Zion's only brush with instant travel had occurred during his school days when they occasionally utilized port stones for short distances along the walls. However, those instances merely served to introduce the concept of instantaneous transportation; they paled in comparison to the disorienting sensation caused by the travel pillars. As he materialized in a vast open square, waves of nausea threatened to overwhelm him. His stomach churned, and his head throbbed relentlessly.

"First time using the travel pillar?" a gentle voice inquired. Zion looked up, feeling queasy, to find an older woman approaching him. She extended a small red candy towards him, her smile kind. "Take it, lad, it'll help."

Accepting the proffered candy cautiously, he placed it in his mouth. It dissolved instantly, trickling down his throat. Panic gripped him momentarily, fearing he'd been poisoned by the first person he encountered. His apprehension ebbed as the liquid settled in his stomach, replaced by a soothing coolness spreading throughout his body.

"I should've warned you about its effects. My apologies, lad," she said softly, patting his cheek. "That was a travel candy, something all young adventurers should carry. It offers instant relief from travel sickness. Make sure you stock up before you venture forth again, alright, youngin'?"

Zion nodded gratefully, receiving a contented smile from the woman before she continued on her way, seemingly unperturbed. "Thank you, ma'am!" he called after her, earning a small wave in response.

He was genuinely thankful for the advice. Enduring such discomfort every time he used a travel pillar would be unbearable. Another item to add to his list of essentials. Now that his stomach had settled, Zion took in his new surroundings.

It was awe-inspiring, to say the least. Towering structures of metal surrounded him, a sight rarely seen in Sphere Terra. These buildings not only shone with their bright materials but also soared several stories into the air. The tallest building in his hometown had barely reached three stories, and that had been the barracks.

People bustled about, entering the numerous shops lining the city streets. Their attire consisted of fine fabrics not commonly found in his former home. Soldiers blended seamlessly with the crowd, clad in plate mail that complemented the metallic environment.

The travel pillars themselves stood as beacons of movement, countless bodies materializing and departing in a constant flow. None of the newcomers appeared as bewildered as he felt, indicating a familiarity with the city that he lacked. Intent on blending in, Zion joined the throng of people.

The crowd's ebb and flow revealed the market's layout to him. Twelve streets radiated from the city center, each lined with interconnected shops. For instance, leatherworkers and blacksmiths shared a street, while others housed shops selling mana stones on one side and high-quality mana batteries on the other.

Armed with this rough understanding and aided by the sizable signs above each merchant's entrance, Zion identified his first destination: an accessory vendor. He needed something to replace his belt before he lost the ability to carry his items. Passing by four shops offering what he sought, three of them demanded prices so outlandish that he couldn't bear to look.

The fourth shop went by the whimsical name "Hidey Hole," which brought a grin to Zion's face. Stepping inside, he found himself surrounded by a treasure trove of items: belts, rings, bracelets, and more scattered across every surface. Narrow pathways meandered through the clutter, leading customers to the counter where a tall orc sat, his tusks engrossed in the links of a delicate necklace. Noticing the absence of price tags, Zion approached him with a hint of curiosity.

"Excuse me, Sir, I'm looking for some adventuring accessories, but I don’t see any prices," Zion ventured.

"You won't find any prices here. I help find the perfect item for your needs, and then we discuss the price. If it's not within your budget, I won't bring it out," the orc replied, his voice gravelly and authoritative. "If that doesn't sit right with you, there's the door."

"No, sir, that sounds fine to me. Honestly, I'm new to all this and could use some guidance in picking something out," Zion admitted nervously. He had never interacted with other races before; Sphere Terra was predominantly human. While he had heard tales of other races, meeting one in person, felt both fascinating and unfamiliar.

With a grunt, the orc set the necklace down and fixed Zion with a stern gaze. "If you're seeking assistance here, then lose the sir. My name is Lark; use it or leave."

"Yes, si… Lark," Zion corrected himself, old habits kicking in.

"Better. Now, tell me what you need, and I'll do my best to help. I'll also need to know your budget," Lark said, stepping around the counter to face Zion. He knocked several items to the ground in the process but paid them no mind. Zion hoped he had made the right decision in seeking help.

"I'm in need of a dimensional storage item, preferably a belt, with potion slots and at least medium item capacity. I have two thousand gold, but I also need other equipment. Additionally, I can trade in my old belt if it holds any value," Zion explained.

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Lark scrutinized Zion, his eyebrow twitching slightly. "Firstly, some advice: never divulge your total funds to a merchant. They'll fleece you for all you've got," Lark advised, causing Zion to shift uncomfortably at his oversight. "Secondly, you should specify the tier you're seeking. Based on your ignorance, I would assume the first tier, but your mana fluctuations suggest tier two. So, which is it?"

"Apologies, I overlooked that. I require tier-three gear, Lark," Zion replied, almost forgetting the name protocol. "Anything lower tends to break easily. I'm new to adventuring, so I'll defer to your expertise."

"Kid, learn to guard your information more carefully," Lark sighed, running a hand over his face wearily. "As a novice, you'll need a few basic items. I'll fetch a basic comm bracelet, a pack of port stones, and a distress ring. Any objections? Any other requests?"

