The Translator's Necklace hung warm against Ji-woo's chest, a constant reminder of the trade he had made.  A pang of sadness tugged at him when he thought of his parents' necklace, now in the hands of the shopkeeper. But he knew it was a necessary sacrifice.  Understanding was the first step to survival, and survival was the first step to building a new life.  And now, he could understand.

He left the shop, the bustling market now a symphony of meaningful sounds. He listened to the merchants hawking their wares, their voices clear and distinct. He heard the children laughing as they chased each other through the crowded streets, their playful banter no longer a meaningless babble. He could understand! A wave of relief washed over him. He wasn't adrift anymore. He had a lifeline.

As he walked back to the small cottage, he focused on the conversations around him, trying to absorb the Aethellian language. He listened to the prices being called out, the haggling between merchants and customers, the friendly banter between neighbors. He tried to memorize the names of the different coins, their values, their relative worth. He noticed that the small, stone-like coins with the holes in the center were the most common, used for everyday purchases. He also saw larger, metal coins, perhaps reserved for more expensive goods.

"Okay," he thought to himself, "the round stone coins are like… pennies, and the metal ones are like… dollars. Got it." He knew it wasn't a perfect analogy, but it was a starting point.

He reached the cottage, the familiar thatch roof and rough stone walls a welcome sight. He slipped inside, the small room feeling less alien now that he understood the world outside. He retrieved the duffel bag from under the bed, the weight of it reassuring. It was time to put his plan into action.

He spread out the contents of the bag on the floor, carefully examining each item. His father's tools were the most promising. They were practical, well-made, and unlike anything he had seen in the market. He decided to start there.

He didn't want to advertise his wares openly. His modern tools would seem out of place, perhaps even suspicious. He needed a discreet approach. He found a large piece of cloth in the corner of the room, a rough, woven material. He spread it out on the floor and carefully arranged the tools, wrapping them up in a bundle. He would carry them discreetly, revealing them only to potential buyers.

He thought about his approach. He needed to target merchants and blacksmiths, people who would appreciate the quality and craftsmanship of his tools. He remembered seeing a blacksmith's forge near the market square. That would be his first stop.

He slung the bundle over his shoulder, the weight of the tools a comforting presence. He stepped outside, the market now a place of opportunity, not just confusion. He walked towards the blacksmith's forge, his mind racing with strategies.

"Okay, Ji-woo," he muttered to himself, "you're a merchant now. You need to be confident, persuasive, and… smart. Don't let them lowball you. These tools are valuable."

He reached the forge, the heat radiating from the open doorway. He saw the blacksmith inside, a burly man with soot-stained hands, hammering away at a piece of glowing metal. The clang of the hammer echoed through the market square.

Ji-woo hesitated, unsure how to approach him. He didn't want to reveal his tools openly, but he needed to get the blacksmith's attention. He decided to try a simple approach. He walked towards the forge and watched the blacksmith work, feigning interest.

The blacksmith noticed him and stopped hammering, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.  "Can I help you with something, traveler?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.

"Just admiring your work," Ji-woo replied, pointing towards the glowing metal on the anvil. "That looks like some excellent craftsmanship."

The blacksmith seemed pleased by the compliment. He gestured for Ji-woo to come closer, showing him the piece of metal he was working on.  "This is a special alloy," he explained. "Stronger than anything you've likely seen.  But it's difficult to work."

Ji-woo saw his opening. "I might have something that could help with that," he said, subtly revealing a corner of his bundled tools.

The blacksmith's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "What do you have?"

Ji-woo untied the bundle, revealing a selection of his father's tools.  "These are tools from my homeland," he explained. "Forged with techniques you wouldn't find here.  Stronger, more precise. They could make working that alloy much easier."

The blacksmith's eyes widened in surprise. He took a wrench from Ji-woo's hand, examining it closely. He turned it over and over, testing its weight and its balance. He seemed impressed.

"These are… unusual," he admitted.  "I've never seen tools quite like these."

"They're designed for precision work," Ji-woo explained.  "See how this wrench is balanced? It allows for finer adjustments. And this hammer… the head is made of a specially hardened steel. It will last you years."

The blacksmith was intrigued.  He picked up a few more tools, examining them with growing interest.  "These are… impressive," he conceded.  "But how much are you asking for them?"

Ji-woo took a deep breath.  It was time to negotiate.  "These tools are valuable," he said.  "They're not just tools, they're an investment.  They'll make your work faster, easier, and more precise.  I'm asking… twenty silver coins for the set."

The blacksmith chuckled.  "Twenty silver coins?  You're asking for a king's ransom!  I'll give you five."

Ji-woo shook his head.  "These tools are worth far more than five silver coins.  They're unique, one of a kind.  Ten silver coins is my final offer."

They haggled back and forth, each side trying to get the best deal.  Ji-woo was firm, but he was also willing to compromise.  He knew he needed to make a sale, but he also knew the value of his goods.

Finally, they agreed on fifteen silver coins.  Ji-woo felt a surge of satisfaction.  He had made his first trade!  He had successfully bartered his earthly goods for Aethellian currency.

As he walked away from the forge, his pockets jingling with coins, Ji-woo felt a sense of accomplishment.  He had taken his first step towards building his new life in Aethel.  He was no longer just a lost traveler. He was Ji-woo, the merchant, and he was ready to trade his way to success. He still had much to learn, but he was on his way.