The morning light filtered weakly through the cracks in Kael’s shelter, casting faint, shifting shadows across the floor. The air inside was cool, but Kael didn’t mind. He lay sprawled on the ground, his muscles ached from the strain of battle and the ascension.

  Kael shifted, the soft crunch of dried leaves beneath him the only sound in the otherwise still air. He reached for the orb at his side, its familiar pulse steady and reassuring.

  "Skrindle," Kael called for the imp who had served as his guide, his ever-present source of welcome and unwelcome advice.

  “What is it now, Master?" Skrindle asked, his voice tinged with sarcasm, as it always was. "It’s still early."

  "I’ve got more gold all of a sudden."

  The imp’s grin was wide, showing far too many teeth. "That’s from the fae invader last night."

  "The invader? That fae was carrying so much gold?" His voice was laced with disbelief. The idea of a single invader having over two hundred gold struck him as excessive.

  "Not exactly," Skrindle said, drifting lazily in the air. "That’s from the bounty. You’re a bronze now, Kael. That means bronze-level adventurers can invade your square. And each of them has a bounty based on their kills, the number of squares they’ve raided, how many orbs they’ve taken, and all those little accomplishments of their."

  "A bounty?" Kael repeated, the concept dawning on him slowly. "So this invader was worth over two hundred gold?"

  "That’s right," Skrindle replied with a nonchalant shrug. "You see, bronze-level adventurers have a base bounty of one hundred gold. This guy must’ve killed a lot of summons to rack up more than that."

  Kael leaned back against the wall of his shelter, his fingers tapping lightly against the ground as he thought. His square had become his strength, his source of power. And now, that strength had made him a target for bounty hunters. It was both a blessing and a curse.

  “Well, with the ceasefire in place," Kael murmured, "I’ll hardly get any adventurers anymore."

  "Yeah, well, that’s true. The ceasefire has cut down on the number of invaders coming through your square. But the bounties are still there, Kael. They won’t disappear just because there’s a pause in the fighting. And when the adventurers do come, you’ll be ready."

  Kael nodded slowly, his mind turning over the information.

  "All right, Skrindle," Kael said with a sharp nod. "Keep an eye out for those adventurers. If they come, we’ll be ready."

  Just as Kael said that, the walls of his square flickered, the blue hue shifting to an ominous red.

  Kael felt a ripple of tension in his chest, but he didn’t panic. He was relaxed, accustomed to these sudden shifts.

  Jello, his massive defender slime, was patrolling the western border, his green body pulsing with energy as he slithered smoothly through the underbrush. Goober and Flubs, each now at level 2 defenders in their own right, moved in perfect synchrony with Jello, their movements sharp and practiced.

  They had grown powerful in the wake of the battles Kael had faced, and their strength was now undeniable. The fae invader from last night had tested them but Jello had nearly single-handedly taken the adventurer down, a testament to how far the slime had come.

  Kael looked out at his square, the four borders of his domain. The faint sound of movement reached his ears, the rustle of leaves and the creak of carts. The walls were still red, alerting him to an incoming presence, but this wasn’t an invader, Kael realized.

  It was Myke.

  Kael relaxed immediately. Myke wasn’t an enemy. At least not now. Instead, he had become a familiar face around these parts. His mule drawn cart was loaded, the wheels creaking under the weight of what looked like a variety of supplies.

  Myke stepped down from the cart, his boots thudding softly against the earth and he gave Kael a low bow. His usual, wide grin stretched across his face as he straightened.

  "Congratulations, Master Kael. You’ve ascended to bronze, and that is no small feat."

  Kael raised an eyebrow. He had come to trust the merchant in some respects, but Myke’s knack for staying just at the edges of pure honesty was always something that kept Kael cautious. Still, there was no denying the merchant’s usefulness, and the goods he often brought were never unwelcome.

  Myke’s hand slipped inside his cloak, producing a small wooden box, the lid ornate and polished, decorated with a carving that Kael couldn’t make out from where he stood. He held it up, presenting it to Kael.

