《Merchant Rising: A Slice-Of-Life LitRPG》 Chapter 1: Goal Reached! Caleb willed the people on the busy sidewalk to move aside. He glanced at his phone for, what seemed the millionth time as he bumped into a burly man in front of him. The man turned and scowled at him. He gave the man an apologetic look and quickly weaved back into the traffic. After a while, he reached the apartment complex he stayed in. The once white-washed building of the old tower now stood out conspicuously against the shining metal and glass prefabricated buildings that surrounded it. It was far from even moderately comfortable, but Caleb had plans that required a modest lifestyle¡ªfor now. Caleb darted up the staircase¡ªpast the indefinitely broken elevator¡ªall the way up to his ninth-floor apartment. Panting heavily, he pressed his thumb into the electronic lock and entered his home. He kicked the door closed behind him, dropped his backpack on the floor, and hurried to his computer. He opened the analytics program for his website and studied it intensely. His heart thumped excitedly in his chest and a huge grin on his face. On the screen, a counter slowly ticked up, indicating the earnings from his website. Caleb had a penchant for business and the entrepreneurial spirit to back it. Being brought up in a household where his parents¡¯ idea of being business savvy was spending half their meager income on lottery tickets, he learned to be more frugal with any money he earned. Caleb¡¯s greatest loves were money and gaming. His ambition to combine the two came in the form of the world¡¯s most popular virtual reality game: Frontier Realms. The only problem was the exorbitant cost of even the most basic VR equipment required to play the game. Frontier Realms provided the most immersive experience, requiring cutting-edge technology, but that prohibited most people. Although gaming caf¨¦s were available for renting VR rigs, these establishments only provided the most common character options - usually warrior or mage types. As the game characters were bound to the rented equipment, you had to make do with limited choices. Furthermore, you couldn¡¯t convert or cash out the in-game gold to actual money in these rental setups, which posed a significant drawback for Caleb. He desperately wanted his own rig, so that he could fulfill his dream to play Frontier Realms full-time and, hopefully, become rich doing so. He had spent years developing a small side business¡ªamong other part-time jobs¡ªto make his dream come true. He taught himself how to code and develop his website which started earning him a small, but steady income. Four years ago, watching his favorite streamer play Frontier Realms, Caleb was struck by inspiration. He went on to develop an add-on for streamers, enabling their viewers to passively earn virtual currency as they watched. Through Caleb¡¯s website, viewers could then use their accumulated virtual currency to purchase merchandise branded with the streamer¡¯s logo. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Years after he began this endeavor, Caleb now intensely monitored his balance ticking up towards his goal. A few minutes later, a loud cacophony of alarms beeped on his phone and computer. He grinned from ear to ear, his mind and body in momentary shock.
Balance: $10,552 B-2 NovaTech Neural Interface: $10,000 (100%) 30-Days NovaTech Long-Term Immersion Medication: $150 (100%) 30-Days Frontier Realms Subscription: $400 (100%) [Alert] Goal Reached!
Caleb had been dreaming of owning a VR rig ever since he heard of Frontier Realms, the game that had taken the world by storm. He had spent countless hours researching the best models, and finally settled on one that was slightly out of his price range that allowed for better immersion and comfort. He scrimped and saved every penny, eating cheap meals and foregoing luxuries, until he finally had enough to place the order. The wait for the VR rig seemed like an eternity to Caleb. He had paid extra for rush shipping, hoping it would arrive as soon as possible. When the delivery finally came, Caleb practically ripped the box open in his excitement. He set up the rig with lightning speed, checking and double-checking every connection, eager to dive into Frontier Realms. As he powered on the device, Caleb couldn¡¯t help but feel a nervous flutter in his stomach. What if the power consumption was too much for the old apartment building¡¯s electrical grid? What if he had made a mistake somewhere in the setup? The rig had a battery that would only allow for short-term usage, just enough for the player to log out safely. Caleb made a mental note to invest in a more long-term power solution, but for now, he was content to bask in the thrill of finally owning a VR rig and embarking on his Frontier Realms adventure. He pushed his worries aside and focused on the screen in front of him. The rig hummed to life. Caleb took a deep breath and calmed himself. He looked at the small screen on the side of the headset of the device, which had a checklist of things he needed to do before immersing himself. The rig had a sophisticated medical monitoring system and there were a bunch of safety checks that Caleb was required to do before the game would even launch. Caleb quickly scarfed down a nutrient bar and swallowed a handful of multi-colored immersion pills he had prepped ahead of time. The game¡¯s strict medical requirements meant he couldn¡¯t risk being locked out of the rig. Those only playing for short stints had it easy - just an empty bladder and they were good to go, but with a strict four-hour limit. Caleb had bigger plans, though, and was willing to pay top dollar for the necessary medication to play for up to twelve hours at a time. He was determined to make Frontier Realms his full-time job. Once he completed everything on his list, Caleb donned the headset and lay down in his bed. Darkness filled his vision. Chapter 2: Youre An Adventurer Now Caleb couldn¡¯t tell how long he was unconscious. He awoke as the blackness gradually gave way to a beautiful landscape of lush, green fields and enormous snow-capped mountains moving underneath him. He instinctively tried moving his extremities but was unable to. Even though his mind was telling him this was wrong, a sense of calm came over him. After a few moments, a deep, majestic voice began to talk. It had no source but seemed like it manifested within Caleb¡¯s mind. ¡°Greetings, brave traveler! You are now stepping into a realm of enchantment and mystery, a place of boundless opportunities and hidden treasures. Will you ascend to the pinnacle as a formidable champion, a wily trickster, or a potent mage? The decision is yours, but heed this warning: peril lies in wait at every turn, and only the quick-witted and the resolute endure. Traverse the expansive territories, forge new alliances, and undertake grand quests to gain renown and riches. Are you ready to begin your journey?