Chapter 33- Emporium and Rose

George stepped into the bustling marketplace of Lapis City's outer district, the air thick with the scent of grilled meats and the chatter of merchants hawking their wares. His pack was heavy with materials from the Incident Gates—venom sacs, reinforced shards, and a few rare Rift Cores. These would fetch a tidy sum, especially in a city where adventurers craved top-tier crafting materials.

He spotted a shop tucked into the corner of the street. Its wooden sign creaked in the wind, bearing the faded words "Rift Emporium." The merchant, a wiry man with a crooked smile, beckoned George inside.

"Ah, a hunter! Come in, come in!" the merchant greeted, his eyes darting to George's heavy pack. "Looking to sell, are we? I offer the best prices in Lapis City."

George nodded, setting his pack down on the counter. "Let's see what you've got, then."