chapter 105 elderly merchant

KAELITH stood before the goblin merchant, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit shop. It was nestled deep within the Goblin Kingdom, hidden behind twisted alleyways and jagged stone walls. Unlike the makeshift, dirty stalls most goblins used to peddle their junk, this merchant's shop was different. It was clean. Organized. And most importantly, filled with items that shouldn't exist at this stage of Eldoria.

The goblin merchant sat behind a wooden counter, his long, clawed fingers idly drumming against the surface. His yellow eyes gleamed with intelligence, a sharp contrast to the usual mindless merchants KAELITH had encountered before. The flickering lanterns cast eerie shadows on his wrinkled green skin.

The merchant tilted his head, his pointed ears twitching slightly as he observed KAELITH in return.

"You seem different from the others," the goblin muttered, his voice raspy yet calculated. "Most humans who stumble upon this place either panic or try to rob me... You don't look surprised to see me."

KAELITH smirked. He had expected this response.

"That's because I already know who you are... and what you can offer."

The merchant's eyes narrowed. For a brief moment, an oppressive aura filled the room. It wasn't magic, but an overwhelming sense of presence—the kind that only came from someone who had survived countless years of experience.

KAELITH didn't flinch.

In his past life, this very merchant had been the key to shifting power in Eldoria. A single player had accidentally discovered him, unknowingly buying rare goods and making an enormous profit. When the guilds caught wind of it, they swarmed this place like vultures, sending elite guards to seize control. They monopolized the merchant, restricting access and ensuring only their top members could buy from him.

That lone player who first discovered him? Gone. Silenced. Either absorbed into a guild or erased from relevance.

KAELITH wasn't going to let that happen this time.

He leaned forward slightly, his expression calm yet filled with purpose.

"Tell me, merchant… what will it take for me to be your exclusive buyer?"

The goblin let out a slow, throaty chuckle, his sharp teeth glinting under the lantern's glow.

"Hah… bold words, human. You think you can dictate terms to me?"

KAELITH simply smiled.

"No. But I think I can offer something more valuable than just money."

The merchant's fingers stopped drumming against the counter. He was listening.

"And what might that be?"

KAELITH's mind worked quickly. He knew that in his past life, the guilds forced the merchant into a controlled economy, making him work under their rules. But before that, this merchant had been independent, operating in secrecy and selling to whoever intrigued him the most.

If KAELITH could become indispensable to the merchant before the guilds found him, he could control the flow of rare goods before anyone else.

"Information," KAELITH finally said. "And protection."

The merchant's grin widened, showing even more of his jagged teeth. "Hah. Now you have my interest. Speak."

KAELITH crossed his arms, his mind racing as he formulated the perfect pitch.

"I know how the players will react when they find out about you. I know how the guilds will move, how they'll try to control you. If you rely only on your strength, they will overrun you. But with me…" He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping lower. "You will always be one step ahead."

The merchant's yellow eyes flickered with intrigue.

"And the protection?"

KAELITH smirked.

"When the time comes, I will make sure the right people stay away… and the right people come to buy."

The merchant stared at KAELITH for a long moment, his clawed hand reaching for a wooden pipe, which he lazily brought to his lips. A few puffs of green smoke curled into the air.

Finally, he let out a soft chuckle.

"Interesting, human. Very interesting."

He took another long drag from his pipe before exhaling slowly.

"Very well. Let's see if your words hold weight. I will sell to you first. But if you disappoint me… you will leave empty-handed."

KAELITH grinned.

"That's more than enough."

He had just taken his first step toward controlling the merchant—and rewriting history in Eldoria.

KAELITH's mind raced as he processed the merchant's words. Twice the amount for a year. It was a steep price, but the exclusivity was worth it. No other player would have access to this merchant's goods for an entire year. That alone was a goldmine waiting to be exploited.

He didn't hesitate.

"Fine. I accept."

The goblin merchant grinned, revealing his jagged teeth. He snapped his fingers, and a contract appeared in the air, glowing with an eerie blue light. It was a magic contract, something only a few high-tier NPCs could create. The text was written in an ancient goblin dialect, but KAELITH could read it thanks to his high Intelligence stat.

—Exclusive Buyer Contract—

- Buyer: KAELITH

- Seller: ??? (Goblin Merchant)

- Duration: 1 Year

- Terms: Buyer will pay twice the market price for all goods. Seller will only trade with the buyer during this period.

- Breach Penalty: Buyer forfeits all future transactions and pays a 50% gold fine.

KAELITH's eyes flickered as he studied the contract. The penalty clause meant that if he failed to keep up payments or tried to cheat the merchant, he would not only lose access but also be fined half his gold.

"Clever bastard," KAELITH thought, smirking. The merchant wasn't just running a business—he was testing him.

But KAELITH had no intention of backing out.

He pressed his thumb against the contract, and a burst of blue light shot from his hand, solidifying the deal. The contract vanished, and a faint glow surrounded KAELITH, marking him as the merchant's sole buyer.

The goblin let out a deep chuckle, clearly amused.

"Hah… a human with guts. I like that." He leaned back, puffing on his wooden pipe. "Well then, let's see what kind of customer you are."

KAELITH opened his inventory and quickly assessed his funds.

—Gold: 45—

Selling healing potions and other items had given him a decent stash, but it wasn't enough to sustain large purchases for a whole year. He needed more. Fast.

Still, he couldn't show hesitation. He looked the merchant dead in the eye and spoke confidently.

"Show me what you have. Let's start this business properly."

The merchant smirked and snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, a massive inventory screen appeared in front of KAELITH, filled with items that would shake Eldoria to its core.