Selling (Somewhat) Magic Goods in Arknights

[Paracsus]

AN: Hello, again. Just wanna establish some things about the Cart. Essentially, the cart looks like this, but the difference is that it doesn't need to be pulled by anything. It is effectively a car that also works as Arno's home. It is alot bigger on the inside of the cart as opposed to outside, but it has a perception filter so that people will not be able to see the inside. When they see Arno standing in it, all they see are a few shelves of extra stock (extra food, cigarettes, drinks,etc.), when in reality it leads to the interior of the "house". Whenever Arno needs to restock on mundane goods, he just pulls the stock from a compartment (read: pocket dimension) that is under the counter, so as to avoid suspicion.

The Cart has it's own set of rules and guidelines that Arno follows, which will be adressed as the story goes on. One of which is that to prevent Arno from living eternally as a hermit, the facilities and food is very simple so as to encourage him to go out and explore while also feeling somewhat like a home; safe and cozy. This is the interior:

The windows exist, but are not visible to the public. They are there so as Arno will be able to see what is happening outside, and to let natural light into the house.

Another thing is that the Cart is shown have a mind of it's own, but is not exactly either sentient or sapient. It knows when Arno is trying to stay inside, or (as mentioned in a previous attempt) trying to get a shortcut to wealth by selling in massive bulk. The perception filter that it has also acts as a cloaking device; when Arno closes and turns in for the night, it effectively becomes invisible and untraceable to others in order to protect him and itself. It also knows when the area in general is not safe, so it moves to a nearby safe location.

It also prevents reselling. What happens when people try? Stay tuned, dear consumers.

Edit: I changed the picture of the interior because some facilities like the shower weren't exactly visible. But everything else still remains simple.

 

[Paracsus]

Fuck. I saw this pic half an hour ago and I just realized that I missed out on writing Tiny Niko.

Just imagine her waddling from a shelf to a customer while holding a pack of Sugarettes that's almost as tall as her is killing me.

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fc0bly9r2nh0f1.jpeg

 

[Paracsus]

Arno

★★★★★ Specialist Operator
Archetype: Merchant
Position: Melee
Tags: Survival / Support

Profile

A traveling merchant from Lungmen who operates a mysterious self-sustaining cart. Arno provides simple consumables to allies on the battlefield, converting Deployment Points into sustained combat support. Though his goods appear ordinary, their effects suggest something far more unusual. He has come to Rhodes Island offering his support at the behest of his friends from Penguin Survival.

Talent

"Free Sample"

Supplies a random deployed ally with food.

• Grants one nearby ally:
  • HP regeneration based of 30% of Arno's ATK (38% at Max Potential)
  • +8% ATK for 5 seconds

E2 Upgrade:

• Targets 2 allies
• ATK boost increased to +12%
• HP Regeneration increased to 45% of Arno's ATK (60% at Max Potential)
• This effect will be indicated when there are empty bento boxes and canned drinks at the targeted operator's feet.

Skill 1 — "Sugarettes"

Auto Recovery / Manual Trigger

Arno takes a slow drag, then exhales a lingering cloud across the battlefield.

• Upon activation, Arno releases a smoke field covering his attack range in a 3x2 grid.
• The smoke persists for 10 seconds
• All enemies inside the area are:
  • Slowed by 35%
  • Take minor Arts damage per second

Starting SP: 8
SP Cost: 21

Skill 2 — "Lunch Break"

Auto Recovery / Manual Trigger

Arno sets aside his rifle and focuses entirely on sustaining those around him, turning his position into a temporary safe haven by summoning the cart to him.


Upon activation, Arno enters a the following state:

• Stops attacking
• Block +2
• DEF +60%
• RES +20
• Greatly enhances his Talent "Free Sample"
• Increased Taunt Level

While the skill is active:

• Talent effects are multiplied by 3×
  • Significantly stronger healing over time
  • Increased ATK buff provided to allies
• Talent prioritizes allies with the lowest HP
• Distribution feels more frequent due to increased effectiveness

Starting SP: 0
SP Cost: 10
*DP Cost: 30

Additional Effect:

• Remains active indefinitely until manually deactivated
• Arno will return the DP spent when changing into this state upon retreating.

