Adam finished eating and left the cafe a few minutes later.
The food had settled his stomach, but it had not relaxed him. He had money, a skill, and a small lead over the people who wanted to crush him. That was enough to move.
A large pawn shop soon came into view.
It stood on a busy street corner, bright, polished, and expensive-looking. More importantly, it was not crowded.
Good.
Less attention.
Adam stepped inside.
A receptionist near the entrance noticed him right away and walked over with a practiced smile. "How can I help you, sir?"
Adam answered calmly, "I want to buy rare items."
The receptionist went quiet for a second.
Then he smiled wider.
Of course he did.
A customer Adam's age asking for rare items usually meant money. Rich families loved spoiled sons with expensive hobbies. That type of customer meant profit.
'Keep the act simple. Let him think what he wants.' Adam thought.
"This way, sir," the receptionist said.
He led Adam deeper into the shop.
They passed watches, jewelry, silver pieces, and old decorations before reaching the last section. Here, the lighting was softer, the glass cases thicker, and the items spaced out to look more valuable.
A ship in a bottle sat on one shelf. Nearby stood an old sword, a worn shield, a cracked mask, several coins, stamps, and small framed antiques.
The receptionist began explaining each item.
Adam barely listened.
He moved from object to object, touching them when he could.
Copy.
The command repeated in his mind.
The system responded each time.
One item after another entered his inventory.
'Good. Keep going. Don't rush. Don't make him suspicious.' Adam thought.
He touched the ship in the bottle.
Copy.
A coin set.
Copy.
An old dagger.
Copy.
A decorative seal.
Copy.
The inventory kept filling.
When Adam quietly checked the screen again, all eight slots were occupied.
He slowed.
The real question came next.
'If all eight slots are full, what happens when I copy a ninth item?' Adam thought.
He needed to know now, not later.
The receptionist, unaware of what Adam was really doing, led him to another display and said with obvious pride, "This is one of our rarest pieces. A very old commemorative stamp. One of the finest items in the entire store."
Adam looked at the framed stamp.
Perfect.
He touched it.
Copy.
The system flashed.
Adam checked the inventory at once.
The answer appeared immediately.
The first copied object was gone.
The pebble from the park had vanished from the first slot, replaced by the stamp.
Adam took a slow breath.
'Okay. Just as expected. First in, first out.' Adam thought.
That pleased him more than the item itself. A predictable rule was always better than an unknown one.
'Eight slots is enough for now. I just need to remember the order.' Adam thought.
The receptionist was still speaking, clearly trying to make the section sound more impressive, but Adam had already learned what he needed.
He let his eyes move over two or three more objects and then smiled faintly.
"I thought there would be rarer items here," he said. "But this is not really what I was looking for."
The receptionist blinked.
For the first time since Adam had entered, the man's smooth expression cracked.
He had expected a college boy to be impressed. Instead, he was being told the shop's best section was disappointing.
The receptionist studied Adam again, more carefully now.
Adam noticed it at once.
'Now you're wondering who I am. Good.' Adam thought.
Maybe the man was imagining a collector's son. Maybe a billionaire's child. Whatever story he was building, Adam had no reason to correct him.
After a short pause, the receptionist smiled again, this time with more effort. "Sir, if you give me until this evening, I can arrange something much better. Something truly rare. I'm sure you'll like it."
That was all Adam wanted.
A clean reason to leave.
He turned toward the exit.
"Fine," he said, lifting one hand without looking back. "Then I'll see you this evening."
The receptionist looked openly pleased now. He was probably already counting his commission.
Adam walked out before the conversation could continue.
Once outside, he checked his inventory again.
Eight slots.
Eight rare items.
Good.
He also checked the order once more and fixed it in his memory. If the first slot disappeared first, then careless copying later could cost him something valuable without warning.
Adam spent the next stretch of time circling through different streets, never taking the most direct route. Even now, he refused to move carelessly.
'One mistake is enough. I don't get free mistakes anymore.' Adam thought.
The second pawn shop was smaller, rougher, and much less welcoming.
The moment Adam stepped inside, the receptionist frowned and said flatly, "Kid, if you touch anything in here, you'll be buying it."
Adam paused, then smiled.
Confidence mattered now.
If he wanted to sell, he could not look like a desperate student.
'Straight back. Calm face. Make him think you're used to this.' Adam thought.
He walked to the counter and said, "I'm not here to buy. I'm here to sell rare items."
The man looked him up and down, clearly unconvinced.
Without wasting another word, Adam opened his bag and took out three copied items. He placed them one by one on the table.
That got a reaction.
The receptionist's eyes widened slightly before his face settled again.
Adam noticed that tiny reaction and felt more confident at once. The items had value. The man was just trying to push the price down before the real negotiation even started.
'Good. So you do want them.' Adam thought.
The game had finally started, and Adam knew it well.
He looked at Adam, then at the objects, then back at Adam.
Finally he said, "These aren't that rare."