“– An alien shop? What a unique name! Is it an online store?”
Ah, I also summoned Braun over.
He was so moved that I had pulled the curtains down for him during the day to keep it dark, and he was so thrilled about how I sold that snack given by the mascot
‘This ‘little’ friend sure is easy to please…’
Actually, I had received two bags of snacks from the mascot, and I was keeping one just in case, but I didn’t tell him that.
Anyway, to answer the question…
“Yeah. You access it online. You can browse through the products on a screen that looks like a flyer.”
“– Ah! Is that so?”
I could hear Braun’s cheerful voice.
“– Sounds exciting, I wonder what the shop that my friend often visits looks like…”
<Space Shopping Mall>
※ Awesome Items from Outer Space ※~!!
>> I want to see the items
“– …”
“– …?!”
“– What in the world is this? This flyer has no sense of aesthetics, it looks so tacky.”
Hmm…
“Isn’t it more about usefulness than appearance?”
“– My goodness! Roe Deer, appearance is just as important as the contents! The first thing that moves the viewers’ hearts is the visual effect!”
“– A flyer like this, which is neither interesting nor shocking, just plain ugly!”
Yeah, yeah.
I clicked on the site, using his words as background noise.
“– ...Well, Roe Deer, I trust your word, my friend. If you say it’s worth our time, I’m sure the contents must be better than the flyer…”
Items
Bloodlust Bath- ₩29,999,999
Mystical Candle Kit - ₩19,999,999
Snow White’s Apple - ₩12,999,999
We Help! - ₩66,666,666
※Discount!※ Bloodsucking Cutlery - ₩7,999,999
₩14,999,999
“– ….”
“Braun?”
There was no response. He might have passed out.
It seems that my “good friend” is someone who can truly feel the designer’s pain… or rather, a monster.
“Are you okay?”
“– I’ll… rest a bit.”
Go ahead.
I continued looking through the products.
At first, the unchanged items immediately caught my eye.
There was the “We Help!” that I can’t buy, and then the Bloodsucking Cutlery, even marked as discounted...
‘It’s still here.’
※Discount!※ Bloodsucking Cutlery - ₩7,999,999
₩14,999,999
I thought I’d never see this again, whether someone else buys it or if the algorithm removes it from my recommendations, but here it is again.
‘Did they calculate that I’d buy it?’
It was a bit strange. Anyway, moving on.
The most expensive item I could buy was…
Bloodlust Bath- ₩29,999,999
‘This… I saw someone looking for one of these on the Salmon Market earlier.’
It was quite a famous item, and I remembered its description.
-------------------------------
Darkness Exploration Records / Delusion Home Shopping
/ Items
Bloodlust Bath
Today, we proudly present a remarkable product! A miraculous elixir of youth from our home shopping network!
Introducing… the Youthful Bathtub…
– 20XX, July 7th: Product Description by “Delusion Home Shopping.”
-------------------------------
Pour someone else's blood into the bath, and it turns into a fragrant bath lotion. Bathing in it heals wounds, relieves fatigue, treats arthritis, and improves skin beauty.
‘A modern take on a typical vampire myth, huh.’
And considering the price for such a named item, it was surprisingly reasonable.
But just imagining pouring someone else’s blood into a bath and bathing in it was enough to make my head spin…
‘Well, moving on.’
Mystical Candle Kit - ₩19,999,999
This was an unfamiliar item.
Still, when I think of candles, the image of lighting a flame comes to mind.
The light from a candle has always been a symbol of comfort and help in ghost stories.
‘But I should think more carefully if it’s worth burning twenty million won on.’
And lastly…
Snow White’s Apple - ₩11,999,999
Wow. Maybe even if it’s useless, I could sell it for forty million won and make a profit, no?
‘Well, I’m not sure if this would be considered a food related to ghost stories… but I could try selling it.’
The post “foods originating from supernatural phenomena” was still up and it looks like the buyer is looking for more items.
