It took a few moments for everyone else to calm down as the centaur [Healer] began trying to twist her wooden leg back into place where it had come loose, and she waved away the shouted questions.

  “No, there’s no immediate danger. The threat was in the past. No, I won’t tell you what I saw - just as I would not tell any of you except Naila what happens in her healing sessions.”

  She answered Wei’s question last.

  “Honestly, I do not know if I can help her. It’s definitely a form of shock, but its cause… I’ve never seen something like that before… I could only try.”

  Wei’s breathing slowed as he relaxed his grip on Xiaoling’s arm, wincing at the red marks his handprint had left, though his sister didn’t react. He managed to speak with only a faint tremor to his voice.

  “How much do you charge?”

  The others regarded him as the centaur woman, still leaning on the wall for support thought for a moment.

  “I’d probably level from the attempt. And it’s been a while. I’ll do an appraisal session for free. I have time this afternoon. If I think there’s a chance, then I usually charge five gold per hour, plus extra for any materials or significant Skills I need to use, but I always confirm beforehand. If I level from it, I could give a discount.”

  “And how long would it take? How many hours?”

  Wei was preparing to calculate costs on top of what they were paying for their room and board, and the extra he expected to have to pay to start up as a [Wagon Driver]. He’d made less than ten gold from his efforts over the last few days; selling the magical items would cover a lot, but if he needed to budget-

  “As long as it takes.” Zephira said, stopping to pick up a mortar and pestle and place it back on the shelf she’d hit on her way down. “Physical injuries are easier to gauge. Mental ones are less predictable. Based on her condition…it’ll be a while. What about you though?”

  “Me?” Wei’s eyes opened wide. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean you.” The [Healer]’s head tilted to the side as she half-examined him and half-finished getting her leg back into place. “Ever since Kira mentioned the Fractured Wilds your pulse has been rising, your pupils have dilated and haven’t kept still, your sweating has increased and the rate of involuntary twitching of your facial muscles has more than doubled. Clearly there is a suppression of trauma or delayed-onset shock that needs to be processed.” She turned to Kira. “You haven’t been using the calming tonics again have you? How many times do I need to tell Dorric, it’s forcing the cauldron to simmer without letting it boil. Wh-”

  Her voice faded as Wei’s mind went back to the forest. The trees like giants in the mist, and the elemental creatures lurking out of sight between them - until they’d lurched out of the fog. Bending over Zhi to bite him in half. Meiyu’s sundered body. The sound of Hui being crushed in the mist.

  The pile of red that was all that had been left of Jie.

  A high-pitched whine filled his ears and his vision went grey at the edges as his world narrowed to a pinpoint.

  …

  He was back at home.

  Father was calling him in to help prepare for the Saturday lunch rush.

  Meimei was complaining about having to do the dishes from breakfast when she wanted to go see her friends.

  Grandmother was smoking. Mother told her to take it outside.

  Lio came in and ordered bao.

  The cry of a peacock came from the back rooms and a woman wearing pots and pans came out of the kitchen with a glowing silver plate in her hands.

  …

  When he came to, Wei stared up at a trio of faces looking down at him.

  “Wh…”

  The faces retreated for a moment and he felt a strong pair of hands lift him to a stool and he leant against the wall as he gathered his breath. The centaur gave him a sheepish look.

  “You passed out. Sorry - I’d have caught you if my leg had been back in place. Didn’t realise you’d drop so fast though. It’s actually impressive…”

  She broke off at a look from Kira.

  “... anyway, you clearly need some trauma counseling. I’d offer you a session today but your sister is the more urgent, and frankly more interesting case. I can ask my [Assistant] to book you in for later in the week though. Standard rates, unless you lot are able to persuade Dorric to give me another healing potion discount? How is the old bird-brain anyway?”

  The expression on Kira’s face didn’t change.

  “He perished in the Wilds.”

  Zephira gave a whinny, stamping her hoof as though she were saluting. The image was somewhat spoilt as her prosthetic leg wobbled and she reached out to steady herself. She grinned and raised a fist to the air.

  “Hah - I bet he went out with a bang! All good [Alchemists] do. Come on Naila, my fried firbolg friend, you can fill me in. I hope it was a worthy death!”

  The centaur woman ignored Kira’s glare and trotted into a back room to prepare to change Naila's bandages.

  The [Paladin] sent him an apologetic glance.

