Chapter 03 – Damien's M. Store

Because of his knowledge of the geography of the empire, Lixon was able to locate the nearest city from the Dead Forest, the City of Alvon. It's fifteen minutes' walking distance. When the young man was nearing the entrance, he noticed some wagons and carriages carrying some goods passing him.

Sigh.

"I miss riding a taxi right now." He internally complained.

He saw them lined at the gate, which he followed.

He observed that the two guards at the gate were checking some identification from each person. Now it was his turn.

"Show us your identification documents or pass."

"Pass?"

"If you don't have it, then scram!"

"Ah, sorry."

Lixon took something out from his pocket sleeves and gave it to one of the guards. They looked at it before bowing immediately to him.

"Excuse our rudeness, my Lord. We don't know that you are related to the family of the guardian."

"You don't have to be too courteous. I am a friend of the owner of this medallion. He let me have it temporarily." He waved his hand while smiling at the guards.

"What is this?" Lixon asked the white tiger.

"Once you leave this forest and enter the nearest city, you will need it, and."

The guardian used his teeth to grab a pouch from a corner and threw it towards him.

He caught it and felt the coins inside.

"Are you giving this to me?"

The tiger snorted.

"Are you stupid? Why do I need to give you money? It's borrowed money, you hear me? 'Borrowed,'" the spirit emphasized the last word.

"I don't know that you are such a stingy spirit. You have lots of it."

"Hmph! Who cares if I am stingy? I have the means to do so."

Lixon shook his head when he remembered their conversation. But, he quietly passed the gate and did not notice the two guards whispering when he was a few more distances away.

----

In a courtyard inside an ancient-looking mansion within the city, an older man with gray hair and beard opened his eyes, and it immediately traversed and landed at the city's gate.

"Grandfather, what's the matter?" A beautiful young lady with red hair beside him asked.

"It's faint, but I felt a strong aura enter the city."

"Eh? How is that possible?"

"I mean, it's from our family's medallion. Quick! Call the guards of the gate. Now!" The older man commanded with some urgency.

The young lady slightly bowed and called out some servant to relay the message.

---

Lixon stared at the buildings, the street vendors, and people walking past him. He felt that he was some tourist who was enjoying the scenery.

"I just wrote those things for the sake of world-building but seeing them in person amazes me." He thought.

When a slight wind blew, he saw a flyer flew towards him, which he instinctually grabbed. He slowly read the short content.

Wanted: Store Assistant

Requirements: So long as you're brave and can keep your mouth shut, you can apply at Damien's M. Store. Please see the direction below.

"Brave, and can keep the mouth shut? What unique requirements."

After reading the instruction, he folded the paper and followed the direction. After a few minutes of walking, he found himself in an isolated alley. There, he saw an eerie-looking store with a hanging sign Damien's M. Store.

He pushed the door open, and the sound of wind chimes echoed while he entered. He looked around and saw some candles with different colors hung like chandeliers.

There was also a sala set with unique patterns at the center.

Lixon stayed at the entrance for a few minutes, but no one greeted him. Then, finally, Lixon eyes turned towards the counter and noticed some sealed colorful liquid placed inside the counter cabinet.

"Who is this punk?"

Lixon's ears twitched when he heard a voice and stared in the direction where it was coming. Then, at a small table at the corner, he saw two cats looking at him, one is white, and the other is gray. He slowly walked towards them and silently observed.

"What is he doing? This guy is good-looking, but his clothes are too shabby."

"Who knows? Maybe he came here to beg. But, unfortunately, we have visitors like that. Poor visitors."

The young man raised his right brow, hearing this.

"Why is he looking at us?" It was the white cat.

"Maybe he is amazed by our appearance." The gray cat answered.

The latter stood, wagged its tail, and slightly raised its chin.

"I will give you permission to experience my handsomeness."

The white cat did the same. The two animals gave Lixon a look as if taunting him.

Slightly annoyed, he opened his mouth to answer, "Hey, you two."

The two were startled and stared at him with some puzzlement.

"If you want to insult someone, at least do it when they are not around. And don't brag about your appearance. In my place, your colors are as common as cabbage."

SHRIEK!

"You can understand us?!"

"Why? Yes. I can hear you loud and clear." Lixon looked at them with some confusion.

Hearing his response, the two animals froze on the spot.

"You can understand them?" A deep voice echoed inside the store.

Lixon turned his head and found a middle-aged man from the empty counter earlier. He was wearing an oversized purple robe, like a wizard that you usually saw in a movie. He had short black hair, his brows were as thick and dark as night, and his face was neither good-looking nor ugly.

He tried to recall his appearance from the novel that he wrote. But, unfortunately, he can't remember this person.

"The story is developing on its own." He thought, "Considering the appearance of a new character is proof of it."

" The moment I entered my novel could be considered the start of the second volume."

"Yes, sir." He nodded.

The middle-aged man walked out from the counter and sat on the sofa. He beckoned him to sit across from him, which he automatically followed. Then, one of the cabinets inside the store opened on its own. Lixon saw two floating teacups land in front of them. Then, an invisible force poured each cup with some tea.

"Are you used to this?" The man asked Lixon with some curiosity.

"Huh? What do you mean, sir?" He responded with some puzzlement.

"You just saw something out of the ordinary, and you are not freaking out." He explained.

Lixon came to a realization, "Ah...I just experienced something out of the ordinary prior, so I guess that's the reason."

"And I'm a writer of a fantasy-genre novel, so this kind of scenario is nothing." He added internally.

"That's acceptable." The man nodded in agreement, "Anyway, do you need to buy something? A magic potion? Talisman?-"

Before the man continued his lists of store goods, Lixon cut him off.

"I did not come here to buy something. I came here for this."

He pulled out the flyer that he kept from his sleeves and gave it to the store owner. Now that he was close, Lixon noticed that he had yellow eyes with a unique star pattern. But when he saw that the young man was observing him, the imprint immediately vanished.

"You came here to apply as my store assistant? Oh, my apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Damien. The sole owner of this store."

"My name is Lixon Rayver." He also introduced himself.

"I cannot feel any magical power from you," Damien gave his assessment.

"It's not in the requirements."

Damien responded, "You are right. Well, since I badly need an assistant, I'll give you a chance."

He slowly stood and returned to the counter. Before Lixon could react, he saw a basket was thrown towards him, which he caught with agility. Inside it, there was a small piece of paper with some lists and a coin purse.

Damien pointed his finger to the door at his right side.

"Enter that door and buy all the ingredients written on that note. If you could accomplish that, then I'll accept you." He gave his instruction.

"Okay," Lixon responded and turned towards the door, then pushed it open.

When he left, the store owner returned to sit on the sofa. He took his tea and slowly drank it. The two cats jumped and snuggled in his arms.

"Master, you said that he doesn't have any magical power. Will he be alright?" The white cat asked.

Damien placed the teacup before answering, "I did not say that he doesn't have any magical power."

"Eh? But you just mentioned-"

"I said, I cannot feel it."

"Well..."

"If he can safely return, then we're good."