"These are all the merchandise," Louis concluded the tour and handed me a parchment summarizing the items I saw.

My eyes skimmed through the list of goods on the brink of spoilage if not moved soon.

"I'm surprised we're having trouble moving the Totus Elixirs." I looked up at Louis.

We were currently below in the massive cellar of the Frey Manor. The vaulted ceilings were at least the height of four grown men, and the halls, vast enough for a carriage to come through, seemed to stretch on forever. Wooden crates holding everything from exotic tea, health potions, and liquor were stacked in neatly organized rows. The air was slightly chilly down here, a stark difference from the warmth below my grandmother's villa.

"The issue is the quantity, not the product," Louis said.

The Totus Elixer was renowned for its ability to soothe internal imbalances and alleviate mental and emotional distress. The taste wasn't half bad either, with a delicate fusion of sweetpeas and what could be best described as eating sunshine. It was mildly alcoholic but not so much that anyone ever worried about intoxication. It was extremely popular amongst the soldiers, taken after a hard day on the battlefield alongside other healing potions. The trouble was that the concoction had a short shelf life of only about a month.

"The restrictions that much of the surrounding countries have placed on the distribution of the Totus Elixer we can manage by paying off a few friendly hands," Louis explained. "But it just so happened that the polluted forest had recently overtaken the roads leading to three of the four buyers. It should be able to be cleared up in two weeks or so, but in our line of business, that is far too long."

I nodded.

The issue of the polluted lands spreading and constantly cutting off trade routes was part of why I needed Sarka Jarbez's portal. In my original life, the pollution had spread and thickened to an insufferable degree. However, one group benefited from the land's destruction: The Spiders had gained a lucrative monopoly on all trade routes, as they had Sarka Jarbez and her portal invention within their grasp. Any merchant wishing to do business had to have their caravans go down long detours to avoid the polluted lands or pay a fee to The Spiders to move their goods through their portal paths.

"Peep!"

What is with all the pollution? I still can't understand how my ancestors' lush and vibrant lands have become so vile.

Leona fluttered about the cellar, inspecting the boxes herself.

<< I don't know either. >> I replied. << But I can certainly ask Professor Whistle during the history lesson. Perhaps he'll know. >>

"Young master Luca, you said you might have a buyer for the goods. What sort of assistance do you need in moving the wares?" Louis asked.

"No need for that," I replied, waving my hand. "I have my own means already. And you may leave and tend to other matters. I wish to be alone."

"Very well." Louis nodded and left.

"Peep!"

How are you planning on selling them?

I rubbed my hands together.

<< The Game Store, >> I explained. << You were asleep at the time, but I found a way to access the System's Game Store where other Players in other Games sell and purchase goods. I plan on selling them there. >>

The beauty of the Game Store was that goods didn't perish there. They existed in a completely different dimension, suspended in time. It was the ideal place to sell off the Totus Elixirs and other expiring wares I couldn't in my own world.

<< System, I wish to sell the following items in the Game Store. >> I pointed toward the stacked boxes of wares marked by Louis.

[ Hello Luca, to put something for sale in the Game Store, you must physically touch the item. ]

I placed my hand on one of the boxes holding Dragon's Breath Brew, a type of liquor that, while nowhere near expiration, was a faulty product proving to be unsellable. It became pretty popular in the future of my original life. Still, it had clearly not taken off at the moment, and the boxes were collecting dust and taking up space below the Frey Manor.

Why let it sit when I can sell it off now?

A light blue glow appeared from the box, and it vanished, only to reappear as a miniature version in front of me on the Game Store screen.

"Peep!"

It vanished!

Leona fluttered over the empty space.

<< It's in the Game Store now. >> I explained.

Fascinating. It's similar to my stomach for storage.

I moved my fingers over the blue screen, with additional boxes of text appearing.

[ Dragon's Breath Brew: Quantity 12x ]

[ Description: Crafted from a secret blend of herbs, this potent liquor is renowned for its intense spiciness and smoky flavor. Drinking it invokes a temporary surge of inner warmth, akin to harnessing the power of a dragon's fiery essence. ]

[ Warning: Consumption may lead to altered perceptions, heightened emotions, and unusual behavior. Exercise caution when consuming and avoid operating heavy machinery or engaging in activities that require full concentration. ]

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

I arched an eyebrow.

<< I don't need to put in a description myself? >> I asked.

[ No. If we had every Player write out their own product descriptions, we'd have an array of lofty claims that might not be accurate. Thus the Game Store analyzes the object entered and provides it. ]

I shrugged.

Well, I suppose it saves me the trouble, although it does limit some creativity in marketing my products.

<< Must I touch every item physically? >> I gazed at the dozens of boxes before me.

[ Yes, that is one of the requirements. That way, the Game Store knows it is within your possession and not something you simply pointed at. ]

I frowned at this.

<< Couldn't I, by that logic, place my hand on something that is not my own? For example, couldn't I steal and sell something in the store? >>

[ The Game Store does not attempt to distinguish between goods stolen and those righteously obtained. The distinction of ownership is based on hand placement to simplify matters. ]

"Peep!"

Luca, what is with that scary-looking smile on your face?? What are you plotting?

<< I simply had an idea of what else I could sell in the future. >> I explained to Leona and relaxed my face.

But then is then, and now is now.

I rubbed my hands together.

<< System, is there a limit to the object's size that can be placed in the store? >>

[ Yes. It must be something that can be held in hand by the average Player. So, if you have any ideas of attempting to sell bridges, that won't be possible. ]

Bridges? Was there really anyone that had ever attempted to sell a bridge?

