Mac looked at me.
"What are we going to buy?"
I looked at him for a moment.
"Mac… do you trust me?" I asked.
He nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah."
"Then from now on, do exactly what I say," I said calmly.
"You don't need to ask questions. Just watch. And don't tell anyone about this. What I'm about to do will change both of our lives."
Mac smiled lightly, a soft, amused expression on his face.
"You've changed since you woke up," he said.
"You feel like a different person. You've left begging behind and chosen a new path… I never even imagined this."
Then, with a brighter expression, he added,
"Whatever you decide, I'll follow."
"Thanks," I said, smiling.
[System Interface – Active]
Points: 10
I selected the shop.
[System Shop – Daily Necessities]
Coarse Bread
Dried Meat
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh Fruit
Raw Meat
Cooking Oil
Salt Pouch
Clean Water
Cotton Shirt
Old Trousers
Cloth Bandage
Soap
Small Knife
Hemp Rope
Clay Pot
Fire Stones
I selected Salt Pouch.
[Item Selected: Salt Pouch]
Price: 2 Points
Quantity: Adjustable
[-] 2 [+]
Confirm Purchase
I confirmed.
Two salt pouches appeared instantly in front of us.
Mac's eyes widened.
"What… what are these?" he whispered.
"Where did they come from? Is this what people call magic?"
"It's only the beginning," I said quietly.
"You'll see more later. But remember—don't ask questions like that again. And never tell anyone about this. Not a single word."
Mac stared at me for a moment, then nodded slowly.
We walked together toward the east side of the street market, Mac carefully carrying the salt.
Inside my head, everything was already calculated.
I had already analyzed the market carefully.
Most of the store items were low-quality.
Compared to them, the system items were far better—and cheaper in points.
Salt was the safest choice.
It was essential, low-suspicion, and the local salt here was clearly inferior.
For beggars like us, nothing attracted less attention than salt.
We stopped in front of a shop selling rice, pulses, and spices.
A fat shopkeeper with a thick mustache noticed us and frowned.
"Hey—get lost," he snapped. "Don't stand near my shop."
Mac stiffened.
But then the man's eyes landed on the salt pouches.
He went silent.
His gaze locked onto them.
I noticed the change and smiled faintly.
"Are you interested in the salt?" I asked.
The shopkeeper didn't reply. He just stared.
"If you are," I continued, "we'd like to sell it to you."
His eyes sharpened.
"Where did you get that?" he demanded.
"Did you steal it?"
I shook my head calmly.
"When did we ever say we stole it?"
"Someone gave this to us. If you want it, I can sell it to you."
The shopkeeper burst out laughing.
"You'll sell it?"
"Anyone can tell this is stolen goods. Leave it here and get lost—or I'll call the guards and say you stole it from my shop."
Mac turned pale.
I didn't.
"Then do it," I said evenly.
"The person we work for sent us to trade this salt and told us to choose a shop for regular supply.
If you don't want to trade, we'll take it to the west-side shop."
The shopkeeper froze.
A strange smile crept onto his face.
"Hah… I was just joking," he said.
"Let me see the salt."
I turned slightly.
"Mac. Show him."
Mac carefully opened one pouch.
The shopkeeper leaned closer.
His eyes widened.
He pinched a bit between his fingers, sniffed it, and stared again.
(Thinking: My store used to do well.
But after the west-side shop opened, customers stopped coming.
I can't miss this chance.)
I watched his reaction quietly.
"Will you buy it?" I asked.
He hesitated, then nodded.
"It's… not perfect quality," he said slowly,
"but I'll buy it. Two pouches for three bronze coins."
I frowned slightly.
"Then let's go to the west side, Mac."
"Wait!" the shopkeeper said quickly.
"How much do you want?"
I met his eyes.
"Four bronze coins for one pouch," I said calmly.
"You won't sell this to regular customers—it's for rich buyers.
You'll easily sell it for six to seven bronze coins."
I paused.
"If you agree, say yes.
If not, the price won't drop."
The shopkeeper clenched his teeth.
"…Okay," he said. "Deal."
"One more thing," I added.
"You keep this secret—where you got the salt.
We'll only trade through you."
He smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm not foolish enough to expose my source."
"My name is Dov Dakins. Let's shake hands—for future trade."
We shook hands.
"I'm Loid," I said. "This is my partner, Mac."
Mac looked at me, then shook Dov's hand shyly.
Dov laughed softly and handed us the coins.
Mac's face lit up with happiness.
As we walked away, I smiled to myself.
First deal… done.