In Shell Town, "Shadow" had become a name whispered with the kind of reverence once reserved for myths. While the vast majority of players were struggling to reach Level 3, this phantom was already Level 7. In a world where your level dictates your literal time on Earth, envy was inevitable, but fear was the dominant emotion.
Silas ignored the stares as he returned to the central plaza. He had already secured a point of Prestige by activating the Teleportation Array, and now he had business to attend to.
He set up his stall near the fountain, and the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave.
"The main event is here!" "I've saved up 150 days of life just for this!" "He sold that Cryo-Magic to Gray Rose and made her #2 on the boards. What else does he have?"
Silas began listing his items. The crown jewel was the Silver-tier Battle Cry manual.
[Item Sold: Battle Cry (Silver). Gained 300 Days of Tradeable Lifespan!]
Nearly a year of life for a single book. A Level 4 Warrior bought it, ignoring the grumbles of those who couldn't afford the price. To Silas, the math was simple: money was paper, but a powerful skill was an investment that paid for itself in survival and faster harvesting.
As the lesser gear—Bronze and Common items—cleared out for 20 to 80 days of life each, Silas added a note to his stall: Seeking high-capacity storage items.
A few moments later, a girl in tattered but elegant black robes approached him. It was Black Dahlia (Lily), the Seer from Titan's team.
"Expert! I have exactly what you're looking for," she said, her eyes bright with a mischievous spark. She reached out and showed him a simple, silver band.
[Space Ring: Contains 12 storage slots. Does not occupy a standard equipment or backpack slot.]
Silas's eyes narrowed. This was a "Void-Anchor" item. Unlike standard satchels, it didn't weigh the user down or take up physical space. In his past life, a 12-slot ring would sell for no less than 10 years of tradeable lifespan.
"What's your price?" Silas asked.
Lily leaned in closer. "I don't want your lifespan, expert. I want a spot on your friends list. And... I want to hire you for a specific hunt."
[Friend Request Accepted: Black Dahlia]
Through a private message, Lily laid out the situation. Titan and the rest of the team were still offline in Riverspire, dealing with the Federation's emergency protocols. Lily, bored and restless, had been scouting the marshes when she spotted a massive, golden health bar glowing on a derelict, rotting ship in the center of the swamp.
"I can't take it alone," she messaged. "And even if the Captain and the others come back, I don't think we can handle a Gold Boss yet. That Runner almost ended us, and it was only Bronze."
Silas thought for a moment. "What's the Boss's name?"
"I couldn't get close enough to see the text," Lily replied. "But the energy coming off that ship was suffocating. It's definitely a Gold-tier."
Silas nodded. "I'll help. Terms: If the Boss drops gear or skills for a Seer, they're yours. Everything else—including all Evolution Points and raw materials—is mine. Deal?"
Lily hesitated. "What about the rest of the team?"
"I'm not splitting loot with a full squad for a hunt I'm going to carry," Silas said flatly. "If something drops for Titan or the others, I'll sell it to you at a discount. But the primary spoils stay with me."
Lily sighed and agreed. A Gold Boss was too good to pass up, even if the terms were lopsided. "Fine. I'll lead the way when the Captain gets back online—"
"No need to wait," Silas interrupted, closing his stall and standing up. "Take me there now. I'll solo it."
Lily froze, her jaw dropping. "Solo it? Expert... it's a Gold Boss. You don't even know its mechanics! That's suicide!"
Silas's eyes remained cold behind his veil. "In this game, hesitation is what kills you. Lead the way."