  “Sorry about her, Wei. She really is good at what she does, she just had… an unusual route to becoming a [Healer], and it comes through in her approach to, well, everything.”

  Naila reached out and patted him on the shoulder.

  “Maybe it’s better if you go back to The Dented Helm and get some rest. Kira can take you. I’ll wait here and bring your sister back when Zephira has seen her.”

  Kira nodded her agreement and Wei allowed himself to be led out, though the [Paladin] insisted on checking with the halfling assistant to find out when the centauress was free to see him.

  “She really is effective.”

  That was the only thing she said to him as they walked back through the streets towards the inn, where a steady stream of customers were passing through the front doors.

  Inside, it was as though the party had never stopped, albeit the drinking had slowed and the atmosphere was calmer than it had been the previous night.

  Mira, Lio and Borgrim were holding court at their now-traditional table, and as he and Kira entered and went over to join them, he realised Nyssara was wedged into the shadows of a corner behind them.

  He took a seat on the edge of their group, not wanting to intrude as they chatted to old adventuring friends and colleagues, told tales of past ventures, reminisced about fallen companions and lost loot, and caught up on what everyone had been up to.

  He listened with half an ear, but his mind was on what the [Healer] had said.

  It had been unpleasant, the last few days, whenever he had time to stop and think. The calming tonics had helped soothe his worries. Banish his memories for a while.

  But they didn’t go away. They just waited.

  Even now, as he sat here, in a tavern filled with noise and laughter and light and cheer, he couldn’t help but see the shape of a talon in the smoke of the open fire, or rivulets of blood in a glass of wine that had spilled. Every time a breeze came though the window behind him it felt like the icy claw of an incorporeal beast caressing his spine.

  After a while he couldn’t bear it, and he reached for the potion…

  …and stopped himself.

  It won’t help.

  He rose, chair squeaking back, drawing the attention of Lio and Kira who were sat either side of him. He’d missed their earlier silent conversation, given in looks and facial expressions over his bowed head, but now he addressed them.

  “I’m just going out to the stables. Got to check on the boars.”

  The [Mage] and [Paladin] nodded, and Wei pushed through the press of people until he stood outside The Dented Helm, and he could breathe a little more easily, but that faded as he considered the stables across the courtyard.

  It had been a simple excuse to get out for a minute. The first that had come to his mind. But he’d overlooked the fact that the wagon was in there too. And the coffin with it

  There was a second, well, longer than a second, where he considered just walking off for a bit and returning later, but as far as he could tell, people had all been busy repairing the tavern and then getting back to their socialising, and Paulie had said she’d given her staff the morning off, which presumably included the [Stableboy]. So…

  After a few minutes it wasn’t so bad. Or at least, after a few minutes of work. Wei had spent the first quarter of an hour sitting just inside the stable doors, clutching a wooden post, staring at the cart, for all he couldn’t see inside, wandering why he and Xiaoling had made it when none of his friends had. Why Dorric had been killed and he was still here. Whether if he could go back, he could have run faster, or spotted the danger quicker, or been… brave.

  When the paralysis left him, he wiped away tears.

  The hungry snuffling of the boars had gradually worn through his trance, and as awful as he felt inside - as much as the memory of his friends tore at him - he couldn’t leave the poor creatures to go hungry. Not when he was there to do something about it.

  Remnants in the trough and fresh straw on the ground told him that someone else had been here before him. He had no idea who, until a shadow in an open stall moved and the hulking form of Duskclaw - Mira’s shadowy antean pet - made itself known and pushed forward to snatch up a banana-like fruit he’d pulled out of a barrel with a long tongue made of umbral flesh.

  “Hey there.” The creature seemed tame, but there was a hesitation in his address. “When did you get here? I didn’t see you when we drove through the city. I don’t think I’ve thanked you for saving me that time…in the forest…”

  Of course, the creature ignored him, and retreated into a corner to enjoy its sweet treat.

  Surely Mira wouldn’t have left it free to roam if it was dangerous.

  Turning back to the task a hand, he confided in the boars as he filled a bucket with vegetables that the inn had deemed too ripe for its customers.

  “You two were lucky, being able to wait outside. I’ll never go somewhere like that again. The Wilds that is. I don’t know why they do it. Well, I do know, but it’s just money, right? It’s not worth the… but at least it’s safe in here now. Even if… you know…” his head nodded towards the cart, “... not that you understand I suppose.”

