Year 1451, month 10, day 12

  Before I could fully commit to a long-distance journey for the sake of profit, I needed to solidify my connections within the city. Trade is as much about who you know as it is about what you carry in your inventory. I spent the early hours of the morning visiting several key locations to lay the foundation for my upcoming operations. The first stop on my list was a familiar storefront in the bustling commercial district: Pinkdolls.

  Pinkdolls is the same boutique where I previously purchased the high-quality traveling clothes for Woya and Wyn. The owner, Sarya, is a shrewd clothes merchant who primarily specializes in high-end women's fashion. She has a keen eye for detail and an even sharper nose for profit. In the past, I’ve found great success by bringing her samples of the latest trends from the Ottovard Empire. The Empire is the undisputed heart of the fashion world on this continent, and Sarya was always overjoyed when I presented her with new designs. The moment she laid eyes on the intricate patterns and exotic fabrics I brought back, her eyes would light up with the fire of a true merchant. She would immediately begin daydreaming about how to market these rare products to her most noble and wealthy clients, calculating her margins before the clothes were even off my back.

  Of course, in our partnership, Sarya is the one who reaps the lion's share of the final sale. She possesses the established network, the high-street storefront, and the reputation required to sell a dress for a small fortune. As for me, my primary source of income is the "logistics fee." In a world where caravans are slow, expensive, and prone to banditry, my ability to bypass those costs is my greatest asset.

  Most merchants have to account for the heavy expense of carriage, guards, and travel permits, but I have my Inventoryand my Warp skill. I can carry hundreds of items without spending a single copper on security or transport. My profit comes from the gap between the local purchase price and the export price, minus essentially zero overhead. It is a clean, efficient business model that only someone with my specific "Player" abilities could sustain.

  “Oh… isn’t it you, Han? I heard a rumor you bought another girl to warm your bed recently. It hasn’t been that long since your last visit, has it?”

  I was pulled from my mental calculations by Sarya’s voice. She was leaning against a rack of silk tunics, a sarcastic, knowing smirk playing on her lips.

  “... Hello, Sarya. Your intuition is as sharp as ever, but that’s not the reason I’m here today,” I replied, choosing not to rise to her teasing.

  “Oh, my. Did you come for me then?” she asked, her tone shifting to something more flirtatious. She stepped closer, her gaze lingering on me with an intensity that wasn't there before. “You know, I’ve always thought you were handsome, but you seem to be getting more striking every time I see you. There’s an air of confidence about you now... I’m sure the girls have made quite the impression on you. You look stunning, Han. If you were looking for a different kind of company, I wouldn't mind at all…”

  She said it half-teasingly, but her demeanor was transparent. It was clear that she wouldn't refuse if I were to make a move. My recent stat increases—specifically the boost to my Charisma—were obviously having a tangible effect on how people perceived me. I’ve had plenty of experience with Woya and Wyn lately, and while Sarya was attractive in her own right, she was... well, a bit "meh" by comparison. She wasn't exactly young, either. I decided it was best to keep things strictly professional until I was desperate enough to reconsider.

  “I appreciate the sentiment, Sarya. You know I always enjoy our time together, but I’m here strictly for business today,” I said, maintaining a cool, professional distance. “I’m planning to depart soon to source some new goods. If there is anything specific you want me to bring back for you, now is the time to speak up.”

  “Oh, business. The sound of clinking coins,” she said, letting out a melodic chuckle. “The only thing in this world I’m more interested in than you, Han. Huhuhu.”

  I pulled out my notebook as Sarya began to detail the current trends. She provided a wealth of intel on what the noblewomen of Yargan were currently clamoring for. Since summer has officially arrived, the artisans of the Ottovard Empire are about to launch a new line of lightweight summer wear. Sarya was eager to get her hands on a large batch before her competitors even knew the designs existed. Between her market knowledge and my logistical speed, we were poised to dominate the seasonal shift. I felt a surge of confidence; my increased Intelligence and Wisdom stats allowed me to process her requirements and map out a procurement route in real-time.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  By the time we finished our discussion on goods, delivery schedules, and payment terms, we fell into a bit of casual chatter. She asked a few probing questions about the girls and our level of intimacy. I’ve always been private about my personal relationships, so I kept my answers vague, merely stating that I was quite content with my current household.

