Capítulo 675: Chapter D246: The Road to Serfdom
“Hmm… too suspicious.”
The Hero strode through the dim alley, arriving in front of the shop, nearly pressing her face against the glass window, but all she could see was her own blurred reflection.
Her gaze lifted, fixing on the wooden signboard.
At first glance, it appeared blank, with only the grain of the wood visible.
However, upon closer inspection, the grains seemed to depict faint patterns, like flowing words subtly meandering.
But every time she concentrated to discern, those grains abruptly turned into meaningless chaos.
Then, just as she was losing interest and her gaze was about to shift away, she felt as if the grains were beginning to coalesce.
So she quickly looked back, yet again saw nothing but a blank slate.
“…Hmm, totally incomprehensible.”
The Hero suddenly turned back, then quickly spun back around, glaring at the sign a few more times, but still saw nothing.
Feeling as if she was being toyed with by a mere sign, the Hero lost her patience, giving it a disgruntled glare before abandoning her scrutiny to look towards the shop’s main door.
“No choice…”
The Hero stared at the shop door, pondering for a few seconds, then made her decision.
“Whatever, I’ll just go in and take a look!”
The surprise was only just visible in the eyes of the Gleaming Scale Serpent when the Hero had already reached out to push open the shop door.
The door’s hinge swung open smoothly and silently, as if welcoming her visit.
Thus, without further hesitation, she decisively stepped inside, as if stepping not into a realm of unknowns, but into an ordinary street-side shop.
[Gloomy and Dark — Luxurious and Magnificent]
D100=d100(86)=86
“Your Majesty, is it really okay to just walk into such a bizarre shop…”
Watching the Hero’s figure about to vanish beyond the door, the Gleaming Scale Serpent did not hesitate either and followed closely inside.
Despite saying so, his tone still couldn’t hide his vigilance and concern.
“There isn’t any ‘closed’ sign hanging, why can’t we go in?”
The Hero asked in puzzlement.
“Don’t worry. Even if we don’t have much money, forced sales are still illegal.”
Her brother candidly admitted that the family treasury was nearly empty, so there wasn’t travel expense support for her journey.
However, the Hero had never had much desire for money all along.
Not because she resisted material pleasure, but in the past, she didn’t need to worry about basic necessities at home, and when adventuring, she always had benefactors accompany her or simply camped outdoors with nowhere to spend money.
Before setting out, she had chatted with her brother, learning that there indeed existed travel spells known as Mage’s House, and the Mage Guild also sold scrolls with prices uncapped based on luxury…
But this time, she wasn’t venturing into the wild, merely sitting on a Flying Airship to the Holy City, only needing a basic travel fare.
Moreover, she was long accustomed to a simple lifestyle in the rural and church’s modest environment.
Nonetheless, after the two stepped inside together, the Hero couldn’t help but be stunned by the dazzling bright light and luxurious sight that greeted her, stopping her dead in her tracks.
Surprisingly, though located in a secluded and dim alley, with an exterior that appeared plain and suspicious, after stepping inside, what unfolded before her was a brightly lit, luxurious interior, as if standing in a grand palace hall.
The enormous transformation of the scenery brought about an overwhelming sense of enlightenment.
Such a vast difference between the inside and outside was evidently not something mere interior design could achieve; the ambiance of magic permeated the space, declaring that its opulence was not just superficial.
“…It feels like I can’t afford anything here after all.”
Having stayed at the Border Count Mansion for a while, the Hero wouldn’t be daunted by the luxury here, but ultimately without a Black Card in hand, her tone still carried a hint of uncertainty.
What if the store owner figured out she was penniless and flat-out refused to serve her? To forcefully take action? That didn’t seem right either…
“Welcome.”
At this moment, a gentle and courteous voice sounded from the direction of the counter.
[Store Clerk: Goblin (5-) — Human — Alien Race — Demon — Concept (95+)]
D100=d100(81)=81
[Appearance of the Store Clerk (Male — Agender — Female)]
D100=d100(64)=64
[Otherworldly Degree]
D100=d100(55)=55
“Unexpected to receive two guests today.”
Hearing the greeting, the two simultaneously lifted their heads, their gaze meeting upon the store clerk.
The store clerk smiled gently, leisurely rising from behind the counter, then stood a few steps away from the Hero, bowing in a standard manner, as if an otherworldly guide.
“Hello.” Hearing her greeting, the Hero also politely responded.
Although she responded graciously, the emerald hue in the Heroine’s eyes nonetheless shimmered with a glint of curiosity.
Like the luxurious style of the store, the female clerk was dressed neatly and exquisitely, as if she had walked out of a high-end boutique that catered exclusively to nobles in the upper society.
On the other hand, contrary to her exquisite attire, the store clerk’s presence exuded a distinctly non-human aura.
This wasn’t a description or insult; the difference between her and humankind far exceeded the differences in appearance between humans and elves or dwarves, giving more of an impression akin to magic creatures.
The Hero was not unfamiliar with this feeling either, magic creatures and humans… the group teetering between these two extremes…
—Demon.
[Demon Species (R7)]
1. Vampire
2. Ancient Fairy
3. Golden Beauty
4. Dark Matter
5. Star Filth Spirit
6. Anchor
7. Anchor
8. Anchor
9. Angel
10. Great Success/Great Failure
D10=d10(10)=10
D2=d2(1)=1
[Species Great Success~ To be determined based on the shop’s nature]
However, merely from her appearance, it was difficult to judge at a glance which specific type of demon she was.
At a first glance, the female store clerk’s appearance didn’t differ from a normal person; her black hair was like silk, her eyes clear and defined. She had likely concealed her species characteristics.