¡± Caleb instinctively knew that he could will his response to the system. It was an odd feeling at first but gave him a sense of power and control. He gave an affirmative to the system and watched as the beautiful landscapes disappeared. A burst of activity erupted from around him as he found himself in a busy town square, bathed in warm sunlight. He inhaled deeply, feeling a sense of exhilaration and excitement that he had never experienced before. Though he had tried VR immersion before, this felt vastly different¡ªthis was his new reality and not just a rented avatar in a VR caf¨¦. A great many people crowded the area; they were shouting, laughing, and talking with each other. Caleb had arrived in front of a ten-meter-tall statue made of gleaming white marble, depicting a warrior striking a heroic pose. He looked at the statue and smirked. While the idea of becoming a formidable warrior appealed to a lot of players, that wasn¡¯t what drove Caleb. He would build empires, not just fight for them. ¡°Let¡¯s see what I¡¯ve got to deal with,¡± Caleb said to himself. He willed the system to bring up his character sheet. Instead of the usual character information that Caleb had grown accustomed to seeing during his gaming caf¨¦ sessions, a new window appeared in his vision: [Quest Name] "You''re an adventurer now" [Objective] Find a Skill Vendor and Receive Your First Skill. [Hint] Your first Skill is free, but subsequent skills will cost exponentially more. Choose wisely. [Reward] 1 Silver Coin Caleb rubbed his chin and looked around the square. A bustling array of vendors were present, offering an assortment of wares. He wondered what a skill vendor¡¯s stall would look like. Some shops displayed rows of vividly-hued vials containing mysterious liquids, while others were street-side food carts selling skewered rat-like creatures, filling the air with rich smells. He scanned the bustling square, searching for someone who could help him find a skill vendor. Among the crowds of non-player characters and players, it was easy to differentiate between the two groups. Newcomers were noticeable in their mismatched armor, pieced together from whatever they could find. In stark contrast, veteran players were adorned in resplendent suits of armor, boasting a dazzling array of colors and powerful enchantments. Meanwhile, the NPCs blended in with their unremarkable attire and behavior, standing out in contrast to the players who hurriedly jogged and sprinted between locations. Approaching a bored-looking NPC guard who was leaning against his spear and gazing into the distant mountains, the guard promptly straightened up as he drew near. ¡°Hi there,¡± Caleb greeted the guard, who nodded in response. ¡°I was wondering if you could direct me to the nearest skill vendor?¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The guard nodded and then pointed at an elaborate, stone-clad building, which had a big inviting archway. ¡°You can find the skill vendor inside there,¡± the guard said. Caleb frowned and looked at the stalls around him. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± The guard looked irritated but nodded. ¡°Why does the skill vendor get to set up shop inside that building but everyone else has to use these stalls?¡± he asked. ¡°The skill vendor is a system merchant,¡± the guard said. ¡°All system merchants reside in the administration building. Only the system can sell you important things like skills.¡± Caleb nodded and thanked the guard. He made his way into the administration building. The building towered over the other buildings, its grandeur, and scale designed to impress visitors and intimidate any wrongdoers. Guards, who were wearing gleaming silver armor, were flanking the entrance which was wide and high, with a deep, ornate archway leading into the bustling interior. Once inside, Caleb noticed huge chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling providing a warm, inviting glow to the space. The area was dotted with tinkling water fountains and elegantly crafted stone benches, carefully positioned to provide a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The walls were lined with more elegant arches, each leading to a different shop. Above each arch, a dark wooden sign identified it with gold lettering. Caleb searched the signs until he found one that read Skill Vendor. The inside of the shop was spartan. Neat rows of books lined the shelves on the wall and an older woman sat in a chair, reading a book and resting her feet on the empty counter. Caleb was about to say something when she stuck her finger up, hushing him while she finished reading something in her book. After a moment she snapped the book shut and looked at Caleb for the first time, examining the simple white clothes that denoted him as a new player. ¡°Newbie, ay?¡± she said. Caleb nodded. The woman seemed to stare into his soul before she smiled. ¡°As you probably already know, your first skill is free. Each skill beyond that becomes prohibitively more expensive, so make sure to choose your skill wisely. Do you want me to recommend something for you?¡± she asked. Caleb shook his head. ¡°No, thank you. I already know what I¡¯m going to choose.¡± Caleb has spent years researching and figuring out what kind of player he would be. The woman lifted an eyebrow and shrugged. ¡°Have it your way. ¡± The woman retrieved a book from the end of the shelf and dropped it heavily on the table. Caleb picked it up and opened it, a window suddenly filling his vision. A list of skills filled the window and he sat down on the bench at the side of the shop to study it. He filtered the list mentally, only showing skills that were related to business or social interaction. He looked at the Appraisal skill, willing his desire for the system to show more information about the skill.
