Merchant of The Universe

Ethan stared at the silver-white coin still resting on the counter. It shimmered under the shop's dim lighting, pulsing faintly like a tiny captured star.

His first sale. His first customer.

A woman cloaked in starlight, her voice layered with echoes, had walked in from a world Ethan couldn't even comprehend, handed him real gold, and left with a potion that stabilized "shifting souls."

His brain struggled to process it.

He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. Okay. Think.

First, he picked up the coin. The moment his fingers touched it, the system reacted.

[First Transaction Complete.]

[Profit: 1 Astral Coin.]

[Shop Owner Privileges Unlocked.]

Ethan's vision blurred for a second as more information flooded into his mind. It wasn't painful, but it was overwhelming—as if he had suddenly studied years of business management in a matter of seconds.

When the sensation faded, he instinctively understood things he hadn't before.

The shop had rules.

A floating golden panel appeared in front of him, displaying neatly written text:

---

[Multiversal Shop Rules]

1. The Shop Exists in a Pocket Dimension.

•It can appear in different worlds, dimensions, and timelines.

•Time inside the shop flows separately from the outside world.

2. Customers Will Come From Across the Multiverse.

•The shop accepts any being capable of trade.

•Currency is automatically converted into Astral Coins, the universal medium of exchange.

3. The Shop's Inventory is Controlled by the System.

•Items will appear on shelves based on demand and the shop owner's authority.

•The shop owner can request specific types of goods, but not everything will be available immediately.

4. The Door Can Be Opened or Closed at Will.

•The shop owner decides when to accept customers.

5. The Shop Must Follow the Law of Equivalent Exchange.

•Every transaction must be fair—customers cannot be scammed or robbed.

6. The Shop Owner Will Receive Rewards for Business Growth.

•Expanding the shop, making high-value trades, and satisfying powerful customers will unlock more features.

---

Ethan read through the rules twice, then exhaled. Okay. That explains a lot.

He was now the owner of a traveling, interdimensional shop, serving customers from different worlds. The system handled the inventory and currency conversion, and he could decide when to open or close the shop.

And there was a reward system.

That last part intrigued him the most. What kind of "rewards" are we talking about?

As if in response, the golden panel updated.

[Shop Owner Bonus Unlocked: Language Synchronization.]

[You can now understand and communicate with any being that enters the shop.]

Ethan blinked. Wait, what?

He opened his mouth to test it, but before he could say anything, the shop door clicked.

The sound sent a jolt down his spine.

Someone was about to enter.

His heart pounded as the handle twisted, and the door swung open.

This time, his new customer wasn't cloaked in mystery.

A giant of a man stepped through, ducking under the frame. He was nearly seven feet tall, broad-shouldered, with blue skin covered in intricate glowing tattoos. His eyes were a burning shade of orange, and he wore heavy armor made of some strange metallic material.

A massive battle-axe rested on his back, humming faintly with power.

The man stepped forward, scanning the shop with a look of curiosity. Then, his gaze locked onto Ethan.

"You," he rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. "Are you the merchant?"

Ethan swallowed. Oh, crap.

"I… guess so?"

The man nodded, seemingly satisfied. He reached into a pouch at his waist, pulling out a jagged, bloodstained crystal and setting it on the counter.

"I need something to tame this."

Ethan glanced down at the crystal. The moment he focused on it, the system reacted.

[Item Identified: Cursed Beast Core]

[A crystallized essence of a slain monster. Unstable and dangerous.]

[Searching Inventory for Compatible Items…]

The shelves shifted behind him.

Something was coming.

And for the second time that night, Ethan realized:

He had absolutely no idea what he was doing.