Merchant in Another World: A Progression Fantasy

No one expects to die—not even Sam Walters at 103. And no one expects to wake up in a world ruled by magic, demons, and brutal hierarchies. Given a second chance at life, Sam chooses memory and experience over power and status—but those memories won’t return until he turns seventeen. Every choice has a cost. That cost is Aelric, the boy who now carries Sam’s reborn soul—a low-caste farmhand with little more than sixteen-years of hardship behind him and a dim future ahead. Shunned by former friends and buried in poverty, Aelric’s life is one of quiet struggle... until it's upended by her— Sylvara, a powerful arcanist belonging to a treacherous demonic cult, is tasked with finding the prophesied Dawnmere—a being fated to turn the world on its head. Her search leads her to Aelric's small, unassuming village and sets her on a path even more dangerous than the one she’s already treading. As their fates collide, the lives and identities of Sam, Aelric, and Sylvara shall be changed forever. Readers should expect: The ultimate rags-to-riches progression fantasy. Multiple POVs. Demons. Unique magic system (money is magic!). Humorous moments. Misery. Characters from all walks of life (from farmers to gods). Arcane battles that will blind you. Themes of capitalism vs feudalism, creation vs destruction, hope vs despair. A LONG OPENING. Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Adventure Why: I started this story because I wanted to enjoy a progression fantasy wherein the characters progressed internally as much as they did externally.  Release schedule: At least 1 chapter a day on average for the first month. I come from a bit of a screenwriting background and I’ve structured this story like a TV show with ~30 minute episodes. Warnings: This is intended to be a long story, which also entails a longer setup than what readers may be used to.