The shop felt… wrong.
Too real.
Too aware.
—CREAK—
The wooden floor groaned as Kael stepped in.
"Looking for something?" the merchant asked.
"…Answers."
"…Those are expensive."
Kael leaned on the counter.
"…Do you get attacked?"
The merchant chuckled.
—HEH—
"Do you?"
Silence.
"…So you noticed."
The merchant leaned forward.
"…You smell like the system."
Kael stiffened.
"…That's not creepy at all."
"…You're not a player," the merchant continued.
"…But you're not like me either."
"…Then what am I?"
The merchant smiled.
"…A mistake."
// STRAIN GETS WORSE //
Kael's vision flickered—
—GLITCH—
A memory flashed:
A knight screaming.
Fire burning.
A voice crying.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD—!"
Kael staggered back.
—THUD—
"…Careful," the merchant said calmly.
"…Too many perspectives… and you'll forget which one is yours."
Kael clenched his fists.
"…So that's the downside."
"…Everything has a cost."
// SYSTEM SHOP //
The merchant snapped his fingers.
—SNAP—
A screen appeared:
Items:
- Minor Healing Potion
- Stamina Bread
- Memory Stabilizer (Very Expensive)
Kael squinted.
"…Memory stabilizer?"
"…Prevents you from breaking."
"…Temporarily."
Kael laughed.
"…Yeah, that's something."