I ignored the odd example and continued with my line of questioning.

<< What about the price? Is that something I can set, or does the Game Store also set that for me? >> I asked.

[ To prevent market manipulation and avoid Players utilizing the Game Store as an alternative Dimension Storage Sack by setting impossible prices on objects, the Game Store will set the costs based on fair market values. ]

I watched the screen assign 10 Nexus Coins per Dragon's Breath Brew bottle.

Tsk. I also had the idea of storing products within the Game Store and taking advantage of the suspended in-time environment.

I looked over at Leona.

Oh well. But given that I have her and her alternate-dimension stomach, I suppose it doesn't matter.

However, another idea popped into my head.

<< If an item doesn't sell, can I remove it from the store? >>

[ Yes, but again, to prevent Players from utilizing the Game Store as an expanded Dimension Storage Sack, you are restricted to waiting three days before being allowed to take an item out of the store. ]

That was perfectly fine with me. If I couldn't sell some product on the Game Store, I intended to pull it out and sell it on the market of my own world at the next available moment. In the case of the Totus Elixirs, if they remained unsold in the Game Store two weeks from now, I would pull them back out and sell them when the trade route was cleared of pollution.

I stretched my arms out, readying myself.

I had about seven dozen boxes I needed to personally touch and transport into the Game Store's marketplace.

***

"Hahhhhh…" I sat down on one of the containers and rolled my neck.

"Peep!"

Tired?

Leona landed on my shoulder and moved about, seemingly attempting to massage my muscles. At least, that was my guess, as it wasn’t very effective.

"Yes," I replied. "I just placed my hand on a box and waited for three seconds each time, but it was still exhausting just by how tedious it all was."

Given how weak my body was, it was frustrating that even that much was a strain.

However, looking at the empty cellar space where all the unmovable merchandise had sat, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

I pulled out the Wobbly Pebble from my pocket and massaged my right hand with it. It might have served no real purpose, but it made for a half-decent stress ball.

I brought up the Game Store screen and inspected the items I had transported for sale. There were about 15,000 Nexus coins worth of merchandise that I had put up.

<< Is this it? Now, do I just wait? >> I asked the System.

[ Almost. You must enter your seller's nickname, and after that, your products will be available for sale to other Players in other Games at the discretion of their Game Systems. ]

I thought for a moment.

<< Make it Player 0.4 >>

I watched the blue screen update with the seller's nickname, and the edging around my products gained a blue outline in place of the grey, indicating that they were available for sale now.

I motioned my hand through the Game Store screen. The items other sellers had put up for sale were mainly weapons and ability-enhancing potions. I hoped the products I entered were unique enough to garner some interest, especially given the reasonably affordable pricing compared to what everything else was selling for in the store.

I grimaced at how many zeros most items had on their price tags. Someone could buy all seven dozen containers worth of products I had put up for sale for the price of one of the subpar magic-embedded swords.

One step at a time, I reasoned with myself. I'm just testing the waters currently. Once I gain experience and understand what's in high demand at the Game Store, I can adjust my supply as needed.

"Young master Luca?" Remlend's voice sounded behind me, and I felt the hairs on my back rise.

I glanced back and saw him walking toward me with a refreshment.

Does he not know how to make his presence known to others?

I shook my head, remembering the unfortunate curse Remlend had of being an Unremarkable Wallflower.

I suppose I ought to be understanding and make a better attempt at noticing the unfortunate young man.

"Professor Whistle is ready for you," he said, placing the cup of cool liquid in my hand.

He looked toward the empty space before me, where all the wooden boxes had sat. However, he didn't make any comments.

I downed the cold tea and stood up.

"Thanks, Remlend." I handed him back the empty cup. "I’m done here. I'll attend the history lesson now."

***

I entered the sunlit room on the second floor of the manor. It was a small library at most other times of the day but also utilized as a space for teaching.

"Ah," Professor Whistle looked at me through his bushy white eyebrows. He stood by one of the shelves with a book in hand. "You have come."

His tone betrayed surprise, not that I took offense. It was more common for me to skip his lessons than to attend them.

"And you've brought a friend," he noted Leona's presence.

"Peep!"

There's something strange about that man.

I looked over at my shoulder where Leona was sitting and saw her yellow feathers ruffle up.

<< Really? How so? >>

There's something familiar and unpleasant about him. It's a smell similar to that of a wicked dragon.

I blinked and took in the elderly gentleman before me.

I never saw Professor Whistle as ever being a concern. He was an old man with untamed white hair who seemed half-asleep most of the time. He lacked interest in most matters except the topic of history, which was what he taught the children of the Frey Manor. Apart from his job as a private teacher, he was paid handsomely to advise Father on matters of the Frey Merchant Guild. Unfortunately, when the business took a downturn, he was one of the first I had to let go simply because I couldn't afford his services.

[ Level 2 Random Character Check in progress for Evan Whistle (formerly Evan Flinx). ]

Flinx? I blinked, seeing the name on the blue screen.

Like the old calendar before the Adovorian Calendar came to be?

[ Age: @#!? ]

[ Evan Whistle is @#!? years old, born on the sixth moon of Year $% of the Flinx Calendar. ]

Even though the 40% issue prevented me from seeing his age, knowing that he was born during the Flinx calendar, which predated the Adovorian Calendar, was all I needed to know that the old man before me was far older than any other human being I had ever come across.