Chapter 7: The Enigmatic Collector
Ethan barely had time to catch his breath before the shopâs door creaked open again.
This time, the figure who entered didnât stumble in desperation like Jasper. Instead, he moved with slow, deliberate steps, his presence commanding yet strangely weightless.
The customer was tall and cloaked, wrapped in dark blue and gold robes embroidered with swirling constellations. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but faint traces of glowing silver tattoos peeked out from beneath the fabric.
Something about him sent a shiver down Ethanâs spine.
[Customer Identified: Unknown]
[Title: Collector of the Forgotten]
[Intent: Seeking Lost Relics]
Ethanâs heartbeat quickened. A collector? That sounds... dangerous.
The figure slowly approached the counter, gloved hands resting lightly on the polished wood. When he spoke, his voice was smooth and measured, carrying an echo, as if spoken through layers of time itself.
âMerchant,â he intoned, âdo you deal in objects without a past?â
Ethan blinked. ââ¦What?â
The figure lifted his hand, and suddenlyâsomething shimmered into existence.
A small, intricately carved wooden box hovered between them, pulsing with a faint blue glow.
[Unknown Object Detected.]
[Analysis: Incomplete.]
Ethan narrowed his eyes. âWhat is it?â
The Collectorâs lips curled into a mysterious smile.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
âThat, dear Merchant, is what I wish to know.â
He placed the box onto the counter and tapped it lightly with a single gloved finger.
âThis item has no history. No origin. It exists, yet it does not belong to any known world.â His glowing silver tattoos pulsed. âI am willing to pay handsomely for any knowledge you can uncover.â
Ethan hesitated. This was new. Could the shop even appraise something that âdoesnât existâ?
âSystem, can you analyze it?â
A soft chime echoed.
[Attempting Identificationâ¦]
[Processingâ¦]
The box shuddered slightly, as if resisting the very act of being examined.
Thenâ
[Error: Object Exists Outside of Established Timelines.]
[Partial Identification Possible. Proceed?]
Ethan frowned. Outside of timelines? What does that even mean?
ââ¦Proceed,â he said.
A new notification appeared.
[Partial Identification Complete.]
---
[Item: Nameless Reliquary]
Type: ???
Function: ???
Contents: Unknown
Warning: Presence of temporal anomalies detected. Handle with caution.
---
Ethan exhaled slowly. It barely gave me anything.
But the Collector seemed⦠pleased.
âAh,â he whispered, his fingers tracing the surface of the box. âSo even your shop cannot name it.â He chuckled softly. âFascinating.â
He reached into his robes and retrieved a small obsidian vial, filled with swirling silver liquid.
âI will offer you this,â he said, placing it on the counter. âAn Essence of Starfireâa substance known only to a handful of scholars across the realms. Andâ¦â
He retrieved two silver Astral Coins and placed them beside the vial.
âFor the appraisal, of course. Knowledge is valuable, is it not?â
Ethan didnât need the system to tell him that this was a good deal.
[Shop Appraisal Complete â Earned: +2 Astral Coins]
[Trade Confirmed: +1 Essence of Starfire, +2 Astral Coins.]
[Total Balance: 9 Astral Coins.]
The reliquary vanished, whisked away by the shopâs magic. The Collector let out a satisfied sigh.
âA pleasure,â he murmured. Then, before Ethan could say another word, he turned and walked out.
The shopâs door swung shut.
Ethan stared at the Essence of Starfire in his hands, the silver light reflecting in his eyes.
Then a new notification popped up.
[Total Balance: 9 Astral Coins.]
Ethanâs breath caught.
He had enough.
He placed the vial carefully on the shelf behind him, his mind already spinning with thoughts.
Finally, after what felt like days of uncertainty, he could afford the Personal Quarters.
A grin tugged at his lips as he pulled up the system menu.
âTime to make this place feel like home.â