"No, that sounds perfect, Lark. However, I've never owned a distress ring; I've only heard of them," Zion admitted, considering his needs. "And if you have any accessories that can store mana, I'd be interested in those as well."

"Got it. Remember, I provide what you need. If my selections don't meet your approval, feel free to leave. I never fetch the wrong item for my customers," Lark declared confidently, though Zion refrained from commenting. The orc began rummaging through the clutter on the floor, tossing items aside and muttering to himself as he searched, clearly dissatisfied with his findings.

Zion stood patiently for what felt like an eternity as Lark dug through the clutter. He noticed other customers coming and going, their brief glances at him suggesting that this was a common occurrence in the shop. Eventually, Lark seemed satisfied and approached the counter once more, depositing an armful of items before Zion.

"Okay, first up, the belt. This here's the Belt of the Alchemist," Lark proclaimed, holding up a garish belt that resembled it was covered in lichen. "I know it doesn't look like much, but trust me, this baby's a gem. It boasts four potion slots, stackable up to thirty, and an item pouch capable of holding thirty items, with stack heights ranging from fifteen to forty. But the real kicker? It can bind an item to it, so if you lose something, you can summon it back." Lark finished with a proud grin.

Zion had to admit, that sounded impressive. The ability to recall lost items could be a lifesaver in a chaotic battle. "How much for the belt?" he inquired cautiously.

"Only two hundred gold. A steal for an item of this caliber. The downside is that it's soulbound, so you can't sell it," Lark replied promptly.

Zion appreciated the honesty. He had no intention of being the type to sell off all his belongings anyway; perhaps he'd repurpose them instead. "Sounds like a deal. What else have you got for me?"

Lark smiled and picked up two more items. One was a purple gem bracelet similar to the one Ludwig had used. The other was a simple ring with a white gem at its center. "This here's a basic comm bracelet. It's got a communication range of six miles and can store up to five contacts. It is essential for starting out in larger parties. The ring is another basic item. It's a distress ring; when shattered, it emits a beacon of light visible for at least ten miles, depending on the terrain. Both are necessary items and at fifty gold each for these tier-three models, they're non-negotiable."

Zion could see the challenge in Lark’s eyes, daring him to object. He raised his hands in mock surrender. "You don’t have to tell me twice. I'm a newbie. Your word is law."

"Good, not as clueless as most newbies I see. Keep that open mind, and it'll keep your head attached," Lark praised. Next, he slid over a simple silver ring, its band fashioned from two intertwining lines. "This is the Ring of Continuance. It can store up to a hundred mana with a recharge rate of one day. Nothing fancy, but handy in a pinch."

Then, he produced an earring shaped like a crescent moon, its surface shimmering blue in the ambient light. "This is one of my personal favorites. It's called the Clasp of the Goddess. It can hold fifty mana, which may not sound like much, but its real value lies in its mana regeneration. While worn, it increases mana regen by ten percent—a significant boon for long quests," Lark explained, holding the earring like a proud parent displaying a cherished possession.

Zion was genuinely impressed by the quality of the items Lark had procured. "What's the total for everything?" he inquired.

"For the belt, rings, bracelet, and clasp, you're looking at four hundred and seventy-five gold," Lark replied firmly, the price unwavering in his tone. Zion didn’t even flinch at the amount; it seemed fair for the quality of the items.

"Okay, Lark, I may be new to all this, but even I know that's a pretty reasonable price. What's the catch?" Zion asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

"Simple, really. I'd rather be remembered as the man who helped a new race thrive than the guy who made a few extra golds off them," Lark replied, locking eyes with Zion. He held his gaze even as Zion tried to tug his hood tighter. "Stop that; it won't do you any good. Maybe in the sunlight, that disguise would work, but under simple magelight, your veins stick out too much. That's why I scanned you."

"Haven’t you ever been told it's rude to scan others without their permission?" Zion retorted, annoyed that he had already been discovered. He couldn’t help but notice Lark's chuckle in response. "What's so funny? I'm being serious. You shouldn't just scan someone you've just met."

"What’s funny is you think that kind of forward-thinking actually applies in the real world. Wake up, newbie; you're in the adult world now," Lark stated, moving closer to Zion. "No one is going to ask you for permission. No one is going to be nice because it's the right thing to do. Most people are trash, with the occasional good person showing up. Learn that now before you die." He punctuated his statement with a poke to Zion's chest.

"You can’t hide yourself that easily, and honestly, you shouldn't. Most likely, some low-tiered idiot told you to do that. Normally, they would be right. Revealing information is never good. But physical things are going to stand out, so embrace it before someone takes advantage of you," Lark advised, his grip on Zion's shoulder firm but not threatening.

Zion tensed, preparing for a confrontation, but Lark's next words caught him off guard. "No need to fear me, Zion. I truly want to help, and not just because of your race or the fact that you're a bloody Herald. There's something special about you, something that's going to save my ass one day, I just know it," Lark declared, sincerity ringing in his voice and reflecting in his eyes.

"Alright, Lark, I'll trust you," Zion relented, dropping his guard and allowing his hood to fall back."What help do you intend to provide?"