Kapitel 6: Setting up Shop
Rian approached an NPC and asked, "Where can I set up a shop around here?"
The NPC replied, "You'll need to go to the Administration Office first. There, you can either buy or rent a plot of land to build your shop."
Absorbing the information, Rian followed up, "Where exactly is the Administration Office?"
The NPC pointed in the direction and said, "Go straight, then take a left, followed by a right. Walk for about a minute, and you'll see the building."
Rian thanked the NPC for the information and headed off in the direction he was given. He followed the path straight, then took a left, and finally a right, just as the NPC had instructed. After walking for about a minute, he saw a large building with a sign that read Administration Office.
As he approached the building, he took a moment to compose himself. This was a crucial step in establishing his business, and he needed to make sure everything went smoothly. With a deep breath, he entered the office, ready to negotiate the terms for buying or renting land for his shop.
Rian entered the building and was surprised by its simple interior, which didn't match the usual grand atmosphere of an administration office. His footsteps echoed through the space, emphasizing the fact that he seemed to be the only one there.
At the far end of the room was a counter, and as Rian approached it, the man behind it looked up and greeted him, "Hello, sir. How can I assist you today?"
Rian, ready to move forward with his plan, leaned slightly forward and prepared to explain his purpose.
Rian said, "I want to set up a shop in the village and was wondering how I can go about doing that."
The man behind the counter nodded and replied, "To open a shop, you'll need to either rent or purchase a plot of land within the village limits. Once that's done, you can start setting up your business. We offer different locations depending on your budget and requirements. Would you prefer to rent or buy the land outright?"
Rian said, "I'd like to rent a plot of land first but also see options that I could potentially purchase later."
The man behind the counter smiled and replied, "Certainly, sir. Here are some of the lands currently available for rent." He presented several documents detailing potential locations for Rian's shop.
However, none of the options caught Rian's interest. "Could you show me some spots closer to the centre?" he asked.
The man nodded. "Of course, sir, but those will be more expensive. May I ask what your budget is for renting?"
Rian, unsure of what a reasonable budget would be, hesitated for a moment before responding, "Show me some of the more affordable options, but still close to the centre."
The man smiled, acknowledged Rian's request, and began searching for more suitable locations.
The man behind the counter nodded, understanding Rian's hesitation. "Of course, sir," he said with a polite smile. "Let me show you a few options that are both close to the centre and affordable for rent."
He sifted through the papers and handed Rian a few detailed maps. "These are plots near the centre of the village. They might be smaller, but they're in high-traffic areas, which is perfect for a shop like yours."
Rian studied the maps, feeling relieved that he didn't have to give a specific budget just yet. He examined the locations carefully, noticing that some were just a short walk from the village square.
"These look promising," Rian said. "How much would the rent be for one of these?"
The man looked through the documents again. "For this one, near the market, the rent is 300 gold coins per month. If you're looking for something a little more affordable but still within range of the centre, this other one is 200 gold coins per month."
Rian deliberated between renting a plot for 200 gold coins or one for 300 gold coins per month. After weighing his options, he decided to go with the more expensive plot at 300 gold coins. He reasoned that the prime location would be beneficial for setting up his shop and attracting customers, even if he would only be there temporarily before moving on to a larger city.
Rian confirmed his choice for the plot costing 300 gold coins. The man at the counter beamed with approval and said, "Excellent choice, sir. When would you like to receive the land deed? If you're available now, we can complete the process and show you the plot so you can see its condition and location."
Rian agreed to proceed and completed the paperwork for renting the land. After receiving the system notification
[You have rented a land, next payment time: 30 days later]
He turned to the man and said, "Let's go and take a look at the plot."
The man nodded and led Rian to the plot. After a five-minute walk, they arrived at the spacious area Rian had just rented. As he assessed the land, he realized he needed to set up his shop quickly to start earning money and meet his goal for the day.
The man advised, "Sir if you need to build your shop quickly, I recommend purchasing a small shop cube, which costs around 1,000 gold coins. It allows you to set up a shop anywhere, but you must first rent or buy the land where you want to place it."
Rian asked, "What are those cubes called?" The man smiled and replied, "Sir, you can just call it a shop cube or house cube, as you prefer."
Curious, Rian opened his merchant shop and searched for the shop cubes. His system panel is filled with a list of options:
Wooden Merchant's Shop Cube – Common Rank: 500 gold coins
Stone-crafted Merchant's Shop Cube – Rare Rank: 5,000 gold coins.
Enchanted Merchant's Shop Cube – Epic Rank: 50,000 gold coins
- And many more...
Rian selected the Wooden Merchant's Shop Cube, and the details popped up:
Wooden Merchant's Shop: "A basic shop where all essential equipment is pre-installed. No buffs are included."
