The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 384: The Oldest Store (2)

Chapter 384: The Oldest Store (2)

"You can choose the setting of this space."

Multiple bubbles appeared before him, each about the size of his head. They appeared empty and transparent en masse but when he focused on a specific one, a miniature room appeared inside.

’Incredible,’ he sighed with amazement while browsing through the various bubbles.

There were some general ones with blank walls and just a chair. And there were others with colorfully decorated walls, expensive rugs, and comfortable sofa chairs.

"Can I choose any of these? Free of cost?"

"Yes."

Not one to hold back, Hex chose one that looked the most expensive and comfortable amidst the bubbles. ’I hope it doesn’t charge me once it discovers I am only eye shopping.’

Once he confirmed his choice, the space trembled and started to change. Walls appeared, filled with exquisite paintings, moonstones, and windows covered with curtains. It made Hex wonder what lay behind them. The answer surprised him.

"The window view is for members only. Depending on the tier of the member and the available options, they can choose and modify the view and the feel. At the top tier you could open the window, feel the wind against your face, smell the air – this depends on the choice, of course – and even have birds and bees flock around."

’Damn. The things money can buy,’ Hex mused in awe. He wasn’t interested in the view. Visiting the store, any store, was for one purpose. He wished to acquire resources.

What did awe him, though, was the complex application of SpaceTime this required. Even his completed silver and gold elemental circle didn’t help him understand much about this place.

’The creator has to be a Saint at the minimum. Perhaps a Sage even.’

He didn’t think this would be possible otherwise. Taking a seat in the comfortable sofa – it was so soft and relaxing he wished he could remain seated for hours – he inquired about the other thing that caught his attention.

"How does one become a member? And what are the benefits?" He had not seen their wares but believing that the owner or creator surpassed the Knight stages, he thought he stood a decent chance of finding at least a few things he needed. It didn’t hurt to inquire. Plus, he was broke. Once again.

"To become a member a person should have made purchases three times at the minimum. Once you are ready to be a member, you can request a list of benefits per membership tier."

"The amount doesn’t matter?"

"No. Once you have bought three things, even the three cheapest things in three visits, you are eligible."

"It sounds like everything is expensive here. I mean if even three cheapest things are enough."

"They are the market price. Though, they can rarely be found at the market."

"Alright then. Let’s take a look then." Hex requested to take a look at the things they sold. Sure, he wouldn’t be able to afford a single thing perhaps. But he wanted to get a feel for the pricing. That would also help him negotiate a price later in the night.

Once again he sensed the space around him churn a little after which bubbles appeared before him. The churning stopped quickly. He counted seven bubbles. Having experienced the process when choosing the layout of the room, Hex sent his senses to the bubble nearest to him.

Plants and Fruits

[All the available herbs, edibles, and other rare plants and fruits are available on these shelves.]

Hint: Flick the bubble toward the walls. Once hit, the shelves will materialize.

Curious to try, he flicked the bubble toward the walls. It floated toward the wall and burst open upon coming in contact. The next instance a few shelves appeared between the walls. The shelves were filled with containers and boxes. On each of the container and box there was a label denoting the content.

Aquanuts

Tier required: None

Price: W 1,500

.

.

.

Crimson Moon Flower

Tier Required: M2

Price: W 10,000

.

.

.

Earthapples

Tier: M4

Price: W 100,000

Note: Barter possible

.

.

.

"I guess these Tiers refer to membership tiers?" Hex asked and received a confirmation from the store. The price and barter option on some were understandable. He went through the fruits and plants on display. There was nothing he needed immediately. Heck, he didn’t knew why these things were so expensive and what their effects were.

"I guess these all are the plants and fruits you have on sale?" Hex asked to confirm. He counted thirty containers and boxes in total. Although it made sense to have a limited number of rare things, he felt like the number was a bit low. The store claimed to be the oldest store in the world. It would be strange if they hadn’t collected far more treasures than these.

"Dear customer, please tap the wall on the side you reach when browsing."

So there was indeed more to it. He tapped the wall on the right side.

Swish.

The shelves moved to the left, until thirty more boxes and containers appeared. The first thirty had disappeared into the left wall.

"Now, that’s more like it. But do you have to go through every shelf one by one or is there a way to search for the thing you need?"

"If you know the name or have a general gist of what you need, you could ask me. I will filter based on what I know and display the items in a sequence of most likely to less likely."

Pleased with the service the shop provided, Hex recalled the list of resources the baron had recommended. There were a few fruits and herbs he required to increase the chances of the following steps.

"Azure Moon Lily, Silvertongues, Demon-faced Mangos..."

Hex listed everything he knew plus a few he read about in the study of the baron. He knew he would get the tiers mixed up and make some mistakes. But he didn’t mind. He rather appeared an amateur in this than seemed like an expert. Despite his grumbling at the time of reading the Knight Path, he hadn’t forgotten the baron’s warning: Never let anyone know that he was practicing the The Divine Body of Dragon Phoenix Method.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.