[Skill] Appraisal (Level 1) [Description] The Appraisal skill enables you to instinctively evaluate an item''s average price within your current region. Its accuracy improves as your skill level surpasses the item''s level. [Price] Free
Caleb selected the skill and smiled at the notifications that showed up next.
> New Skill Learned! Appraisal. > Congratulations! You''ve been assigned the class "Trader". Evolve your class by acquiring a second skill. > Your Trader class grants you +1 Charisma > Quest Complete: "You''re an adventurer now" > You''ve gained 1 Silver Coin
As Caleb entered the busy square, he paused to think about what he needed to do next. His goal was to play Frontier Realms as a full-time job, but in order to do so, he needed to earn enough to cover his subscription fees and the expensive medication required for prolonged immersion. He knew that gold coins earned in the game could be exchanged for real-world dollars, with a 10-to-1 rate. That meant he needed to earn 5500 gold coins within 30 days to meet his financial obligations. He willed the silver coin he just earned to appear in his hand. He stared at it. The task seemed daunting, and Caleb felt a twinge of worry, but he quickly shook it off and refocused on his plan of action. Caleb once again tried to bring up his character sheet, this time successfully.
[Player] Caleb Davis - Trader [Statistics] Health: 10/10 Mana: 0/0 Stamina: 10/10 [Wealth] Silver: 1 [Skills] Appraisal (Level 1) [Attributes] Strength: 1 Dexterity: 1 Intelligence: 1 Wisdom: 1 Charisma: 2
Chapter 3: Appraisal Report The market square got even busier as the sun reached its peak. Caleb passed an adventurer supply stall and purchased a map of the region. He wasn¡¯t sure what the name of this region was¡ªor even the city for that matter, so he decided it was worth the 10 copper coins he spent. He sighed when he had to break his only silver coin into copper coins. That left him with 90 copper coins to his name. ¡°Not a very promising net worth,¡± he muttered. As Caleb studied the map, a window opened up in his field of vision. A stylized label at the top read Valoria - Ravenholm City. The majority of the map was obscured by blackness, with the exception of the center where an arrow marked his current location and orientation. The surrounding area remained shrouded in the fog of war, but as he zoomed in and panned around the map, he was able to identify landmarks such as the market square and the administration building, denoted by distinctive symbols. He shifted the window to the top right of his vision to avoid it becoming a distraction. It was disorienting at first to alternate between focusing on the mini-map and the real environment around him, but he quickly adapted. He wondered what to do with the now useless parchment in his hand. It was simply a vessel for new players to acquire the map feature. He willed the system to open his inventory.
[Inventory] (0/3 Items) Slot 1: Nothing Slot 2: Nothing Slot 3: Nothing
Caleb thought about the parchment and then the inventory. His mind visualized his intent. The map parchment disappeared and he opened his inventory screen again.
