Merchant of The Universe

Ethan stood in the center of the shop, staring at the glowing menu hovering in front of him.

[Shop Expansion Available]

[Personal Quarters – 8 Astral Coins]

[Confirm Purchase?]

His finger hovered over the confirmation button. A part of him hesitated—it wasn't like he was rolling in Astral Coins yet. But then he remembered the past few hours: strange customers, intense negotiations, and the realization that his shop catered to beings from across the multiverse.

He needed a place to rest. Somewhere that wasn't just the wooden floor behind the counter.

He tapped the button.

A soft chime echoed through the shop.

[Purchase Confirmed. Personal Quarters Unlocked.]

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the wall behind the counter shimmered, shifting like liquid silver. A dark wooden door materialized, seamlessly blending into the shop's aesthetic. A small plaque above it read: Personal Quarters – Shop Owner Only.

Ethan took a breath and pushed the door open.

Inside was… surprisingly normal.

A cozy-looking bed sat against the far wall, covered in soft gray sheets. A sturdy wooden desk rested beneath a window—though Ethan had no idea what kind of view it would show in a pocket dimension. There was even a small bookshelf, a dresser, and a door leading to what he assumed was a bathroom.

He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.

Silence.

For the first time since stepping into the shop, he was truly alone. No customers. No strange transactions. Just… peace.

Ethan let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. "Finally."

He kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto the bed. The mattress was firm but comfortable, and for a moment, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling.

The weight of everything hit him at once.

This morning, he was a struggling bookstore clerk. Now, he was the owner of an interdimensional shop, trading with warriors, mercenaries, and collectors of the unknown.

And yet, despite the insanity of it all… he didn't hate it.

He smirked to himself. If anything, this was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to him.

A soft ding pulled him from his thoughts.

[New Feature Unlocked: Personal Inventory]

[You can now store personal belongings in a dimensional space accessible only to you.]

Ethan sat up. "Wait… I have a built-in storage system now?"

Another panel appeared, showing an empty grid labeled Personal Inventory (Slots: 10).

Curious, he reached for the small pouch of Fireborne Shards still in his pocket. The moment he focused on the thought of storing it, the pouch shimmered and vanished, appearing in the inventory window.

He grinned. "Oh, that's going to be useful."

With a satisfied sigh, he leaned back against the pillows.

For now, there were no urgent customers. No pressing trade deals. Just him and his new room.

And for the first time since stepping into this bizarre new life…

He allowed himself to rest.