Chapter 7: A Dangerous Investment
Adam paced his apartment, his fingers brushing against the pouch of spirit stones in his pocket. The glowing gems were more than just currency—they were his ticket to something bigger. But with new opportunities came new risks.
His newly unlocked ability, Trade Insight, shimmered faintly in his peripheral vision. A single thought activated it, and a translucent interface appeared, listing potential buyers and the estimated market value of various items he possessed.
"Okay, let's see what we're working with," Adam muttered, sitting at his desk. He laid out his remaining materials from the second world: shimmering ores, glowing stones, and a single, faintly glowing vial of liquid.
The system's notification appeared in bold letters, and Adam watched as the interface shifted to display detailed information about each item.
Item 1: Etherial Ore
Estimated Value: 3-5 Spirit Stones (Per Unit) Potential Buyers: Blacksmiths, Enchanters, Guild Representatives
Item 2: Lumina Crystal
Estimated Value: 5 Spirit Stones Potential Buyers: Awakeners, Alchemists
Item 3: Liquid Essence
Estimated Value: 15 Spirit Stones Potential Buyers: Rare Alchemists, Collectors
Adam leaned back, his eyes narrowing. The Liquid Essence was by far the most valuable item he had, but it also came with the highest risk. Rare items like this attracted attention, and attention was the last thing he needed.
"Fifteen spirit stones," he muttered, tapping the vial thoughtfully. "If I play this right, I could double my profits."
But the question remained—where to sell it? The Awakener Market was too public, and the wrong buyer could spell disaster.
Later that night, Adam found himself in the shadowy underbelly of the city, a place known only as The Exchange. Unlike the open stalls of the Awakener Market, The Exchange operated in secrecy, its vendors and buyers hidden behind cloaks and masks.
The air was thick with tension as Adam navigated the narrow alleys, his pouch of spirit stones and vial of Liquid Essence tucked securely in his jacket.
"Looking to buy or sell?" a voice called from a shadowy corner.
Adam turned to see a hooded figure, their face obscured by a dark mask. "Sell," he replied, keeping his tone steady.
The figure gestured for him to follow, leading him to a dimly lit stall hidden beneath an awning of black fabric.
"What do you have?" the vendor asked, their voice low and gravelly.
Adam pulled out the vial of Liquid Essence and set it on the counter. The vendor's breath hitched, their gloved hand reaching out to examine it.
"Liquid Essence," they murmured. "This is rare. Very rare. Where did you get it?"
Adam shrugged. "Does it matter? Are you buying or not?"
The vendor chuckled softly. "Fair enough. What's your price?"
"Twenty spirit stones," Adam said, testing the waters.
The vendor laughed, a low, humorless sound. "Ambitious, aren't we? Ten."
"Fifteen," Adam countered, his voice firm.
The vendor considered for a moment before nodding. "Deal."
They reached into a hidden compartment and produced a pouch of stones, setting it on the counter. Adam slid the vial over, his heart pounding as the transaction completed.
As Adam left The Exchange, the weight of the spirit stones in his pocket felt heavier than before. He had made a profit, but the shadowy world of illegal trades left him uneasy.
The system's voice echoed in his mind, and a new interface appeared.
Adam stopped in his tracks, a grin spreading across his face. "Now that's what I call an investment."
With Dimensional Storage at his disposal, Adam's plans grew bolder. He was no longer just an F-rank Awakener—he was a merchant, a trader, and soon, a force to be reckoned with.