Since they claimed it was for research, there was a high chance they would continue looking for it.
So, if I put all this together, my choice would be…
“Guess it’s these.”
Mystical Candle Kit - ₩19,999,999
Snow White’s Apple - ₩11,999,999
※Discount!※ Bloodsucking Cutlery - ₩7,999,999
= ₩39,999,997
As I said before, light is the opposite of ghost stories.
But a kit that makes candles?
I had a feeling that the candles made from this kit would be related to defense or protection.
‘It’s a bit expensive, but I think it’s worth the investment.’
‘The Snow White’s Apple’ also seemed to have the same potential.
‘Snow White’s Apple… I bet it’s related to sleep or something.’
I’ve really been craving sleep lately.
If this apple helps with sleep, it would be exactly what I need. My efficiency would skyrocket and my survival rate would go up…
‘Please!’
I clicked the purchase button, desperately hoping for it.
‘Of course, even if it’s not, I could sell or trade it.’
It’s always good to have a backup plan.
And lastly.
Bloodsucking Cutlery.
‘With such a big discount, isn’t it just polite to buy it?’
The “Silver Snake Coin” I had bought earlier as a discounted item had been quite useful for everything from custom equipment to summoning Braun.
By the way, if I gently press the belly of the plush keychain, it still feels like the “Silver Snake Coin” is inside, with a round metal shape.
Honestly, I’m not sure if I can make the most out of the Bloodsucking Cutlery, but…
‘It should be useful for selling or for trading purposes.’
If anyone asks where I got it from, I could just use the excuse of the Salmon Market.
So, I decided on these three items.
“Alright.”
They fit perfectly within my available budget.
Good, let’s buy them…
“– Roe Deer.”
Hm?
Out of nowhere, Braun called me.
“– About the Bloodlust Bath…”
What about it?
“– I want it.”
“…!?”
Wh-What did he say?
“– Friend, would you mind giving me a little present?”
Braun’s voice had turned earnest with a bit of craftiness.
“– I’ve helped you in every way as your ‘good friend.’ But I’ve never asked for anything in return! So now, shouldn’t you at least give me something small as a token of appreciation...? Ah.”
Silence.
“– Sorry. I shouldn’t have made such a materialistic remark… I was trying to convert the value of our friendship into gold.”
“– A ‘good friend’ wouldn’t do this…”
“…”
The stuffed animal lowered its head as if ashamed and spoke gloomily.
“– Please ignore my words…”
Hmm.
"Let’s buy it."
“– Pardon...?!”
"Bloodlust Tub, let’s buy it."
“– !!”
Honestly, wasn't it because of this guy that I managed to escape from the theme park?
He saved my life, so this is the least I could do for him.
Anyway, the money here feels like game currency, and there are quite a few opportunities to earn more later.
Also, maintaining a good relationship with the ‘good friend’ seems like an obviously wise choice.
The decision became even clearer considering the bizarre abilities this stuffed animal keychain showed at the theme park.
‘And if I'm going to buy it, I might as well go for it without looking regretful...!’
“Don’t worry, the rest of the money will be deposited soon. Once that happens, I’ll buy it for you.”
“– Oh my goodness!”
“– Thank you! Thank you so much, Roe Deer! My friend…!”
“Yeah. But this isn’t some kind of favor, I’m just giving it to you because you’re my friend.”
“– Yes, I know. Friend!”
“Once the additional funds come in, I’ll buy the Bloodlust Bath. It should be a few days from now.”
“– Yes!!”
His voice trembled with joy and excitement, then quickly steadied.
“– I’m really looking forward to it, really... haha!”
Haha. I was happy to see him so excited.
…Just please don’t ask me to get some fresh blood for you.
“– Oh! The items have arrived. That was quick.”
Anyway, the items I ordered arrived in the post office box, and I had some fun unboxing time.
The first item at the top was the discounted Bloodsucking Cutlery.
