Name: Alex Sinclair
Age: 20
Lifespan Remaining: 64 years
Merchant Level: 1
Progress to Level 2: 12/500 points
Current Points: 12
Available Features: One Random Low-Level World Access (Blue Light Planet), Client Registry, Transaction History
"System, tell me more about Blue Light Planet."
Blue Light Planet Classification: Level 0 World
Technology Level: Approximately 500 years behind Earth's standard
Magic Level: None detected
Sapient Species: Human (Single species)
Dominant Social Structure: Feudal kingdoms, early merchant guilds, pre-industrial revolution
Note: Earth is classified as Level 0.7, approaching Level 1 upon successful space colonization
So basically, I had access to a planet stuck in what looked like Earth's Renaissance period. No magic, no aliens, just humans doing human things with significantly worse technology.
"System, just to confirm. I can use the hundred million however I want, right? But only trades made through the system interface count for points?"
Confirmed. Host may use acquired funds for any purpose. However, only transactions conducted through the Multidimensional Merchant System will generate advancement points. External commerce, while potentially profitable, will not contribute to merchant level progression.
I leaned back in my chair, which creaked ominously. For a moment, just a moment, I was tempted. A hundred million could set me up for life. Buy a nice house, invest wisely, never worry about money again. Live comfortably until I die at 84, a respectable old age. Many don't even live to see their 70s, let alone 80s. So even with my lifespan sold, I still have a long life remaining.
But then I remembered the ring vanishing from my hand. The voice of Edward Black in my head.
The casual mention of other worlds and levels, and progression.
Magic existed. Other dimensions existed. I had literal proof of it sitting in my bank account.
And I was supposed to what, just ignore that? Pretend I didn't know? Go on living the millionaire lifestyle with the universe sprawled out there, full of impossible things I could never imagine?
"That would be pathetic," I muttered. "Millions of people would kill for this opportunity. Actually kill. And I'm going to squander it to live like a richer version of my current self?"
No. Hell no.
I had access to something beyond mortal comprehension. If I played this right, if I actually committed to it, I could reach heights that didn't even have names yet.
I could travel to other worlds. Maybe learn magic, if higher-level worlds had it.
Become something more than just another nobody struggling to survive.
But I wasn't an idiot. The hundred million was a tool, not a trophy. I could use it to build infrastructure, buy goods for trade, and establish myself properly. The system might not count external profits toward my level, but that didn't mean I couldn't use regular money to make system trading easier.
"System, can I use my current funds to acquire goods and resources that I then sell through the system?"
Affirmative. Host may use any assets or methods to acquire tradeable goods. Only the final transaction through the system interface will generate advancement points.
Perfect. I could basically use Earth's modern mass produced economy as my supplier, then flip goods to Blue Light Planet through the system. Buy low with regular money, sell high through dimensional channels, earn points, and make more money in the process.
I pulled up the system shop again, noticing something new in the previously barren interface.
Unbound Silver Ring of Connection
Cost: 10 points
Description: Establishes long-term trading relationship with a single client. Unlike the Bronze Ring, this connection persists and allows multiple transactions over time.
Recommended for establishing reliable business partnerships.
Ten points. A fifth of what I'd earned from a single lifespan trade. My heart hurt just thinking about spending it.
But if I wanted to trade effectively with Blue Light Planet, I needed a partner there. Someone who could move goods, handle local currency, and navigate their society's rules. Someone who wouldn't immediately be burned as a witch at the stake for having access to impossible items.
"Worth it," I said, trying to convince myself. "Investment, not expense."
I selected the silver ring, wincing as my point total dropped to 2.
Purchase confirmed. Please define target parameters.
Right. I needed to think carefully about this. Who would be the ideal trading partner in a feudal society?
"System, I want someone who meets these criteria: established merchant with significant resources and connections, trusted enough in their society to sell unusual goods without suspicion, intelligent and adaptable enough to work with concepts they don't fully understand, and desperate or ambitious enough to take a chance on mysterious supernatural commerce."
Parameters accepted. Scanning Blue Light Planet population. Warning: Target acquisition may take time due to specific requirements. Ring will form a connection once a suitable candidate is identified.
Fair enough. Medieval worlds probably didn't have a huge population of forward-thinking merchants willing to risk their reputation on magic items appearing out of nowhere.
If this worked, if I found a partner on Blue Light Planet, what could I actually trade?
The possibilities were staggering. Earth's mass production alone gave me advantages they couldn't imagine. Simple things like:
Steel tools of consistent quality. Their metallurgy was probably terrible by modern standards.
Refined medicines. Even basic antibiotics would be worth a fortune, though I'd need to be careful about causing disruptions.
Textiles. Machine-made cloth with consistent dye colors and weave patterns.
Spices. Earth's global trade networks meant I could access varieties they'd never seen.
Glass. Clear glass was probably rare and expensive there, if they had the ability to even make it
Paper. Cheap, abundant, and infinitely useful.
The list went on and on. Basically, anything Earth's industrial capacity could produce efficiently would be valuable there.
"System, what about buying from Blue Light Planet? Can I acquire goods there and sell them on Earth?"
Affirmative. Bidirectional trade is possible. However, most goods from lower technology worlds have limited value in more advanced societies.
I'd figured that would be the case, but still asked. Maybe I could position myself as some kind of antique dealer or art collector? Genuine medieval craftsmanship might have a niche market on Earth. Not a main income source, but every bit helped.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me I'd been awake for hours without eating. I glanced at my nearly empty cabinets and grinned.
That was a problem I could actually solve now.
But first, I needed to handle some practical matters. I couldn't run an interdimensional trading business from an apartment where the water pressure was more of a water suggestion. I needed space, security, and enough room to store goods without nosy neighbors asking questions.
I needed to buy a house.
The realization hit me that I'd never actually bought anything expensive before. My most major purchase had been that laptop, and I'd agonized over that for weeks. Now I was planning to buy a property?
"One thing at a time, Alex," I told myself. "Start with the bank. Get a credit card. That's normal people stuff."
I got dressed in my least worn-out clothes, which still looked pretty worn out, and headed to the bank.