THE DIMENSIONAL MERCHANT-Chapter 78 - 77: Repeat Customers Are the Best Kind

Darien leaned forward, intrigued. "So it’s... what, a non-lethal deterrent?"

"Exactly. Perfect for when you want to beat your opponents without drawing blood."

Mira narrowed her eyes at the canister. "So it’s like... a potion that screams?"

"No. That would be this." Kael reached under the counter and pulled out a larger device. "This is the High-Hound Horn, version two. Emits a blast loud enough to startle monsters—like the one we used on the Wraith. Newer model. Louder. Comes with a strap."

"This thing nearly shattered my soul," Garrick muttered, rubbing the side of his head as if still feeling the phantom resonance.

"Effective though," Darien admitted. "You used both in the last fight. The flashlight and this high-Hound Horn. That combo... it saved us."

"Which is why I’m bundling them as part of my Anti-Wraith Kit. Two gold for the set."

"Two gold?" Mira tilted her head, voice lilting with teasing mischief. "Isn’t that a bit expensive?"

Darien shook his head. "Maybe. But we’ve seen it in action. It works. Honestly, it’s probably underpriced."

Mira smiled, sharp and sly. "Nya~ I was only jesting."

Kael chuckled, but his tone shifted. "Joke or not, you should take it seriously. Wraiths aren’t common, but what if next time it’s something worse? Having a Plan B—especially one that doesn’t rely on magic—can be the difference between living... and becoming soup."

Darien nodded. "He’s not wrong. And since our next job’s in the Wasteland, we’ll need every edge we can get."

Kael’s eyebrows lifted slightly. "Ah, the Wasteland. I’ve heard it’s brutal."

Garrick grunted. "It is. No clean water, barely any shelter. And if a sandstorm hits..."

"Monsters, raiders, and heatstroke," Mira added cheerfully.

Bingo.

Kael’s eyes sharpened like a hawk spotting prey. "Then you’re going to need more than the Anti-Wraith Kit."

He gestured for them to follow. "Come on. I’ve got a few things you didn’t know you needed."

They followed Kael down an aisle lit by hanging glass lamps and spell-gem lanterns, between shelves lined with sleek, colorful packaging—entirely foreign to this world.

He plucked a sealed metal flask off a shelf and handed it to Garrick.

"What is this?" Garrick asked, weighing it in his palm.

"A self-warming canteen. Twist the base and it heats the liquid inside. Tea, soup, broth—in the Wasteland, that can mean the difference between morale... and survival."

"Magic?" Garrick asked, eyeing it warily.

Kael (thought):

Ah, it never gets old. Introduce a small piece of modern convenience... and they act like it’s magic. That’s a ninety-nine percent profit margin, dude.

"Nope. Just a chemical reaction. From my country."

Kael tapped the canteen’s side. "No fire needed. Also, it doesn’t make smoke—which helps if you’re being hunted."

Darien nodded approvingly, still holding the Anti-Wraith Kit. "That’s useful. Especially in sand regions where flame dies fast."

Kael gestured toward a shelf stacked with slim, rectangular bars in bright packaging.

"Also—Energy Bars. Fifteen copper each. One bar can hold you through half a day. Taste isn’t fancy, but they don’t spoil, melt, or crumble. Good for long hauls." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Mira tilted her head. "That tiny thing is food?"

Kael said, "Yes. High-calorie survival food. Try one."

She tore open the wrapper and bit in. Her eyes lit up.

"Nyaa!! It’s crunchy and sweet! Like... like a cookie and a nut had a baby!"

"Meowgods, I want ten of these!" Mira declared, tail flicking excitedly.

Liora, trailing behind the group with the slow shuffle of someone only half-awake, paused at the display. She picked one bar up between two fingers and stared at the ingredients like she was deciphering ancient runes.

"...Is this sweet?"

"Somewhat. Oats, nuts, a bit of honey."

Without a word, she added three to her already growing pile of snack boxes.

"Hey, you’ve gotta pay for those," Kael called.

"...I will. Eventually."

Kael sighed. She’s going to bankrupt herself on snacks.

He then led them to another shelf.

Kael pulled down a small bundle.

"Dust masks and moisture cloths. Breathing dry sand can wreck your lungs. These help prevent that. Also good for wrapping food to preserve it."

Mira held one up and sniffed. "Smells like mint?"

Kael grinned. "Infused with eucalyptus oil. Keeps the nose clear."

He wasn’t done. He turned again and held up a small silver object.

"This—is a windproof lighter. Far better than matches. Lights even in desert winds."

Darien raised an eyebrow. "So... no more rock-rubbing or wasted tinder?"

"Exactly. One of these lasts for weeks. You could light a fire in a storm."

Kael flicked the cap. A small blue flame danced in the air.

Garrick nodded. "That’s... actually very useful."

Kael moved to another rack and picked up a tightly rolled plastic sheet.

"And this... is emergency shelter. Waterproof, windproof, folds like paper. One of these can cover you in a storm. Not heavy like canvas, and doesn’t smell like wet dog."

He glanced at Seris.

"Even you would approve of this over woolen hide, right?"

Seris’s expression was unreadable, but a faint nod followed.

"...I would."

Kael spread his arms. "You’re risking your lives out there. I’m just offering tools to make it easier. Food that lasts, gear that holds, fire that never fails. And you won’t find any of this in another shop. Because no one else has it."

Darien grinned.

"You’re too good at this."

Kael smiled.

"I like money. But I like happy customers more—especially the kind who come back alive to buy more."

After nearly half an hour of browsing and testing, they were done. Their baskets were heavy with strange-looking yet clever tools, foods, and Earth-things Kael had carefully brought into this world.

They all then approached the U-shaped counter and placed their buckets. Kael and Seris quickly began the tally.

Kael stacked the items with one hand, writing numbers on a small ledger with the other:

Anti-Wraith Kit (1) = 2 gold coins

Self-Warming Canteen (3) = 6 silver

Energy Bars (15) = 2 silver, 25 copper coins

Moisture Cloths (6) = 8 silver coins

Dust Masks (8) = 1 silver, 6 bronze coins

Windproof Lighters (2) = 4 silver

Emergency Shelter Sheets (4) = 12 silver

Potato Chips (8) = 16 silver coins

Electrolyte Bottles (4) = 8 silver coins

Milk Chocolate Bars (20) = 6 silver coins

Snack Boxes (3) = 6 silver coins

Kael double-checked his ledger, then turned to the group.

"Final total: 2 gold, 69 silver, 8 bronze, and 5 copper coins."

They all stared.

Darien rubbed his chin. "...You don’t go easy, do you?"

Kael smiled, folding his arms like a noble sealing a treaty.

"I sell comfort, survival, and certainty. All rare in this world."

Then, with a generous smile:

"But since you’re loading for a long expedition, I’ll round it down. Final total—2 gold, 60 silver."

Darien looked to the others. They all nodded. Garrick muttered something under his breath about rich merchants, but none objected.

As they paid, Kael carefully counted each coin, slipping it into his velvet-lined drawer.

Once packed, Kael walked them to the door.

Mira turned one last time and waved a chip in farewell.

"If I get eaten in the Wasteland, I’ll haunt you for selling me addictive snacks~ nya!"

Liora followed after her, nibbling a cookie with half-lidded eyes.

"Don’t let them sell out before I return..."

Kael called after them, grinning,

"Just don’t die. Repeat customers are the best kind."

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