Trade Post Treasures

Shin sat on the rocking chair on his porch, the full moon casting a soft, milky glow over the landscape. The gentle creak of the chair filled the quiet night as he rocked back and forth, absentmindedly clicking the top button of his pocket watch. His gaze drifted to the sky, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a sharp ping jolted him from his reverie. The interface appeared before him, bright against the night.

Stop!

Your Clicking Is Driving Me Crazy! Pick Something Or Put The Watch Away.

Shin smirked, amused. "Alright," he muttered. "Let's see what you've got."

He navigated to the shop menu, his eyes widening slightly as he scrolled through the options. A low whistle escaped his lips. "That's a pretty penny."

Displayed before him were rows of items: rifles, handguns, shotguns, knives, tonics, clothing, ammunition, hunting gear, explosives, equipment, concoctions, and more—enough to outfit an entire outlaw camp.

The only issue was—

"Twelve thousand for a lantern?!" Shin choked, breaking into a coughing fit.

It was the cheapest thing in the shop, too. As he scrolled through the other options, his eyes narrowed in disbelief, rubbing his chin as he studied the offerings. Rifles, explosives, and tonics all carried hefty price tags, each one more ridiculous than the last.

Then, Shin's scrolling slowed, his expression shifting. A slow smile crept onto his face as his eyes landed on one particular item.

The next morning, Shin lay still on his great wooden bed, eyes shut, breathing steady. Sunlight crept through the curtains, a faint beam cutting across the room.

His body twitched slightly, and then his eyes snapped open as the sound of his phone pierced the silence. He groaned, adjusting slowly, dragging himself from the haze of sleep. The phone buzzed on the bedside table, vibrating against the wood.

After a few moments, he sat up, reaching for it. The blue-eyed teen glanced at the screen—an unknown number. He hovered his thumb over the answer button but tapped decline instead.

"Must be a scam call or something," he muttered, tossing the phone aside.

It rang again, the same number. Shin declined. Then it rang a third time. Annoyed, he answered, pressing the phone to his ear. "You better have a million dollars ready for me, or I'm gonna—"

A muffled chuckle cut him off.

The sound lingered for a second before silence settled. Shin squinted, gripping the phone tighter.

Then a deep voice spoke from the other end.

"Is that how a foreigner speaks to a native?"

Shin's expression darkened.

"Who is this?"

"I know who you are," the voice continued, smooth and deliberate. "And I know all about your prestigious family. Their wealth, their power, their influence. Let me ask you something."

Shin stayed silent.

"Well, I'm going to ask anyway... why?"

Shin frowned. 

"Why did you walk away?"

A pause. Shin's voice lowered. "That's none of your concern."

"But it is," the voice insisted, calm and almost casual. "You're on my land, in my territory. I can't let a wolf roam freely around my house without a leash. In five days, meet my subordinate at the highest point in—"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Shin hung up mid-sentence, dropping the phone on the bed. His jaw clenched slightly, eyes narrowing as he stared off in thought.

A few hours had passed, and Shin was tending to his two horses on the ranch. One was a deep, rich brown, and the other was black with specks of white across its coat. He brushed the brown one down, running his hand along its sleek coat, and murmured softly, "Good girl."

The horse huffed in response, its ears flicking back contentedly. Nearby, the black horse skipped impatiently, nickering loudly for attention.

"You'll get your turn," Shin said, finishing up with the brown mare.

Once the black horse had been groomed and saddled, Shin mounted up and set off into the wooded areas behind his farm. The trees thickened as he rode deeper into the forest, their canopies casting long shadows across the path. As he rode, he felt a sudden vibration from his coat pocket. Slowing the horse, Shin pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open.

The watch's hands spun rapidly, whirring like clockwork gone haywire. When they finally stopped, the face of the watch shimmered and shifted—transforming into a compass. One of the indicators pointed sharply in a specific direction.

"What's all this about?" Shin muttered, narrowing his eyes at the strange device.

Urging his horse forward, he pulled the reins in the new direction. But the black horse began to grow uneasy, its movements becoming jittery. It whinnied, stepping back, unwilling to move forward. The compass in his hand shook more violently.

Shin sighed, halting the horse and dismounting. "Alright, alright," he muttered, patting the horse's neck before continuing on foot.

As he ventured deeper, time seemed to slip by. The forest grew denser, the air heavier. Then, Shin heard it—a rustling sound from up ahead. His steps became quieter as he crept closer, slipping behind the cover of thick bushes. Peering through the branches, his breath caught in his throat.

Before him stood a gargantuan black bear, its hulking frame scarred and battle-worn. The beast's limbs were as thick as tree trunks, its snout marred by deep gouges. It sat back on its haunches, gripping a massive bone between its paws. With a sickening crunch, it snapped the bone in its powerful jaws.

Shin held his breath, eyes wide as he observed the predator. Suddenly, a jolt surged through him as the interface appeared before his eyes, startling him.

Legendary Animal in Vicinity

[Kill the Bloodmaw Bear]

Rewards:

[Bone Bullets]

[150,000 Shop Points]

Shin's eyes widened at the sight of the rewards. Bone bullets? He couldn't deny the allure of the points either.

But instinct told him otherwise. The boy backed away slowly, not making a sound, his heart pounding in his chest. He crept through the underbrush until he spotted his horse again. Without hesitation, he dashed to the black steed, mounting swiftly. He glanced back toward the forest before kicking the horse into a full gallop.

As they made their way back to the farm, Shin let out a nervous chuckle. "I ain't goin' near that thing," he muttered to himself, shaking his head.