Base Skill

"By Popular Demand"

• When this operator is assigned to the Trading Post, order acquisition efficiency increased by 40% and the order limit by +3

---

OPERATOR SPECIALIST: Arno
​

Operator Codename: Arno

Real Name: Arno Malcolms
Gender: Male
Combat Experience: Unknown
Place of Birth: Lungmen (?)
Date of Birth: November 12
Race: Aegir (?)
Height: 189 cm

Physical Examination

Physical Strength: Standard
Mobility: Standard
Physiological Endurance: Standard
Tactical Acumen: Moderate
Combat Skill: Moderate
Originium Arts Assimilation: Flawed

Clinical Analysis

Originium Infection Status:
Non-infected.

Blood Originium-Crystal Density: 0.12u/L

No visible signs of infection. However, prolonged exposure to Arno's "products" has produced minor anomalous physiological responses in several operators. These effects are currently classified as non-harmful but unexplainable.

Further study has been requested.

Archive File 1

(Unlocked at Trust 50%)

Arno is a traveling merchant originating from Lungmen, though no official business registry or trade license under his name has been located. Most likely as he operates a very small-time business, regardless of how well his goods are received by the public.

He arrived at Rhodes Island not through recruitment, but through contractual agreement, offering "provisions" in exchange for access to safe routes and clientele. It was also stated that his joining was at the behest of the goodwill that was made with Penguin Logistics; namely, Texas and Exusiai.

The most notable aspect of Arno's operations is his mobile cart, which appears to function as both a storage unit and living space. Despite its modest external size, the cart consistently produces goods in quantities that exceed its apparent capacity.

Attempts to inspect or disassemble the cart have been… unsuccessful.

"We checked every compartment. There's nothing inside. And yet, he keeps pulling things out of it."
— Logistics Operator

Arno claims that his inventory consists only of "simple items"—candies, cigarettes, basic meals. However, field reports suggest these items possess enhanced restorative properties, far beyond standard rations.

Archive File 2

(Unlocked at Trust 100%)

Arno is said to be a soft-spoken, but also approachable young man. But his knowledge for certain everyday things seems to be…spotty, in a sense. As if he only learned recently about them through books and self-study, instead of having been taught in school and experiencing them first hand. One example is that he knows what Originium and Oripathy are (after all, who doesn't), but he seems to not know what happens to those who die from them. Another is that while seems to be familiar with the ways of cooking and cleaning, he has difficulty in operating and maintaining normal (read: Originium-powered) electronics.

While this may be the case, he is still willing and eager to learn about how things work and what better ways to help.

Archive File 3

(Unlocked at Trust 150%)

There is, at present, no satisfactory explanation for how Arno's goods are produced, nor how his cart sustains what appears to be an endlessly renewing inventory despite its visibly limited capacity. Multiple departments within Rhodes Island have attempted to analyze his products—sodas, "sugarettes," and pre-prepared meals—only to arrive at the same conclusion: while their composition appears deceptively ordinary, their effects cannot be replicated through standard methods. Even when recreated using identical ingredients and procedures, the results lack the restorative and augmentative properties observed in Arno's originals.

Furthermore, these goods exhibit unusual limitations. The items lose their effects when dissected, lose effectiveness when passed between individuals, and resist stockpiling efforts entirely. This suggests that the items are not merely physical products, but are instead bound to Arno himself through some form of niche Arts or an as-yet unidentified mechanism. When questioned about these inconsistencies, Arno consistently downplays their significance, attributing everything to "fresh stock" and "proper handling," though his refusal to elaborate has only deepened internal suspicion. As for how much he truly understands about the nature of his own inventory—or whether he is choosing not to disclose it—we must, for now, leave that question unanswered.

Archive File 4

(Unlocked at Trust 200%)

Arno's past remains largely obscured, not due to a lack of inquiry, but because of his deliberate tendency to redirect or dilute any conversation that approaches it. What little has been gathered paints an incomplete but telling picture. He demonstrates an intimate familiarity with Lungmen's informal trade networks, including black market logistics and negotiation practices typically reserved for experienced intermediaries, yet he shows no interest in expanding his operations or increasing profit margins. On the contrary, Arno maintains strict limitations on both supply and distribution, often refusing requests that would otherwise be considered beneficial to Rhodes Island as a whole. This behavior does not stem from reluctance or inability, but rather from a consistent personal principle—one that prioritizes restraint over growth.

