Even before sunrise on Delta-Rho, Kai was already awake—his system interface flickering with alerts, new trade offers, and encoded messages.
The Mirage List had exploded in popularity overnight.
Yena's voice crackled through his relay stone: "We've got three high-rank traders trying to schedule live meets. They want to see the refinery with their own eyes."
Kai frowned. That was... fast.
And potentially dangerous.
No empire was built alone.But not every ally could be trusted.
Meeting at the Fracture Gate
Later that day, Kai stood at the canyon's edge, facing a swirling blue fracture portal connected to Zeta-12's secured zone. Beside him stood two of Lyra's best warriors, acting as security for the meet.
The first to arrive was cloaked in tech-fabric, a golden trader seal glowing faintly on his glove. His name blinked in Kai's system:
Trader Tag: VaulthawkTier: 4 (Specializes in Artifact Exchange, Covert Transactions)
"Nice dust refinery you've got," Vaulthawk said. "How'd you neutralize the Churn?"
Kai smiled. "Trade secret."
Vaulthawk laughed. "Fair enough. I'm not here to steal your tech. I'm here to make a proposal."
He handed Kai a small crystalline cube. Inside pulsed a miniature star.
"This is a mobile realm-seed. Used to terraform microrealms for trade hubs. I'll give you two, if you let me sell your Aether Cores through my channels."
Kai turned the cube in his palm.
A mobile realm-seed... That could help him build his own anchored station.
But he didn't answer. Not yet.
The Second Visitor
Shortly after Vaulthawk left, another figure emerged.
This one wore a shimmering silver cloak that shimmered like smoke.
A woman.
Name: Tessia Vale
Trader Rank: Tier 5Specialization: Black Market Nexus Routes, Illegal Cross-Realm Courier Services
"You've got watchers on your back," she said casually, not even bothering with small talk. "The Celestial Council doesn't like your system. I can help make you less visible."
Kai raised a brow. "And in exchange?"
"A cut," she replied, smirking. "Two percent of your total Aether sales. And access to your trade routes for cloaked transport."
She paused. "Think it over. But if you want to last more than a few months… you'll need someone who can make you disappear when it matters."
Then she vanished—literally.
Not even a flicker of light.
Just... gone.
Kai exhaled slowly.
He was rising fast—but the shadows were rising faster.
Forging a Guild
Back at his command chamber, Kai activated his system's network interface.
A new option had appeared:
💼 Guild Protocol: AvailableUnlock Inter-Realm Trade Guild Formation?Requirements:– Rank 4+– 2+ Territories– Active Members: 3– Initial Capital: 5,000 C.U.
Kai clicked "Yes."
New Guild Formed: The Silent Exchange
Description: An independent, inter-realm trading collective focused on elite materials, system-neutral transport, and stealth-based commerce. Access by invite only.
He sent out his first invites: Yena, Lyra, Vaulthawk, and Tessia.
Lyra accepted instantly.
Yena hesitated... then joined.
Vaulthawk replied with:
"You're ambitious. I like that. I'm in."
Tessia? No reply.
Kai smirked.
If she joined, he'd have power in the light and the dark.
Growing Shadows
Back in the void citadel, a pale being watched Kai's actions in silence.
"The guild is live," a voice murmured.
The Executor turned, eyes glowing like suns trapped in glass.
"Then we accelerate."
The game had begun.
Status Update:
Kai has officially created his own inter-realm guild, The Silent Exchange, a stealth-focused, high-value trader collective. With early allies in place and offers on the table, he's now setting up the infrastructure needed to protect and expand his Aether Core monopoly.
But his rapid moves have drawn the eyes of not just traders… but Watchers.
He now stands at:Cosmic Units: 5,083.4 C.U. (with additional assets from incoming guild partners)Earth Credits: 1,821.9Trade Skill Tier: Rank 4Territory Owned:
Zeta-12 / Mirage Market
Delta-Rho / Aether RefineryGuild Founded: The Silent ExchangePassive Income Stream: +157.8 C.U./dayMajor Deals Pending:– Realm Seed Deal (Vaulthawk)– Cloak Support Contract (Tessia Vale)Celestial Audit Status: Under SurveillanceNext Goal: Reach Tier 5 to unlock multi-node trade beacons and realm-linkers
📌 Author's Note:
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— S.A.