  When I stepped back out into the street, I had already secured a commitment for transactions worth between 5 and 10 platinum coins. In the end, what truly matters is how much of that becomes pure profit in my pocket. With my Charisma stat now at an all-time high, I was confident that I could negotiate favorable rates at the source and walk away with at least 3 platinum coins in profit from the fashion deal alone.

  My next destination involved a more secretive sector of the Yargan economy. I needed to visit several merchants who specialized in high-end jewelry and luxury minerals. In the past, I had dealt primarily with raw ores from the northern mines of the Targonia Kingdom, but those were mostly sold to blacksmiths and armorers. It was only recently that I had managed to gain access to the inner circle of the jewelry trade.

  These merchants are notoriously protective and rarely deal with strangers. There is a persistent fear among the local elite that the Ottovard Empire will attempt to monopolize the gemstone market, so the nobles have warned the local sellers to be extremely vigilant. However, as I moved from shop to shop, I noticed a distinct shift in how I was being treated.

  My Charisma was clearly doing the heavy lifting. I could feel the merchants trying to win me over. They were cutting their usual margins, acting more willing to accommodate my terms, and were almost desperate to form long-term partnerships with me. It wasn't an "omnipotent" ability that forced them to obey, but it acted as a social lubricant; their merchant instincts seemed to tell them that I was a golden opportunity they couldn't afford to miss. Since it worked in my favor, I didn't question the mechanics too deeply.

  While I was grasping the current state of the jewelry market, I also finalized several deals involving the artisan products I planned to bring from Baymur. Given the quality of the pearl and shell work I had seen during my visit, it was nearly certain that I could sell every item I brought back at a significant markup. I also managed to network with a few high-level merchants who expressed interest in becoming investors for my future ventures. Having established connections and liquid capital is the key to moving from a "solo trader" to a "merchant lord."

  My final rounds for the day involved the local alchemists. I visited two of them who were well-known for both their potion-making skills and their retail savvy. Because their businesses are constantly churning out products, they are in perpetual need of raw materials.

  While they can easily source common herbs and minerals from the areas surrounding Yargan, they struggle to acquire rare ingredients from the Kingdom or the Empire. They are forced to wait for slow, expensive imports, which are often scarce and inconsistent. This created another perfect opening for me. Even if individual herbs or minerals aren't as profitable as a high-end dress or an orichalcum-laced sword, the sheer volume of the trade makes it a reliable source of income.

  I made a list of the specific minerals from the Kingdom’s border mines and the rare flora from the Empire’s wooded regions. These items were well within my teleportation range, and I knew exactly where the major trade groups stockpiled them. When I visited the alchemists to discuss the orders, they welcomed me with genuine smiles and offered me sweet treats and tea. They were overjoyed to hear that I could provide a steady supply of their most needed ingredients. After a brief chat, they provided me with a prioritized list, ranging from "urgent necessities" to "general stock."

  I sat for a while, finishing my tea and sweets while refining my travel plan. The profit from these materials would be substantial, but I viewed them primarily as a side job. While I am traveling to buy luxury clothes or gems, I can easily collect these alchemical ingredients whenever I see them. It is essentially passive income gathered on the way to my primary targets.

  By the time I left the alchemists’ workshops, the day was beginning to fade. I visited a few more minor connections to see if there were any other niche demands I could fill, but I felt my groundwork was largely complete. I turned my steps toward my final destination of the day: the Auction House, to see my friend Orzhan.

  The sun was about an hour away from setting, casting a warm, orange glow over the stone streets. As I approached the grand building, the usual daytime bustle had died down. The people coming and going were mostly staff members finishing their shifts; there were very few visitors at this hour. I adjusted the collar of my tunic, ready to see what information the inner circle of the auction house could provide for my journey.

  [Edited]

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