Ethan woke at daybreak to the muffled sounds of the city waking up outside his window. The inn he had chosen, The Gateway, was a modest place that somehow was both rundown and cozy. Ethan groaned along with the aged beams over his head. 'Damn, this bed could be better.' Still, it was a welcome comfort after yesterday's events.
He rubbed his eyes and stretched, his arms still sore from swinging the cudgel repeatedly yesterday. The memory of his struggle against the strange creatures made him wince. He wouldn't survive long in this world if he kept trying to brute-force his way through every problem. It was time to use his head. And the system.
After washing up in the small basin by the window, Ethan sat on the edge of the bed and activated his Otherworld Free Market skill. A familiar hum filled the air as he suddenly found himself back in that strange place. He quickly scanned the closest vending machines, where various items were displayed, each with a short description and price tag.
'Let's see...' Ethan thought as he glanced at the options. 'There must be something in one of these I can use.'
As he moved deeper into the market, he discovered other potions, weapons, and armor. However, they all cost far more AEC than he currently had. Eventually, something caught his eye: Blightbane Pellets.
According to the description, they were designed to attract creatures like the Blight. Once eaten, the magic within the pellets would activate, causing the creatures to perish shortly after.
"Perfect," Ethan muttered to himself. He purchased several batches of the pellets, wincing slightly at the cost. They weren't cheap, but if they worked as advertised, they'd save him a lot of trouble. The pellets materialized in front of him as he exited the marketplace, and he quickly tore open the packaging before stuffing them into the pouches on his belt.
Of course, they didn't all fit. So Ethan had to pack a few boxes into his bag. Feeling satisfied with his purchase, Ethan gathered his belongings and headed downstairs. The innkeeper, an older woman with gray-streaked hair and a stern demeanor, was wiping down the bar.
"Good morning," she greeted, her eyes flicking up from her work. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah," Ethan replied faintly. He hesitated momentarily before adding, "The bed is a bit rough, but it's better than sleeping in the streets."
The innkeeper snorted. "You got that right. The Gateway may not be fancy, but it'll keep the rain off your head. What brings you to the city, anyway? You don't look like the usual folk we get around here."
Ethan considered his reply and decided on a half-truth. "I'm here on business, dealing with a pest problem outside the city."
Berta, the innkeeper, raised an eyebrow. "Pests, eh? You mean the Blight? Nasty little things, those. Heard they've been causing all sorts of trouble lately. You be careful out there, lad. They might not look it, but they're dangerous in numbers."
"I'll try to keep that in mind," Ethan said, nodding. "Thanks for the advice."
She waved him off. "Just don't go getting yourself killed. It's bad for business."
With that, Ethan left the inn and made his way through the early morning streets of the city. The sky was grey, and the sun, which was still low, cast long shadows. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. It was subtle, like the prickling of hairs on his neck, but he chalked it up to nerves.
Unknown to Ethan, a figure in a dark, hooded cloak had been watching him from the moment he stepped out of the inn. The figure trailed behind him at a distance, moving with a practiced stealth that kept them from being noticed. Their eyes never left Ethan, taking in every movement and action with a keen interest.
Once outside the city gates, Ethan followed the same road he had taken the day before, leading him back to the area corrupted by the Blights. The landscape grew desolate and grim as he approached the dead land again. The air was heavy with the foul stench of decay, and the ground beneath his feet seemed lifeless.
Ethan paused at the edge of the area and surveyed it. The Blight were already active, scurrying about and feeding on whatever remnants of life they could find. With a thoughtful expression, he reached into his pouch and retrieved a handful of the Blightbane Pellets. They were small and seemingly unremarkable.
"Let's see if this works," Ethan muttered as he tossed the pellets towards a group of Blights.
The moment they hit the ground, the Blight reacted. Drawn by an unseen force, they swarmed towards the pellets and began to devour them greedily. Ethan watched on with bated breath, waiting to see if they would have the desired effect.