Psychological assessments suggest that Arno places significant value on control, not merely of resources, but of consequences; he appears acutely aware that increasing output may carry risks he is unwilling to entertain. Whether these risks are logistical, personal, or tied to the anomalous nature of his goods is unknown. Notably, Arno avoids discussing certain regions within Lungmen and exhibits subtle but measurable changes in demeanor when pressed on topics related to origin or affiliation. Despite this, he has shown no hostility toward Rhodes Island and continues to fulfill his role with quiet consistency. As for what circumstances shaped this cautious philosophy, and what exactly Arno believes he is containing by limiting himself… those answers, much like his inventory, remain firmly out of reach.

Promotion Record

(Unlocked at Elite 2)

Further observation of Arno following his promotion has shifted the focus of investigation away from the operator himself, and toward the object he keeps constantly at his side—the cart. While previously regarded as a mere tool of convenience, it is now understood to be the central axis of his abilities, his work, and, to a certain extent, his identity. Standard inspection protocols have repeatedly failed to produce meaningful results. The cart's exterior remains consistent: worn wood, reinforced corners, modest dimensions. Its interior, however, refuses consistency. Storage space fluctuates beyond measurable limits, compartments appear and disappear without mechanical cause, and recorded footage has shown Arno retrieving items from sections that, upon later inspection, do not physically exist. Attempts to document these anomalies in real time have resulted in partial data loss or inconclusive visual distortion. Engineering has since classified the cart as a localized spatial anomaly, though no known Originium Arts fully account for its behavior.

More notably, the cart does not function solely as storage—it behaves as a closed system. All items distributed by Arno originate from it, and no item successfully persists outside of its intended lifecycle. This has led to the prevailing theory that the cart itself is not producing goods in the conventional sense, but rather manifesting them under specific conditions, with Arno acting as both mediator and limiter. His insistence on controlled distribution, once interpreted as personal philosophy, is now considered a possible necessity. Should the cart's output exceed certain thresholds, the consequences remain unknown. Arno has neither confirmed nor denied this possibility.

Recent findings have further complicated matters. Thermal scans, conducted during periods of inactivity, have detected consistent internal heat signatures within the cart even when sealed and unoccupied—at least, by conventional definition. On multiple occasions, faint movement has been observed from within, accompanied by sounds inconsistent with shifting inventory. When questioned, Arno responded with an unusually stern tone:

"Careful with that. Niko's sleeping inside!."

The name "Niko" was later referenced in passing, though Arno offered no formal introduction or clarification. Subsequent surveillance has recorded brief glimpses of a small figure emerging from within the cart during low-activity hours, only to retreat upon detection. No operator has reported direct interaction, and no official record of this entity exists within Rhodes Island's personnel database. Despite this, Arno has made subtle adjustments to his routines that indicate he is currently taking care of someone.

At present, Rhodes Island has chosen not to intervene.

Whatever the cart is—tool, construct, or something else entirely—it is not empty. And whatever "Niko" may be, Arno does not treat them as an anomaly.

He treats them as someone who needs a place to stay.

---

VOICE LINES:
​

Appointed as Assistant:
"Paperwork, doctor? If you've got anything on logistics, I guess I can lend a hand." *Turns to Niko who's following him* "Niko, you can go play with Suzuran and Shamare for now, I'll be busy."


Talk 1:
"People think survival is complicated. It isn't. Eat when you can, rest when it's safe, and don't waste either."


Talk 2:
"If you want me to sell to Rhodes in bulk, I'll draft up a contract. Gotta make these things official, or Miss Kal'tsit will pester me even more. Last time I did this without making a proper contract was with Closure, and Miss Amiya and Miss Kal'tsit scolded me for so long that my ears almost fell off."


Talk 3:
"My favorite? Among all the things I sell, it's the sodas, as well as the bread. I'm a huge bread guy, even if it's not obvious. I don't like jam though, but Niko sure likes it."