Satisfied, Rian didn't care about the lack of buffs. He was in a rush to open his shop, so he quickly purchased the cube. As soon as the transaction was complete, the system notified him:
[You have purchased the Wooden Merchant's Shop Cube for 500 gold coins.]
Rian took the Wooden Merchant's Shop Cube out of his inventory and inspected it closely. It was a small, intricately carved cube made of dark oak, about the size of his palm. The surface was covered in faint, glowing runes that pulsed gently, indicating its magical properties.
As he held it, a system prompt appeared:
[Inspecting: Wooden Merchant's Shop Cube]
Type: Portable Shop
Rank: Common
Function: Transforms into a fully-equipped merchant shop when activated on a suitable plot of land.
Features: Basic counter, storage shelves, and display areas for items. No added buffs or enhancements.
Rian smiled, knowing this simple shop would be enough for his first day in the game. Now, all he had to do was activate it on his plot of land.
Rian carefully placed the Wooden Merchant's Shop Cube in the middle of the plot he had rented. As soon as the cube touched the ground, it began to hum with energy, glowing brighter as it slowly expanded. Rian stepped back as the cube stretched outward, growing larger and taller with each passing second.
In moments, the cube had fully transformed into a large wooden building. The shop stood with sturdy wooden walls, a single entrance at the front, and a wide display window showcasing empty shelves for his potions and items. Above the entrance, a wooden nameplate magically appeared, with the words "Black Merchant's Empire" etched in bold letters.
The transformation was complete. Rian now stood before his very own shop, ready to start his business in the bustling village.
As the shop finished expanding, Rian received a system notification:
[Shop successfully created!]
A sense of accomplishment washed over him, but before he could fully enjoy the moment, the sky above suddenly darkened. Players and NPCs alike stopped in their tracks, looking up in confusion. Then, a booming system-wide announcement echoed through the world of Everlasting:
[Congratulations to player BlackMerchant for opening the first shop in the world of Everlasting!]
The announcement reverberated across every corner of the game. Players everywhere paused to read it, and in an instant, Rian's name was on everyone's lips. Some were impressed, while others, particularly rival merchants and top guilds, took immediate notice of this achievement.
Rian stood outside his newly expanded shop, heart pounding. His plan was simple: stay low, make money, and support his family but this sudden fame was the last thing he expected.
After reading the system message, Rian's eyes widened in disbelief:
[Reward: You will earn an extra 10% for every sale.]
He couldn't help but smile at the sheer advantage this would give him. As a merchant who already profited from every transaction, this bonus made his earnings even more lucrative. It felt like a game-breaking reward, and he could already imagine the fortune he was about to amass.
With his shop built and the day's tasks complete, Rian leaned back, his mind swirling with possibilities. He had accomplished his goal of setting up his business, and with the extra profit bonus, his path to success in Everlasting was clearer than ever.
Before logging out, Rian glanced at his remaining balance of 940 gold coins noting that he still had a solid reserve to work with. Satisfied with his day's progress and the smart investments he'd made, he allowed himself a small smile.
With one final look at his newly opened shop, he logged out of Everlasting, feeling accomplished and eager for what the next day in the game would bring.
What Rian didn't know was that the moment he logged out, his name shot to the top of trending topics across the world of Everlasting and its forums. Players and guilds alike were buzzing about BlackMerchant, the first to open a shop, drawing massive attention. Top guilds were scrambling to gather information on him, hoping to recruit him for his potential wealth and influence.
However, the only thing they had to go on was his masked face. His true identity remained a mystery, and with no name or social presence to trace, the hunt to find him intensified, as guilds became desperate to recruit him before the others.
After logging out, Rian opened the pod and immediately saw his family sitting together, chatting. As soon as Johan, his father, noticed him, he said, "Come, take a seat. We need to talk."
His mother, Elara, and sister, Lila, exchanged knowing looks. Rian, still groggy from the game, glanced at the clock on the wall and froze. It was 11 PM. Shock washed over him he had spent over 12 hours immersed in Everlasting, completely unaware of the passage of time.
As he got up, his body ached from lying down for almost 15 hours. His stomach growled with hunger, but despite the discomfort, he gathered himself and sat beside his father, determination set in his eyes. Whatever this conversation was about, he knew it was important.
As Rian sat down, his father, Johan, spoke. "I heard from your mother that you cried earlier when you got out of your gaming pod."
Rian shot a glance at his mother, Elara, feeling like she had given him away. She returned his look with a gentle smile, but he sighed and decided to come clean.
"Yeah, I did," Rian admitted, his tone softening. "But it wasn't because I was upset... I cried out of happiness." He paused, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's just that everything went so well in the game. I've been working toward something for so long, and today, I accomplished it. I guess I didn't expect to feel this proud."
His father nodded, clearly taking in the weight of Rian's emotions, while his mother's smile grew warmer, understanding her son's quiet triumph.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein