THE DIMENSIONAL MERCHANT-Chapter 86 - 85 : The Woman with the Portal

The sun had started to dip below the roofs of Ginip when Kael finally pushed open the door of Kaelmart.

"I’m back."

From behind the U-shaped counter, Seris straightened. Her face lit up with a mix of surprise and exhaustion.

"You’re late," she said. Then her eyes narrowed slightly. "And you look like you’ve been through a battlefield."

Kael didn’t answer. He simply rubbed his temples and walked around to the side of the counter, checking nothing in particular.

"Anyway, you won’t believe what happened today."

Kael looked up. "What is it?" freeweɓnovel-cøm

She leaned closer, voice dropping slightly.

"A customer came in. A woman. She could use storage—like you. She vanished through a teleportation portal."

Kael’s heart skipped a beat. He froze, his mind immediately alert.

"Portal?"

"Yes," Seris said. "She tossed her things in and just... left through it. Calm as could be. Even tipped me generously."

Kael took a step back and leaned against a display shelf of soap bars, his arms crossed tightly.

A portal. In public.

That wasn’t normal. That wasn’t supposed to happen.

He looked away, eyes narrowing, thoughts spinning.

"Someone else who can use portal magic...?"

Until now, he believed he was the only one—an outsider, a lone anomaly with the power to cross worlds and bring goods from Earth to this medieval realm. So?

"Tell me exactly what she did," Kael said, his voice low. "Don’t leave anything out."

Seris raised her hands. "I already told you everything. She came in, filled up a cart, asked about the products, paid generously, and before leaving, she summoned a shimmering, oval-shaped portal in the air. Tossed her things inside and stepped through. Just raised her hand. Like it was nothing."

Kael was silent.

Seris continued, her voice a little softer now. "You do understand what that means, right? Magic of that level—it’s rare. Only court mages, high-ranking archmages, or those with ancient bloodlines can use that sort of power. She didn’t wear a robe or a sigil, but the way she moved... she wasn’t some passing noblewoman."

Kael’s jaw tightened.

He didn’t know much about magic in this world—he’d only been here for a few weeks, and most of that time had been spent setting up his shop, not studying ancient history. What little he had heard came from bar gossip, passing rumors, or the occasional merchant who liked to talk big.

Things like witches who could tear space, or archmages who could fold mountains—tales that sounded more like drunken exaggerations than truth.

But now?

Maybe one of them had walked into his shop.

Bought snacks. Used a portal. Walked out.

It didn’t make sense. This was Ginip—a dusty border town clinging to the edge of the forest and the wasteland beyond. A place where magic was scarce, poorly understood, and rarely practiced openly. Not a place for powerful mages or noble spellcasters.

Or could she be from Earth too?

Then why act like a customer? Why didn’t she do anything else? Or say something?

His mind raced. There were too many variables. He couldn’t afford to draw the wrong conclusion.

And more than anything else—he hated not knowing.

Kael’s thoughts churned.

He had met with the Raven Merchant Guild, then eliminated Vera and her group. That alone would be enough for most men to lie down and rest their heads.

And now, this.

He pressed two fingers to his temple, muttering under his breath.

"This day just keeps getting better."

"What was that?" Seris asked.

"Nothing." Kael shook his head slowly. "My brain’s just cooked. I’ve dealt with politics, corpses, and economics today. Now you’re telling me that a spatial mage waltzed in here to buy biscuits?"

"She bought chocolates too," Seris added helpfully.

Kael let out a hollow chuckle.

"Great," he said dryly. "I think every mage likes sweets."

Then his voice dropped, almost to a whisper.

"Did she say anything else?"

Seris nodded. "Just that she’d bought from you before. Back when you had the stall. Said she’d return when her supplies run out."

She doesn’t seem to be a threat. However, she said she had bought from me before—but I don’t remember anyone like that.

Kael stood there in silence for a long moment, lost in thought.

Ugh. I simply cannot be bothered with this situation right now. If disaster strikes, I shall face it then. For now, my head’s not working right anyway.

Then he turned to Seris and said,

"Close up the shop. We’re eating out tonight."

"Right now?" she asked.

"Yes. Right now. You’ve been running the place all day, and I’m just as exhausted."

"Understood "

...

Outside, the door closed behind them with a dull thud. Kael locked it and tucked the key beneath his coat.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked.

Seris gave a small smile. "We should go to that inn. It’s been a long time since we left."

Kael nodded. "Yes, you’re right. Let’s go then."

By now, night had fallen properly.

Although Ginip was far from a wealthy city, its main roads were lit by softly glowing magic lamps—faint orbs of enchanted light affixed to iron poles. They cast just enough illumination to let travelers and merchants navigate the streets after dark.

But that luxury ended with the main roads. Once you stepped into the alleys or lesser paths, the light vanished. The rest of the city was swallowed by darkness the moment night fell.

Fortunately, Kael had a flashlight.

And it wasn’t just him. Dozens—perhaps even hundreds—of Ginip’s residents had begun carrying small, handheld lights purchased from his shop. Bright, dependable, and curious in the eyes of the locals, these flashlights had quietly gained popularity among those who could afford them.

Their impact, however, extended beyond mere convenience. The lights significantly improved the city’s nighttime safety. Their far-reaching beams allowed watchmen to spot suspicious figures or approaching strangers long before they drew near.

Whenever Kael saw someone walking the streets with one of his flashlights in hand, a quiet pride stirred within him. It was a simple product, yet it had changed the way of life here.

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