Chapter 37 …
I opened my mouth, looking at Lissian.
The longer I hesitated, the more his expression stiffened.
I couldn’t just spill everything about the Hidden Shop. It was too complicated to explain.
So the best I could do was come up with something that sounded plausible.
“The gods… uh, they gave me a mission.”
“A mission?”
“I have to go alone. Don’t worry, it’s not dangerous.”
The hand that had been holding mine slipped away softly.
Then he gripped my hand tightly. The warmth transferred through our bare skin made my heart flutter for no reason.
“Can’t I come with you?”
“Hmm… I don’t think that would work…”
“Really… really not?”
Lissian looked at me intently, his eyes like a cat’s in boots.
I squeezed my eyes shut. That expression was cheating…!
‘But what can I do if it really can’t be helped…’
It was then.
The door is closing soon. Please enter quickly.
10, 9, 8…
What the hell! There’s a time limit too?!
I had no choice but to push Lissian away and shout.
“I have to go quickly! See you later! I’ll be right back!”
“Muriel!”
“Ma-masteeer~!”
I heard desperate cries, but I didn’t have time to answer. I just rushed through the closing door.
5, 4…
Welcome!
You have entered the “Hidden Shop in the Outer Space Rift.”
Thud.
The door closed behind me.
I instinctively turned around, confirmed it was firmly shut, and then looked ahead.
The scene before my eyes was—truly otherworldly.
‘What is all this…?’
A breathtaking spectacle filled my vision. Even the word “dazzling” wasn’t enough.
It looked like an island. The floor was covered with what looked like soft grass, filled with dozens—no, hundreds—of various kinds of flowers.
At first glance, it seemed like a garden, but scattered around were dazzling snow-white fountains, statues, and structures that looked like rest areas.
Beyond the island stretched infinite space. The cosmos shimmered in shades of dark blue and violet, with galaxies flowing in a myriad of colors.
Even a rainbow, shining like crystal fragments, hung in midair. Physics here made no sense at all.
“Where does this look like a Hidden Shop…?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. This place was far from any normal idea of a shop. It felt more like a divine playground.
“So… how exactly am I supposed to shop here…?”
The item I needed to buy was undoubtedly Fate Distortion. I had no idea what it looked like or how much it cost.
I decided to follow the neatly laid white crystal path ahead. The milky-white crystals sparkled beautifully under the light.
Walking while gazing hypnotically at the ground, I suddenly looked up. The decorations along the path had changed.
The flowerbeds were gone, replaced by marble display tables holding strange objects.
“…?”
I examined each item carefully. Every single one was bizarre, and I couldn’t tell what it was used for.
Egg of Unknown Birth
Price: Inquire within
This one looked somewhat normal, but the colors were strange—a swirling mix of green and purple that gave off a foreboding feeling.
‘Whatever this is, I shouldn’t touch it.’
Fragment of a Night Sky from a Ruined World
Price: Inquire within
‘This…’
It was literally a cube-shaped fragment. About the size of a grown man’s fist, with a black background and a strange red light flickering inside.
As I stared at the hypnotic red glow, a pair of blood-red eyes flashed in the pitch-black darkness.
“Ahhh!”
Startled nearly to the point of fainting, I almost fell backward.
The grotesque eyeball glared at me for a moment before slowly closing again.
I clutched my pounding heart and tried to catch my breath.
Why would anyone sell something like this? What’s it even for…?
‘Is there anything normal here?’
As I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and looked around, a glint of silver caught my eye. I narrowed my eyes and approached it.
Silver Chalice That Grants Wishes
Price: ?
‘Oh? This seems decent. And it grants wishes?’
But as I got closer, I saw that the silver chalice had a horrifying scene engraved on it that made me frown instinctively.
‘Wh-what is this?’
I stepped back cautiously, putting some distance between myself and the chalice.
The surface of the cup seemed to reach out, with writhing people screaming in twisted faces.
“……”
I was genuinely scared. What is this “shop”…?
‘I have to find Fate Distortion quickly!’
From that point on, I ignored everything else. I only searched for the four words: Fate Distortion.
The island was surprisingly large. Because it wasn’t an ordinary place, the more I walked, the more the space seemed to stretch like taffy.
“Where the heck is Fate Distortion…!”
After walking so much, I got tired. I spotted a bench and plopped down.
The bench was also white, made of a strange material I couldn’t identify.
I clasped my hands like in prayer and muttered.
“System God, please act as a navigation guide. I need to find it and get back quickly… Lissian and Ninabel will worry…”
Maybe my plea worked. The system displayed: [Please wait a moment.] Shortly after, it appeared again.
You can spend 50 coins to summon a shop assistant. Would you like to do so?
YES / NO
50 coins was no problem. I thought it was a little ridiculous that I had to pay to summon an assistant, but I nodded and pressed YES.
Immediately, the sound of coins clinking played, 50 coins were deducted, and a “bang!” like fireworks appeared in midair.
Well, the fireworks weren’t real—it was just an effect.
With the noisy effect, the “assistant” appeared: a small white dog.
It had tiny angel wings on its back and a blue scarf around its neck.
Stunned by the unexpectedly cute sight, I felt my heart swell.
‘Adorable…!!’
I covered my mouth with both hands and stared at the white dog in awe.
The dog tilted its head, fluttered upward with its small wings, and spoke bravely.
“Hello, guest! I am the assistant of this shop, Milk!”
Yes. The dog really spoke.
And its way of speaking was unique. If a person spoke like that, it might sound weird, but a dog saying it was perfect.
‘Fluffy… so cute…! I want to pet it!’
My hands itched to reach out, but it would be rude to touch a stranger.
So I cautiously extended the back of my hand toward the dog’s nose.
“…? Wha-what are you doin’…?”
“I… was just greeting you…”
‘Is this wrong?’
Scratching my head, I pulled my hand back. Milk spun in midair and said:
“Guest, if you are looking for something, tell me! I will find it for you!”
Ah, right—this dog’s name was Milk. A very intuitive and fitting name. Whoever named it did well.
I cleared my throat and asked.
“I want to buy an item called Fate Distortion. Do you have it?”
“Yesss! Fate Distortion! Please wait a moment!”
Milk pulled out a scroll from somewhere and unrolled it, then carefully traced over it with its fluffy front paws.
After a while, Milk folded the scroll, raised its head, and shouted energetically.
“I found it, guest! Follow me!”
I followed the little white dog, my heart fluttering as if it might burst.
After walking about twenty steps, we reached a display case made of transparent glass. Milk pointed with a paw and said:
“Here it is, Fate Distortion!”
I cautiously approached and looked inside.
The four words Fate Distortion immediately caught my eye. Below it, this was written:
Scissors of Atropos
Yes.
The item called Fate Distortion… was a sharp silver pair of scissors.
