2025-02-25 05:46:22Ryker's gaze drifted from the quest board to the bustling market outside.
"Time to diversify," Ryker thought.
He approached a merchant, Elric, known for shady dealings.
"Elric, I need a lucrative opportunity," Ryker said.
Elric smiled.
"I have just the thing. A caravan carrying valuable goods will pass through Wandering River. Bandits plan to ambush it."
Ryker's eyes narrowed.
"I'm listening."
"Eliminate the bandits, and the caravan's contents are yours," Elric whispered. "But be discreet. No guild involvement."
Ryker's mind raced.
"Personal loot," Ryker thought.
"I'm in."
Elric handed Ryker a map with the caravan's route.
"Be quick. The caravan arrives tomorrow."
Ryker nodded.
Current Status:
Quest: None (Personal Venture)
Rank: D-Rank
Funds: 328 silver coins, 27 gold coins
Equipped:
Short sword
Leather armor
Backpack provisions, water
Ryker lay in wait near Wandering River.
The caravan approached.
Bandits emerged from the shadows.
Ryker charged forward.
The battle raged on.
Ryker eliminated the bandits.
Victory!
Ryker claimed the caravan's contents:
500 gold coins
1000 silver coins
Rare spices 50 gold coins value
Fine silks 20 gold coins value
Ryker's eyes widened.
"Ding! Personal Loot: 570 gold coins, 1000 silver coins."
Ryker hid the loot.
No guild involvement meant no sharing.
Ryker returned to Raven's Peak.
Elric awaited.
"Well?" Elric asked.
Ryker smiled.
"Successful. But our deal stays private."
Elric nodded.
"I understand. Discretion is key."
Ryker's reputation grew.
Ryker walked into the Merchant Guild, his newfound wealth burning a hole in his pocket.
"Time to invest," Ryker thought.
He approached the guildmaster, a stout dwarf.
"Welcome! I'm Guildmaster Thorgrim. How can we assist you?"
Ryker smiled.
"I'd like to register as a merchant."
Thorgrim's eyes widened.
"Initial f*e is 100 gold coins."
Ryker handed over the gold.
"Done."
Thorgrim handed Ryker a guild badge.
"Congratulations, Merchant Ryker. You're now part of our community."
Ryker's current status:
Merchant Guild Member
Rank: Apprentice Merchant
Funds: 497 gold coins, 328 silver coins
Ryker explored the guild's services:
Auction House
Warehouse storage
Trade routes
Market analysis
He met fellow merchants:
Elara, specializing in rare herbs
Marcellus, trading in fine textiles
Ryker decided to focus on monster hides and weapons.
"A niche market," Ryker thought.
He invested:
50 gold coins in monster hide storage
20 gold coins in weapon crafting tools
10 gold coins in market research
"Ding!
Haggling +10%
Market analysis +5%
Trade route knowledge +5%"
Ryker sought out Eluned, the Adventurers' Guild receptionist.
"Eluned, I need information on local monster habitats," Ryker requested.
Eluned raised an eyebrow.
"Switching to merchant life, Ryker? What do you need?"
"Monster hides," Ryker replied. "Best sources?"
Eluned scribbled on a parchment.
"Try Oakwood Forest for wolf hides, Wandering River for crocodile skin, and Darkstone Mountains for bear fur."
Ryker nodded.
"Thanks, Eluned."
Ryker ventured into Oakwood Forest.
He hunted wolves, collecting:
5 wolf hides 20 gold coins value
10 silver fangs 5 gold coins value
Ryker returned to Raven's Peak.
At the Merchant Guild, Ryker met with Marcellus.
"Ryker, my friend! I hear you're hunting monster hides," Marcellus said.
"Yes," Ryker replied. "Looking to sell."
Marcellus nodded.
"I can help. My textile contacts need quality hides."
Ryker smiled.
"Let's negotiate."
They agreed on:
15 gold coins per wolf hide
3 gold coins per silver fang
Ryker earned:
75 gold coins
30 gold coins
New Funds:
572 gold coins, 328 silver coins
Ryker's merchant skills improved:
Haggling: +15%
Market analysis: +10%
Trade route knowledge: +10%
Ryker visited the local blacksmith, Thoric.
"Thoric, I need weapons crafted for sale," Ryker said.
Thoric nodded.
