C32 Chapter 31 – The Mysterious Merchant (Part 1)
Its patience...
Was beginning to run out.
Hidden deep within the northern forest, the Shadow Wolf King silently watched Hope Island.
More than twenty wolves stood behind their king, waiting without making a sound.
The moonlight reflected in their golden eyes.
They weren't hunting.
They were observing.
Learning.
Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
---
Morning arrived with the cheerful songs of birds.
Golden sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, driving away the unease of the previous night.
Aiden slowly pushed open the wooden gate.
His eyes immediately landed on the fresh claw marks carved into a nearby tree.
The marks were exactly where he had seen them yesterday.
The Shadow Wolf King had returned.
"It knows where I live..."
He clenched his fists.
"Then I have even less time than I thought."
The Forest Hopper hopped onto the fence and sniffed the air before letting out a small cry.
"Chi!"
"It doesn't seem to be nearby anymore."
Aiden nodded before looking around his camp.
The wooden spike traps remained hidden beneath leaves.
The drying meat was untouched.
His small farmland swayed gently in the morning breeze.
Everything seemed peaceful.
But appearances could be deceiving.
---
A familiar notification suddenly appeared.
Ding!
Daily Mission Completed!
Prepare for the Hunt
Objectives:
- Build 3 Wooden Spike Traps ✔
- Hunt 2 Monsters ✔
Rewards Received:
- Survival Points +50
- Builder EXP +20
- Trap Crafting EXP +15
---
Another blue window appeared before he could close the first.
Survival Points
Current Balance:
150 SP
Aiden blinked.
"So that's my total..."
He had earned Survival Points from previous daily missions and achievements without paying much attention.
Before he could think further...
A third notification appeared.
---
New Function Unlocked
System Survival Shop
The Survival Shop is a privilege granted only to Island Lords.
Items purchased with Survival Points cannot normally be obtained from ordinary merchants.
---
Aiden's curiosity immediately grew.
"Open Survival Shop."
A glowing interface unfolded before him.
---
Survival Shop
Essentials
- Basic Health Potion — 20 SP
- Basic Mana Potion — 20 SP
- Bandage Bundle ×5 — 15 SP
Utility
- Beginner Appraisal Scroll — 40 SP
- Camp Repair Kit — 35 SP
- Portable Torch ×5 — 10 SP
Blueprints
- Random Common Blueprint Chest — 100 SP
Skills
- Random Common Skill Book Chest — 150 SP
---
"So this is where Survival Points are used..."
Unlike ordinary rewards, every item seemed designed to help players survive.
He stopped at the Random Common Skill Book Chest.
Only 150 Survival Points.
Exactly the amount he had.
His finger hovered over the purchase button.
Then he slowly lowered his hand.
"...No."
"I don't know what emergencies I'll face."
The Blood Moon was still approaching.
Spending all his Survival Points now would be reckless.
"I'll save them."
The System quietly closed.
---
After preparing his equipment, Aiden opened the System Map.
A new golden icon flashed near the southern coastline.
It hadn't been there yesterday.
He focused on it.
---
Island Event
A Wandering Merchant has arrived on Hope Island.
Remaining Time:
23 Hours 46 Minutes
---
"A merchant?"
The timing couldn't have been better.
If the System had its own shop...
What exactly did merchants sell?
Curious, Aiden packed several trade goods into his backpack.
- Goat Horn ×2
- Sharp Fang ×6
- Rabbit Fur ×2
- Copper Ore ×10
- Dried Fish ×3
"If he accepts bartering..."
"I won't have to spend all my Coins."
The Forest Hopper happily jumped onto his shoulder as they headed south.
---
The journey took nearly an hour.
As the trees gradually disappeared, the salty scent of the sea filled the air.
Gentle waves rolled across the white sand.
Near a large weathered boulder...
A strange wagon stood waiting.
It had no horse.
No visible wheels.
Instead, glowing blue runes floated beneath it, allowing it to hover silently above the ground.
Colorful bottles, weapons, seeds, books, and strange artifacts filled the shelves.
Standing behind the counter was an elderly man with a long silver beard and kind eyes.
He smiled the moment Aiden approached.
"So..."
"The newest Island Lord finally found my shop."
Aiden stopped a few steps away.
"You know who I am?"
The old man chuckled.
"I've been meeting Island Lords for longer than you've been alive."
A blue notification appeared.
---
NPC Information
Name: Morris
Title: Wandering Merchant
Grade: Rare
Relationship:
Neutral
---
"I've never seen anyone like you before," Aiden admitted.
"That's because merchants like me never stay in one place."
Morris rested both hands on the counter.
"We travel wherever opportunity takes us."
He glanced toward Hope Island.
"Though..."
"I must say..."
"You've done well for someone who's been here only a short time."
Aiden remained silent.
The old man's sharp eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.
Then Morris smiled and snapped his fingers.
A glowing trade window appeared between them.
Aiden looked at it with anticipation.
For the first time since arriving in this mysterious world...
He was about to trade with another intelligent being.
