Early Morning — Before the Crowd
Kiro arrived earlier than usual.
That alone meant something was wrong.
"…Too quiet."
The market streets were still half-empty. A few stalls were opening, merchants lazily setting up, customers just starting to wander.
Normal.
Too normal.
Kiro placed his goods down carefully.
Not many.
Just enough.
"…Let's confirm demand."
[System Notice]
[Status Check]
Level: 2
Gold: 250
Inventory: Low
Market Trend: Rising Demand (Unstable Goods)
"…Good."
He didn't need to shout.
Didn't need to advertise.
People noticed on their own.
A man approached cautiously.
"…You're the one from yesterday."
"…Depends. Did you buy something?"
"…No."
"…Then I'm someone else."
"…Right…"
The man pointed at a glowing crop.
"…How much?"
"…100 Gold."
"…It was 50 yesterday!"
"…Yes."
"…That's double!"
Kiro nodded calmly.
"…Correct."
pause
"…I'll take it."
[System Notice]
[Sale Complete]
Gold +100
Profit Margin: High
Kiro didn't react outwardly.
Inside—
"…That was fast."
[System Notice]
Market Sense Activated
Trend Update: Demand Increasing Rapidly
"…Oh."
"…This is escalating."
More people gathered.
Faster this time.
Whispers spread.
"That's the guy!"
"The glowing crops!"
"I heard they boost energy!"
"I heard they're dangerous!"
"I heard they're rare!"
"…All correct."
Kiro raised one hand.
"Limited stock."
The effect was immediate.
"…I'll buy two!"
"I'll pay extra!"
"I was here first!"
"…One each."
"…What?!"
"…Scarcity increases value."
"…That's unfair!"
"…That's business."
Items disappeared quickly.
Faster than expected.
[System Notice]
Gold +80
Gold +120
Gold +150
Kiro mentally calculated everything.
Every reaction.
Every hesitation.
Every desperate buyer.
"…They don't even know what they're buying."
"…Perfect."
[System Notice]
[System Warning]
Warning: Market Instability Rising
Risk Level: Medium
"…That's new."
"…If demand keeps rising…"
"…Prices go up."
"…If prices go up…"
"…Expectations go up."
"…And if expectations break…"
He smiled slightly.
"…That's still profit."
Kiro looked at his empty inventory.
"…Problem."
No goods.
Too many buyers.
"…Solution."
He packed up immediately.
"…Time to visit the source."
As Kiro left the market, people called out—
"When are you coming back?!"
He didn't turn.
"…When supply allows it."
"…Which means…"
"…When that farmer does nothing again."