Arin and Ren moved toward another section after checking a few more stalls. This part of the market was more crowded, with people passing close to each other and stalls placed tightly together. They walked through it while glancing at items along the way, slowing occasionally before moving on again.
After some time, both of them slowed naturally.
"We should leave," Ren said.
Arin agreed. They had already understood enough for now.
As they turned toward the exit path, a man stepped in front of them.
Both of them reacted immediately. Their bodies tensed for a moment, ready to respond if needed.
The man raised his hands slightly, showing he meant no immediate harm.
"You don't have crystals," he said.
Ren didn't reply. Arin watched him without confirming or denying anything.
"First time here?" the man asked.
There was still no response.
"I handle exchanges," he continued. "Credits to energy crystals."
Ren's expression shifted slightly. Arin remained calm.
"I take five percent," the man added.
Ren frowned. "Why help us?"
The man gave a small shrug. "People who come here without crystals don't last long. I make something out of it."
Arin studied him for a moment. There was risk in this, but leaving like this would change nothing.
"Where?" Arin asked.
The man turned slightly. "There's a place nearby."
Ren leaned closer as they started walking. "If we go like this, we might end up as easy targets."
Arin replied quietly, "Stay alert."
They followed.
The place he brought them to was larger than expected. From the outside, it looked like a crowded eating place, with people sitting at tables and talking in low voices. The smell of cooked food filled the air, covering other scents. But after a few moments, it became clear that not everyone was there to eat. Some people barely touched their food, some left quickly, and a few moved toward the back area without hesitation.
The man led them past the open area into a narrower corridor where small doors were placed along both sides. He stopped at one and opened it.
"Inside."
Arin and Ren stepped in.
The room was plain, with only a table and three chairs.
The man sat down first and placed a small device on the table. "You give Credits, you get crystals," he said. "No names, no records. Just a code."
Ren sat slowly, still watching him. "And the risk?"
"They take ten percent from both sides," the man replied. "That's how it runs."
Arin understood enough from that. "And your five percent."
The man nodded. "That's mine."
The decision didn't take long. Arin named the amount, and the man started the process. The transaction moved quickly, and within a short time, the device confirmed it.
The man placed the results on the table.
A stack of green and yellow energy crystals.
As Arin reached for them, the man tapped the table lightly.
"There's something else," he said.
He placed a small metallic cube beside the crystals. It was about the size of a fingertip, smooth on all sides, with no visible markings.
Ren picked it up and turned it between his fingers. "What is this?"
"Storage," the man said. "Limited use. Three times."
Ren pressed lightly against its surface. It gave a faint response.
"How much?"
"Twenty."
Ren glanced at Arin.
Carrying crystals like this wasn't safe.
Arin nodded once. "Add it."
The man adjusted the amount and completed the transfer.
Arin picked up the cube and brought one of the crystals closer. The moment it touched the surface, it disappeared.
He paused slightly.
Space storage.
He placed the rest inside.
The cube remained the same, small and silent in his hand.
They stood up.
The deal was done.
Arin and Ren stepped out and didn't return the same way. They shifted their direction slightly, moving through another section before heading toward the outer path. Neither of them spoke much, but both were more aware of their surroundings now.
They had come empty-handed.
They were not leaving that way.
In another part of the market, the man who had been watching earlier stood near a side structure.
After a short while, the man from the exchange passed by him.
He didn't stop.
As he moved past, he transferred a small amount through a device.
"Two percent," he said quietly.
The watcher checked it briefly and gave a slight nod.
The man continued walking without slowing.
The watcher remained there for a moment, then turned and disappeared back into the market.