Ethan sat behind the counter, staring at the Sealed Relic Box. The systemâs Containment Analysis had confirmed his suspicionsâsomething was inside, and it was powerful enough to warrant an advanced suppression ward.
That left him with a new problem.
Who could actually break it safely?
His list of contacts was short. The appraiser had done her part by deciphering the scholarâs seal, but containment magic wasnât her field. Jasper? No chance. The Collector of the Forgotten? Gone.
Ethan sighed. He needed an expert.
And as if on cue, the shop bell chimed.
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The Binder Arrives
A woman stepped inside. She was tall and lean, wrapped in a cloak that shimmered like woven shadows. Silver bands lined her wrists, engraved with shifting runes that pulsed faintly in the shopâs glow. Her hair was dark, streaked with strands of glowing blue, and her eyesâcold and calculatingâlingered on Ethan before drifting to the shelves.
She walked with deliberate precision, her movements careful yet completely controlled.
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Ethan knew immediatelyâthis wasnât an ordinary customer.
She approached the counter, her gaze locking onto the Sealed Relic Box.
âYouâre playing with dangerous things, merchant.â
Ethan raised an eyebrow. âThat depends. Are you here to tell me not to open it, or are you here to offer a solution?â
A small smirk touched her lips. âIâm a Binder. I specialize in containment magicâsealing, binding, suppressing. Whatever you have in that box, I can tell you exactly whatâs inside.â
Ethan leaned forward. âAnd if I wanted to open it?â
The smirk widened slightly. âThat depends on what youâre willing to trade.â
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Negotiation with a Binder
Ethan didnât hesitate. âWhatâs your price?â
The Binder studied him, tapping a silver-ringed finger against the counter. âI donât deal in currency.â
Figures.
âThen what do you want?â
She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small, crystalline vial. Inside swirled a liquid that shifted between silver and black, like mercury caught in an eternal dance.
âI need Starfire Essence to complete an ongoing contract.â
Ethan opened his Multiversal Merchant System and searched for the item.
Starfire Essence
⢠Availability: Extremely Rare
⢠Cost: 6 Astral Coins
Ethan grimaced. He had two Astral Coins left after purchasing Containment Analysis.
She must have noticed his hesitation because she tilted her head slightly. âProblem?â
Ethan kept his expression neutral. âI donât have it in stock.â
She studied him, then nodded. âIâll give you two days. If you can procure it, Iâll break the seal.â
Ethan exhaled slowly. He had a leadâbut now he needed six Astral Coins to make it happen.
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The Merchantâs Challenge
The Binder left, her parting words lingering in the air:
âBe careful, merchant. Some things are sealed for a reason.â
Ethan glanced at the Sealed Relic Box, then at his shop.
Two days. Six Astral Coins.
Time to make some deals.