“– Oh. Quite a classy set of cutlery, isn’t it? It looks perfect for formal occasions!”
The beautifully crafted small dessert fork and knife were wrapped in leather.
The silver gleamed as the flashlight’s beam reflected off them, sparkling delicately.
But, to use them, I’d need to drench them in blood... Ugh.
‘Well, let’s carry them around for now.’
They weren't exactly huge, so they were easy to store, and with the special equipment and items I had, I might be able to use them in a crisis.
Next, right under the cutlery, was...
[Easy and Quick Candle Making Kit]
It was the box for the Mystical Candle Kit.
It looked colorful and cute, almost like something for children.
‘That’s fine.’
If it’s for kids, making it should be easy!
I was itching to tear it open and check the instructions and contents, but the warning stickers covering the entire front caught my eye.
[No refunds after opening. The raw materials will spoil after 12 hours of contact with air, so use quickly.]
[Recommended for 3 people.]
Hmm. I’ll pass for now.
‘It’s better to open it the night before the ghost story assignment and prepare it.’
Still, I was curious about what kind of effect the candles might have. For twenty million won, they shouldn’t just be any normal effect.
“– Now, only the last item remains!”
“Right.”
I finally looked at the box at the very bottom.
A small, heavy... fruit crate.
“…?”
No, really.
Snow White Mountain Apples
They’re really delicious! Good for beauty and nutrition!
“...”
I didn’t accidentally order it from a farm, did I?
Hmm. There’s a letter attached from the seller.
Let’s read it...
-------------------------------
Thank you for purchasing Snow White Apples.
These fruits are carefully grown and harvested in ■■, using ■■ and cultivated with sweat and tears. They are distinct from others in terms of both taste and efficacy. ^^
How to use: Chew and swallow one whole apple.
Effect: Upon consumption, you will fall into a death-like sleep, with all life functions suspended.
This effect will last until sunrise the next day, after which you will awaken with great vitality and energy, fully restored!
The farm is not responsible for any changes to the body during the death-like sleep.
-------------------------------
“...”
‘This is definitely from a ghost story.’
So, it’s like that potion from Romeo and Juliet that makes you appear dead.
‘Got it.’
I opened the apple box. Inside were seven small, glossy mini-apples.
They were small, but perfectly round and bright red.
“– Indeed, they look healthy!”
Are you serious?
Still, they certainly seemed useful.
An item that induces a state resembling death, and after a day, it restores your body when you wake up?
There’s bound to be some use for it somewhere.
So, my current inventory looked like this:
Good Friend
Bloodsucking Cutlery
Mystical Candle Kit
Snow White’s Apples
Memorial Griptok
Smily Stickers :)
Alice’s Picnic Set
Along with the special equipment, and a Blue Soda Churros.
‘In a few days, the Bloodlust Bath will be added...’
Let’s use everything well and try to survive.
“– Well then, sweet dreams, Roe Deer!”
That night, I went to bed a little earlier, and although I had some nightmares, I managed to sleep decently well.
My near certainty that the next few days would be peaceful probably contributed to the comfort in my heart.
‘Let’s take it easy and recover mentally until the money comes in.’
* * *
However, a few days later.
I faced a shocking reality.
‘The additional allowance... didn’t get deposited...!’
Not only that but the manual revision that Team A’s leader mentioned hadn’t been done either. I was supposed to get a bonus for that.
‘What’s going on?’
Could it all have been a scam? Did they cheat me out of fifty million won?
I immediately looked into the situation.
And I received some shocking news.
“…The person in charge is missing?”
“Yeah. They've been absent for a few days.”
The employee responsible for reviewing the manual revision had been missing for a week.
“...”
Wait a minute.
“So, the manual review…”
“Well, it's indefinitely postponed. It’s not urgent, and even if they reassign someone to the paperwork, it’ll take at least two months.”
No wayy!!
I made a promise with a ghost story monster!
