Chimper #805
How many priceless gems does it take to buy back a story? Kisaburou once knew the exact market price. In The Crystal Highlands of Armaria, they were a broker of magical components, their tie knotted just so, their ledgers flawless. They traded in powdered starlight and monolith shards, never asking what dark mages planned to do with the inventory. It was a cold, profitable existence. Then they saw Sutaraito, not in some grand rebellion, but sharing roasted marshmallows with a handful of other outcasts beneath the setting sun. There was no coin, only the warmth of a small fire. That simple transaction devalued Kisaburou’s entire life. They walked away from their contracts, but kept the shirt and tie—a reminder of the cold they escaped. The marshmallow stick they carry is an invitation, a promise of a different kind of wealth.