[Inventory] (1/3 Items) Slot 1: Map (Valoria) Slot 2: Nothing Slot 3: Nothing
Caleb wandered around the marketplace and was drawn into an armor stall¡ªwhich was more of a tent. With a splayed white linen shade cloth covering the area, it gave the space a comfortable glow. A row of mannequins stood resolutely, adorned with various cloth, leather, chain, and plate armor. A short man with a potbelly stood in the center with his hands behind his back. He smiled at people who passed his tent, his well-groomed mustache giving him a credible image. He spotted Caleb, who had moved closer to test out his Appraisal skill on one of the armor sets. Before Caleb could reach the mannequin, the man quickly moved to greet him. Caleb was surprised by the swiftness of the man, which made him appear like a shark closing in on his prey. The obvious white linen newbie clothes were like blood in the water for the salesman. ¡°Welcome to Thalindor¡¯s Fortified Fashions, adventurer!¡± Thalindor exclaimed. His booming voice made Caleb cringe slightly. He recovered quickly and smiled at the salesman. Caleb didn¡¯t want to reveal that he was only here to test out his Appraisal skill, so he improvised. ¡°Good day, sir,¡± Caleb said. ¡°You have a great collection of armor,¡± he gestured at the mannequins. The man straightened and his eyes seemed to twinkle. ¡°We have the finest armor in the square,¡± Thalindor said. ¡°Our armor is designed to cater to the needs of every adventurer, be it a Knight engaging in close combat or a sorcerer looking for a power advantage. What kind of fighter are you? I¡¯m sure I can find you the perfect set.¡± This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Caleb decided not to answer the man¡¯s question directly, instead, he pointed at a cloth robe on one of the mannequins. ¡°How much for that?¡± he asked. ¡°Ah, a magic user,¡± Thalindor excitedly walked over to the mannequin. ¡°You have fine taste. Come take a look, feel the cloth. The quality is undeniable,¡± he said. Caleb approached the mannequin and ran his fingers over the soft fabric of the robe while mentally inspecting the armor¡¯s properties. Every player had the ability to examine items, which displayed basic information about them. However, with Caleb¡¯s newly acquired Appraisal skill, he was able to see more information than usual.
[Item Name] Fangweaver Silk Robe (Level 1) [Description] Simple yet magical. Though offering little physical protection, it imparts clarity and focus to the mind, making it a prized possession of magic users seeking to augment their mental abilities. [Properties] +1 to Intelligence +1 to Wisdom [Appraisal Report] (Very Accurate) Regional Average: 3 Silver, 45 Copper
¡°Very fine, right?¡± Thalindor said. ¡°Made from Fangweaver silk. Only the strongest adventurers are able to take on one of those beasts!¡± Caleb knew the man was lying. A simple look at the value of the item meant that it wasn¡¯t as valuable as the man was trying to make it seem. A small smile crept onto his face as he recognized the smarmy man¡¯s tactics. ¡°How much?¡± Caleb asked. ¡°For you, my friend, I¡¯ll make a special deal,¡± Thalindor said. He pretended to do some calculations in his head. ¡°Since you¡¯re just starting out, I¡¯m going to sell it to you at, basically, cost price!¡± Caleb was no fool when it came to sales tactics and he just waited for the man to give him the price. When Thalindor saw that Caleb wasn¡¯t going to reply, he cleared his throat. ¡°Only 20 Silver Coins. The new friend discount,¡± Thalindor said, giving Caleb a wink. Caleb winced internally. The man was clearly targeting new players, their hard-earned coin being spent on junk. He wondered why other vendors didn¡¯t just put Thalindor out of business. Clearly, he had a monopoly on the armor market around the area but Caleb put it out of his mind for now and turned to the man. ¡°I don¡¯t have enough, I¡¯ll have to come back another day,¡± Caleb said. The salesman frowned, realizing he probably wasn¡¯t going to make the sale. Then the practiced smile returned to his face. ¡°Thank you for visiting Thalindor¡¯s Fortified Fashions. Be sure to keep us in mind when you¡­ have a bit more coin in your purse,¡± Thalindor turned and walked away. Caleb wandered from stall to stall, trying to piece together a business strategy. He had to accumulate as much information about the economy of Ravenholm before he invested what little coin he had into something. He brought up the banking window, wondering if he should spend some real-world dollars on buying gold, but he looked at his bank balance and winced.
[Balance] $2 [Exchange Rate] $10.24 (1 Gold Coin) Note: You are able to purchase 19 Silver, 50 Copper.
