The Merchant’s Test

Minjae squatted in front of his laptop, chewing on a cold sausage, watching the villagers on the other side of the portal. The camera feed from the tiny surveillance device he had hidden on a tree in the fantasy world showed the small town's square slowly bustling to life. Merchants were preparing stalls. Children were sweeping dust from the cobblestones. Blacksmiths were yelling at apprentices.

He glanced over his shoulder at the portal embedded into the back wall of his basement. Still glowing. Stable. Safe.

"Alright, time to make today's profits," Minjae muttered, wiping his mouth.

He'd gotten smarter. No more randomly wandering into unknown forests with zero preparation. The last time he'd nearly been eaten by something that looked like a tiger made of shadows. He now went in with a tactical vest (which he didn't wear, just tossed into his bag to look professional), a pocket full of highlighters to mark trees, a tablet with maps he'd drawn, and—most importantly—a shopping list.

Yes. A shopping list. From another world.

He grabbed his satchel filled with waterproof pouches, packed tight with basic supplies—snacks, instant noodles, mini bottles of shampoo, and ten packs of strawberry-flavored chewing gum. These were some of the best sellers.

He stepped through the portal.

—

Other World – Morning Fog

The moment his foot touched the mossy ground, the air changed. It was earthy and thick with the scent of pine. Birds chirped unfamiliar melodies. Insects zipped past. Minjae exhaled deeply, then quickly brushed a fat mosquito off his arm.

"Gross," he muttered, then slung the bag over his shoulder and followed the footpath toward the village of Kandel.

Kandel was still quaint and peaceful, a few miles from the lake he'd first discovered. Since he'd begun trading modern goods here, his presence had become almost legendary. The villagers called him "Mister Shin," and they thought he was a wandering merchant from a far-off continent.

He liked the title. It had weight.

As he entered the square, heads turned. The familiar scent of roasted roots and smoked fish filled the air. A small group of kids ran up to him.

"Mister Shin! Did you bring more of the exploding candies?"

"Did you bring the warm socks again?"

"My ma wants more of that magic powder for cleaning!"

Minjae laughed. "Slow down, one at a time."

The village elder—Marvo—waddled over, his long gray beard braided with beads.

"Mister Shin," Marvo said with a warm but shrewd glint in his eye. "You're just in time. The traveling merchants from the south are in town. Thought you might want to meet them."

Minjae raised a brow. "Traveling merchants?"

Marvo nodded. "From Derun. Big city. They deal in alchemical herbs, enchanted fabrics. Rich types. Don't trust easily. But if you want to expand trade… might be your shot."

Minjae grinned. "I love a good challenge."

—

Merchant Encampment – Village Outskirts

A collection of sleek wagons circled the open field. Their wooden sides bore engraved sigils and metallic inlays. Men and women in fine robes walked between them, organizing wares. Unlike the rustic villagers, these folks looked like aristocratic smugglers.

Minjae approached cautiously. One of them—a tall woman with crimson hair and a sapphire monocle—spotted him.

"You," she said coolly. "The outsider merchant?"

Minjae blinked. "Yes. Mister Shin, at your service."

She raised an eyebrow. "The villagers speak of you. Say you offer goods unlike any other. Miraculous soaps. Socks that stay warm without fire. Food that lasts for months."

Minjae smiled, reaching into his bag. "All true. Would you like a sample?"

She held out her gloved hand. Minjae handed her a small, pink packet of bubble gum.

She sniffed it. "What does it do?"

"You chew it. Then blow bubbles."

"…That's it?"

Minjae popped one into his mouth, chewed theatrically, then blew a massive bubble. It popped loudly. The woman's eyes widened. A few nearby merchants turned to look.

"…Novel," she said after a pause. "Useless. But novel."

Minjae chuckled. "That's just the entertainment section of my catalog. I have practical goods too."

Another merchant—a shorter man with gold piercings and a suspicious glare—joined her.

"You expect us to take you seriously when you sell… air candies?" he sneered.

"Depends. You sell potions that glow, right?" Minjae said, folding his arms. "People buy those for status. I sell things that make people smile, live easier, or eat better. Same game, different packaging."

The woman seemed intrigued. "Very well, Mister Shin. I propose a test."

Minjae tilted his head. "Test?"

"We host a merchant's gathering this evening. A small competition. Every merchant shows one product. Most popular one wins. If yours is deemed most… captivating, we will discuss partnership. If not—"

"You'll have a good laugh at the outsider?"

She smirked. "Something like that."

Minjae extended a hand. "You're on."

—

Later That Evening – Village Square

Torches lit up the stone square. Villagers and traveling merchants stood in a wide circle as carts displayed colorful wares—glowing vials, silky robes, hand-crafted jewelry, and magical instruments.

Minjae's cart was humble by comparison. He had set up a folding table with just one item in the center.

A single bag of instant ramen.

Boiled on a small portable gas stove.

He stirred the noodles slowly, letting the smell fill the air.

The crimson-haired merchant raised an eyebrow. "That's your product?"

Minjae grinned. "Wait for it."

The scent wafted across the square. People stopped. Sniffed. Turned.

A child tugged at her mother's hand. "Mama, what is that?"

Minjae gently served a small cup of the steaming noodles to the elder Marvo first.

Marvo took a slurp—and his eyes rolled back slightly.

"…By the gods, that's flavor," he gasped.

A crowd gathered. Minjae handed out more cups—only samples. Just enough to tease.

The merchants stared as villagers moaned in delight. One woman wept.

"I've never tasted anything this good," she sobbed. "Is this what the heavens eat?"

Minjae stepped forward, confident. "One bag makes a full meal. Just hot water and three minutes. No fire needed if you have boiling stones."

The piercing-wearing merchant looked stunned. "And it keeps for months?"

"Longer," Minjae replied. "In fact, I'm willing to trade one case for access to your fabric routes."

The crimson-haired merchant clapped slowly. "You win."

Minjae bowed. "Pleasure doing business."

—

Later – Back in the Basement

He stepped through the portal, grinning from ear to ear.

Thirty gold coins.

Two enchanted fabrics.

A map to another city.

And most importantly—respect.

He threw off his bag, opened his laptop, and logged into his fake e-commerce front. Sales were rising. Word was spreading.

Still munching leftover ramen, Minjae whispered, "The empire of Shin Minjae is growing."

Then he heard a noise.

Something moved behind a shelf in the basement.

He froze.

The portal was closed. No one else should be here.

He slowly reached for a metal rod he kept hidden behind the water tank.

The sound came again. Scratching. Something metallic.

He held his breath and peeked behind the shelf—

—a raccoon?

No.

A humanoid figure.

Small. Cloaked. Hooded.

And carrying a sack.

Minjae's eyes widened.

The figure looked up. Two glowing blue eyes blinked back.

The creature straightened and spoke—in his language.

"You're the one trading between worlds."

Minjae didn't speak. His grip on the rod tightened.

"I come with a proposition," the creature said, pulling down its hood. It had strange, smooth skin, like pale stone.

"I represent another faction," it said calmly. "One that does not wish for you to continue your business… without oversight."

Minjae's mouth went dry.

"…Oversight?"

The creature dropped a coin into his hand.

It shimmered.

It was warm.

"Consider this your invitation," it said.

Then it vanished—leaving only footprints in the dust and a door in the air that closed silently behind it.

Minjae stared at the coin.

Suddenly, his little underground empire didn't feel so secret anymore.