Kian woke early, his mind already buzzing with ideas. The Trade System was now active, and the possibilities it offered were staggering. The Global Trade Map displayed a vast world beyond the small village—a world teeming with opportunities. Major trade hubs, distant kingdoms, and bustling cities were marked, each glowing with potential wealth.
But first, he needed to solidify his position in the village. This was his base, and it had to be the foundation of his empire.
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Step 1: Identifying the Next Move
Sitting at the edge of his bed, Kian summoned the Trade System panel and activated Dynamic Pricing.
A detailed chart materialized, showing fluctuations in demand for common goods in nearby regions. One item immediately caught his eye: grain.
The surrounding villages were experiencing a surplus of grain, driving prices down. However, the nearest town, three days away by cart, was in the middle of a shortage due to a recent drought. Grain prices there had tripled.
Kian grinned. "Buy low, sell high. Some things never change."
He summoned the Profit Forecasting feature to calculate the costs:
Purchasing grain locally would be cheap.
Hiring a cart and driver for transport would be manageable.
The potential profit margin was enormous.
[Recommended Action: Purchase grain locally and transport to nearest town for resale. Estimated profit: 12 silver coins per trip.]
The plan was simple but effective.
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Step 2: Gathering Resources
Kian approached the village elder, a wiry man with a weathered face. The elder was in charge of grain storage and distribution.
"Elder," Kian began, "I've heard that the town of Feryn is suffering from a grain shortage. I'd like to buy some of the village's surplus and transport it there for sale."
The elder eyed him skeptically. "And why would I sell to you, boy? We need that grain for the winter."
"I'm not asking for all of it," Kian said smoothly. "Just enough to turn a profit for both of us. I'll pay you two silver coins per sack now and return with an additional coin per sack after the sale. That's more than you'd get from the local market."
The elder's eyes narrowed, but greed gleamed in them. "Three silver coins per sack upfront."
Kian smirked. "Deal."
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Step 3: Logistics and Negotiations
Next, Kian needed transport. He approached a local cart owner, a grizzled man named Hal.
"Hal, I need a cart and a strong horse for a trip to Feryn. What's your rate?"
Hal scratched his head. "Five silver coins for the trip."
"Three," Kian countered.
"Four."
"Four, and you get a 10% cut of the profits," Kian said, extending his hand.
Hal grinned and shook it. "You've got yourself a deal, boy."
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Step 4: The Journey to Feryn
By noon, Kian had loaded the cart with 20 sacks of grain, spending 60 silver coins—a huge risk. But risks were the foundation of wealth, and Kian's confidence in the system's predictions kept his nerves steady.
The journey to Feryn was grueling. The dirt road was uneven, the horse slow, and the weather sweltering. But Kian used the time wisely, analyzing the Trade System's data and planning his next moves.
On the second night, they camped by a stream. As Kian stared into the crackling fire, Hal spoke up.
"You're an odd one, lad," Hal said, gnawing on a piece of dried meat. "Most your age are working the fields, not running trade schemes."
Kian smirked. "Let's just say I've had experience."
"Experience, eh?" Hal chuckled. "Well, I hope you know what you're doing. Feryn's not the friendliest place for newcomers."
"I'll manage," Kian replied confidently.
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Step 5: The Sale in Feryn
They reached Feryn on the third day, a bustling town surrounded by dry, cracked fields. The grain shortage was evident—lines of desperate villagers stood outside the marketplace, arguing with merchants over prices.
Kian wasted no time. He approached the central market and set up his cart, arranging the grain sacks in a neat display.
"Grain for sale!" he called out. "High quality and fair prices!"
Within minutes, a crowd gathered. Merchants and villagers alike swarmed the cart, desperate for supplies.
"Two silver coins per sack!" Kian announced, undercutting the local merchants but still making a substantial profit.
The sacks sold out in less than an hour. As the last customer handed over their coins, the Wealth System chimed:
[Transaction Complete. Profit: 40 silver coins.]
Kian's chest swelled with pride. He had more than doubled his investment in a single trip.
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Step 6: Building Connections
Before leaving Feryn, Kian visited the town's merchant guild. The guild master, a stout man with sharp eyes, greeted him with curiosity.
"You're new," the guild master said, stroking his beard. "And you've caused quite a stir in the market today."
"I'm here to make a name for myself," Kian replied. "And I'd like to establish a partnership with the guild. I can supply goods at competitive prices."
The guild master studied him for a long moment before nodding. "We'll see what you're capable of. Bring me something valuable on your next trip, and we'll talk."
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Step 7: Returning as a Success
The journey back to the village was lighter—both literally and figuratively. With his profits safely tucked away, Kian felt a growing sense of accomplishment.
When they arrived, he paid the elder the agreed-upon amount and handed Hal his share.
"You're a smart lad," Hal said, clapping him on the shoulder. "If you ever need a cart again, you know where to find me."
Kian nodded, already planning his next move.
[Quest Complete: Establish a Sustainable Income Stream.]
[New Feature Unlocked: Merchant Networking.]
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As the village settled into another quiet night, Kian stood by his window, gazing at the stars. His pockets jingled with silver coins, and his mind buzzed with possibilities.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured. "The first step toward building an empire."