Zi'an picked it up between her fingers and examined it closely.
It was cold to the touch, far colder than the surrounding air, and despite its rough appearance, it felt oddly dense, as though it weighed more than it should.
Faint, nearly invisible lines ran across its surface, forming patterns that only became apparent when the light hit it at a certain angle.
Her heart gave a small, involuntary skip.
"This," she said quietly, "isn't ordinary right?"
[Correct.]
The system's response came promptly.
[Item qualifies as a tradable material. Appraisal recommended.]
Zi'an's fingers tightened slightly around the object. "Before that," she said, her voice thoughtful, "confirm something for me. This was discarded. So I couldn't be breaking any laws right?."
[Confirmed. Ownership is uncontested. Acquisition is lawful.]
A slow smile spread across her face.
"Good," she said. "Then let's see what I just picked up."
[Appraisal initiated.]
A translucent panel unfolded before her eyes, its glow faint but clear.
[Item Name: Frost Vein Fragment.]
[Classification: Low-grade magical material.]
[Description: Residual fragment formed near cold-aligned magical beasts or mineral nodes. Often mistaken for an ordinary stone due to dormant state.]
[Potential Uses: Preservation talismans, cooling charms, ingredient for low-tier enchanted containers.]
[Market Value: Variable. Estimated base value exceeds common copper currency.]
Zi'an stared at the appraisal for several seconds without speaking.
Then she let out a soft laugh, this one quieter and more restrained than before.
"From trash to treasure.." she murmured. "Classic."
[Task Progress Updated: First Transaction item secured.]
Her gaze flicked to the task notification, then back to the small fragment in her hand.
"So this is enough.." she said, more to herself than the system. "I don't even need to sell it immediately. Just possessing it counts."
[Correct.]
Zi'an carefully wrapped the fragment in a scrap of cloth she found among the discarded materials, tucking it securely into her sleeve.
She rose to her feet and glanced back toward the mouth of the alley, her expression composed and unassuming once more.
"One item…" she said lightly. "And I didn't spend a single coin."
The system's glow pulsed faintly.
[…Judgment assessment: satisfactory.]
She smiled at that, clearly pleased.
"Careful, Little Fortune.." she replied. "If you keep complimenting me, I might start thinking you like me."
There was a pause.
[Do not misinterpret objective evaluation as approval.]
Zi'an laughed quietly as she stepped back into the light of the main street, the crowd swallowing her presence almost immediately. No one spared her a second glance.
No one noticed the small fragment hidden in her sleeve. No one realized that a task had been completed, or that the first thread of a very profitable future had just been woven.
And that, Zi'an thought calmly, was exactly how she liked it.
The moment Zi'an blended fully into the flow of the street, a faint warmth spread through her chest, subtle but unmistakable. It was not physical heat, nor discomfort, but a brief sensation of being acknowledged, as though something unseen had taken note of her actions and reached a conclusion.
[Beginner Task Completed.]
The system's voice sounded again, clearer than before.
[Task: Acquire an item of tradable value.]
[Status: Completed.]
Zi'an slowed her steps slightly, keeping her expression neutral as people passed her on both sides. Vendors shouted prices. Wooden wheels creaked over uneven stone. Somewhere nearby, a child laughed. Outwardly, nothing had changed.
Inwardly, a translucent interface unfolded before her eyes.
[Reward distribution initiated.]
Zi'an lifted a brow faintly. "You are very prompt," she said. "I was expecting at least a dramatic pause."
[Efficiency is prioritized over theatrics.]
She snorted softly under her breath.
"Of course it is."
The panel shifted, lines of text appearing one after another.
[Reward: Basic Currency x10.]
[Reward: Appraisal Function Level 1 unlocked.]
Zi'an stopped.
This time, she did not bother masking it completely. Her lips twitched, just once, subtle but unmistakable.
"…That's it?" she asked, tone light, though there was a clear edge of disbelief beneath it. "Little Fortune, are you certain you didn't forget a zero somewhere?"
[Basic Currency is not equivalent to standard copper coinage.]
Her brows lifted slightly.
"Oh?" she said. "Then explain."
[Basic Currency is a system-recognized medium. It may be converted, utilized in system transactions, or consumed to activate certain merchant functions.]
[Its value fluctuates depending on the Host's progression.]
Zi'an considered this silently, her earlier disappointment fading into interest. "So it's not small," she concluded. "It's just… flexible."
[Correct.]
Her gaze sharpened a fraction. "And the appraisal?"
The interface shifted.
[Appraisal Function Level 1 unlocked.]
[Effect: Allows identification of item quality, basic value range, and surface properties.]
[Limitation: Does not reveal hidden attributes or advanced origins.]
Zi'an let out a quiet breath. Her shoulders relaxed.
"That's more like it," she murmured. "A merchant without appraisal is just gambling with extra steps."
[Appraisal function may be activated through intent.]
She glanced toward a nearby stall where cracked pottery and worn tools were piled together carelessly. Her steps resumed, unhurried, her expression once more bland and harmless.
"So," Zi'an said casually, "this means I can finally stop guessing how much something is worth."
[Within current limitations.]
She smiled faintly. "You really enjoy adding that part."
[Accuracy requires precision.]
Zi'an hummed in response, already reaching the edge of the street where discarded items gathered and attention thinned. Her earlier concern resurfaced, practical as ever.
"By the way," she said, "ten Basic Currency won't exactly buy me much if I find something valuable. I assume you're not going to let me starve before my second task."
There was a brief pause.
[Future task rewards will scale with performance.]
Her smile returned, slow and satisfied.
"Good," Zi'an said. "Then we're in agreement."
She stopped before a pile of abandoned crates, her eyes lowering as intent stirred quietly in her mind.
"Let's see," she murmured, almost to herself, "what my very first appraisal turns up."
[Appraisal ready.]
Zi'an's gaze sharpened.
"Begin," she said.
Zi'an's gaze lingered on the broken crates.
She activated the newly unlocked function with a quiet stir of intent.
At once, faint characters surfaced over the nearest object.
[Item: Cracked Ceramic Jar]
[Quality: Low]
[Value: Negligible]