The "Shadow Fox" had left Omar with a heavy choice. If he failed to cure her, he'd have the entire Atlas Guild at his throat. If he succeeded, he'd have a spy inside the most powerful organization in the region.
Omar retreated to the Infinite Realm Emporium. The heat inside was intense. Kaelen was standing before the new Dwarven furnace, his spectral hands glowing as he fed the High-Grade Mana-Coal into the flames. The fire wasn't orange; it was a deep, pulsating violet.
"Master," Kaelen's hollow voice echoed. "The forge is ready. But the cure this woman needs... it requires more than just heat."
Omar nodded. "System, I need an alchemical recipe to neutralize 'Shadow-Venin'. What can I buy with 120 Cosmic Credits?"
[Searching Database...]
[Item Found: 'Star-Moss Essence' (Rank: Common-Magical).]
[Price: 100 Cosmic Credits.]
[Note: Must be distilled using a Mana-fire to activate its healing properties.]
"Buy it," Omar commanded.
A small, glowing jar of silver moss appeared on the counter. Omar didn't just give it to Kaelen; he wanted to do it himself. He needed to level up his own skills.
Using the blueprint knowledge he gained from the Dwarf, Omar began the distillation. He watched as the violet flames of the Mana-Coal reacted with the silver moss, creating a shimmering liquid that looked like liquid starlight.
[Skill Learned: Basic Alchemy (Level 1).]
[Item Created: 'Silver-Star Antidote' (Quality: High).]
Just as he corked the vial, the shop's bell rang. But it wasn't the gentle chime it usually made—it was a violent, metallic clang.
The door burst open. It wasn't Laila.
Three men in tactical gear, wearing gas masks with red lenses, stepped in. They didn't look like the thugs from the alley. They carried high-tech mana-suppressor rifles.
"By order of the Shadow Market (European Branch)," the leader said, his voice distorted by the mask. "This 'Anomaly' is now under our jurisdiction. Hand over the inventory and the Spirit-Guardian, or we level this entire block."
Omar didn't panic. He looked at Kaelen, who was already gripping his greatsword. Then he looked at the leader through his [Merchant's Eye].
Name: Unknown (Agent 47).
Current Status: Overconfident.
Warning: Carrying a 'Void-Grenade' capable of collapsing a small magical space.
"You're in the wrong shop," Omar said, his voice dropping an octave. "I don't sell to those who don't know how to knock. Kaelen, show them our 'Return Policy'."
The leader raised his rifle, but he was too slow. Kaelen didn't just swing his sword; he used his new [Spectral Blacksmithing] skill. He slammed his glowing fist into the ground, and the violet embers from the forge erupted like a volcano under the feet of the invaders.
The heat was so intense it melted their mana-suppressors instantly. The agents screamed as the violet fire singed their tactical gear.
"Wait!" the leader yelled, reaching for the Void-Grenade at his belt.
Omar moved faster than he ever had. He grabbed a heavy iron tong from the forge and threw it with a strength boosted by the shop's aura, pinning the leader's hand to the wooden doorframe.
"I am a Merchant," Omar walked up to the pinned agent, his face inches from the red lenses. "And I just decided your life isn't worth the trade. But your equipment? I'll take that as a 'Service Fee' for cleaning the floor after you."
[System: Hostility Neutralized.]
[Loot Acquired: 2x Mana-Suppressor Rifles (Damaged), 1x Void-Grenade.]
[Shop Reputation: +100 (Known as 'The Dangerous Shop-Owner').]
Omar looked at the unconscious agents. He knew the Shadow Market wouldn't stop here. But now, he had their technology.
"Kaelen, throw them back into the street," Omar said, turning back to his vial of starlight. "I have a date with a Shadow Fox, and I hate being late."