Merchant of The Universe

Ethan barely had time to catch his breath before the shop's door creaked open again.

This time, the figure who entered didn't stumble in desperation like Jasper. Instead, he moved with slow, deliberate steps, his presence commanding yet strangely weightless.

The customer was tall and cloaked, wrapped in dark blue and gold robes embroidered with swirling constellations. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but faint traces of glowing silver tattoos peeked out from beneath the fabric.

Something about him sent a shiver down Ethan's spine.

[Customer Identified: Unknown]

[Title: Collector of the Forgotten]

[Intent: Seeking Lost Relics]

Ethan's heartbeat quickened. A collector? That sounds... dangerous.

The figure slowly approached the counter, gloved hands resting lightly on the polished wood. When he spoke, his voice was smooth and measured, carrying an echo, as if spoken through layers of time itself.

"Merchant," he intoned, "do you deal in objects without a past?"

Ethan blinked. "…What?"

The figure lifted his hand, and suddenly—something shimmered into existence.

A small, intricately carved wooden box hovered between them, pulsing with a faint blue glow.

[Unknown Object Detected.]

[Analysis: Incomplete.]

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"

The Collector's lips curled into a mysterious smile.

"That, dear Merchant, is what I wish to know."

He placed the box onto the counter and tapped it lightly with a single gloved finger.

"This item has no history. No origin. It exists, yet it does not belong to any known world." His glowing silver tattoos pulsed. "I am willing to pay handsomely for any knowledge you can uncover."

Ethan hesitated. This was new. Could the shop even appraise something that 'doesn't exist'?

"System, can you analyze it?"

A soft chime echoed.

[Attempting Identification…]

[Processing…]

The box shuddered slightly, as if resisting the very act of being examined.

Then—

[Error: Object Exists Outside of Established Timelines.]

[Partial Identification Possible. Proceed?]

Ethan frowned. Outside of timelines? What does that even mean?

"…Proceed," he said.

A new notification appeared.

[Partial Identification Complete.]

---

[Item: Nameless Reliquary]

Type: ???

Function: ???

Contents: Unknown

Warning: Presence of temporal anomalies detected. Handle with caution.

---

Ethan exhaled slowly. It barely gave me anything.

But the Collector seemed… pleased.

"Ah," he whispered, his fingers tracing the surface of the box. "So even your shop cannot name it." He chuckled softly. "Fascinating."

He reached into his robes and retrieved a small obsidian vial, filled with swirling silver liquid.

"I will offer you this," he said, placing it on the counter. "An Essence of Starfire—a substance known only to a handful of scholars across the realms. And…"

He retrieved two silver Astral Coins and placed them beside the vial.

"For the appraisal, of course. Knowledge is valuable, is it not?"

Ethan didn't need the system to tell him that this was a good deal.

[Shop Appraisal Complete – Earned: +2 Astral Coins]

[Trade Confirmed: +1 Essence of Starfire, +2 Astral Coins.]

[Total Balance: 9 Astral Coins.]

The reliquary vanished, whisked away by the shop's magic. The Collector let out a satisfied sigh.

"A pleasure," he murmured. Then, before Ethan could say another word, he turned and walked out.

The shop's door swung shut.

Ethan stared at the Essence of Starfire in his hands, the silver light reflecting in his eyes.

Then a new notification popped up.

[Total Balance: 9 Astral Coins.]

Ethan's breath caught.

He had enough.

He placed the vial carefully on the shelf behind him, his mind already spinning with thoughts.

Finally, after what felt like days of uncertainty, he could afford the Personal Quarters.

A grin tugged at his lips as he pulled up the system menu.

"Time to make this place feel like home."