Frank sat cross-legged on his apartment floor, still wearing the same half-torn jacket from the night of the ritual.
He hadn't spoken to Juliet in hours. She was sleeping on his couch, boots still on, blade under the blanket.
He didn't blame her.
They were both still rattled—but alive.
He stared at the open Trade System window projected in front of him. Data pulsed. Orders ticked upward. Notifications buzzed faintly in the corner.
> [New Sales: 19]
[Customer Review: "Product arrived faster than my cousin's funeral. 5 stars."]
[Pending Rank Evaluation Available – Caution: Threshold Detected]
Frank raised an eyebrow. "Threshold, huh?"
He tapped the panel.
> [Trader Rank: E] → Promotion Option: D]
[Requirement: Show consistent market growth, survive minimum of three ranked dungeons, and handle three cross-realm exchanges.]
[Status: 2/3 complete.]
He leaned back, arms behind his head.
"One more exchange," he muttered. "That's it."