If he purchased coins now, he wouldn¡¯t be able to survive the night in the real world. As much as Caleb wanted to live in Frontier Realms, he still had to eat and pay his rent. He hoped his streaming business would be enough to keep his head above water in the outside world but for now, he had to focus on covering his game subscription. His attention was suddenly drawn to a loud commotion at a nearby stall. ¡°I¡¯m not a god damned mule!¡± a player shouted, throwing a fist full of feathers at the shopkeeper. Chaper 4: Feather, Fang & Claw Caleb moved closer to the source of the commotion after an ironclad warrior threw a fistful of feathers at the unconcerned NPC woman behind the counter. The warrior scowled at her. ¡°This quest is so stupid,¡± the warrior said. ¡°You want a thousand Plumehide feathers but all you¡¯re offering is a pittance of copper coins for each of them. I can barely fit twenty feathers in my inventory. Do you know how far the hunting grounds are?¡± The shopkeeper crossed her arms and said ¡°The whole point of this quest is not the trade value. It¡¯s the reputation you¡¯ll earn once you complete it. Better reputation means better quests.¡± The warrior huffed and grunted. ¡°Whatever, you should just tell your A.I overlords to make better quests,¡± he said before he turned and marched away. Caleb snickered as the shopkeeper rolled her eyes. He was amazed at the complexity of the NPCs in this world. No other game could even begin to match the level of realism and depth that a Frontier Realms NPC achieved. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the man¡¯s quest. Although the offered price for the Plumehide feathers seemed insignificant, Caleb saw an opportunity to make a profit with his limited capital. The woman¡¯s demeanor changed from standoffish to warmly welcoming as Caleb approached her stall. The shop was a simple wooden structure with a green canopy. Overhead, a hand-engraved wooden sign read Fang and Claw Trading Co. The stall¡¯s wooden posts had all sorts of monster parts hanging from them. Loops of string held together razor-sharp teeth, gnarled claws, and horns that appeared capable of piercing even steel. Behind the shopkeeper, a wagon was parked, displaying liquid-filled jars with various body parts inside¡ªsome still wriggling and writhing. Caleb stared at the strange display until he was interrupted by a cough from the woman behind the counter. ¡°What can I help you with?¡± she said. Caleb straightened and gave her an apologetic smile. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but overhear what that man said about the quest,¡± Caleb said. The woman narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°I know you players sometimes have trouble grasping basic concepts,¡± she said sarcastically. ¡°but I¡¯m not a bloody genie. The quest is what it is. Take it or leave it!¡± Caleb was taken aback by the shopkeeper¡¯s directness. He lifted his hands defensively. ¡°O-oh no, that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Caleb said. ¡°I actually want to help. Can you tell me more about the quest?¡± The shopkeeper gave him a skeptical look, eyeing him up and down. ¡°You don¡¯t seem like the warrior type,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯ll need to be able to hunt the Plumehide buck that frequent the hunting grounds. You don¡¯t even have a weapon.¡± ¡°Oh, I think I¡¯ll be able to make a plan,¡± he said. The shopkeeper sighed. ¡°Alright then, it¡¯s your funeral.¡±
[Quest Name] "Fang & Claw''s Feathered Bounty" [Objective] Sell 1000 Plumehide Feathers to Fang & Claw Trading Co. [Reward] +250 Reputation (Fang & Claw Trading Co.) +50 Reputation (Ravenholm City)
Caleb skimmed the quest, accepted it, and turned to the shopkeeper. ¡°How much do you buy these feathers for?¡± ¡°3 copper,¡± she said. ¡°Would it be possible to take a look at one of them?¡± ¡°Well, if you buy one of them you can,¡± she said with a grin on her face. Caleb shook his head but gave her a knowing smirk. ¡°Alright, how much?¡± ¡°10 copper,¡± she said. Caleb¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re really out to empty our coin purses,¡± he said, handing her 10 copper. She gave him a friendly smile as she reached under the counter, retrieving a feather that she handed to Caleb. ¡°I¡¯m just playing the game,¡± she said. ¡°I don¡¯t make the rules.¡± Caleb thanked her and examined the feather in his hand. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
[Item Name] Plumehide Feather (Crafting Material, Common) [Description] The Plumehide Feather is a glossy, dark blue feather dropped by the common Plumehide buck. [Appraisal Report] (Very Accurate) Regional Average: 5 Copper
Caleb talked with the shopkeeper for a few more minutes, getting some more information about the city and directions to the hunting grounds where the Plumehide buck roamed. He also asked her about the quest system. ¡°This might be a stupid question,¡± he said. ¡°but would I be able to turn in the Plumhide feathers for another player?¡± The shopkeeper nodded. ¡°Only if you¡¯re in a group with them. Once you¡¯re grouped with other players, any other player can sell them to me and make it count towards the other player.¡± Caleb smiled and nodded, excitement building inside of him. ¡°Be warned though,¡± she continued. ¡°The player who turns in the feathers will receive the coin for it. Make sure you trust the players you group with.¡± ¡°Thank you, I appreciate the information,¡± Caleb said. A notification appeared.
> You have gained 50 reputation with Elara Starweaver
As Caleb rushed back to the adventurer supply store he had found earlier, a plan began to take shape in his mind. He purchased a small cotton sack for the hefty sum of 80 copper coins, all of his remaining wealth. The bag added three more slots to his inventory, providing him with more space to carry items. Caleb tossed out the used map parchment in his inventory, realizing it was useless and that no one would buy it. As he took a deep breath, he felt a sense of excitement wash over him, knowing he finally had a plan of action. ¡°I love the feeling of a fresh start,¡± he murmured to himself as he gazed at his inventory screen.
