In New York, I found an unbelievable number of pawnshops and over thirty flea markets. Just in case, I expanded my ste once more—4096m3. After some deliberation, I decided to give up the pasta-making skill. I had the knowledge, and I didn't see myself wanting to level up that ability. Being a chef just wasn't in my pns. In addition, I stumbled upon thrift stores and enrolled in 40 workshops and csses. There were many more workshops, but I decided that 50 ability points was a nice round number.

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  It was my third day in New York when I received an ued call from a detective. My ph, and I answered it, not thinking much of it.

  "Hello?" I said.

  "Is this Johhe voi the other end asked, sounding serious.

  "Yes, this is John. Who's calling?" I replied, getting curious.

  "This is Detective Marcus from the Chicago PD. I o ask you a few questions. Where were you st night?" he said directly.

  "Last night? I was here in New York," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "What's this about?"

  "I 't disclose that right now. you provide more details about your whereabouts?" he asked.

  "I've been in New York for the past three days. I flew in on Monday. I have my picket and hotel registration if you need proof."

  "Yes, please. you share that information with me?" the detective said, sounding slightly more rexed but still all business.

  "Sure," I said, scrambling for the details. "I flew in on Ameri Airlines, flight AA123, and I've been staying at the Midtown Hotel. I checked in right after I nded. Do you need any more details?"

  "That should be enough for now. Thank you, Mr. Rue."

  "Okay, but you at least tell me why you're asking?" I pressed, hoping for some clue.

  "I'm afraid I 't discuss it at this time. We'll be in touch if we need more information. Have a good day," he said, and with that, the call ended.

  Of course, my in-ws accused me. That they were right this time was beside the point.

  For the wo months, I learned and verted new skills and visited pawn shops, thrift stores, and flea markets. The Mert's skills were exceptional. I knew what was a good deal and what wasn't; even some things I knew were good, but not for me and what I wanted.

  Besides stog up on hot food, I bought three more fighting staffs, five different bows, and many varied arrout them in big pstic buckets in my Ste. And, of course, some more coffee; you ever have enough coffee.

  After visiting some thrift stores and buying clothes for every gender and size to sell, I got an idea and bought boxes of threads in every color, needles, buttons, zippers, yarn, and knitting and crocheting needles. I also stocked up on sungsses and hats and many notebooks, paper, and writing utensils. And, of course, I bought all the good deals in the pawnshops. At a medical supplier, I stocked up on gloves, scalpels, manual resuscitation bags, and everything else I could think of; magic is good, but those are the tools of my trade. And a lot of bug-repellent.

  With only 15,000 left, it was time for me to fly to Europe. My pn was to cross to Shimoor in Frankfurt, and I gave up on the idea of Gate hoping to raise my Gate Traveler level; it would rise with my travels. I was eager to be on my way.

  After formatting my ptop and g my phone pn, I sold both in a pawnshop. In addition, I withdrew all my funds, verted them to euros, and purchased a ticket to Germany.

  In Frankfurt, I found a big empty warehouse I could rent for a day. I emptied my ste and just stared. I knew I had bought a lot of stuff, but seeing it all in front of me made me realize how much I bought.

  Wow!

  Immediately, I put the food bad started logically anizing the rest. Thank God I bought extra shelves, chests, and baskets at the flea markets. I had to rent the warehouse for another four days, but finally, it was done. Everything was arranged, and I knew what I had and where it was. The amount of jewelry caught me off guard. Knowing I bought a lot and seeing it were two different things. There was a lot of gold and ptinum jewelry with or without gems, and aensive colle of silver jewelry with or without semi-precious gems.

  Thinking back, between the life insurarust fund, house sale, savings, the cars, and my in-ws' "gift," I spent close to a million dolrs i year.

  My st money was used to buy German ger in wooden barrels, some more iing foods, cooked and raw, a lot of German sausages, and more copper s from all the gaming stores.

  On my st day oh, I wrote a detailed description of Earth in the Archive. I talked about geography, the politidscape, and that the US portals are on army bases. The dahat this poses other dangers—like extremist or unist tries, travel modes, money and all its plexity, television, how to use the i, to sell jewelry in pawn shops and not official precious exges, and put markers on the Map of the stores I visited, the dispyed information of all the Gates I visited, to visit flea markets food deals, a reendation to buy a world ats in a bookstore and local maps in gas stations to update the Travelers' Map, and a reendation to buy an abridged encyclopedia as a good source of general information about a lot of things.

  The following day, I ged into fortable hiking clothes, checked out of the hotel, checked the price of the taxi fare close to the gate, set it aside, and used my st 132 euros in a bakery and sandwich shop. I've taken care of everything.

  A taxi took me to the gas station close to the gate, and I walked the remaining distance.

  For a few minutes, I stood in front of the Gate. Despite being as prepared as I could be, I was still leavih for an uain duration, perhaps indefinitely. There was this persistent feeling in my mind that I had fotten something, but I couldn't identify what it was. I had bought a wide range of things for every sario, so if I had fotten something, it robably unimportant.

  After taking a deep breath, I crossed the Gate.