Episode 3: The Mysterious Healer & the Golden Review
The first rays of the sun were just beginning to touch the rooftops of Emberleaf Village when Rhea sat up in bed, wide awake, her eyes glued to the glowing blue panel floating in front of her. Despite only catching a few hours of sleep, she felt a surge of energy. Not because she was well-rested—far from it—but because she was excited. Her shop system had changed everything.
In just one night, she had fulfilled five orders, earned 9000 Star Coins, and received twelve five-star reviews. All without stepping foot outside her tiny, crumbling home.
"Not bad for someone they called 'useless,' huh?" she mumbled to herself, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
She glanced around the room. The same cracked walls. The same leaky roof. The same rusty pan hanging in the corner. Nothing had changed on the outside.
But inside? Inside, she was no longer the same Rhea. She was a hidden merchant. A provider to kings, warriors, and adventurers—across dimensions.
Ping!
> [New Notification: Message from VIP Customer @SaintHealerOfSkyCity]
Rhea's heart skipped a beat. A message?
She tapped it, expecting something casual. But the words nearly made her drop the panel:
> "Your delivery saved an entire squad of wounded guardians last night. I owe you more than just coins. Who are you?"
Rhea blinked. Someone… actually felt grateful? This wasn't just business to them.
Her hand hovered over the reply button. Should she say something?
> [Reply Blocked – Identity Hidden via Multidimensional Cloak Protocol]
She exhaled in relief. "Thanks, system. I can't afford people knowing it's me. Not yet."
But her lips curled into a small, proud smile. For the first time in her life, someone appreciated her—even if they didn't know who she was.
She opened her Shop Status panel.
> [Shop Name: ??? (Hidden)]
Reputation Level: 2
Customer Reviews: 12 | All 5 Stars
"Twelve reviews already…" she whispered. "And every one of them thinks I'm some legendary figure. Ha!"
She tapped open the Grand Market Order Board, scanning for new orders. And just like that—
Ping!
> [New Order: Healing Thread of Spirit – 2000 Coins – Express Delivery]
Customer: Royal Tailor @PhoenixEmpire
"Urgent! Need for ceremonial robe repair. Failure will insult royal bloodline."
"Phoenix Empire? That's a Tier-7 Realm! What is my shop even reaching?!"
She checked her inventory—and sure enough, the delicate, glowing Healing Thread of Spirit was sitting there, pulsing with energy. No hunting, no crafting, no gathering. It was just… there. Like the system already knew what she'd need.
She tapped [Deliver], and the item vanished.
> [Delivery Successful: +2000 Coins]
[Customer Review: ★★★★★ – "Unbelievable! Arrived during the ceremony! Who is this divine trader?"]
Rhea chuckled. "A divine trader now, am I? Not bad for someone who still wears torn sandals."
She glanced down at her feet. Yep—still torn.
But the smile didn't fade. Not anymore.
> [Bonus Unlocked: Inventory Expansion – +5 Slots]
[Random Gift: Mystery Egg (Origin Unknown)]
She tapped on the egg, a shimmering object that looked like it held stardust inside.
> [Too rare to identify. Origin: Unknown Realm. Status: Dormant.]
"Just like me," she murmured. "No one knows what we really are yet."
Suddenly, a soft ding came from her panel.
> [Marketplace Rumor Alert – "Ghost Shop" Rumor Level: Rising]
She tapped it out of curiosity.
> "A ghost shop is supplying rare items faster than any known seller. Some call it a system glitch, others whisper of a divine merchant with no origin. Authorities deny its existence. But more and more VIPs are whispering… 'Who is this invisible savior?'"
She raised an eyebrow. "Good. Let them guess."
She stood up, stretching, feeling like her soul was ten kilos lighter. A breeze from the window touched her cheeks. Outside, kids were rushing to school, adventurers were preparing for their dungeon runs, and villagers were starting their morning chores.
None of them knew that inside this little room, someone was rising above them all—not with swords, not with magic—but with a panel, a system, and a smile.
Her shop was real. Her power was unique. And her identity?
Still a complete mystery.
> [Balance: 11,000 Star Coins]
[Next Upgrade: 15,000 Coins – Unlock Shop Assistant]
"Shop assistant?" she whispered. "That sounds… fun."
She rubbed her palms together.
"Let's make some more deliveries."
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