"Types?"
"Short swords, daggers, and leather armor," Ryker replied.
Thoric calculated.
"Materials will cost 50 gold coins. Labor's 20 gold coins per item."
Ryker agreed.
"Deal."
Thoric worked efficiently, crafting:
10 short swords 200 gold coins value
20 daggers 100 gold coins value
5 leather armor sets 150 gold coins value
At the Merchant Guild, Ryker met with Elara.
"Elara, I have weapons for sale," Ryker said.
Elara's eyes sparkled.
"Let's see."
Ryker displayed his goods.
"Quality work," Elara said. "I'll take 5 short swords and 10 daggers."
Ryker smiled.
"Price?"
"150 gold coins for the swords, 50 gold coins for the daggers," Elara offered.
Ryker negotiated.
"160 gold coins for the swords, 55 gold coins for the daggers."
Elara agreed.
Ryker met with Marcellus, a seasoned merchant.
"Marcellus, I'm interested in exploring trade routes," Ryker said.
Marcellus nodded.
"Ah, Ryker, timing is perfect. I've got a contact in the neighboring city, eager for quality goods."
Ryker's eyes widened.
"Tell me more."
Marcellus leaned in.
"Lord Thomas, a wealthy patron, seeks rare spices and fine textiles. I can introduce you."
Ryker smiled.
"Arrange a meeting."
Marcellus nodded.
"I'll send word. Prepare a selection of your finest goods."
Ryker gathered:
Rare spices 50 gold coins value
Fine textiles 100 gold coins value
Monster hides 20 gold coins value
Marcellus escorted Ryker to Lord Thomas's estate.
"Lord Thomas, this is Ryker, a talented merchant," Marcellus introduced.
Lord Thomas extended a hand.
"Welcome, Ryker. I've heard of your quality goods."
Ryker bowed.
"Thank you, Lord Thomas."
Lord Thomas examined Ryker's goods.
"Exceptional. I'll take all the spices and textiles."
Ryker negotiated.
"150 gold coins for the spices, 200 gold coins for the textiles."
Lord Thomas agreed.
Lord Thomas leaned in.
"Ryker, consider partnering with me. I have connections with distant lands."
Ryker's eyes sparkled.
"Tell me more."
Lord Thomas smiled.
"Dinner tonight. We'll discuss."
Ryker accepted.
Dinner at Lord Thomas's Estate
Ryker arrived at Lord Thomas's estate, dressed impeccably.
Lord Thomas greeted Ryker warmly.
"Ryker, I've invited fellow merchants. We'll discuss a potential partnership."
The evening unfolded:
Ryker met influential merchants: Samuel, Rachel, and Jacob
Discussions centered on trade routes, market trends, and potential partnerships
Ryker impressed the group with his market analysis and negotiation skills
Lord Thomas summarized.
"Ryker, you've demonstrated exceptional merchant skills. We propose a partnership."
Ryker considered.
"Terms?"
Lord Thomas outlined:
20% share in Ryker's trade profits
Access to Lord Thomas's trade network
Joint ventures in rare goods
Ryker negotiated:
"15% share, exclusive rights to rare goods."
Lord Thomas smiled.
"Deal."