[Inventory] (1/3 Items) - [Slot 1] Nothing - [Slot 2] Nothing - [Slot 3] Nothing [Bag: Simple Cotton Sack] (0/3 Items) - [Slot 1] Nothing - [Slot 2] Nothing - [Slot 3] Nothing
Caleb followed the neat cobblestone road that led to Ravenholm¡¯s main gate. From what he gathered from his brief talk with the shopkeeper, the hunting grounds were an area where new players typically spent time training their newly acquired fighting skills on the moderately aggressive Plumehide buck. Caleb understood his lack of a combat skill meant he couldn¡¯t actually fight the creatures, but his business senses roiled to life when he heard the rude warrior berating the shopkeeper. He identified a gap in the market, which he was determined to take full advantage of. The road was congested with traffic, and Caleb struggled to push his way through the crowds. By the time he reached the gate, he felt completely drained. The game accurately simulated the exhaustion he experienced, reflecting his low physical attributes. When he reached the gate, a guard warned him that leaving the city would put him in danger. He stood out among the prepared players in his stark white clothes. When he said that he understood and wanted to go through anyway, the guard shook his head and waved him through. The hunting grounds were not far from the gate, only taking Caleb about ten minutes to get there. Caleb panted heavily as he reached the area, observing the small herd of Plumehide buck grazing on the lush green grass. Caleb was awestruck at how beautiful the creatures were. They were quite different from their real-world cousins. They had a stunning coat of dark blue feathers from head to hoof. Some of the younger bucks played with each other, spreading and flapping their wings as they galloped around the field. All of them had a set of horns in varying sizes, weaved into elaborate spirals. Caleb watched as a doe was nuzzling a larger stag. They rubbed their horns in a seemingly flirtatious way. A red mist suddenly erupted from the stag¡¯s chest, covering the area in a haze. The doe took off in a flash, even as the stag¡¯s legs gave out and it dropped to the ground. Caleb was frozen, not taking his eyes off the now-dead stag. ¡°One shot, one kill, baby!¡± a voice shouted from behind Caleb. He turned around to see two players high-fiving each other. One held a bow in one hand, dressed in a leather vest and simple brown pants. The other wore a robe, similar to the one Caleb had seen in Thalindor¡¯s shop, indicating he was a spellcaster of some sort. Caleb shook himself out of his stupor and reminded himself that it was just a game. He hoped that the display of violence wouldn¡¯t leave a lasting impression on him, but he couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit unsettled. The bow-wielding player approached Caleb and scanned him up and down. ¡°What brings you here, newbie?¡± he asked, not impolitely, but more out of curiosity. Caleb regained his composure and smiled at the man. ¡°I¡¯m actually here about the quest from the Fang & Claw lady,¡± he said. The man lifted an eyebrow. When Caleb realized he had no idea what he meant, he clarified. ¡°The one with the Plumhide feathers.¡± ¡°Oh, that one,¡± he said. ¡°hauling those damned feathers to that shop is such a pain in the ass. It takes twenty minutes just for a single round trip, can you believe that?¡± Caleb nodded, letting the man vent his frustration. He knew that the more frustrated they were, the better his business idea would be. The man continued. ¡°It takes me five minutes to kill and harvest enough of these things to fill my inventory,¡± he said, gesturing to the corpse. ¡°I can¡¯t sacrifice arrows and potions just to fit these stupid feathers in my inventory! How can we be expected to turn in 1000 feathers without going mad?¡± Caleb kept nodding. ¡°I hear you, my friend,¡± he said. ¡°That¡¯s why I think I can help you.¡± ¡°You can? How?¡± the bowman said. We can form a group, and I¡¯ll haul the feathers to the quest giver for you,¡± Caleb explained. The bowman regarded Caleb skeptically. ¡°What¡¯s in it for you?¡± he asked. ¡°I¡¯ll get to keep the coins from selling the feathers, and you¡¯ll get the rewards for completing the quest,¡± Caleb replied. After a moment of thought, the bowman nodded approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s a pretty clever idea,¡± he said. ¡°They¡¯re not worth the coin anyway. Let me check in with Jax and I¡¯ll get back to you.¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Caleb said. ¡°I¡¯m Liam by the way,¡± he said, holding out his hand which Caleb shook. ¡°Caleb.¡± A few minutes passed as the men talked about it before both of them returned. They smiled at Caleb and the bowman offered his hand to him. ¡°You¡¯ve got a deal, you think you can do it for both of us?¡± Chapter 5: Mane-taining Momentum Caleb found himself in a grueling cycle. Liam and Jax had the hunting part down, but he had to keep up with the constant trips between the city and the hunting grounds to turn in the Plumehide feathers. Liam¡¯s arrows glowed with magical energy, thanks to Jax¡¯s spells, and the Plumehide bucks fell quickly. Despite the physical strain, Caleb persevered, running with a sense of purpose as he turned in 60 feathers on each trip. The small reward of just under 2 silver per trip was enough to boost his morale, pushing him to overcome his exhaustion and keep going. After the first two hours of doing this, a surprising notification came to Caleb:
> Congratulations, +1 Dexterity has been earned through your hard work and determination.