  "This," Myke said with a flourish, "is for you. A token for your ascension. Something to help you navigate the next step on your journey."

  Kael took the box carefully, noting how light it felt in his hands. He set it down on the cart beside him and popped the lid open, revealing an object inside that immediately piqued his interest.

  At first glance, it seemed like nothing more than a small sphere—a smooth, metallic ball, perfectly rounded. But as he touched it, the sphere began to roll, gliding across the surface of the box, like it had a mind of its own.

  Myke, ever the showman, leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "It’s a map," he said. "This map is different. It shows the world. Every continent, every ocean, all at your fingertips."

  Kael’s fingers hovered over the sphere as it rolled back and forth, his eyes studying it closely. Kael saw the continents unfold before him. The sprawling forests, winding rivers, and jagged mountain ranges all depicted in miniature detail.

  Myke leaned over Kael’s shoulder, pointing to the northern reaches of the map. "Up there, in the Northern Kingdoms, ruled by the Men of the North," he explained. "They make the best fur coats, you’ll find. And further to the east, there’s the Great Highlands. They’re famous for their tea blends. The Best in the world, or so they say."

  Kael listened, but his attention was divided. His fingers turned the sphere again, moving it back toward the southern part of the map, where the familiar shape of Newvale appeared, nestled comfortably at the edge of the known lands. But as Kael’s fingers moved further, he saw something that caught his eye.

  A city. Ironmire.

  It sat just to the west of Newvale, its imposing shape standing out on the map.

  "Myke," Kael said. “Do you know this city?”

  "Ah, Ironmire," he said. “It’s ruled by a council of men and women, all very powerful, all with their own agendas. The city thrives on trade, on iron, on weapons. It is the heart of the best swordmasters of the world.”

  Kael’s interest peaked further. He would very much like to visit, to see the city in its glory.

  As Kael set the map down, Myke’s gaze flickered to the side, a subtle shift, as if gauging Kael’s reaction before continuing.

  "I hope you enjoy the gift, Master Kael," Myke said, his tone warm and almost too eager, as if he were pleased to be of service. "I’ve been looking for artifacts to help with communication. So—" His voice faltered briefly, and he gestured at his cart, "—I hadn’t gotten around to mining the ore or the leathers for you yet."

  "That’s fine," he said. "My golems are providing ore for me now. No need to worry about that."

  Myke’s smile dipped just slightly, disappointment flickering across his features, though it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Ah, I see," he muttered, his tone still pleasant but a shade less enthusiastic. "Well, no matter. I do have some artifacts to help with communication."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  He reached into his cart, pulling out several neatly rolled parchments, each sealed with a bird-shaped emblem in gold. Kael’s eyes narrowed as he examined the items, curious but cautious.

  "Myke, what’s this?" Kael asked, his voice steady. "Some sort of scrolls?"

  Myke’s grin returned, brighter this time. "No, no. These are Message Birds," he said, his hands carefully unrolling one of the parchment scrolls for demonstration. "You write your message here, seal it up, and then say the name of the recipient. The parchment turns into a bird that will take it to them, no matter where they are."

  He looked pleased with himself, as though this were an item of great significance. "I’ve got about ten of them here for you. Ten gold for the lot. And I'll throw in a quill and some ink too."

  Myke’s smile widened, but his enthusiasm wasn’t done yet. He reached deeper into his cart and pulled out an ornate, tarnished lantern.

  "And this," Myke continued, his voice dropping a little in mock reverence, "is the Lantern of Lingering Voices."

  "You can record spoken words into the lantern," Myke explained, his fingers brushing the lantern's surface almost reverentially. "And when needed, you can project those words at a later time, for anyone within hearing distance. It's a great tool for messages that need to be saved, but not delivered immediately."

  Kael took the lantern from Myke, weighing it in his hands, testing the coolness of the metal. The design was simple, yet the power of its potential was clear.

  Myke’s eyes gleamed as he reached into his cart one last time. There was more to come.

