The air inside the Infinite Realm Emporium was always constant—cool, smelling of old parchment and the faint, metallic scent of the forge. For Omar, stepping back into the shop felt like returning to a fortress.
Laila stumbled as they crossed the threshold, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She looked around the shop, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and terror. "You... you actually have a pocket dimension in the middle of a warehouse. Omar, do you have any idea what you've just done?"
Omar didn't answer immediately. He walked to the glass counter and placed the glowing blue sphere—the [Skill Orb: Shadow-Step Flash]—on the surface.
"I've done business, Laila. That's all," Omar said, though his own heart was still pounding.
[System: Victory against an A+ Rank enemy confirmed.]
[Rewards: 1,000 Cosmic Credits.]
[Shop Reputation: Level 5 - 'The Mysterious Vendor'.]
[New Feature: 'Skill Absorption' — The Host can now consume Skill Orbs to learn them permanently.]
Omar looked at the blue orb. This was the speed that had nearly killed him. This was the technique that made Kenji a legend.
"System," Omar whispered. "Can I use it? Or is it for sale?"
[Warning: Absorbing a Rank A+ Skill with a Level 1 Merchant Body will cause extreme physical strain. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Do it," Omar commanded. He was tired of being protected. He was tired of hiding behind Kaelen.
The orb shattered into a thousand shards of blue light that lunged at Omar's chest. He felt like his veins were being filled with liquid nitrogen. His muscles spasmed, and he collapsed against the counter, his vision swimming.
"Omar!" Laila rushed to him, but a translucent barrier from the shop pushed her back.
[Integration: 10%... 40%... 80%...]
[Success. You have learned: Shadow-Step Flash.]
[Note: Due to physical limitations, the skill is currently restricted to 3 uses per day.]
Omar stood up, his body feeling lighter, almost weightless. He moved his hand, and for a split second, it left a trail of after-images. He wasn't just a merchant anymore. He was becoming a Combat-Merchant.
"I'm fine," Omar said, his voice deeper. He looked at Laila. "The Atlas Guild will be looking for you. You were seen with me."
Laila leaned against a shelf, a bitter smile on her face. "I'm already dead to them. The moment I didn't report your location, I became a traitor. I have nowhere else to go."
Omar looked at his [Merchant's Eye] notifications.
Laila's Status: Ronin (Masterless Hunter).
Loyalty: 85% (Increasing).
"Then stay," Omar said. "I need someone who knows the Guild's secrets, and you need a place where the Shadow Market can't find you. You'll be my 'Broker'. You handle the clients outside, and I handle the goods inside."
Before she could respond, the shop's bell rang—not a violent clang, but a soft, melodic chime.
A new customer had arrived.
This time, the door didn't open from the street. It opened from the Void. A small, floating creature that looked like a cat with two tails and wings like a butterfly drifted in. It carried a golden scroll in its mouth.
[Alert: You have received an 'Inter-Dimensional Invitation'.]
[Sender: The Great Library of Alexandria (Alternate Timeline 04).]
[Message: 'The Merchant of Earth is requested for a private trade. A rare artifact has been lost, and only your 'Eye' can find it.']
Omar looked at Laila, then at the floating cat. The world of Earth was already hunting him, but the Universe was calling.
"It looks like our business is going global, Laila," Omar smirked, picking up the golden scroll. "Pack your daggers. We're going to a library."