The Shopping Reincarnation"

Chapter 15: A Merchant's Wrath

Akira sat on the edge of his bed in the small inn room he shared with Nolan, his mind buzzing with possibilities. The day had been a success, but he couldn't shake the feeling of unease after his confrontation with the merchant. The man was influential, well-connected, and clearly not one to back down.

"You've stirred up trouble," Nolan said, leaning against the window with a mug of ale in hand.

"I didn't have much of a choice," Akira replied, his tone resigned. "If I caved to him now, I'd be under his thumb forever."

Nolan chuckled. "You've got guts. I'll give you that. But you'd better have a plan. Merchants like him don't play fair."

Akira sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've got some ideas. But first, I need to figure out who I'm really dealing with."

---

Gathering Intel

The next morning, Akira decided to do some reconnaissance. Disguising himself with a hooded cloak—suggested by Eira, the mage who often teased him for his lack of subtlety—he headed toward the merchant district. The bustling streets of Thalendril were alive with activity: merchants hawking their wares, street performers entertaining crowds, and guards patrolling the area.

Nolan trailed behind him, keeping a casual distance but ready to step in if things went south.

Akira's target was easy to find. The merchant's stall was far more elaborate than the humble stand Akira had set up. Silk banners bore his crest, and his guards loomed intimidatingly nearby. The merchant himself was in the midst of a heated discussion with another noble-looking man.

"Lord Draymore has already agreed to my terms," the merchant said, his tone smug. "If you don't act quickly, you'll lose your share of the profits."

Akira's ears perked up. The mention of a noble confirmed what he'd suspected: this merchant wasn't just a trader. He had powerful allies.

As Akira observed, he noticed something else—among the crates of goods being unloaded was a familiar emblem. It was the same emblem printed on his own soap wrappers and salt pouches.

"They're copying my products," Akira muttered under his breath.

Nolan appeared beside him, his expression grim. "Looks like they're gearing up for something big."

---

A New Strategy

Back at the inn, Akira paced the room, his mind racing. If the merchant was already producing counterfeit goods, it wouldn't be long before Akira's reputation suffered.

"This changes things," Akira said, turning to Nolan and Eira. "We need to move faster. If they flood the market with knockoffs, I'll lose credibility."

"And you'll lose your advantage," Eira added, her arms crossed. "What's your plan?"

Akira hesitated. He'd been toying with an idea, but it was risky. "I need to introduce something they can't replicate. Something so unique and valuable that it puts me ahead of their knockoffs."

Eira raised an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"

Akira grinned. "Pizza."

---

The Power of Pizza

The following day, Akira placed an order through his online shopping skill. It cost him most of his remaining mana, but he managed to summon a portable pizza oven, ingredients, and enough supplies to make several pies.

He spent hours preparing, with Eira and Nolan helping where they could. By evening, the aroma of freshly baked pizza filled the inn's kitchen.

"This smells... incredible," Nolan said, eyeing the bubbling cheese and crisp crust.

"It's a surefire hit," Akira said, though his hands trembled slightly. He was nervous. This was his biggest gamble yet.

The next morning, Akira set up his stall in the market square once again. This time, he didn't bother with soap or salt. Instead, he unveiled his secret weapon: slices of freshly baked pizza, served hot and ready to eat.

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A Crowd Drawn by Curiosity

The reaction was immediate. The smell alone drew a crowd, and the sight of the strange, colorful food piqued their curiosity.

"What is it?" a young boy asked, his eyes wide.

"It's called pizza," Akira said, handing him a slice. "Go ahead, try it."

The boy took a cautious bite, and his face lit up with delight. "It's amazing!"

Word spread quickly. Soon, Akira's stall was swarmed with people eager to try the mysterious new dish. The merchant, who had been watching from his stall, scowled.

---

The Merchant's Move

Later that evening, as Akira packed up, he noticed two men following him and Nolan as they made their way back to the inn.

"Looks like trouble," Nolan muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Akira's heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Let's see what they want."

The men confronted them in a deserted alley. One of them stepped forward, his expression cold. "You're making enemies, outsider. Our employer doesn't appreciate your interference."

"And what does your employer plan to do about it?" Akira asked, though his voice wavered slightly.

The man smirked. "A word of advice: leave Thalendril before things get ugly."

Nolan stepped forward, his presence imposing. "Is that a threat?"

The man's smirk faltered. "Take it however you want." With that, the two men disappeared into the shadows.

---

Standing Firm

Back at the inn, Akira slumped into a chair, exhaustion weighing him down.

"Looks like they're stepping up their game," Nolan said, pouring a drink.

"I expected this," Akira replied, though the encounter had shaken him. "But I'm not backing down. They can copy my goods, they can threaten me, but they can't outthink me."

Eira placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've got us, Akira. We'll see this through together."

A determined smile spread across Akira's face. "Good. Because tomorrow, we're taking this fight to the next level."

---

Author's Thoughts:

This chapter was all about raising the stakes. Akira's introduction of pizza marks a turning point, showing how he can use his modern knowledge to stay ahead of his enemies. The merchant's retaliation sets the stage for an escalating conflict, and I'm excited to see how Akira handles the pressure. What would you do in his shoes? Let me know!