Chapter 2: First Sale, First Steps
Ylmare Village — Morning.
Sunlight filtered through the cracks of the wooden roof, casting soft beams across the straw-filled loft where Farhan slept. The blanket smelled of herbs and woodsmoke, and someone downstairs was already moving about, preparing for the day.
Farhan blinked sleepily, rubbed his eyes, and sat up. His backpack was still beside him, and more importantly, his phone — the artifact that now linked two worlds — was still charged.
"Still working…" he muttered as he checked it. Signal: full. Battery: 94%. A soft hum of static magic surrounded the screen, like it drew power from something not entirely earthly.
He couldn't explain the mechanics of it — only that it worked. The Online Shopping app wasn't just active; it was borderline divine.
He opened his inventory from the floating system menu that had appeared the night before.
[Inventory - Farhan Rahman]
* 1x Bottle of Mineral Water
* 2x Instant Noodle Cups (Chicken Flavor)
* 1x Camping Stove
* 5x Disposable Lighters
* 1x Roll of Toilet Paper
* 3x Soaps (Antibacterial, Fresh Scent)
* 1x Smartphone
* 1x Backpack
* [Balance: ৳3,200 BDT (Usable as Credit)]
He stared at the items, and then chuckled to himself. "This might be the weirdest merchant loadout in any fantasy world."
There was a knock on the door.
"Boy, you awake?" came the familiar grumble of Old Man Harl, the meat vendor who'd taken him in for the night.
Farhan got up and opened the door.
"Morning, Uncle Harl."
The old man squinted at him. "Breakfast's ready. Come eat, then I'll show you the market square."
---
The village market was more a circle than a square — a central gathering point where sellers set up stalls, carts, or just blankets on the ground. It bustled with energy. Farmers brought vegetables. Fishers brought their catch. A potter sold crude but sturdy bowls. A few guards loitered with spears and lazy eyes, watching from the shade of a tree.
Farhan stood quietly by Harl's stall, watching, absorbing.
He saw it right away: demand far outweighed supply.
People bickered over small bars of low-quality soap. A single cracked mirror fetched enough copper to feed a family. Salt and spices were hoarded like treasure. Even cheap steel tools were priced like heirlooms.
"This place is ripe," Farhan whispered. "One bar of Dettol soap and I could triple my earnings."
He turned to Harl. "Uncle, do you know anyone with a stall I could rent? I'd like to try selling a few things."
Harl blinked at him. "You're not trained. You know nothing of our coinage or trade law."
"I'll manage," Farhan said with a calm smile. "I'm just a traveling merchant, after all."
---
Later that day, Farhan sat cross-legged behind a repurposed crate he'd borrowed from Harl. A plain cloth covered the top. On display: three simple bars of antibacterial soap and a single instant noodle cup. That was it.
Curious eyes started gathering quickly.
"What is that?"
"Smells nice…"
"It's… smooth? Not like lard soap."
Farhan smiled politely. "Ladies and gentlemen, I bring goods from faraway lands. Sanitation soap, used by royals and healers. Just one silver per bar."
The crowd murmured. One silver was expensive — not outrageous, but enough to make them hesitate.
Then a noble-looking woman stepped forward, her silk scarf marking her as someone of higher status.
"I'll buy one," she said. Her servant handed over a shiny silver coin.
Farhan passed her a bar of soap. "Clean scent. Kills skin rot, repels insects, and softens hands."
The woman sniffed it, raised her brows, and nodded with approval.
Word spread.
Within ten minutes, all three soaps were gone.
Then came the real gem.
"What is that?" a man asked, pointing at the noodle cup.
"Instant noodles," Farhan replied with practiced charm. "A dish that cooks itself in minutes. Just add boiling water. Flavor-packed and filling."
"You're joking."
"I'm not. Want a demonstration?"
He pulled out his portable camping stove, clicked a lighter, and summoned a small pot from his inventory. As water boiled, a small crowd leaned in, mesmerized.
Farhan opened the cup, poured in the hot water, and sealed it.
"Give it a minute."
By the time he peeled off the lid, the rich scent of artificial chicken and spices made half the market lean closer.
He took a bite, deliberately slow.
Eyes widened.
The cup sold instantly — for two silver.
---
By evening, Farhan had earned nearly ten silver coins — more than enough for aweek's lodging, food, and supplies. Harl stared at the small pile of coin with disbelief.
"You're either a trickster… or the gods really did send you."
"Maybe both," Farhan said, grinning.
---
That night, he sat in the corner of the tavern Harl recommended, eating actual stew for the first time in this world. The food was rustic but rich, made from game meat and earthy vegetables. Around him, the tavern buzzed with talk of the "strange merchant" who sold magic soap and hot meals from tiny cups.
Farhan opened his phone and checked his *Online Shopping* app.
[Current Credit: ৳3,190 BDT]
Still plenty. He ordered:
* 10x Soap Bars (Mixed scents)
* 12x Instant Noodle Cups
* 1x Pack of Coffee Sachets
* 1x Steel Kettle
* 1x Thermos Flask
* 1x Toothbrush Set (Family Pack)
* 1x LED Torch
* 1x Pack of Disposable Masks
The items popped into his inventory with a soft shimmer.
He closed the menu, leaned back, and looked at the tavern's ceiling.
"This is going to work," he whispered. "This world… doesn't have half the things we take for granted. I can sell anything here."
But deep inside, he knew it wouldn't stay this easy.
Where there was profit, there were powerful people.
And if he was going to build something real — a business, a brand, maybe even a small empire — he'd need allies. And more importantly… protection.
But for now?
He smiled as he sipped his water.
Tomorrow, he'd open a proper stall.