Zaydan stepped through the shimmering portal and felt the shift of reality pull him back into the otherworld. The scent of magic and wild nature filled his lungs. But almost immediately, his ears caught the sound of someone yelling—Rehan's voice.
"Say it again, you little brat! I dare you!" Rehan shouted.
Zaydan rushed forward, heart skipping. He found Rehan towering over a short figure who looked like a child—until Zaydan got closer.
"Rehan…" he said, slightly out of breath. "What are you doing yelling at a dwarf?!"
"A what?" Rehan turned, blinking. "That's a dwarf?! I thought he was a school kid!"
The supposed child scowled and crossed his arms. His beard was short but braided, and his arms were thicker than most men's legs.
"I'm two hundred and sixteen years old, you hairy ape," the dwarf snapped. "Name's Brokk Flintbrow. And your sword is garbage. Pure, polished garbage."
Rehan blinked, stunned. "H-Hey! I forged that sword using tutorials and sweat!"
Brokk scoffed. "Then whoever wrote those tutorials must've been a blind donkey. The metal is decent, but the edge is misaligned, the balance is off, and the handle could give someone arthritis."
Zaydan stepped in, hands raised. "Forgive him. He didn't know. You're a dwarf, right? The expert race in blacksmithing?"
Brokk gave a curt nod.
"My friend has no idea about your people's skills. If there's a chance to improve the sword, could we visit your shop?"
The dwarf raised a bushy brow, then grunted. "You've got manners. I'll give you that. Come to Ironroot Forge this evening before sundown. I'll show you how a real weapon is made."
Rehan muttered under his breath, "Still looks like a kid…"
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Brokk barked, spinning with surprising speed.
Rehan flinched and bowed. "Nothing! I said—thank you, Master Smith!"
Brokk stormed off in a huff, his stubby legs moving like a furious wind-up toy.
As he disappeared, Rehan turned to Zaydan and whispered, "He still needs a booster seat, though."
Zaydan sighed. "Bro, I swear, you've got a death wish."
As they walked back, Rehan glanced upward. "Hey, how much time has passed on Earth while we were here?"
Zaydan thought for a moment. "One week here equals only about three and a half days on Earth."
Rehan's eyes widened. "So time moves slower on Earth? We're getting double the productivity here! Man, this world is cracked."
At the shop, Rehan furrowed his brow. "Where's all our stuff from last time?"
Zaydan smirked. "Come inside."
Once they entered, he raised his hand. A flash of white light burst in the air—and suddenly, stacks of Five Star chocolates, packs of Parle-G, Maggi packets, chips, and imported biscuits began dropping around them with soft thuds. Then came a bed. Then another. Then Rehan's dumbbells. His chair. His desk. His entire TV unit.
"W-WHAT IN THE—HOW?!" Rehan spun around like a kid in a candy factory.
Zaydan grinned. "I got a new storage ability. The Book Wyrm skill interpreted 'item bag' and 'dimensional storage' from my search history and evolved."
"What's it called?"
"Vault of the Sovereign Realm—an SSS-rank storage skill. Infinite space, time-freeze inside, and precise item placement."
Rehan fell to his knees. "My gym. My TV. My baby fridge. You really brought everything!"
"I figured staying here gives us more time and options. If you want to watch movies, I'll bring the files over."
Later, they visited the Merchant Guild. The same tall, elderly guildmaster with thick spectacles greeted them warmly.
"Ah, the young adventurers again. What can I help you with?"
Zaydan placed a wooden crate on the table. "We need help evaluating these products before we sell them."
The guildmaster snapped his fingers. A tall man with slick black hair and a monocle entered the room.
"Let's see… packaged food? Hmm…"
He pulled out a Five Star and unwrapped it. Taking a bite, his eyes widened.
The guildmaster leaned in. "How is it?"
The appraiser removed his monocle, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "It's… divine."
The guildmaster tried some Hide & Seek biscuits. After the first crunch, he shot upright.
"WH-WHAT IS THIS?! Sugar crystals from the heavens? Butter summoned by the gods?!"
Rehan leaned over to Zaydan. "He's about to ascend."
The appraiser cleared his throat. "Sir… these items are edible luxury. I suggest a starting price as follows."
He handed them a parchment:
Recommended Retail Prices (Local Currency):
Five Star Chocolate – 4 silver coins per bar
Parle-G Pack – 1 silver coin
Hide & Seek Biscuits – 3 silver coins
Maggi Noodles – 5 silver coins
Chips (imported) – 6 silver coins
Chocolate Assorted Box – 1 gold coin per box
Zaydan blinked. Even without knowing local economics, it felt expensive.
"Guildmaster, are these prices standard for noble products?"
The guildmaster nodded. "Yes. These are luxury-tier prices based on taste, rarity, and presentation. Commoners might save up to afford one item for a special day, but mostly nobles and wealthy merchants would purchase them regularly."
Zaydan paused, tapping the parchment.
"I appreciate the evaluation, but… we don't want that."
The guildmaster raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"We want our products to be enjoyed by everyone—nobles, commoners, even outcasts and wandering adventurers. These snacks… they're a piece of home. They made us smile even on hard days. That shouldn't be exclusive to the rich."
The room went quiet. Even the appraiser looked up.
Rehan added, less seriously, "We're not trying to sell artifacts—we're selling childhood."
The guildmaster leaned back in thought, stroking his beard.
"Hmm. That's a rare sentiment in this city. Most merchants fight for noble contracts. But your heart is in your product."
He crossed out the prices and began scribbling anew.
"Let's try this. We'll create three tiers of packaging. Sell single bars or basic packets for 30 copper coins, small gift boxes for 1 silver, and luxury mix boxes for 3 to 5 silver coins, depending on contents. This way, everyone—from a peasant child to a prince—can afford a taste of Earth."
Zaydan smiled. "That's perfect. Thank you, Guildmaster."
"Don't thank me yet. Once word gets out, you'll have a line outside your shop that'll stretch to the gates!"
Rehan grinned. "Good. Let the whole kingdom get addicted."
Laughter filled the room—lighthearted, but with something more behind it. A shared understanding. And beneath the jokes, Zaydan felt it in his chest.
This wasn't just about chocolate.
It was about connection.
Back at their shop, they got to work cleaning. Zaydan swept near the corner when suddenly, his Book Wyrm skill vibrated.
New Skill Unlocked: Purification AuraCleanses all non-magical filth, decay, dust, and stains within 30 meters. Usable once every 3 hours.
Zaydan arched an eyebrow. "Time to deep clean."
He snapped his fingers. A radiant blue light washed over the room. Dust vanished into mist, cobwebs disintegrated, and the scent of old wood was replaced by fresh pine and vanilla.
Rehan, standing with a mop in hand, watched it all. Then he dropped the mop.
"You couldn't do that ten minutes ago?! I was wiping with my shirt!"
Zaydan shrugged, smirking. "Divine timing, bro."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, their shop gleamed—clean, stocked, and filled with the scent of warm sugar and spice.
It didn't just feel ready.
It felt like home.