  With his usual flair, he produced a small, delicate box. Myke opened it slowly, revealing two simple gold rings, each with runes inscribed on them.

  "These," Myke said. "are the Rings of Link."

  "And what do they do?" Kael asked.

  "Simple," Myke said. "When two people wear these rings, they can communicate telepathically over long-range distances.”

  Kael considered the rings, how much easier to talk without using his wisps.

  Myke gave a satisfied nod, his customer clearly loved his goods. “That will be a hundred gold for everything,” he said. "Standard rates for such rare items. Good quality, you know."

  Kael’s gaze hardened as he looked down at the pile of wares, his fingers still lightly gripping the lantern and the map. The artifacts were helpful, certainly, but Kael had been burned by Myke before and Kael knew the game.

  "I’ll take them," Kael said, his voice smooth, controlled. "But I’ll pay 80 gold for the lot."

  "You’re a tough negotiator, Kael. But that’s the best I can do. 100 gold. Not a coin less."

  "That’s not a fair price," Kael said. "I’m sure we can reach a better agreement."

  The merchant’s demeanor shifted, just enough for Kael to notice. Myke cleared his throat, a bead of sweat forming at the back of his neck, his eyes darting nervously to the side.

  "You’ve got plenty of gold already," Myke said. "You’ve got, what, 1792 gold now? You can afford a little extra. A fair price for rare goods, I’d say."

  Kael’s gaze sharpened at the mention of his gold, his body going stiff as his hand clenched around the items. How did he know that?

  "How do you know how much gold I have?"

  The merchant flinched, his eyes widening as he caught the tone in Kael’s voice. The atmosphere between them shifted instantly, the friendly, transactional air gone in a heartbeat. The square itself seemed to tense, the threat of violence settling in the air around them.

  Kael’s summons, ever watchful, began to emerge from the shadows. Jello moved quietly through the underbrush, his green form looming large. Goober and Flubs flanked him. The trio of slimes stood vigilant behind the merchant. Gerry and Three Arms, who had been mining with their daggers, stopped, their heads turned to the center of the square.

  Myke’s heart thudded in his chest as he swallowed hard.

  "It’s just a guess.. A rough estimate.”

  "Guess?" Kael repeated. "You guessed an exact number. The exact number."

  Myke’s eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, Kael saw something rare: true fear.

  "I... I have a skill," Myke admitted. "It’s called All That Glitters."

  "It allows me to see the amount of gold in any square," Myke continued. "I can see how much a Master has in their square. It’s... a useful skill that every merchant has."

  Kael’s eyes narrowed as he watched Myke, determining if he was telling the truth.

  "I’ll pay your asking price of 100 gold," Kael said.. "But only if you teach me your skill."

  Myke blinked, clearly caught off guard for a moment. His lips parted, his expression betraying a brief flicker of unease.

  "Teach you? All That Glitters isn’t something you can just teach. It’s more than that. It’s not about some simple skill, it’s about understanding the value of everything. The price of gold, the price of bread, the price of a man’s sword. All things have value. It’s something nurtured, honed over years of negotiation, of bartering."

  Kael remained silent, his expression unreadable, though his mind was already working through the words Myke had just said. It wasn’t as simple as learning an incantation or unlocking a power, Kael realized. It was a subtle skill.

  "But, there’s a way for you to start.” He pulled out a small monocle, its glass clear but faintly tinted with an odd shimmer. The frame was made of simple brass, worn from use.

  "This," Myke said, "is a tool used by the Merchant Guild. It’s not the All That Glitters ability, but it’s a start. This monocle helps beginners see the relative value of items in the market. A first step, you might say."

  “Once you’re able to correctly estimate the value of ten different items in what we call a Test of Exchange, you’ll have the basics of the skill."

  "The Guild can run the test for you, or I can.” He stepped back, his eyes gleaming with a quiet satisfaction. "I’m loaning you this monocle, Kael. And I expect it back in one piece, of course."

