"I want to buy this Mystic Beast."
Aris said while looking at Snow Pup's cute face. Like other girls, Aris also loved cute things. Snow Pup was too cute, and she did not want to miss it.
After hearing the store owner's words that this Mystic Beast could fight a Tier 3 Fierce Beast, she decided to buy it.
When the young man heard that Aris wanted to buy Snow Pup, a warm and silly smile appeared on his face. He could finally complete his first sale.
"Pay 1 Crystal, and we can start the handover process."
"Okay…"
After hearing the store owner's words, Aris took out her money pouch from her armor and brought out a glowing blue crystal. She placed the crystal on the counter.
The crystal was overflowing with blue mana. Crystals were a natural form of solid mana that Awakeners used for cultivation. Awakeners also used these crystals as currency.
The store owner picked up the blue crystal and examined it briefly. The mana inside flowed smoothly, pure and dense.
"Good quality," he said with a nod.
He placed the crystal into a small slot on the counter. The crystal slowly sank into it and vanished, as if swallowed by the wood itself.
A soft light spread across the counter.
"Now, we'll begin the handover process."
He raised his hand, and a faint blue panel appeared in the air between him and Aris. Strange runes circled around the panel, forming a complex pattern.
"Place your hand here," he said calmly.
Aris looked toward the faint blue panel that appeared before her eyes. The store owner must be using some kind of high-level illusion skill. He must have a strong background. These were Aris's thoughts after seeing the panel.
Aris took a deep breath and placed her hand on the panel.
A cold sensation spread from her palm, traveling up her arm and into her chest. At the same time, Snow Pup's hologram floated forward and stopped right in front of her.
[Contract Formation in Progress…]
Thin threads of icy-blue light connected Aris's hand to Snow Pup. She felt her heart skip a beat as a strange connection formed between them.
Snow Pup let out a soft cry.
"Woof…"
The light grew brighter for a moment, then slowly faded.
[Contract Completed.]
The hologram disappeared.
In its place, a real Snow Pup appeared on the counter. Its snow-white fur looked soft and warm, and its icy-blue eyes sparkled with life.
Aris stared at it in shock.
"It's… real?"
The store owner smiled faintly.
"From now on, it's yours."
Snow Pup jumped down from the counter and walked toward Aris with short, unsteady steps. It rubbed its head against her leg.
Aris slowly knelt down and touched its fur.
"So cold… yet also warm," she whispered.
Snow Pup's body was chilly, but it also felt warm and refreshing, like fresh snow under her fingersday The Snow Pup looked up at her with round, bright eyes and let out a small bark.
"Yip."
Aris gently hugged Snow Pup. After hearing its cute barking sound, she felt as if her heart was melting.
"I won't let you down," she said softly.
Snow Pup wagged its small tail and let out a cheerful bark.
"Woof!"
The young man stood there, watching their wholesome moment, when a small blue panel suddenly appeared in front of his eyes that only he could see.
[Mystic Beast: Snow Pup]
Grade: 1
Type: Ice
Contracted Master: Aris
Then a cold mechanical voice echoed inside his mind.
Ding...
[Host sold a Mystic Beast]
[Task 1: Sell one Mystic Beast to a customer within three days]
[Task Status: Complete]
[Rewards Calculating…]
Aris, who was playing with her Mystic Beast, looked toward the store owner, who was smiling foolishly.
She held her newly purchased Snow Pup, which was playing on the wooden floor. She looked at the store owner and said,
"I'm leaving with my Snow Pup."
"Oh," the young man, who was happy to have completed his first task, came back from his daydream.
Aris started walking toward the store door. Snow Pup in her arms looked back at the store owner with its charming eyes, as if saying goodbye.
Aris turned back and looked at the store owner with her glowing orange eyes and said,
"Can you tell me your name?"
"Oh… my name?"
The young store owner was puzzled by her sudden question. Then he looked at the beautiful young lady and, with a smile on his face, said,
"My name is Raeshan, owner of this store, always at your service."
"Okay… I will remember your name."
After saying that, Aris walked out of the store. Her pink hair flowed in the wind as sunlight enveloped the street.
She held her Snow Pup softly and started walking toward the inn where she and her friends were currently staying.
❝Like a hardworking bird who, after finding a piece of bread, took it back to feed its children,❞
❝Aris also, after finding Snow Pup, walked toward the inn to show it to her friends.❞
❝But she didn't know that after meeting the store owner, her fate had already begun to change.❞
Inside the Mystic Pet Store, Raeshan was looking toward the store door where Aris had left. At that moment, a blue panel suddenly appeared in front of his eyes.
[Rewards Calculating… Complete]
[Surviving in this fantasy world not only requires intelligence, but also strength. If the host has enough strength, no one can bully the host, and the host can complete his noble goal of spreading Mystic Beasts to every corner of the earth.]
[Task Reward: One Grade 3 Mystic Beast Summon Opportunity]
Raeshan looked at the task reward the system had given him.
'Good heavens, a Grade 3 Mystic Beast can easily fight a Tier 5 Elite Beast. To defeat a Tier 5 Elite Beast, a Tier 6 — Master is needed, and the strongest Awakener in Silver Lake City is only a Tier 5 — Elite, who is the City Lord.
Doesn't that mean I'm the strongest person in Silver Lake City?'
After thinking about it, Raeshan started to laugh.
***
[This is a work of fiction. All characters, beliefs, and events are part of a fantasy universe]