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 50. Bravery or Ignorance
The group turned to face the figure stepping from the shadows. Its presence was overwhelming, as though the void itself had concentrated its essence into this one being. The creature’s movements were deliberate, almost regal, as it stalked forward. Its glowing eyes locked onto Ryker, and it spoke in a voice that resonated deep within their bones.“You wield the anchor’s power, yet you barely understand it,” the void entity said, its tone carrying a mix of disdain and amusement. “You are but a child playing with a fire you cannot control.”Ryker stepped forward, his sword glowing faintly in response to the anchor’s power. His voice was steady. “Maybe I don’t understand it fully, but that doesn’t mean I won’t use it to stop you.”The entity chuckled, a sound that echoed unnaturally around them. “Stop me? You’ve barely survived a taste of my power. Do you think your resolve will make a difference? You are nothing but a fleeting shadow in the face of eternity.”Thorgrim hefted his axe, hi
Chapter 49. Half-truth
Ryker stood amidst the smoldering battlefield, his breathing steady but his mind still racing with echoes of the void’s taunts. He clenched his fists, the faint glow of the anchor’s power pulsing beneath his skin. Around him, Aria, Thorgrim, and Elara approached cautiously, their faces a mixture of relief and uncertainty.Aria was the first to speak. “Ryker... what happened? One second, you were standing there, and the next, it was like you were,gone.”Ryker turned to face her, his expression shadowed. “I was gone. The void pulled me into its depths, but... I fought my way back.”Thorgrim let out a low whistle, leaning on his axe for support. “Fought your way back? Lad, you look like you’ve been through hell. What did it show you?”Ryker hesitated. The memories of the visions were still raw, the images of his friends’ deaths vivid in his mind. He glanced at each of them, his jaw tightening. “It showed me... what it wanted me to believe. Lies mixed with half-truths. It tried to break m
Chapter 48. On The Threshold
The void swallowed Ryker completely. It was not just darkness but a suffocating emptiness that clawed at his mind and body. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. He was falling,or perhaps floating,without direction, his senses overwhelmed by a disorienting whirl of sensations. He clenched his fists, focusing on the one thing that grounded him: his promise.I’ll do whatever it takes.Suddenly, a blinding light pierced the void, and Ryker felt himself solidify, his feet hitting firm ground. The emptiness was gone, replaced by a surreal landscape. The sky above was a swirling canvas of black and silver, while the ground beneath him shimmered like glass, reflecting faint images that flickered like memories."Where am I?" he muttered, his voice echoing unnaturally."You stand in the Threshold," the figure’s voice answered, though it was no longer distant. Ryker spun around to see the shadowy entity standing a few feet away, its presence still commanding but less ominous. "This is the
Chapter 47. Shift in Balance
Ryker blinked into the darkness, his vision struggling to adjust. The vast expanse of white had been replaced by an oppressive void, colder and more silent than the Nexus he had fought to destroy. He tried to move, but his body felt heavy, like it was tethered to the ground by invisible chains. The voice of the strange figure echoed in his mind, its cryptic words replaying over and over."Your journey is far from over... The balance has shifted."He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he forced himself to stand. "What balance? What are you talking about?" he shouted into the abyss, his voice swallowed by the emptiness. "Show yourself! Who are you?"The only response was silence. Ryker’s breaths grew shallow as the isolation pressed down on him. He glanced around, hoping for any sign of life, any direction to go, but the void offered nothing. It felt unnatural, like even time had ceased to exist.Then, out of the silence, came a faint, familiar voice. "Ryker…"His h
Chapter 46. A Little Push
The void trembled as Ryker sprinted toward the towering Apex Nexus Core, his boots barely finding purchase on the crumbling platforms. The glowing light of the stabilized anchors illuminated the scene, their energy converging to disrupt the Core’s connection to the void. Yet, the Core roared in defiance, shadowy tendrils snaking through the air to strike down anything in their path."Dorian!" Ryker shouted through the comms, his voice cutting through the chaos. "What’s the situation with the anchors? Are they holding?"Dorian’s voice came back, strained but steady. "Barely. The stabilization is working, but the Core is adapting faster than I thought. We don’t have long before it overpowers the system!"Ryker gritted his teeth. "Then we make this count."As he closed the gap to the Core, the air grew thicker, almost suffocating. Each step felt like wading through quicksand as the oppressive energy of the Nexus sapped his strength. The Core loomed ahead, its massive, amorphous shape wri
Chapter 45. The Core Awakened
The hum grew louder, vibrating through the fractured platforms and the cracks of the void. The air felt heavier, suffused with an oppressive energy that made every breath laborious. In the distance, the Apex Nexus Core continued to take shape,a towering, amorphous mass of shifting light and shadow, its presence warping the fabric of reality around it.Kael turned to Ryker, her fists still glowing faintly. "Tell me there’s a plan, fearless leader. Because I’m not exactly thrilled about those odds."Ryker stared at the forming entity, his jaw clenched. "The plan is simple: we survive."Dorian let out a sharp laugh, still catching his breath. "Great plan, Ryker. Really detailed. Survive the godlike entity that breaks the laws of reality. Why didn’t I think of that?""Keep it together," Ryker snapped. "We’ve been through worse."Kael raised an eyebrow. "Have we? Because I’m drawing a blank on that one."Dorian pointed his staff toward the Core. "This is beyond anything we’ve faced. The en
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