The sign outside the shop creaked in the morning wind. A plain plank, made from low-quality wood, with unevenly painted words: "Pet Shop."
"Today's a big day. Weather's good, forest's quiet, I couldn't ask for anything more."
I said as I flipped the sign to OPEN for the first time.
"Weeks of cleaning, maintenance, fixing… building, but it's ready."
I walked outside the shop and took a good look at it.
"It's nothing grand, but I'm already getting emotional."
I couldn't help but wipe a tear away as I took in the beauty of my humble shop.
"It's... not perfect, not even close. But it's cozy, I'd say?"
The walls were patched with mismatched planks, each a slightly different color. The roof was uneven, one side visibly lower than the other.
"Then again. It's mine."
Through this, I could finally fulfill my dream… even if it was in another world. God knew how I got here, but I might as well make the best of it.
I made my way inside, taking in the sight of my handmade furniture. A wooden counter stood near the entrance, polished and gleaming, with a few scratches here and there.
"I work with cute pets, I'm sure my customers will understand."
I nodded to myself and looked past it. Shelves were neatly organized, with various pet food placed on them - grains, dried meat, wheat, some fruits.
"I have no idea what these fruits are, and I dare not eat them. But the little guys like them, so it's okay."
I gave a playful glance to the middle of the shop.
"Isn't that right? My babies~"
I walked toward my babies, who were neatly positioned in the center of the room. Two rows of cute little creatures.
Rabbit, cat, wild dog, frog, bird, lizard…
"You all are so cute. I treated you so well all this time, so don't blame me if I sell you at a discount."
My stomach grumbled.
"Sigh, I'd do anything for a proper meal."
I glanced over at the shelves, my mouth about to water.
"The amount of times I wanted to help myself with your treats…"
I walked over to the counter and sat on a poorly made chair. Its legs were uneven, the wood unpolished. It would be no surprise if I got a splinter.
"Getting to the village and buying some food is alright…"
My hand gently gripped the pouch on the counter.
"But I'm completely broke…"
I muttered, leaning back until the chair creaked dangerously.
"Don't look at me like that. You freeloaders are eating even better than me…"
The parrot shifted on its perch, one of its round eyes fixed on me.
"Don't look at me like that, it's the truth, and you know it.''
Traitor…
...
The bell above the door jingled.
I froze.
Slowly, I turned my head toward the entrance. The planks creaked as a beautiful figure stepped into the shop.
My first customer.
My first day, and I'd already gotten a customer!
A girl, perhaps in her early twenties. Tall, slender, wrapped in jade-green robes embroidered with various ornaments. Her pitch-black hair was tied into a high ponytail, flowing down her back. Her features were delicate, peach-like lips and gentle yet sharp eyes.
A cultivator. No doubt a cultivator. I had to be careful.
"Welcome!" I said as I stood up from my chair, a few splinters etched into my clothes.
"First day open, all pets come with a discount!"
Her gaze swept across the shop. Looking at the interior, she scoffed slightly.
Expected reaction, but it was okay. What mattered were my babies~
"Please, take a look. The shop is humble, but the pets are well taken care of, I promise!"
I said with a polite smile as I walked toward the cages.
Without saying a word, she followed my lead and took a good look at my pets.
…
This is it?
She thought, glancing back and forth between the pets and the shop owner.
Just mortal creatures? I came here on a whim, but this is… underwhelming. I thought the owner might be an old hermit, seeing that he dares to open a shop so close to the forbidden territory.
…
Not good, she didn't look impressed. She was still a young girl, perhaps if I let her pet one, she would grow attached to it.
"Dear customer, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Let me show you how gentle and soft they are."
I reached down, fumbling with the rusty latch of the rabbit's cage.
"Let me show you. This one is the softest of the bunch."
She raised a hand, lips parting as if to stop me.
"I'm not intere-"
Click.
The latch snapped open. The door creaked.
In that instant, the world changed.
A suffocating wave of mystical Qi filled the room. The windows shook, the bell rang, as if a storm raged inside. The air thickened, carrying a mysterious Dao.
The girl's words died in her throat. Not a word, not a sound. She stood there like a statue, her eyes fixed on the small, cute rabbit. Her Core Formation cultivation barely allowed her to keep standing.
This… no… NO!… this can't be…!
A drop of sweat formed on her delicate face. All she managed was to take half a step back.
She had ventured deep into beast territory before, but even there, she had never felt such suffocating Qi. A single glance from the rabbit could decide her life and death.
"See?" I stood up, holding the rabbit gently in my embrace.
"He's very gentle. He tried to bite me once, but after a light tap on the nose, he didn't dare again."
T-tap?
He t-tapped it? The beast wouldn't dare again?
Multiple wild scenarios raced through her head as she processed the young man's words.
A beast that could radiate this much Qi could only be found at the pinnacle sects as a guardian beast.
Her eyes widened further as realization struck. His calmness, his demeanor, a mystical beast comfortably eating a carrot fed to it…
Her throat went dry. The Dao in the air pressed down on her like an invisible mountain.
She dared not move.
H-how powerful is he? Taming and threatening this beast so casually… No, is that even possible for someone in this realm?
Her gaze shifted back to the young shop owner, carefully studying his expression. He just stood there with a smile, as if nothing had happened, stroking the beast's fur like it was an ordinary pet.
"…Unfathomable…"
.
.
.
Authors Note: Do you think this novel deserves a chance? If you do, please add this novel to your library! It goes a long way, honestly. Thank you for reading this far, and I'll see you in the next chapter. Gravemind is peacing out~