Chapter 8: The Art of Deception
Adam leaned against the counter of a small, rundown diner in the city's outskirts. The spirit stones from his last trade jingled faintly in his pocket. Despite the success, he wasn't here to celebrate—this was reconnaissance.
The Exchange had been a calculated risk, but one he couldn't afford to repeat often. The stakes were too high, and the questions too many. He needed a safer, more stable method of selling his goods.
The system's bold, glowing message appeared, earning a quiet laugh from Adam.
"Yeah, that's the plan," he muttered, sipping his coffee.
Across the diner, he spotted his target. A lean, shifty-looking man with sharp features and darting eyes, known in certain circles as "Vince the Broker." Vince specialized in connecting sellers with buyers, all while keeping his hands clean.
Adam approached, sliding into the booth across from Vince. "I hear you're the guy to talk to about making deals."
Vince didn't look up from his plate of fries. "Depends. What kind of deals?"
"The kind that makes people richer," Adam said, pulling a small pouch from his pocket. He opened it just enough for Vince to see the faint glow of the spirit stones inside.
Vince's eyes flicked to the pouch, his interest piqued. "You've got my attention. What's the catch?"
"No catch," Adam replied, leaning forward. "I need buyers, and I need discretion. You help me, and I'll make it worth your while."
Vince smirked. "You're bold for an F-rank. What exactly are you selling?"
Adam placed a small, shimmering stone on the table. It wasn't the most valuable item from his stash, but it was enough to make a point.
Vince picked it up, examining it closely. "Spirit stones. Decent quality. These don't come cheap."
"They also don't come from around here," Adam said, his voice low.
Vince's eyes narrowed. "You're importing these?"
"Let's just say I have a unique supplier," Adam replied cryptically. "I can get more—better quality, rarer items—but I need a network. Can you handle that?"
Vince set the stone down, his expression thoughtful. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Alright, I'll bite. But I'm taking a cut."
"Fifteen percent," Adam said, his tone firm.
"Twenty," Vince countered.
Adam hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Deal. But you'll need to prove you can deliver. I don't have time for amateurs."
Vince chuckled. "Fair enough. You've got yourself a broker."
Back in his apartment, Adam felt a mix of relief and anticipation. The first step to building his trade empire was complete. Vince would handle the logistics, leaving Adam free to focus on acquiring more goods.
The system's message flashed before him, followed by a new interface detailing his transactions.
Adam grinned. "This just keeps getting better."
But as he closed the interface, his thoughts turned to the second world. His success in the modern world depended entirely on what he could bring back.
It was time to make another trip.
In the second world, Adam stood before a towering dungeon entrance. The air around it shimmered with latent energy, and the faint sound of growls echoed from within.
He tightened his grip on the hilt of a basic sword he'd acquired during his last visit. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.
"Shadow Cavern?" Adam muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Couldn't you have picked a friendlier-sounding place?"
Despite his unease, Adam stepped forward, the portal's energy washing over him as he entered the dungeon.
Darkness enveloped him, broken only by the faint glow of his system interface. The air was damp and cold, and the growls grew louder with each step.
Adam's heart raced, but he forced himself to focus. This wasn't just about survival—it was about building his future.
And he wasn't going to let anything stand in his way.