At first, nothing happened. The Blight continued to feed, their bodies wriggling and twitching as they consumed the pellets. But then, one by one, they began to shudder. Their movements became strange, and within moments, they collapsed. Soon, their bodies dissolved into a foul-smelling sludge.
Ethan let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. 'The Blightbane Pellets worked!' Relief washed over him as he figured he might actually have a chance at completing this mission after all.
He spent the following hour testing the pellets on different groups of Blight, refining his strategy as he went. The pellets were effective, but he quickly realized they had a limited range of attraction for the Blight. 'I need to be smart about this.' Ethan frowned as he eyed the Blights he could see. 'I should target the large groups of Blight to maximize the pellets impact.'
As he worked, the hooded figure watched from the shadows of a nearby withered tree, their eyes narrowing with interest. They noted Ethan's movements, use of the pellets, and the subtle way he adjusted his tactics. It was clear to them that Ethan was just a novice fumbling through a mission. However, they could see a sharp mind was at work here, and they were intrigued by what they saw.
The figure slipped away when Ethan finally decided to call it a day and headed back towards the city. Disappearing like a shadow without a sound. They had seen enough for now. There would be more opportunities to observe and to act when the time was right.
The next day, Ethan returned to the desolate lands just beyond the city. The sun barely pierced the thick clouds overhead. He unconsciously tapped the pouches of Blightbane Pellets on his belt, feeling more confident in his plan.'What the hell is that?' As he neared the area, he noticed movement in the distance. A small group of adventurers trudged through the dead terrain, their weapons at the ready. From their worn gear and slow steps, it was clear they weren't seasoned veterans. 'What are they doing out here?'Ethan approached cautiously, not wanting to startle them. The group noticed him as he drew closer. One of them, a tall man with a patchy beard and a nervous smile, raised a hand in greeting."Hey there, stranger!" the man called out. "Are you here for the Blight, too?"Ethan nodded. "Yeah. I've been working on clearing them out. The situation's better than it was a few days ago.""Figures," the man grumbled, glancing around at the withered land. "We were sent by the Adventur
The following day, Ethan returned to the site, feeling the weight of unfinished business on his shoulders. The sky was bright, but a chill hung in the air as he approached the meeting spot. He spotted Layla and her group waiting for him, their equipment looking a bit worse for wear but their spirits seemingly intact."Morning, Ethan!" Layla called out cheerfully as she waved him over, her ponytail swaying with her enthusiastic greeting. To Ethan, she seemed more confident than she had yesterday. "Ready to finish what we started?""Definitely," Ethan replied with a nod, trying to keep his focus sharp. Despite the warm greeting, the nagging feeling Ethan had the day before returned. 'What the heck is up with this?' He couldn't help but scan their surroundings, and finding nothing to be concerned about, he pushed the feeling to the back of his mind.The ragtag group of adventurers stood nearby, quietly preparing for the day ahead. Ethan took a moment to size them up.First was Roland, t
Ethan's lungs burned as he dodged a swipe from the mutated Blight. His cudgel felt like a toothpick compared to the monstrous creature they faced, and each time he swung, it felt like hitting a brick wall. His blows barely registered on the beast, and frustration gnawed away at him. 'I need to think… There's got to be something we can use against this damn thing!'Around him, the adventurers fought on, but the battle was clearly wearing on them. Roland's sword strikes had slowed, his once-steady hand now trembling while his breathing had quickened. Thorne's warhammer connected with a sickening crunch, but the Blight barely staggered from the blow. Meanwhile, clutching her injured side, Zara grimaced with each movement as she tried to stay out of the creature's reach.And then there was Layla, dancing in and out of range, her strikes swift but lacking the precision needed to bring the creature down. Ethan's suspicion of her lingered, but he shoved it aside for now. 'There's time for th
