Overwhelmed by the strangeness of this situation and the sheer number of items around him, Leo unconsciously drifted further into the mysterious shop. He went from one shelf to another, his eyes drinking in the sights even if Identify refused to work on anything. Either the thin barrier stopped the skill, or something else was at work.

This place is getting better and better. He frowned, stopping right in front of a wide staircase leading to the upper floor. Someone made this building not only wider but also taller on the inside. How powerful do you have to be to do this?

'I don't like this,' Nyx mumbled, tightening the shadows around his body.

Leo grimaced. Yeah, me neither. If not for the System's message, I would be running as fast away from here as I can. Let's just check out what's on the first floor and then get out. As fancy as this place looks, I don't want to get trapped here.

'As you wish.'

Just as he placed his foot on the first step, a loud creak echoed through the building. He stiffened, snapping his head towards the abandoned marble shop counter and the door hidden behind it. It was opened now, and the figure that slithered out froze the blood in his veins.

What in the Void is this... Leo gulped as the tall entity stopped at the counter and seemed to stare right at him.

Not that it possessed any eyes to even do that. Hell, it lacked any other standard facial features. The thing was just an amalgamation of long and short tentacles that whirled all around, forming a visage of a body that looked almost humanoid.

"Oh my... A customer. Finally," the creature spoke, its low and masculine voice drawing out each word. "A fledging Akirian no less. My, my, how... curious."

Instantly, Leo tensed, his tails slithering out of the cloak's cover even as his blades were ready to spring into action. This was the first time someone aside from the Lone Traveler and Nikra mentioned Akirians. And so, despite already knowing the truth, this only confirmed that the being in front of him didn't belong on Earth.

? | LVL: ?

Of course... Nyx?

'I got not...' The feline tried to answer. Only to be cut off by the tentacle creature.

"Calm down, child. I mean you and your little companion no harm. Violence is bad for business, after all," the being chuckled, though it sounded more like a growl. "I can promise you that as long as you heed the message you read upon entering this place, you will leave satisfied."

Leo swallowed, stepping off the stairs but not coming any closer to the counter. Even with the System's protection active, there was no reason to risk it any further.

"Who are you?"

"Ah, forgive me. It's so rare for me to go without customers for even a single light cycle that I forgot my manners." The creature bowed. "I'm Naz'Tor of the Merchant faction, and this is my humble shop. Everything you see here and more is for sale. That's if you have the necessary Ether, of course."

Despite not having a face, Leo could easily tell that the creature was wearing the equivalent of a smirk. To be honest, he didn't know how to feel about that, but considering that neither Nyx nor his own instincts told him to run, he relaxed his shoulders just a bit.

"Leo Hale."

"A former human then. And you're already an Akirian. Wonderful. Truly amazing," Naz'Tor gushed, but his unique voice only made it sound creepy. The swirling tentacles definitely didn't help. "And your friend? You can come out. I don't bite."

He was about to warn Nyx against revealing herself, but the feline just dived out, the dark cloud going for the nearest empty spot. Upon reforming, she instantly bowed lightly to the shopkeeper.

'Nyx,' she said as if anyone other than him could hear her.

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"Apex Shadow Claw. What a duo," Naz'Tor hummed. "It's a shame you can't talk out loud yet. Hopefully, this will change with your next evolution. I can see the intelligence shining behind your eyes. Not to mention your bond... My, my. Earth has always been an intriguing place, but this? This is a first. I doubt even my wife will believe me when I tell her."

Leo and Nyx shared a quick look. That's got to be the cheeriest tentacle monster in the universe... I dare anyone to prove me wrong.

'You really shouldn't tempt fate...'

"Now, now. Stop standing there like a pair of Velxian statues. Approach. I'm sure you have questions. As my first customers on this Earth, I will answer most of them for free," Naz'Tor announced, a few of his tentacles stretching to the sides.

He looked almost like a human with their arms open in welcome. Only in this case, the one welcoming them was a creature full of long, dark tentacles that seemed ready to strangle anything that came too close.

Nonetheless, Leo drew in a deep breath and slowly approached the counter, Nyx trailing right behind. They still stopped a good few feet away, though. The mysterious shopkeeper was far from trustworthy.

"You will answer everything?" He prodded, testing the waters. "Truthfully?"

The tentacles fell, and the creature tilted the top of his body. "Within reason, of course. If you ask something I don't want to answer, I won't lie to you. It's poor business practice and only drives customers away. Instead, I will present you with a price. If you agree to it, the information is yours, and the System will guarantee its legitimacy."

I guess thanks to the job system, this might be possible... Ah, whatever. Why not?

Shrugging, Leo decided on his first question or rather questions. "Then if you don't mind, how are you here? Are some of the Void Gates already active? Are we getting even more Voidlings on Earth soon?"

"Excellent questions!" Naz'Tor beamed. "I will gladly answer those just to ease your fears."

"You see, normally, until the System allows it, nobody can enter the new universe right after the Outbreak. We, Merchants I mean, are the exception to this rule. I can't go into details, but as long as we follow specific steps and limitations, the System doesn't mind us slipping in. So as you see, I'm just a harmless shopkeeper."

Harmless, my ass. Leo almost scoffed, Identify's results fresh in his mind. Still, good to know.

"What about the Gates? What will happen once they activate?"

The shop owner tsked, a few tentacles slithering beneath the counter. A moment later, they came back, dragging a small transparent crystal. Another tentacle tapped the object once, and it pulsed brightly only to settle after a second. Yet this time, there was a weak blue glow inside it.

"The subject of Void Gates is a complicated matter. Many researchers study them to this day, trying to uncover more of their secrets," the shopkeeper explained. "For now, all you need to know is that you have no reason to fear them. At least for quite some time." He pushed the crystal toward the end of the counter. "If you would like more information, I can offer you this."

Leo furrowed his brow, coming even closer. "What is it? Identify doesn't work."

"It wouldn't. Not here," Naz'Tor nodded. "As for this little thing, it's a Neuron Shard. A natural crystal capable of storing small amounts of information. This one, in particular, carries the basic information package about the Gates. All you have to do is to crush it."

Of course there is an item that can transfer knowledge. Why am I even surprised? He shook his head lightly. "How can I be sure you're not lying? For all I know, this could be some random glowing rock."

"Good, good!" The merchant exclaimed, looking as if he was about to burst from happiness. "Never trust words alone... Now for your warranty. Here you go, little Akirian."

Trade offer detected. Do you wish to display details?

Eyes widening, Leo didn’t wait long to answer.

Acknowledged. Displaying an offer from Naz'Tor. Trade type: Item for Ether. Terms: Unnegotiable.

Offered: Ownership of Neuron Shard containing basic information about "Void Gates" (System Verified)

Price: 750 Ether

Do you accept this trade?

How much?! That's more than half of a mutation. I mean, I can pay it easily, but still. Leo looked back at the merchant. "Is this price normal? I doubt most survivors on Earth even have this much."

Naz'Tor shook the top of his body. "Not quite. This is half of the regular price. If you accept, I have another offer ready for you. One that would benefit both of us. It's my wish to continue our partnership in the future."

"So you are bribing me," he snorted.

The tentacles performed the equivalent of a shrug. "Call it what you will, child. For me, it's business. Nothing less, nothing more... Now, your decision?"

Leo sighed, turning to his right.

Nyx?

The feline tilted her head. 'I see no reason to refuse for now. In the long run, this much Ether is nothing for us.'

Yeah, my thoughts exactly... Alright then, System. Accept the trade.