  "I’ll return it. But I will make sure it’s worth your while."

  Myke had shown him the monocle, and now the merchant had a lesson to impart—a test. A test of exchange.

  Myke, ever the showman, reached into his cart and pulled out a wine bottle, its design simple yet elegant, the glass smooth and polished. The bottle was red on one side, white the other.

  "What is this?" Kael asked.

  "This," Myke said, "is the Wine Bottle of Red and White. It’s a magical artifact, you see. You can switch between the two types of wine with a simple twist of the cap. A bit of a novelty, but useful in the right situations. So, tell me. How much do you think this bottle is worth?"

  Kael thought for a moment, his gaze flicking between the bottle and Myke. The merchant was watching him closely, his grin now more of a challenge than a friendly gesture.

  "It’s magical," Kael said. "So, I’d say... 50 gold?"

  Myke stifled a laugh, and Kael felt the faintest flicker of irritation at the way the merchant’s lips twitched, at the way his eyes danced with amusement. "Fifty gold?" Myke repeated, his voice still holding a trace of mockery. "Is that what you think it’s worth?"

  "What? Too much?"

  Myke nodded. "That’s where you’re wrong. You can use the monocle. I think it’ll help."

  Kael hesitated for a moment, but then, he lifted the monocle to his eye, peering through its tinted lens.

  Kael’s brow furrowed as he saw the truth. The bottle was not worth fifty gold—no, it was worth far less.

  "Fifty silver," Kael muttered. The bottle, despite its magic, was a cheap trinket. The wine inside it wasn’t high quality, and the magic was weak, fleeting. It had novelty value, but that was all.

  “Exactly, fifty silver. Not fifty gold."

  Kael took the monocle off and glanced at Myke, his gaze steady, unflinching. "This is what you meant by All That Glitters," Kael said. "It’s not just about seeing gold. It’s about seeing through the illusion of value."

  Kael tossed the hundred gold to Myke. Myke caught the coins with an easy motion, a flash of satisfaction crossing his face as he tucked them away. He quickly got up on his cart and his mules started to pull him away.

  As Myke was leaving, his voice called back over his shoulder. "Any special requests? Anything else you need while I'm at it?"

  "Bring anything unique or rare," Kael called out to Myke. "Something that’s not easily found."

  Myke turned his head slightly and gave a single nod in acknowledgment before continuing on his way, his cart rolling off into the forest.

  As the sounds of the cart faded into the distance, it was then that Skrindle appeared, his usual mischievous grin pulling at the edges of his mouth. The imp hovered just in front of Kael, his wings buzzing with that characteristic energy.

  "So, Kael," Skrindle began, his voice filled with curiosity. "Why would you want that skill, hmm? What’s the point of all that 'All That Glitters' nonsense?"

  "I’ve been looking at the skill trees, Skrindle," Kael said, his voice low but steady. "There’s no merchant or buying skill. No way to learn that All That Glitters ability through skill points. So, I’ll have to do it the hard way."

  “So? Why do you need this?”

  “If I can see the gold, I can see the true weight of the enemy. Gold equals influence, equals power. If I know how much gold they have, I can calculate how dangerous they are. And I can make my decisions accordingly."

  "I guess you’re right," Skrindle muttered. "But be careful, Kael. Some things can’t be measured in gold."

  With that, Skrindle disappeared. Kael put the monocle to his eye and looked at Jello. The monocle didn’t activate like it did before.

  That’s right, Kael thought. You’re priceless.

  ******

  Square: Unknown

  Master: Kael

  Difficulty: Bronze

  Conclave: None

  Treasure: 1692 Gold

  Residents: 4 Ice Slimes Lvl 1

  6 Green Slimes Lvl 1

  2 Green Slimes Lvl 2

  1 Green Slime Lvl 3

  24 Will-o-wisp Lvl 1

  1 Steel Golem (Strength Specialization) Lvl 3

  1 Steel Golem (Complexity Specialization) Lvl 3

  Kills: 11