Ethan stood in the Hero's Hall before the scarred man, Wei Zhang. The tension was as thick as their silence. The remnants of the mutated Blight creature lay on the counter, undeniable proof of his first real victory in this world.The scarred man inspected the remains with a cold, calculating eye before nodding slowly. "Impressive work," he finally said, his voice devoid of warmth. "Not many survive an encounter with a mutated Blight, let alone manage to kill it."In return, Ethan offered a brief nod. The man's words held no comfort, only a reminder of the brutal reality he now lived in. "What now?" Ethan asked, his voice steady despite the exhaustion eating away at him.The scarred man's eyes flickered with something unreadable as he reached beneath the counter, pulling out a small, ornate box. He slid it across to Ethan, who hesitated momentarily before opening it. Inside lay a gleaming ring with intricate runes carved into the metal, and beside it, a small vial filled with a shimme
Ethan walked through the capital's bustling streets, the familiar weight of his pack slung over his shoulder. Although it was night, the city buzzed with life around him. Merchants shouted their wares, children weaved through the crowds, and the occasional patrol of soldiers kept a watchful eye on the people. Yet, despite the noise and activity, Ethan felt oddly detached from it all. His mind was preoccupied with the task at hand, and the chilling words of Wei Zhang echoed in his thoughts. 'Trust no one.'He knew better than to take the scarred man's warning lightly. His interactions with the DIA had already shown him that their world was one of shadows and half-truths. But Ethan had his own agenda. He wasn't just a pawn in their game; he was determined to come out as one of its winners.His fingers brushed against the cool metal of the enchanted ring. The subtle warmth of the enchantment flowed through him, enhancing his senses and keeping his mind sharp.The DIA had been clear about
Ethan stood outside The Gateway Inn, the cool morning air biting at his skin as the city of Anseris slowly awakened around him. Merchants were already setting up their stalls, the smell of freshly baked bread mingling with the smell of salt from the nearby sea. The capital was already alive with activity, but Ethan's mind was elsewhere. His thoughts were firmly on the task at hand. Wei Zhang had a message delivered to the inn for Ethan an hour or so ago.Wei Zhang had made it clear in the message that Ethan's next step was joining the Merchants Guild. Without the guild's endorsement and a permit, selling anything in Anseris or the rest of the kingdom would be impossible. The kingdom's laws were strict. Particularly when it came to powerful items that could alter the balance of power among the heroes and the kingdom's nobility. Ethan had learned quickly that the kingdom valued control above all else, and the Heroes were only allowed to access such items once they had earned th
Ethan strode through the bustling streets of Anseris, his mind spinning with thoughts of the task ahead. The weight of his new responsibilities pressed down on him like a weighted cloak, but he knew there was no turning back now. Meanwhile, the Merchant's Guild permit tucked into his pocket felt heavier than it had any right to.As he reached the premises arranged for him, Ethan took a moment to survey the building. It was modest, tucked between two larger, more noticeable shops, but it had potential. The sign above the door was blank, waiting for a name to be etched into it. Ethan allowed himself a small, satisfied smile as he mentally christened his shop. Nexus.It had a nice ring to it, and more importantly, it conveyed the kind of discreet, powerful connections that Ethan intended to cultivate.He pushed open the door, stepping inside to find the space barely furnished. A counter stood at the room's far end, with shelves lining the walls. The floor was worn
Ethan sat cross-legged on his bed, the dim light of a single candle flickering beside him in the early morning darkness. His eyes were closed as he focused his thoughts inward, activating his Otherworld Free Market skill. A familiar tingling sensation spread through his body, and the world around him soon faded.When Ethan opened his eyes, he stood in the neon-lit Otherworld Free Market. This was where he could spend the AEC coins he had saved. Over the past few days, he had saved 46 coins and planned to use them wisely today.He wandered through the market, eyeing the bizarre and varied items on display. A potion that made your voice sound like thunder for 10 minutes. A self-writing quill that never ran out of ink. A cloak that allowed you to blend into shadows. 'Too expensive.' He needed valuable yet subtle items to avoid raising suspicions.As he window-shopped the vending machines, one of them with a shimmering blue glow caught his eye. The items inside seemed to pulse with a fain