The market was alive in ways I didn’t think a place could be. Voices rose and fell like waves crashing into each other—merchants shouting prices, adventurers haggling, and the metallic clang of smiths forging weapons.

The air smelled like roasted meat, sharp spices, and something faintly acrid that made my nose itch. Everywhere I turned, there was something to see: glowing potions stacked like trophies, weapons that gleamed with unnatural light, and tools that seemed pulled straight from science fiction.

For a moment, I just stood there, feeling like a tiny boat tossed in the storm.

I hadn’t even taken two steps when a skewer of roasted meat caught my eye. My stomach clenched painfully, reminding me I hadn’t eaten anything substantial since before the dungeon.

The merchant behind the stall was a stocky man with arms as thick as tree trunks. He grunted when I approached, jabbing a meaty finger at a glowing crystal on the counter. The display lit up, showing a list of items:

- **Grilled Aether Boar Skewer – 10 Silver**

- **Spiced Root Soup – 8 Silver**

- **Mystery Ration Bundle – 5 Silver**

“I’ll take the skewer,” I said, fumbling for my coins.

He handed me the food without a word, his attention already shifting to a pair of adventurers arguing nearby.

The first bite was heaven.

The meat was smoky and tender, the spices unfamiliar but rich and satisfying. I ate quickly, the noise and chaos of the market fading into the background as I focused on the simple act of eating.

By the time I finished, my head felt clearer, my steps more confident

My next priority was selling the loot from the dungeon. Pulling up my inventory, I reviewed the items I’d collected:

- **Dungeon Fragments (x4)**

- **Mana Crystal (x1)**

- **Silver Trinkets (x2)**

The fragments seemed common enough, but the mana crystal and silver trinkets might fetch a decent price.

I approached a nearby stall piled high with baubles and trinkets. The merchant, a wiry woman with sharp eyes, greeted me with a tight-lipped smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“First time selling?” she asked, her voice smooth as silk.

“Is it that obvious?” I replied, trying to keep my tone casual.

“Very.” She leaned forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over me. “Show me what you’ve got.”

I hesitated, Kiera’s warning playing in my mind: *Don’t trust anyone too easily.*

Still, I opened my inventory and selected the items for sale. The merchant’s eyes flickered over the list, her fingers drumming on the counter.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Hmm… the mana crystal’s worth something, but dungeon fragments aren’t exactly flying off the shelves. I’ll give you fifty silver for the lot.”

“Fifty?” I frowned. “That seems low.”

She smirked, shrugging. “You’re new here. Take it or leave it.”

Before I could respond, a faint *ping* echoed in my head, followed by a notification:

[Merchant Offer: Adjusted Value Based on Reputation (-10%).]

*Reputation?*

The word lingered in my mind as I stared at the glowing message. I hadn’t seen anything about reputation before, but the idea made sense. The system wasn’t just about stats or skills—it was tracking how others saw me.

“How do I improve my reputation?” I asked, my frustration barely contained.

The merchant’s smirk widened. “You take quests. Help people. Build a name for yourself. Or you don’t. It’s all the same to me.”

Her tone was casual, but there was a gleam in her eyes that made me uneasy.

“Fine,” I muttered, accepting the deal.

She handed me a pouch of silver, and I walked away, feeling a knot of irritation in my chest.

The rest of the market was a maze of noise and color. Stalls lined the streets, each one offering something different:

- Weapons that shimmered with faint magical auras.

- Potions glowing in every imaginable color.

- Strange gadgets that looked out of place, like relics from a futuristic world.

I stopped at a small, dimly lit shop tucked into the corner of the square. Its sign read: **“The Shifting Hour: Artifacts and Relics.”**

Inside, the air was cool and still, a welcome reprieve from the chaos outside. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with oddities—glowing crystals, ancient coins, and strange devices I couldn’t begin to understand.

“Looking for something specific?” the shopkeeper asked, emerging from the back. He was an older man, thin and sharp-eyed, with an air of quiet authority.

“I’m looking for something… for Chronomancers,” I said cautiously.

His gaze sharpened, but he didn’t comment. “Rare class,” he said. “Not many come through here. But I might have something.”

He led me to a small shelf at the back of the shop, where three items were displayed:

1. **Sandglass Blade:** A short sword with a translucent blade that shimmered like flowing water.

- *Effect: Slows time briefly around the user during combat.*

- *Cost: 80 silver.*

2. **Temporal Band:** A silver ring engraved with faintly glowing runes.

- *Effect: Boosts mana regeneration for Chronomancy spells.*

- *Cost: 60 silver.*

3. **Chrono-Dagger:** A sleek dagger with a black handle and a faintly glowing edge.

- *Effect: Allows a brief blink forward in time to avoid immediate threats.*

- *Cost: 100 silver.*

The dagger caught my eye immediately. It was sleek and elegant, with a practical edge that felt like it was made for someone who needed to stay one step ahead.

“How much for the dagger?” I asked.

“A hundred silver,” the shopkeeper said.

I sighed, counting the coins in my pouch. Sixty-five. Not even close.

“Can you hold it for me?” I asked.

The shopkeeper’s lips twitched in a faint smile. “This isn’t a charity. First come, first served.”

I left the shop, my mind racing. If I couldn’t buy the dagger now, I’d have to find another way to make up the difference.

My thoughts drifted back to the noticeboard I’d passed earlier. Quests might be my best chance to earn more silver—and fast.

I retraced my steps to the center of the square, scanning the glowing notices. Most were straightforward:

- **“Monster Nest Extermination: 20 Silver Reward.”**

- **“Escort Mission to the Northern Outpost: Negotiable Pay.”**

- **“Herbal Collection for Potions: Beginner Level.”**

But one notice stood out.

The text shimmered faintly, shifting between languages before settling into one I could read:

*“Seeking those who have seen the light. Inquire at The Shifting Hour.”*

My heart skipped a beat.

The name matched the shop I’d just left.

For a moment, I stood frozen, the noise of the market fading into the background. The message wasn’t addressed to me specifically, but it felt personal—too personal to ignore.

I turned back toward the shop, I needed to know more.