  The two ironback boars seemed happy enough to be stabled a few yards from a dead body, and back on Earth Wei had heard stories about pigs eating everything. Even their own kind.

  “Not too picky I guess.”

  “Who isn’t?”

  For one shocking moment, Wei thought one of the boars had replied, but then the impossibility - well, the improbability of it hit him, and he turned around to see who had approached so silently.

  The…what was his species called… irathian… was standing in the doorway. Xian'toth. That was his name. He suppressed a shudder at the sight of the…man?

  Up close it was easier to tell that under the voluminous but exceptionally well-crafted robe he wore, Xian'toth’s skin was not a solid purple, but dappled with splotches of teal, and glistened with silvery ridges where the light caught it. It wasn't skin like any Wei had seen before. It looked…rubbery? Almost like elephant skin, but smoother. The tentacles that covered his head were the most unnerving thing about him though. Whilst many were thinner, almost hair-like, there were a dozen thick rubbery stalks which ended in eyes that all moved independently. The most unnerving thing that was, until he took a step forward and saw the man’s face properly for the first time. One huge, central eye above a too-wide mouth smiling with dozens of needle-like teeth.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Something of his shock must have shown through, and the irathian half-bowed at the waist.

  “Sorry to sneak up on you. I came to the Helm for a quick catch up and the conversation turned towards magical items - somewhat of a specialty of mine. Your friends in the Vanguard mentioned you had picked up a few you were looking to sell? There's a scintilla of interest that's beginning to pick up,” half of the eyes on his stalks squinted and angled back to the inn, “and I thought I'd offer my services to a new compatriot in the trade, if you're interested.”

  The friendly demeanor and impeccable manners of the irathian man set him at ease. Even if the grinning teeth did make him look like an angler fish that was waiting to strike.

  “That would be most welcome, Sir. I just need to finish tending to the boars.”

  It was the least pleasant aspect of the beasts to have to deal with - mucking out their morning mess, but Xian’toth stepped in to assist. Wei couldn't help but stare as a bunch of the irathian’s eye-stalks began to focus on a particularly odorous clump of straw and dung, and it simply lifted up off the stable floor and began to hover over to the manure pile.

  Another of the irathian's eyestalks turned to him and winked.

  “No point in getting my hands dirty.”

  With Xian'toth’s help, cleaning up after the ironbacks took only a few minutes, and as they walked back to the main inn building, the irathian held out a three-fingered hand.

  “We've not been properly introduced yet. Xian’toth. [Arcane Broker], amongst other things. Level 31.”

  “Oh wow.” Wei's slightly shaking hand clasped the proffered one and shook it. “Pleased to meet you. You must be the highest level person I’ve met. I’m Chen Wei - or just Wei. I reached level 9 in my [Trader] Class last night, but my highest is [Wagon Driver] - level 12.”

  “Congratulations!” Xian’toth’s smile was all teeth, but Wei read the friendliness behind its horrifying appearance. “You must let me buy you a drink to celebrate. Also, between you and me, I think that our mutual friend Kira outlevels the both of us. The Vanguard of Valor might be a Silver-ranked team, but I believe she is higher than her sister or the others. Level 33 last I heard.” There was another wink. “I trade in information sometimes, not just goods.”

  Wei felt his eyebrows raising. That was a full 7 levels above Lio at least. And the [Elemental Mage] had seemed the strongest of the group, what with all the magic he’d called on.

  “But that’s not important.” The irathian continued, eyestalks moving in half a dozen directions as they walked into The Dented Helm. “I came to speak to you about trading. There’s been a dearth of opportunities recently - no new dungeons around Troston, and little of interest in the way of action. Sure there’s been work for adventurers, what with the trouble with the gangs, and searching for the supposed [Illusionist],” one of his eyestalks rolled, “but nothing likely to bring us an influx of new relics. Not unless the rumours of an orc tribe prove to be true, and even then it’s no guarantee.” He pulled a face, his one, central eye turning down. “Orcs. Happy to just wave around mundane blades and charge into battle with unenchanted armour. Savages. What that leads us to though l, is that I’d like to take a part in the sale of your items.”

  With a slight hesitation in his step, Wei glanced sideways to the many-eyed trade specialist.

  “...what kind of part?”

  And at what price?

  As if he could read Wei’s mind, the irathian’s grin widened.

  “Don’t worry. I offer the same thing to anyone in the guild that comes across interesting trinkets to sell. I can guarantee the best deals, and all I ask is a cut: suitable recompense for my efforts.”

