The world reformed with a shimmer, and Kai Zareth found himself kneeling in a cavern of white mist and geometric lights. The ground wasn't solid—it rippled beneath him like liquid glass, yet held his weight like stone.
He'd made it out alive.
Barely.
[Welcome to your Personal Trader's Domain.][Vault Access: Online][Dimensional Stability: 98%][You are currently in Phase Sanctuary – Safe from hostile traders.]
Kai let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
He took a moment to process everything—the narrow escape, the sudden upgrades, the terrifying presence of Varak the Claw.
One mistake, one second slower, and he'd be dead. This was no game. This system wasn't just a tool—it was a battlefield.
[Tutorial Message – Trader Tip #017:]"Every trade is a gamble. Every gamble is a climb. Only those with a plan walk away rich."
Kai stood and looked around. The space shifted with his thoughts—responding to his desires. A desk formed to his right, floating in the mist. A glowing panel appeared, displaying a blank inventory grid with 20 slots and a swirling energy mass labeled: Galactic Vault.
A smile crept across his face.
"Alright. Let's get to work."
He opened his Vault and listed his options. Nothing inside yet. No items. No CU. No backup. Just his thoughts—and one system that could make or break his future.
[Mission Update: Reach Trader Rank 3 (25 CU Required)][Bonus Reward: Access to the Interworld Trading Hub]
"Time to plan my next move."
But the Vault wasn't the only thing that had changed.
A soft chime echoed.
[You have received a System Message from the Nexus.][Subject: Welcome Package – Claimed Automatically on Reaching Rank 2][Reward: Trader's Manual (Condensed), Universal Translator Upgrade, and 2 Random Trade Leads]
A leather-bound digital book materialized in front of him. He caught it midair. Its pages flicked open with a will of their own.
The Condensed Trader's Manual displayed a message:
"Congratulations, Rookie. Most fail by now. If you're reading this, it means you survived your first trade, escaped your first predator, and now stand on the first rung of an eternal ladder. Good luck. You'll need it."
He skimmed the index:
Chapter 1: Building Trade Routes
Chapter 3: Negotiation in Hostile Territories
Chapter 7: Weaponized Bartering
Chapter 13: System Killers and How to Spot Them
Kai closed the book with a slow nod. "This'll be useful."
Then came the best part—the random trade leads.
[Trade Lead 1: Minor World – Raventha Hollow][Available Items: Spirit Bark, Ironblood Crystals, Whispering Tealeaf][Suggested Buy-In: 5 CU – Potential Return: 10–15 CU]
[Trade Lead 2: Pre-Collapse Earth Replica v9.3][Available Items: Nostalgia Artifacts, AI Poetry Chips, Vintage Soft Drinks][Suggested Buy-In: 3 CU – Potential Return: 6–9 CU]
Kai didn't even hesitate. "Open Raventha Hollow portal. Use Vault interface."
[Confirming Purchase: Spirit Bark Sample – 5 CU][Item Added to Vault – Estimated Market Value: 12 CU][Remaining CU: 0]
A single sliver of dark-red bark appeared, glowing faintly with spiritual energy. He could feel the worth radiating from it.
"Now we're talking."
Then he tapped the second lead and exchanged his system credits—earned from his escape—for an AI Poetry Chip.
A small cube with glowing circuitry floated into his palm. It whispered old Earth poems in a dozen voices.
[Item Added: AI Poetry Chip – Value: Unknown (Experimental Market)]
He chuckled. "Weird. Might be worth something to the right buyer."
He placed both items into the Vault and looked up at the misty horizon of the sanctuary.
[Warning: Phase Sanctuary expires in 3 hours.][Prepare next move or select fallback location.]
He opened the map and highlighted a neutral zone—The Salvage Moon of Deraxis, where traders met to barter freely, no combat allowed.
"Set fallback to Deraxis. Let's see what I can flip this time."
He stood up, stretching as his coat refitted itself automatically.
He was broke again—but only technically.
Now he had a Vault. Leads. Protection. Knowledge. And two items that could easily double his current rank with a single smart deal.
And more importantly, he had time.
The slow climb had begun.
But it wouldn't stay slow forever.
Status Panel:
Name: Kai Zareth
Title: Merchant Sovereign (Probationary)
Rank: 2
Cosmic Units (CU): 0
Credits: 0Vault (2/20):– Spirit Bark (Est. 12 CU)– AI Poetry Chip (Est. Unknown)
Unlocked Features: Spatial Vault, Phase Sanctuary (Temporary), Trade Leads
Next Goal: Reach Rank 3 – Unlock Interworld Trading HubReputation: Rising Ghost (Rumored survivor of Varak the Claw)