"The greatest power in the universe isn't magic or might.It's being the one everyone trades with."—Chain Doctrine, Trader Maxim 5
Back on Earth, the sky was still the color of ash, and the smog of the lower districts hung like a permanent bruise.
But to me, it now looked like opportunity.
In my hand: a data slate loaded with high-tier barter listings from the Velvet Exchange.
In my mind: the future—lines of interstellar goods flowing through forgotten streets.
It was time to sell.
System Notice: Local Trade Node Protocol Activated
Rank 3 Perk Unlocked: [Localized Trade Interface – Beta Tier]Feature: Anchor a physical node to sell goods in a single planetary region.Requirements:– Secure base location– Approved economic interface (manual or digital)– Access to two tradeable goods
Would you like to establish a Local Trade Node?→ YES / NO
I selected YES.
Yena stood beside me, arms crossed as we surveyed the abandoned structure I'd chosen: an old mechanic shop in the Gutterspine district—far from government eyes, but close to desperate buyers.
Perfect.
Node Registered: [Gutterspine Relay – Earth Trade Node 001]Node Type: "Front Storefront – Camouflaged"Status: ActiveMaintenance Cost: 0.7 C.U. / cycle
Initial Inventory Slots: 3Expansion Available with Reputation Growth
Now I just needed something to sell.
From the Velvet Exchange, I purchased three items:
KryptonFiber Reinforced Tools – Unbreakable industrial gear (Cost: 8 C.U.)
Memory-Stabilized Nutrient Paste – Shelf life: 80 years, taste: acceptable (Cost: 6 C.U.)
AtmosTech Microfilters – Can filter even plasma-laced air (Cost: 5 C.U.)
Shipping was handled instantly by the system's Quantum Relay Transfer—an invisible flash of light.
Within seconds, three crates materialized in the garage.
Yena raised an eyebrow. "You're really doing this."
"Damn right I am," I grinned. "We're not just surviving anymore. We're scaling."
We started small.
First customers were former scavengers, drawn by rumor and curiosity.
The tools? Sold out in two hours.
The filters? Gone within the day—some sold at ten times markup.
The nutrient paste? Slower, but consistent.
I adjusted pricing through the node's holographic panel, watching credits and C.U. trickle in.
Node Revenue Cycle:– 19.2 Earth Credits– +5.4 C.U.– Local Reputation: +3 (Unknown → Noticed)
Word spread fast.
People began calling me "the vendor from nowhere."
But success draws shadows.
On day four, a man in a ragged coat approached me at dusk. Pale skin. Military boots. Eyes too alert.
He didn't ask for goods.
He handed me a card with a red stamp: TFC – Trade Force Command.
"We're watching you, Kai Voss. You don't just pull tech like this out of nowhere.""You're either black market… or something worse.""We'll be in touch."
He left without another word.
I stared at the card, heart pounding.
I wasn't ready to fight Earth's hidden powers. Not yet.
But I didn't need to fight.
Not when I could trade.
Later that night, the Chain sent a system prompt I'd never seen before.
[Unique Trade Opportunity: Trader Riven Offers a Negotiated Protection Contract]Offer: 3 defensive favors over 10 cyclesCost: Your next exclusive artifact (non-chain classified)
Accept? → YES / NO
Yena hissed. "Don't trust him."
"I don't," I said.
But I didn't reject the offer.
Not yet.
Current Status (Narrative Format):
Kai has officially launched Earth Trade Node 001 in the Gutterspine district. His initial investments have proven wildly successful, generating income in both Earth Credits (now 110.9) and Cosmic Units (now 35.0 after purchases and passive gains). His reputation has begun to rise, attracting attention from both desperate buyers and Earth-based enforcement agencies like TFC.
He is now at the very first level of infrastructure wealth—but he's also placed himself on multiple radars.
The Chain watches his trades.
Earth's factions watch his tech.
And somewhere, Riven watches it all unfold with amusement.
Kai's trade empire is no longer a dream.
It's becoming reality.
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