  “And how much would that be?”

  “I like to aim for a sixth of the proceeds, or an equivalent value in whatever is traded, but don’t worry - you’ll come away with more than you would have without my Skills.”

  Pushing through the afternoon crowd, Wei caught sight of Mira and Kira and Lio and Borgrim again.

  If they trust him…

  Guiding him back to the Vanguard, Xian’toth pulled him out a seat, and gestured to Wei to sit.

  Borgrim snorted.

  “What’s next? You buying him a drink?”

  “Actually, I am.” The irathian grinned. “Wei told me he leveled yesterday.”

  A round of congratulations from the Vanguard and a couple of other people Wei didn’t know sitting with them accompanied Xian’toth calling over one of the waiters who had just started his shift and putting in an order for the whole table.

  Large and rugged, a dragon-looking person and a woman with scars all over her face started to introduce themselves, but a dozen full pint and wine glasses suddenly appeared on the table as the waiter used a Skill and there was a scrabble as the adventurers reached for them.

  “Okay.” Xian'toth said, pulling up his own chair, suddenly serious as people started to sip at their new drinks. “If Wei’s happy to do this - let's talk business.”

  The Vanguard appeared relaxed, but three or four other adventurers that Xian'toth started to call over, and a handful that began to cluster round as they saw something happening, all leaned in with eager gleams in their eyes.

  The [Arcane Broker] gestured and, prepped by Lio as the irathian had drawn the rest in, Wei pulled the items that had once belonged to the Slayers of Arbroath out of his satchel.

  An appreciative murmur ran round the crowd as an axe, ring, necklace, waterskin and cloak were set in the centre of the table. Lio gave him a reassuring wink. He'd promised Wei the irathian was trustworthy: he had to be to work as a broker with the guild.

  “What have we got here?” A dwarf woman asked, eyes on the axe.

  “Keep those hands off the goods, Erdhild.” Borgrim growled. “I’ve got dibs on that one.”

  Xian’toth’s grin reappeared.

  “I like to think that nothing is ever set in stone until cold hard coin has changed hands, or something of equal value of course. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Wei - tell us what you’ve brought to the table. I have my own identification Skills but we’ll save them until they’re needed.”

  The request bought Wei up short, and he had to look to Lio for assistance.

  “It’s… the axe is…Everkeen. The cloak is a Sentinel Cloak, but it’s been damaged. I don’t know what the others are called, but the ring takes some energy when you get hit and makes you hit harder, the necklace stops…bad air? The waterskin I think just is tougher than normal leather.”

  “That was as much as I could make out,” Lio added with a shrug, “but I’m fairly certain about them. We all knew the Slayers, and even if the cloak is new, I think the rest make sense.”

  The assembled adventurers nodded along, but Xian’toth’s eyes came in to focus on the five items.

  “[Verify Legitimacy]. [Confirm Ownership]. [Gauge Rarity].” A ripple ran through his eyestalks as he flexed them between the objects for a minute then nodded towards Lio. “Your read on them is accurate,” he turned to the rest, “and Wei is the owner by the right of salvage. I make the ring to be Gold tier, the axe to be Silver, and the rest are low Bronze or on the verge of unranked, especially the waterskin, which I suspect to be a simple durability enchantment. Now, obviously if the cloak can be repaired then it’s likely to be a solid Silver tier, but we can only discuss things as they lie at the moment. And that’s all this is today - a discussion. Any actual sale would need to take place in a few days - perhaps next week - to give time to spread the word. Drum up some more interest. Why don’t we start with what you’ve already discussed, Wei. What amount did you and Borgrim agree on for the Everkeen axe?”

  Handing over to Wei, the irathian took the opportunity to take a deep draught of his beer.

  “We shook on 700 gold.”

  Xian’toth’s beer went spraying over the table and the irathian began to choke until Kira slapped him on the back, suppressing a smile.

  “..right… okay. Well, maybe we should move on to the ring then.”

  —

  The discussion had been going on for the better part of an hour - interspersed with some careful (and some less-than careful) testing of the equipment on offer, but the main interest had revolved solely around the ring, which they were alternately calling the Band of Rebounding Force and the Retaliation Ring as Lio and a goat-headed beastkin argued over half-remembered stories.

