With those thoughts, Xuan vanished from sight, reappearing in front of the store owner.
The moment the two locked eyes, the store owner raised his broom and slashed down at Xuan.
But Xuan was as fast as he was sly, and so, before the broom could hit him, Xuan was already gone.
He reappeared atop the rooftop where he left Sierra.
Xuan approached her, held out his hand, and then placed the apple monster thingy inside her palm.
The moment she felt the texture, she paused for a moment, then let out a sigh.
"Seriously... I was just joking."
As the apple monster began clawing at her palm and leaving behind faint scratches, Sierra began to regret telling Xuan about wanting one of these.
But since he already got it, there were no take-backs.
"Thank you."
Xuan smirked.
"Don't mention it. You've been really helpful so far. Oh, and I guess happy birthday."