Talk after Promotion 1:

"So, the funny thing is that I don't even know why my food does this stuff. I'm just the guy that prepares and sells them to people. Yet people call me a miracle worker, and even sometimes some sort of fairy or whatever because of it. Niko finds it funny, so I just let it go, but it sure is jarring that my products are seen in such high regard."


Talk after Promotion 2:

"Why do I sell these things? I…guess you could say I wanna help people. But I don't have any powers, and I'm no good with a sword or bandages. So I at least make sure they're full, to take care of at least one thing on their list of worries…"


Talk after Trust Increase 1 (past 50%)

"I used to be a content creator with my dad before I opened the cart. We talked about the weapons and armors of the past, how they were made, and what they would be like if used today. We're both history nerds in that regard, and my dad wanted to do it in a way that was fun and educational. What was the channel name? Uhhh…I'll tell you some other time!"


Talk after Trust Increase 2 (past 100%)

"…Niko isn't part of the business. She never was. She just ended up with me—wrong place, wrong time. Happens more often than people think. The difference is… most don't get a second chance after what happened to her. What she needs is a place that would allow her to be herself, people to like her for her and not because of the duties she's supposed to fulfill. I just wanna make sure that she finally has a chance to have her own little slice of happiness after what she's been through. What happened? Not my story to tell. Sorry, Doctor."


Talk after Trust Increase 3 (past 150%)

"The food I sell…you could call it a result of the times. My products are based off what the people need at that moment. In Lungmen, most people wanted the sugarettes because offices and homes complained about the smell and how it made people sick. The butter candies were an answer to help people get home safe, even when they're dead tired. I'm not even sure how they came to be, but they sure are popular.


Idle:
"Hello, Doctor. I have some of my bentos with me right now. Would you like one? Niko is outside passing drinks as well. Amiya told us that it will be very busy soon enough, and commissioned a special order from us to pass these around to keep morale up. Don't worry, even I can tell that people around here need this stuff, so I'll put a discount for this order. Make sure you eat well, or Niko and Amiya will get mad."


Onboard:
"Hello. I'm Arno, the owner of this cart behind me. Happy to be here, and ready to help."


Watching Battle Record:
"It's like watching those YouTube tutorials back home...."


Elite 1 Promotion:
"Hmm? A promotion medal? Shouldn't this go to the military people like Hellagur or Nearl? I'm not sure how giving people food and hiding in a cart earns me a medal, but I guess I can take it. At least Niko will probably find it cool. Thank you, Doctor."


Elite 2 Promotion:
"I think I'm starting to understand what these medals are for. They're basically awards for how well we've been doing, right? Since I got two of them now, I guess I gotta step up my game."


Deployment:
"We are open for business."


Battle Start:
"Easy does it. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast."


Selecting Operator 1:
"Need something?"


Selecting Operator 2:
"Next stock is ready."


Deployment 1:
"This spot will do."


Deployment 2:
"Where is this again?"


In Battle 1:
"Please be patient."


In Battle 2:
"I'll get to you in a moment."


In Battle 3:
"Niko! Stay inside!"


In Battle 4:
"I'm warning you, stay away!"


4-Star Result:
"Quite a day, huh? How about a drink, on the house?"


3-Star Result:
"Finally, it's over. Hope nothing's damaged."


Sub 3-Star Result:
"Is everyone alright? I don't have much, but I've got a medkit in here somewhere!"


Operation Failure:
"Tch, what a waste…We'll do better next time. "


Assigned to Facility:
"Back to burning the midnight oil."


Tap:
"Oh! Hi, Doctor. Didn't see you there."


Trust Tap:
"Nice to see you here, Doctor. You should visit us more with some other guests. Niko sure likes the company."


Greeting:
"You're back. Good timing—I just finished preparing a fresh batch."

Title:
"Arknights."

---

AN: Just wanted to try something like this. Most 5 stars seem experimental by nature of how their general kits seemed to be made, so I made Arno a 5 star as well. Not sure if this is broken or crap, but ah well.

Let me know what you think of this stat sheet.