Business in the break room was booming this morning. The line for the ten-rim game just wouldn’t die down, which made total sense. I mean, for just ten rims, you had the potential to win a universal elixir—who wouldn’t want to try that?
In the end, though, only one person managed to beat the game. When I went to retrieve the coins, I found 4,020 rims in there.
So that means the success rate was about 1 in 402.
As the shopkeeper, I at least had the ability to retrieve the coins, but even I couldn’t lay a finger on that prize. It automatically restocked itself. If I wanted that universal elixir, I had to try my luck at the ten-rim game myself.
I’d had the lone winner give me a look at that elixir. It was a light-brown square tablet, similar to the traditional Japanese dessert rakugan. I wanted to have one for myself, just in case of an emergency. I had the shopkeeper’s privilege of trying my hand at it to my heart’s content after closing time, so I decided I’d do so tonight.
Oh, but if I did it at the Swindoll Con Inn, my next door neighbors were sure to complain... If I got unlucky, I might even get beaten up.
Oh, well. I’ll figure out where I’m going to try it out later.
“Hellooo.”
It was Rigal, the one who’d been injured the other day.
“Oh, Mister Minerva,” Rigal said, catching sight of him. “Thanks for last time.”
“Yeah.”
Minerva was gazing in this direction from a short distance away, having not gone monster hunting today. His gaze was pretty piercing, so I was a little bit scared—was I under surveillance?
“Hey there, Rigal. Taking a break?”
“Yeah.” Rigal then winced. “Ooh, ouch...” He gave a strained smile as he held his left shoulder.
“What’s the matter? Did you get yourself hurt again?”
“Yeah, I rammed into something during battle.”
“Then I got just the thing for you.”
My shop had featured plenty of goods and snacks that were useful in battle, but not really any recovery items—that was, until now. Finally, Dagashi-ya Yahagi had a new item in stock that could heal wounds. That item was this:
Product name: Morocco Yogurt
Description: A snack made up of a sweet and sour cream. You eat it with a wooden spoon. Heals wounds slightly.
Price: Twenty rims (If you win, you get one more)
“You’ll heal right up if you eat this.”
It wasn’t as effective as Miss Mirai’s recovery teas, but it was easy to carry around thanks to its small size. Rigal bought two and immediately dug in. The bruise on his shoulder then vanished completely.
“It’s cheaper than a life potion, and it makes a good snack. I’ll buy it again next time!”
“Yeah, so long as you have one on you, it significantly increases your chances of survival.”
It was small enough that it could easily fit in a pocket without being obtrusive. Even Meryl and Mira each bought three as a precaution.
✦ ✦ ✦
My first day doing business at the break room was over. I had made more money than back when I’d sold my goods in front of the dungeon entrance. A lot of that was likely thanks to that ten-rim game and my new products, but the lack of competitors had also played a part. If I sold my goods here again tomorrow, I’d be able to buy a license sooner than I could blink. But I wasn’t particularly motivated. If I had to hand over 12,000 rims for that license, it was better for me to just keep doing business down here. Also, it made my regulars very happy. Having my store open in this location was convenient for them.
Some monsters did appear, but the adventurers nearby had cleaned them up, so I’d never had the chance to make my debut. Well, it wouldn’t have been my debut so much as it would’ve been my monster cards’. Also, for some unknown reason, Minerva had stayed nearby the entire time, so I never felt in any danger.
“Minerva, don’t you have to work?” I asked him.
“I decided to take the day off.”
“Then why don’t you go out and have fun?”
“Hmph. But that’s exactly what I’m here doing.”
Minerva had occasionally tried the ten-rim game or eaten dagashi, but otherwise, he’d spent most of the time just kind of staring at my store. Was that really that fun for him? I supposed it was up to each individual person how they wanted to spend their time off, so I would just keep my mouth shut.
✦ ✦ ✦
There were fewer people than before as the evening rush came to an end. I probably should have been going home soon too. If I didn’t go along with everyone else, I might wind up in danger here.
“I’m gonna close up shop,” I told the adventurers who were still playing around. All I had to do after that was say, “Store, close,” and I was all finished.
“Are you going home?” Minerva asked, approaching me.
“Yeah. Do you wanna come along?”
“W-Well, if you’re going out of your way to ask, then I guess I can’t refuse. Those cheeky brats... I mean, Meryl and Mira... It’s a little worrisome if those two are your only escorts, so I’ll tag along.”
I couldn’t really hate the guy when he had this nice of a side to him.
Minerva, Meryl, Mira, and I headed through the dungeon, walking alongside each other.
“By the way, is there a place I could go where I won’t be noticed?” I asked the three of them.
“What’s the matter?” Meryl asked.
“I’m hoping to get that universal elixir from my game, so I want a place to practice.”
“Then why don’t you do it over there?” Meryl gestured toward an area we were passing.
“I’m scared I’ll get robbed if I do it at night in town.”
Even if this was the Royal Capital, public order was in shambles.
“I honestly wanted to do it at the inn, but people will get pissed off at me if I make any noise.”
All of a sudden, with great force, something grabbed my shoulder.
“Gah!” I yelped. The Shinigami’s fingers in their black leather glove were digging into my flesh.
“Ow! What the hell are you doing, Minerva?” Despite my protest, he wouldn’t let go. On the contrary, that silver mask got right up in my face, like he was picking a fight.
“W-Well, in that case, d-do you want to come over to my place?”
“Your place? You mean your house? Never mind that. Just let me go first! That hurts a lot!”
“O-Okay...” Minerva finally let go.
“So, you have a house?”
“I rented it just the other day, so there’s nothing really there. If that doesn’t bother you, then...”
“Can I play that ten-rim game there?”
“I don’t mind. Y-You should have dinner and stay the night too!”
“Seriously? I feel kinda bad...”
“A-Anything to help a friend. No need to be shy.”
Whoa, we’re friends now? When did that happen? Well, if he was going so far as to say that, I couldn’t feel too bad about it. Also, he was a great cook, so I was looking forward to what he’d make. He’d treated me to a boxed lunch again today, and man it had been delicious.
“Don’t be modest. I’ll make you as much food as you want.”
As Minerva kept sweetening the deal, I decided I was in.
“All right, I’ll take you up on your offer,” I said. “Thank you.”
Maybe we can have some fun playing cards tonight or something. I decided I’d gratefully use one of Minerva’s rooms.