  Dropping out of the centre of attention as the iratian broker examined some items the other adventurers were prepared to offer as part of a trade, Wei sidled over to Mira and murmured to the [Archer] leader of the group.

  “Was my deal with Borgrim okay? Xian’toth hasn’t said anything more about the axe.”

  Mira’s smile was a mirror of her sister’s, though perhaps it held a touch of wicked amusement to it. Her reply was low enough that only he could hear it above the chaos of The Dented Helm’s afternoon rush.

  “He was surprised. I don’t think he could have gotten a better deal himself. At least not enough extra to make the effort worth his while.” She looked Wei up and down, and her voice dropped so low that he had to lean in to catch her words. “He’s a decent sort, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he offers to work with you, or even mentor you in a [Trader] capacity, but just make sure to keep your wits about you: all merchants are in competition by the nature of the trade - just like adventurers. It might be a more bloodless profession - usually - but it’s no less ruthless. And to reach higher levels people… well, let’s just say Xian’toth’s got a lot of eyes to keep watch and you only have two. Make sure you keep them open and don’t ever give anyone your full trust.”

  “You think he might, what…” Wei whispered back, “...take advantage of me?”

  Mira's face screwed up in uncertainty.

  “It's unlikely. Everything I've seen or heard of him says he's in it because he enjoys it. But when money is involved people can do stupid things. Just… be aware.”

  Wei nodded his understanding, and then looked over as more people approached the table and he realised Naila had returned with his sister. The [Patchweaver] already had seven or eight people clustered round her asking if she had the Skills to repair a Sentry Cloak whilst Xiaoling stood by blankly.

  The rest of the Vanguard of Valour waded in and cleared a space to stop Naila being mobbed, and Mira announced that the initial negotiations were closed to a series of groans of disappointment, but Xian’toth quickly redirected their attention.

  “I’ll be in my usual room at the guild this evening. Go check with friends and family to see what you’re willing to trade - I’m not having a repeat of last time; Corlish I'm looking at you - and register any offers with me there.”

  As the crowd began to disperse, leaving only those who were looking to use The Dented Helm for its actual function as a tavern, Xian’toth’s eyes and smile turned to Wei and the Vanguard, and the irathian rubbed his hands together.

  “A lot of interest, as predicted. Some reasonable offers that could make you quite coin-rich but some even better trades on the table that I’d like to pursue, if you’ve an interest in the items in question.”

  Wei accepted Borgrim’s help in getting his sister to drink and nibble on some leftover snacks as he responded.

  “I was hoping to make enough gold to cover treatments for meimei. Are there items being offered that could help her?”

  The corners of the irathian’s main eye scrunched up as he considered the question, but after a moment he shook his head.

  “Not really, no. There’s a few interesting weapons, some armour, a dozen rings and amulets. There’s also a significant amount of potions and elixirs which could become more valuable given… well, you know. But I’d still keep an open mind on bartering for items or equipment. Assuming we want to do everything by-the-book, selling loot for gold means the guild takes a cut which will eat into your profits. Trading the items isn't taxed as such - it’s too much effort for the guild to work out themselves. They get their share of that through what I pay them to be a guild-certified broker.”

  “He’d have to pay even though he’s not a guild member?” Lio asked.

  The [Arcane Broker] hesitated and raised a hand, tilting it back and forth.

  “Questionable. You might be able to argue that, but it wouldn’t make you any friends in the guild, and I’m not sure you’d win. The mission was guild-issued, and the Fractured Wilds come under Troston’s jurisdiction. It’s not as though Wei got them from another merchant or traded for them in another town - they are loot that’s been found. Even a farmer that dug up their field and found, say, a magic sword that he sold, should technically pay the guild a cut.”

  Mira frowned.

  “They’d have no way of knowing-”

  Kira’s hand on her shoulder cut her off.

  “Let’s not look into falsehoods and trickery, not least because it would put our irathian friend here in a difficult position.” She gestured to Xian’toth who nodded gratefully. “Besides, I am sure some guild employees will have Skills to detect that sort of thing.”

  “That’s right.” The [Arcane Broker] chimed in. “If you want to keep in with the guild, you can’t avoid some payment. If you go down the loot-for-coin route, it’ll be a bigger hit; if you go down the barter route with me it’ll be smaller, and I’ll be the one paying the guild a cut of my profits. That’s how it works.”

  “And what about selling the items you barter for?” Borgrim asked, a keen look in his eye.

  Xian’toth grinned.

