The pile of gear that Parker had labeled "trade" was by far the largest. It also contained items that Parker felt stupid for packing.

  Sure, some of it might have been useful eventually, but most of it they didn't have the skill to get any benefit out of. The crucible was the best example of that. Parker had already been feeling that way about it since reading the Explorer's Log. Now, seeing it set out in front of them, Parker was certain that someone should have stopped them from buying it.

  Parker felt a pit in their stomach form when they thought about how much money they spent on the thermos-sized, super-heated, materials processor. It could refine gems, form ingots out of ore, and even cast small items like rings or arrowheads. It was truly a marvel from which someone could get great benefits. Parker just wasn't that someone. In total, the trade pile represented items of great value, advantage, or convenience that a skilled Gambler would want but would weigh Parker down.

  For all the facilities that EA offered up to Gamblers on the nexus, there was not a lot of equipment for sale. Partly because they were supposed to be ready. Parker had to think that it was partly also because no one had thought of it yet.

  According to the President's speech, this evaluation process was new. It had the side effect of turning the facilities into something like an airport terminal or a train station's pavilion. The only difference was that there were no buskers, hucksters, or duty-free shopping.

  As Parker bundled up some of the items from the trade pile, they aimed to change that. For good measure, they had figured out how to create a document on the tablet so they could carry a complete list of the trade pile just in case someone wanted to know what else Parker could offer. With their tablet, the bundle of choice goods, and a renewed spirit, Parker left their room. Their destination was the place they had least looked forward to going: the gym.

  Unfortunately, Parker knew that was where the best customers would be. Those who felt ready for the challenge wouldn't be spending their spare time in the gym working out or training. The Gamblers in the gym were either those who were predisposed to exercise or those who were looking to get just a little more ahead before going to the islands.

  The gym was the lowest publicly accessible facility. It was located on a floor titled B3. Parker had avoided it mostly out of fear. Fear of not being enough, of not fitting in, but also a more general fear of others.

  As the elevator doors opened and Parker lugged their bundled goods toward the gym, some of that fear dissipated. Unlike the physical evaluation, this was a public space of sorts.

  A big, open one it turned out. The doors opened to a gymnasium that rivaled Olympic settings. It stretched so far into the distance that Parker wasn't sure if they could see the other side or just parallel walls looking like they touched due to a trick of the distance.

  There were no attendants, no evaluators, and no barriers. It was an expansive training facility with all feasible and some improbable exercise equipment broken up into clearly labeled zones. There were even placard maps like it was a nature trail. Parker walked over to the closest placard map and found that it outlined the rules of the gym as well.

  First, if an area was occupied, no one was allowed to enter without permission even if it was only being used by a single person. Second, individuals could hold or use an area for thirty minutes at a time before moving on. Groups of three or more were allowed to hold a space for an hour. Parker absently wondered where duos fell in that, not that it applied to them.

  The third rule was respect for the space. The fourth rule was respect for each other. The final rule was that attendants, evaluators, and officials would only intervene by explicit request or if there was potential mortal harm.

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  Parker wondered if that meant everything was allowed outside of those rules. On the other hand, it could have been just the "top five" rules, and a secret second list of rules outlined every possible infraction. Fortunately, there was no posted rule for what they were about to do.

  The bundle unfolded like a swap meet rug to display Parker's chosen goods. There was no guide to this, so they chose a spot near the placard map but not in the way. They also decided to follow the third and fourth rules, respectfully. They wouldn't initiate conversations or push for a sale. When asked, though, Parker was ready to explain their aim.

  At first, the gym seemed decently empty. The Gamblers there were staying mostly to themselves and most of them were in the distance. More slowly trickled in from the elevator and a door labeled: Stairs/Fire.

  Parker was surprised and a little disappointed when an hour passed without anyone asking what they were doing. Some came dangerously close to walking over the rug before they realized that it was there and sidestepped. However, Parker realized it wasn't due to interest but a lack of attention to the Gamblers' surroundings. A few looked over the items, but they didn't say anything or get close enough to show real interest.

  Just before Parker worked up the nerve to try and respectfully bother someone, a Gambler finally approached in earnest. He looked like an old-timey gunslinger, with vest and mustache, and his voice even carried the American Southern drawl.

  He said, "Mind if I take a moment of your attention, friend?"

  Parker nodded and quickly, the gunslinger continued. "My folks were wondering what you're doing here. You don't have the look of a crafter, and you don't seem interested in these facilities."

  Parker took a breath before answering. The goal was not to sell this stuff off to just anyone. It was to end up in a place where they could pass the material evaluation without error. To do that, Parker had to connect with a specific type of Gambler.

  Finally, they said, "I realized that I packed too much of some things and not enough of others. I'm not here for money or to donate but I think that a little cooperative redistribution could serve well."

  The pitch had taken everything out of Parker, but the gunslinger whistled delightfully and that was a good sign. Then he said, "Cooperative redistribution, eh? Fancy words. Let me check with the folks and see what's what."

  The gunslinger walked away at that, and part of Parker's mind thought that he wouldn't return. Parker was essentially trying to flip fancy paperclips for a useful house. It wouldn't be shocking to find that the viral trend from years ago did not work in such a different climate.

  When the gunslinger returned, because he did return but only after Parker had started to worry, there was a curious trio with him. The three folks, as the gunslinger had called them, could only be described as a noir detective, a templar knight, and an actual wizard. Parker had to wonder what the crossover from cosplay to Gambler was.

  They regretted not getting the gunslinger's name earlier but now it was too late. The conversation flowed so quickly between the four of them who knew each other very well. It seemed like they closed ranks, with Parker being the outsider, as they looked over the goods.

  After a minute, several quick trades happened so smoothly that Parker barely noticed the actual bartering. The gunslinger traded a scaled arm guard for the crucible, presumably for bullet craft. The noir detective picked up a small kit of tools meant for geological surveying and left behind a vial of silver shavings.

  The templar knight didn't seem interested in anything at first. Then they quickly traded a physical book on monsters for an old lock that Parker had bought secondhand. Something about an insignia on the back drew the templar knight's attention.

  Finally, the wizard took everything that Parker had left on the rug and in exchange gave over a set of three wands in an ornate oak box. The wands, the wizard explained, were single-use but held powerful magic. One could mend anything but mortal wounds. One could create a barrier around a twenty-foot area that would create a safe zone for six hours. The last one would unleash a lightning bolt, which sounded vague but extremely destructive.

  Parker had no real experience with magic, but they had heard of similar items in the past. Every time they had heard of those kinds of things, they had price tags that rivaled houses. They decided to trust the wizard in the end instead of doubting.

  At the very least, the wands were giving off the same feeling as standing in front of a microwave that was running on high. It was clear they did something, they practically radiated power. Rather than disappear it all into a pocket reality like Parker had assumed the wizard would, the wizard also took the bundle that Parker had brought the goods in and lugged it away manually.

  All in all, it had taken less than two hours to clean out that portion of the trade pile from their inventory. Parker spent a few minutes noting on their tablet what they had traded and what they had gotten in return. Parker then left the gym for a quick lunch and to resupply.