The sky was still pale and bluish gray when Kael and Seris left the inn.
Most of the city still slept, but the merchant district was already beginning to stir.
Kael had chosen this time on purpose. It was quiet, unhurried. He wanted to explain everything to Seris properly, without interruption.
They reached the stall.
"Is this where you sell those... strange things?"
Kael nodded. "Yeah. This is our base of operations."
He didn't waste time. With a thought, he summoned the [Dimensional Inventory] menu and began pulling out products one by one—neatly wrapped soaps, combs, instant heat packs, LED flashlights, pens, sealed bags of dried fruits.
At night, after Seris had slept for a few hours, Kael had returned to Earth to gather more products for the sale.
Seris's eyes widened with each item.
Seris stepped closer, her gaze resting on a digital wristwatch that blinked with a soft blue glow. She touched it like it might vanish.
"I've done business before. I know quality goods. These…" she shook her head slowly. "These are like nothing I've ever seen. Where did you get them?"
"Who are you really?"
Kael hesitated for a moment. Then he met her eyes.
"I can't tell you everything. Not yet. But I will say this—they're from my homeland. A place far beyond here. Farther than you can imagine."
Seris frowned. "Another continent? Across the sea?"
"Something like that."
There was a long silence between them.
Kael continued unpacking. Seris didn't move. She stared at the items like they were artifacts from the gods.
Finally, she said, "I was a noble. Before everything. Before the war. Before the slavers. I've seen magical artifacts. Trade goods. Enchanted gemstones. But none of it... none of it looked like this. I don't think so much has happened in three years."
Seris said this because, during her years as a slave, she had been isolated from the outside world—chained, silenced, and worked to exhaustion.
Kael didn't answer. He knew there was nothing he could say to make it easier to understand.
"The first reason I bought you," he began carefully, "was because I needed someone I could trust. A reliable assistant. Since you're a slave, you're bound to obey. That was… part of it."
She flinched, but he didn't stop.
"But that's not the only reason. You're also my bodyguard. And that matters to me. I didn't want just a servant—I needed someone strong. Someone who could stand at my side."
"Why do you talk like that?" she asked. "Like you're older than you look."
Kael chuckled lightly. "Because maybe I am."
She said nothing, but nodded once—slowly, thoughtfully—and began helping him organize the shop.
Within a short time, they had everything ready, and customers were flocking in.
Kael let Seris handle most of the interaction today. He wanted to see how she worked.
"Try this," she said to a burly man in soot-streaked blacksmith clothes, handing him a small, sleek object. She flipped the cap open and sparked it with a flick of her thumb. A steady flame danced, unaffected by the morning breeze. "Windproof lighter. Just press here."
The blacksmith leaned in, eyes narrowing. He took it from her, tried it for himself. The flame leapt up instantly.
"Incredible," he muttered. "No sparkstone? or Fire stone?"
Seris shook her head. "Sealed and self-contained. Lights every time, even in rain or wind."
"How much?"
"Eight silver."
The man hesitated—then handed over the coins without a word.
She turned back to Kael with a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. "They're easy to sell. Most don't even need explaining. These goods... they sell themselves."
"People love convenience," Kael said, leaning on the counter. "They don't always want magic. They want something that works. Every time."
Seris narrowed her eyes. "You're planning something bigger than just sales, aren't you?"
Kael didn't answer. He didn't need to. The look in his eyes was enough.
.....
A few hours later, during a quiet lull in customer traffic, Seris sat behind the counter, sipping tea. Kael was sketching a rough layout for a more permanent stall in the upper market district.
Seris looked up. "You know, I haven't felt this useful in years."
He glanced at her.
"Useful?" he repeated.
"I was a noble once," she said. "I had lands, retainers, trade agreements. Then I became a slave. For three years, I didn't even speak to anyone unless I was ordered to. But now... I'm working again. It feels like I am free again."
"That's good. I want you to thrive."
She gave him a strange look. "Why? You barely know me."
"Because I know what it's like to fall," Kael said quietly. "And I know what it's like to need a second chance."
Seris looked away.
After a moment, she asked, "Back when you said I was useful because of the contract... did you mean that? Or were you just being cautious?"
"A bit of both," Kael admitted. "But you're free to choose now. If you want to keep working with me, then let it be your choice—not the contract's."
Seris set her tea down.
"I'll stay," she said. "Not because I'm bound, but because I believe in this. In you. Even if I don't understand everything yet."
Kael smiled faintly. "Then welcome to the team. Be happy because you are the first member."
....
By noon, their coin pouch was heavy with silver and copper. Not a bad haul for one morning. Kael made mental notes on which items sold fastest—hand warmers, flashlights, matchboxes, mirrors, combs, and dried fruit were favorites.
They were cleaning up when a familiar voice called from outside.
"Well, well. The mysterious merchant returns."
Kael turned. The Artificer from yesterday, arms crossed, flanked by two sour-looking assistants. His expression was smug, but not openly hostile.
Seris tensed. Kael raised a hand to stop her.
"Morning," Kael said calmly. "Can I help you?"
The Artificer stepped inside, casting an appraising look around the shop.
"Your goods are interesting," he said. "Very interesting. So interesting, in fact, that the Guildmaster's office has asked me to look into your merchandise."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Is that an official investigation?"
"Not yet," the Artificer replied, grinning. "But it could be. Depends on what I find."
Kael folded his arms. "Everything here is legal. Paid for. No stolen artifacts. No black market enchantments."
"Maybe," the Artificer said. "But if your goods are undercutting our entire market, we have a right to understand how."
"That sounds like a personal problem," Seris said coldly.
The Artificer's grin twitched.
Kael stepped forward. "You want to buy something, buy it. If not, get out of my shop."
The two men stared at each other for a long moment.
Finally, the Artificer turned. "Very well. But remember—this city has rules. If you break them... there are consequences."
He left without another word.
Kael exhaled slowly. "He's going to be a problem."