  “Nice try master dwarf. It’s fine to go outside the guild from there - trade with other merchants or sell to shopkeepers and the like, but you’ll not likely get so much: extra steps in any trade is a time where you lose efficiency. Anything that stays within the guild is still subject to the same taxes if you sell it. Trust me. Trading will get you the best deal if you’re happy to use the items, otherwise sell it through me and I’ll make sure the guild has its dues and you’ll still get a good payout.”

  A faint queasiness had been building in Wei’s stomach.

  “How much is the tax? Does that mean I need to pay them for the deal I have with Borgrim.”

  The irathian nodded.

  “A fifth, and yes. A hundred and forty gold coins to the guild if you go with Borgrim’s offer, assuming you want to remain on the right side of the law.”

  The money Wei had to his name, right here, right now, was maybe enough to cover a week of frugal living and three hours for meimei at the [Healer]. He needed the loot he’d salvaged to set him up for longer. Keep them housed and fed. Pay for the healing and any extras that came with it. Pay for anything he needed to get set up in a job: uniform, cart and horse, inventory to trade.

  A hundred and forty gold is… two months worth of living and basic expenses? How can I get a job that pays enough to cover everything once the rest runs out? What was Lio saying?

  “Are you okay Wei?”

  It was all getting a bit much.

  I’m only seventeen. I haven’t even finished school.

  Kira bent forwards to meet his eye and edged forwards.

  “You’re looking a bit pale again. Do you need to sit down?”

  “I… I’m just worried about how I’m going to pay for everything Xiaoling needs. Once I’ve sold everything… that’s all I have. I don’t have a job. I don’t know how I’ll make enough to provide for us.”

  “Don’t ignore your own needs in all this.” Naila said, easing him into a chair. “You should see Zephira too.”

  That thought wasn’t a comfort.

  “Meimei’s the one that needs the most help. I can get by for now. If anyone has a suggestion, I’ll take anything…”

  Xian’toth was looking at each of them with one of his eyes, but his main one was swiveling between the Vanguard and Wei and his sister.

  “If it’s work you’re looking for, perhaps I can help? You’ve made a good start down the road to becoming a merchant, and I can train you up a little - introduce you to some people I don’t have the time to deal with myself. Things might have been a little on the slow side recently but it’s never too long before something happens, or…you're a [Wagon Driver] too…if you were willing to work further afield…”

  Kira gave him a wink and a reassuring smile as the irathian went on, and the churning in Wei’s stomach began to subside.

  “... and seeing as we’re to do business with all these items you’ve brought in, why don’t I [Sweeten the Deal].”

  A few moments passed as everyone looked on, wondering what the irathian was doing as all his eyestalks joined his central eyeball in focusing on Wei. Then the strange, purple-hued man snapped his fingers and smiled.

  “I don’t suppose you’re [Scrapmonger] or a [Scavenger] or a [Junk Dealer] perhaps? I know a [Wrecker] who runs a scrapyard to the south of the city that’s grown far too large for him to manage with his crew. I’m sure he’d let you work the area for a small cut of whatever you make.”

  “A level 11 [Scavenger].”

  The irathian nodded as though it was a done deal already.

  “Excellent, well I’ll take you over and make some introductions, and we can stop by the Crucible Court and see if there are any [Alchemists] wanting to make potions so [Sense Opportunity] will stop pinging my brain whenever half the guild walks past. We’ll sort out the selling or trading of your loot before the end of the week and we’ll make sure you’re set up for a good while, Wei, and that you can take care of yourself and your sister. How does that sound?”

  He held out a hand, and after a second Wei shook it, with a breath of if not relief then at least hope.

  Over the next few days, it would seem, in some way at least, that there was a path forward for him to take, but as Wei stood inside the entrance to a fenced-off scrapyard the size of a small town that evening, it didn't look like it would be either short or simple.

  [Trader Level 11!]

  [Skill – An Eye for Detail gained!]

  [Skill – Silver Tongued gained!]

  [Class Consolidation – Trader and Scavenger -> Salvage Trader]

  [Salvage Trader Class Obtained!]

  [Salvage Trader Level 10!]

  [Skill – One Man’s Waste gained!]

  [Skill – Pick Clean gained!]

  [Skill Improvement – Scavenger’s -> Salvager’s Eye gained!]

  The full first book is available on Patreon - with more coming, and I greatly appreciate anyone who chooses to support me there.

  Thanks for reading!