Chapter 4: "The Merchant’s Gambit"
The forest was quiet now, the howls of the wolves replaced by the soft rustling of leaves. Jack moved swiftly, his Thermal Vision guiding him through the dense undergrowth. The Inferno Drake was behind him, but he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. He needed to prepare.
As he walked, his mind worked through the possibilities. The pelts and fangs he'd collected from the wolves were valuable, but they weren't enough. He needed better tools, better weapons. And for that, he needed money.
The system pinged.
**[New Objective: Acquire Resources.]**
**[Recommended Location: Vermillion Reach.]**
Jack nodded to himself. Vermillion Reach was the nearest city, a place where adventurers and merchants gathered. It was the perfect place to sell his loot and gather information.
---
The city came into view as Jack emerged from the forest. Vermillion Reach was a sprawling settlement built on the edge of a massive canyon, its buildings clinging to the cliffs like barnacles on a ship. The air was filled with the sounds of hammers striking anvils, merchants haggling, and the occasional roar of a monster being tamed.
Jack adjusted his hood, making sure his face was hidden. He couldn't afford to draw attention—not yet. He made his way to the market, his eyes scanning the stalls for a buyer.
He found one quickly—a burly man with a thick beard and a stall filled with pelts and furs. The man looked up as Jack approached, his eyes narrowing.
"What do you want?" the man growled.
Jack dropped the wolf pelts on the counter. "I'm looking to sell."
The man picked up one of the pelts, examining it closely. "Frostfang Wolf. Good quality. I'll give you ten silver bits for the lot."
Jack shook his head. "Twenty."
The man laughed. "You've got guts, kid. But these pelts aren't worth twenty."
Jack leaned in, his voice low. "They are when they're this fresh. And I know where you can find more."
The man's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"
Jack nodded. "There's a den not far from here. I can show you—for a price."
The man studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Fifteen silver bits, and you take me to the den."
Jack held out his hand. "Deal."
---
As the man counted out the coins, Jack's system pinged.
**[New Objective: Gather Intel on Shadow Organizations.]**
**[Recommended Action: Listen and Observe.]]
Jack pocketed the coins and turned to leave, but the man stopped him.
"Wait," the man said. "You're new around here, aren't you?"
Jack hesitated, then nodded.
The man leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful. The Obsidian Hand has been sniffing around lately. They don't take kindly to strangers."
Jack's eyes narrowed. "The Obsidian Hand?"
The man nodded. "A shadow organization. They're bad news. If you see anyone with a black hand tattoo, steer clear."
Jack nodded, filing the information away. The Obsidian Hand sounded like exactly the kind of group he needed to avoid—or exploit.
---
As he left the market, Jack's mind was already working on the next step. He needed more resources, more information. And he needed to keep his true abilities hidden.
He spotted a small tavern tucked away in a corner of the city. It was the perfect place to gather intel without drawing attention.
Inside, the air was thick with the smell of ale and smoke. Jack found a table in the corner and ordered a drink, his eyes scanning the room.
The system pinged.
**[Targets Identified: Adventurers, Merchants, and Potential Informants.]**
**[Recommended Action: Eavesdrop and Gather Intel.]]
Jack listened carefully, picking up snippets of conversation.
"Did you hear? The Obsidian Hand is offering a reward for information on a new artifact."
"I heard they're recruiting. Pay's good, but the work's dangerous."
"They're not the only ones. The Crimson Talons are looking for new members too."
Jack filed the information away, his mind already working on a plan. The Obsidian Hand was a threat, but they were also an opportunity. If he played his cards right, he could use them to his advantage.
---
As he left the tavern, the system pinged again.
**[Warning: Hostile Detected.]**
**[Threat Level: Moderate.]]
Jack's eyes narrowed. He turned, his hand instinctively going to his dagger. A man was following him, his face hidden in the shadows.
Jack didn't wait. He ducked into an alley, his mind racing. He couldn't afford a fight here, not in the middle of the city. But he also couldn't let the man follow him.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small vial of powder. It was another of his hidden cards—a makeshift flashbang he'd crafted earlier.
As the man turned the corner, Jack threw the vial to the ground. It exploded in a burst of light and sound, blinding the man and giving Jack the chance to slip away.