A few hours later, Liam and Jax told Caleb that they were about to log off from the game, which left him dejected, but also kind of relieved. His body ached and his feet hurt but he was happy with the productive session. ¡°It¡¯s been awesome working with you, Caleb. We¡¯ve only got about 500 feathers each left until we complete the quest,¡± Jax said. ¡°Do you think we could do this again tomorrow?¡± Caleb smiled and shrugged. ¡°Sure, I don¡¯t see why not. Although I¡¯d like to ask you a favor,¡± he said. The two players glanced at each other and Liam nodded. ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to also complete the quest if possible. After we complete both of your quests, I¡¯d like to switch up the deal. We still do what we¡¯re doing¡ªyou harvest the bucks and I turn in the feathers¡ªbut I want to hand it in for my own quest.¡± Liam looked thoughtful. ¡°Okay, man. I¡¯m happy with that. As long as we get the coin for the feathers.¡± Caleb nodded with a tired smile. ¡°Sounds like a deal.¡± The pair logged off after their goodbyes, their bodies fading to nothing in front of Caleb. He stood in the middle of the hunting grounds and took in a deep breath, savoring the feeling of a hard day¡¯s work. He looked at his earnings for the day:
[Wealth] Silver: 28 Copper: 80
He smiled and logged off from the game. Caleb sat up in his bed, his helmet visor transparent now that it was shut down. He felt a bit groggy but it was expected after going through an ten-hour session. He removed the helmet and willed himself to get off of his bed, his legs weak and stomach rumbling. He groaned when he looked in his refrigerator, only to find a nutrient bar and some two-day-old noodles he forgot about. Today, his real-life side hustle had earned him enough to order a more substantial meal, but he hesitated as he considered the weight of his financial responsibilities. Rent, bills, and now the hefty gaming subscription cost all weighed heavily on his mind, causing him to think twice about indulging in a luxury he couldn¡¯t fully afford. Although his session in Frontier Realms was productive, he had a shadow of a doubt that he wouldn¡¯t be able to make enough to even cover next month¡¯s subscription. He ate the nutrient bar as he sat in front of his computer. He scrolled through the Frontier Realms related websites, trying to find a way to scale his upstart business. He researched ways to increase his inventory space, so he could complete the quest runs more efficiently. With the cotton bag he purchased, he was able to fit 60 feathers in his inventory¡ªeach slot was only able to stack 10 feathers. This was very profitable, but Caleb understood that even if he did these runs twelve hours a day, he wouldn¡¯t come close to earning enough. He went down a rabbit hole of wiki entries and forum posts until he stumbled across a particularly interesting post unrelated to his bag capacity research. A player, who had gone on a mining expedition was ranting about the durability of his horse-drawn wagon when one of his wheels shattered a hundred kilometers from the nearest town. The post intrigued Caleb, not because he found the story interesting, but the fact that the player mentioned he was carrying frack-tons of ore. Caleb smiled as he found his first lead into expanding his business. Caleb awoke from a restless night, plagued by a nightmare of blue-feathered creatures exploding into a red mist of death and agony. He shook off the remnants of his dream and focused on the day ahead as he got out of bed. Ordering his weekly batch of nutrient bars online, he made sure it was within his budget and enough to last him through the entire week. Once the order arrived, he scoffed down a bar, along with the VR immersion pills, and logged back into Frontier Realms. Caleb returned to the hunting grounds, but his mind was racing with ideas. After a night of research, he had a plan that could significantly increase his profits. By offering his porter services to other players, he needed to become more efficient and save time running back and forth between the hunting grounds and the city. ¡°I need to work smarter, not harder,¡± Caleb murmured to himself, brimming with excitement about his new strategy. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Caleb approached a guard and made a few inquiries, which led him to the shabby stables he was standing at. It had a dilapidated wooden exterior that was once painted red but now faded into a dull, dusty hue. The wood-slatted roof was uneven and patched with mismatched materials, and the entrance gate creaked on its hinges with every gust of wind. The smell of hay and manure filled the area, and the stalls were small and cramped. Two horses were tied to a hitching post and were eating from a trough. Caleb approached one of the horses, crouching in front of it. The creature was unperturbed by his presence and kept munching on the food in the trough. Slowly, he reached out and tentatively touched the horse¡¯s head, feeling its soft, velvety nose and watching its ears swivel forward with interest but no alarm. He was suddenly curious and inspected the horse with his ability.
