felt significant—not physically, but in terms of the potential it held. The book was titled Flame Veil, a defensive skill designed to shield its user in combat.
"A defensive skill like this would make even a low-rank Awakener feel invincible," Adam mused. "The question is, who do I sell it to?"
The next day, Adam found himself at the bustling Awakener Market. The place was alive with activity, stalls and shops selling everything from rare materials to combat gear. He blended into the crowd, his plain clothes and F-rank badge making him just another face in the sea of aspiring Awakeners.
Despite his outward calm, Adam's mind raced. This was his first attempt at selling something from the second world, and the stakes were high. If word got out about where the book came from, he'd be in trouble.
He approached a discreet-looking booth run by an older man in a gray coat. The man's sharp eyes scanned Adam as he approached, his gaze lingering on the small, wrapped package in Adam's hands.
"What can I do for you?" the man asked, his voice low and measured.
Adam set the package on the counter and leaned in. "I've got something you might be interested in. A skill book."
The man's expression didn't change, but his eyes gleamed with interest. "A skill book, you say? Let's see it."
Adam unwrapped the book just enough to let the golden glow shine through. The man's composure slipped for a moment, his hand twitching toward the package before he caught himself.
"Flame Veil," Adam said, keeping his voice steady. "Rare. Defensive. It's in perfect condition."
The man nodded slowly. "What's your price?"
"Ten spirit stones," Adam replied without hesitation.
The man's lips curled into a thin smile. "You've got guts, kid. Ten spirit stones for a defensive skill book? That's steep."
Adam shrugged. "You know as well as I do that it's worth every stone. If you're not interested, I'm sure someone else will be."
The man studied Adam for a long moment before reaching into his coat. He pulled out a small pouch and placed it on the counter. "Ten spirit stones. Deal."
Adam's heart raced as he pocketed the pouch, but he kept his expression calm. "Pleasure doing business with you."
As he walked away, he couldn't help but grin. This was only the beginning.
Back in his apartment, Adam poured the spirit stones onto the table. The glowing gems represented more than just currency—they were proof that his ability wasn't worthless.
The system's voice interrupted his thoughts, and a new menu appeared in his vision.
Adam stared at the notification, his grin widening. "Now this is what I'm talking about."
With his newfound ability and his first success under his belt, Adam's journey as a dual-world merchant was just beginning.