[Item Name] Draft Horse (Female) (Level 8) [Description] A medium-sized, sturdy creature with a strong build and a calm temperament. This horse has been trained as a workhorse, capable of pulling wagons, ploughs, and other equipment. [Appraisal Report] (Vaguely Accurate) Regional Average: 8-12 Gold > Congratualtions, your Appraisal skill has reached level 2!
¡°Can I be helpin¡¯ ye, laddie?¡± a voice came from behind Caleb. He shot up in alarm and quickly turned. A burly woman with long braided red hair and twinkling blue eyes stood with her hands on her hips. She seemed short although her proportions matched her height. A dwarf? Caleb thought. ¡°Uh¡­ yes,¡± Caleb said, regaining his composure and trying to think of what to say. Caleb was still trying to understand the information he¡¯d just seen when he inspected the horse. 12 gold was definitely a crazy sum of money for him at this time and he was sure the stable master would inflate the cost, not to mention the price of the wagon he planned to purchase. ¡°Out wi¡¯ it. I aint go¡¯ all day,¡± the woman said, her accent was strong but Caleb got the gist of it. ¡°I¡¯m looking to purchase¡­ well actually, rent a draft horse for the day,¡± he said, remembering the exorbitant price. ¡°Everyone I spoke to, told me you¡¯re the best stable master in the city,¡± Caleb decided that flattery was better than directness, hoping his highest skill, Charisma, might improve the encounter. It seemed to work for a moment as the dwarf woman relaxed her face but soon recovered her stony expression. ¡°I can guarantee ye, ye won¡¯t be findin¡¯ anyone better than me. One of my ponies can do the job of two of any others around here,¡± she said, gesturing around. ¡°That¡¯s great,¡± Caleb said, a friendly smile on his face. ¡°would you consider renting one to me?¡± The woman narrowed her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯ usually rent out ma ponies, laddie. I don¡¯ trust that they¡¯ll be taken care of if they¡¯re just rented,¡± she said. ¡°I give you my word. I¡¯ll treat your babies as if they were one of my own. In fact, I want to purchase one for myself. It¡¯s uh¡­ just out of my budget for now,¡± Caleb said. The woman nodded. ¡°Alright, you can rent Rosie over there for the day. But mind you, if I see so much as a scratch on her, you won¡¯t be renting from me again. Do we have an understanding?¡± she said. Caleb nodded. ¡°How much for the day?¡± he asked. ¡°20 silver for the day,¡± she said. Caleb winced and looked sheepish. He still had to come up with enough to rent a wagon too. ¡°I¡¯m a little short. Could I pay you 10 silver for five hours and if I¡¯m able to come up with the rest, I¡¯ll pay you for the rest of the day?¡± The woman sighed and shook her head. ¡°Aye, aye, get on with it then, laddie. I¡¯m no¡¯ gettin¡¯ any younger, and my head¡¯s already poundin¡¯ like a drum,¡± she said. Caleb paid the woman, who then showed him how to set up the bridle and harness, as well as how to go about hitching her to a wagon. Caleb walked through the streets of Ravenholm, leading his rented workhorse by the reigns. His next stop was an open-aired carpentry workshop, which had a massive courtyard filled with half-finished creations. Caleb approached one of the men, an old man who wore a leather apron filled with an assortment of woodworking tools. ¡°Good day, sir. I¡¯m looking to rent a wagon for the day and was pointed in your direction,¡± he said. The man nodded his head as Caleb spoke, his eyes almost closed as if he was about to fall asleep, but he replied immediately. ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯m sure I¡¯ve got something in the back. Follow me,¡± Caleb followed the man, who walked at a slow shuffle, annoying Caleb who kept checking the time in his interface. Eventually, they arrived at a row of parked wagons under an awning attached to the workshop. Caleb looked at the wagons, his excitement waned as each of them was either half assembled or waiting for repair. ¡°Excuse me, sir, but are there any working wagons here?¡± Caleb said, a little bit of irritation in his tone. The man rubbed his chin and examined the wagons from where they stood, his slow demeanor annoyed Caleb. ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry your cotton socks, young man,¡± the old man said. ¡°We¡¯ll get a wagon up and running for you in no time.¡± After an hour of haggling, Caleb finally secured a wagon for 15 silver for the day, but the negotiation with the indecisive old man had been slow and frustrating. Despite his annoyance, Caleb knew he couldn¡¯t waste any more time if he wanted to put his plan into action. When he inspected the wagon, he found the wagons to be just under the value for purchasing a horse:
[Item Name] Cargo Wagon (Level 5) [Description] A large wagon designed to transport heavy loads over long distances. It typically has an open bed and sturdy wheels to support the weight of the cargo. [Inventory] 80 Slots [Appraisal Report] (Fairly Accurate) Regional Average: 5-8 Gold
Caleb was hitching his pony to the wagon when he got a notification:
[Group Chat] > Jax is online > Liam is online
He smiled as he sent his new friends a message.