Li Kai spent the following days in a haze of confusion and uncertainty. He could barely focus on anything—his mind kept drifting back to the mysterious woman who had visited the store. One week, she had said. One week to decide whether he was ready to learn the true nature of the Infinite Store. But how was he supposed to make such a decision? He knew nothing about the store's true power or the dangers that came with it. Was he truly ready to face the unknown?
The days passed, each one blending into the next. Li Kai found himself going through the motions, tending to the store, interacting with customers, but always with the underlying knowledge that something was lurking just beneath the surface. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
It had been three days since the woman's visit. Li Kai hadn't seen another customer since the adventurer had left, and the eerie silence of the store felt suffocating. Each time the door creaked open, his heart skipped a beat, expecting to see someone—anyone—enter, but no one came.
That was, until today.
Li Kai had just finished cleaning the counter when he heard the familiar sound of the door creaking open. He looked up, his breath catching in his throat.
This time, the person who entered wasn't a warrior or an adventurer. It was a boy—no older than fourteen or fifteen. His hair was dark, messy, and his clothes were worn and tattered, as if he had been traveling for days. His eyes, however, were the most striking feature. They were a piercing green, almost unnaturally bright, like they could see right through him.
The boy stepped into the store hesitantly, looking around with a mixture of awe and suspicion.
Li Kai straightened up, putting on his best welcoming smile. "Welcome to the Infinite Store. How can I help you?"
The boy looked at him for a long moment before speaking, his voice soft but firm. "I've heard that this place has... things. Things that can help me."
Li Kai raised an eyebrow. "Things? What kind of things are you looking for?"
The boy hesitated for a moment, glancing around nervously as if someone might be listening. Then, with a deep breath, he spoke again, more quietly this time.
"I need something... to protect me. Something that will keep me safe." His green eyes were wide with desperation.
Li Kai's heart skipped a beat. This was a strange request. Most of the customers he had served so far had come for power or strength—items that could aid them in battle or quests. But protection? That was different. What kind of protection did this boy need?
"Protection?" Li Kai echoed, his mind racing. "Can you explain a little more? What kind of protection are you looking for?"
The boy looked down, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his words was too heavy to bear. "I'm being hunted," he whispered. "By people who... want something I have. Something I didn't ask for."
Li Kai's eyes widened. Hunted? By whom? Why? There was so much the boy wasn't saying, but there was something about him that made Li Kai trust him, even if the situation seemed impossible to fully understand.
The boy met his gaze, his voice trembling now. "I don't know how they found me. But they're coming. I can feel it. I need something... something that can protect me from them. I don't know how much time I have."
Li Kai hesitated. This was different. Far different from anything he had experienced so far. The boy was desperate—genuinely terrified. His heart went out to him, but Li Kai didn't have many answers. All he had were the strange, otherworldly items in his inventory. But were they enough to help him?
"I... I'll see what I have," Li Kai said, trying to keep his voice steady. He turned toward the holographic screen in front of him, scrolling through the inventory. His fingers hovered over the items, but nothing felt quite right for what the boy needed. Strengthening potions, weapons, even talismans—none of them felt like the protection this boy required.
He paused, his eyes landing on an item he hadn't noticed before. It was tucked away in the corner of the inventory, labeled simply as Amulet of the Watchful Guardian. The description read: A protective amulet infused with ancient magic. It grants a powerful barrier against physical and magical attacks for a limited time, with a chance to alert the wearer of approaching danger.
Li Kai selected the amulet, and in an instant, a glowing golden amulet appeared on the counter. The charm was small, its surface etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly. The amulet pulsed with energy, and a sense of calm settled over the store as the magic hummed in the air.
"This is an Amulet of the Watchful Guardian," Li Kai explained, his voice gentle. "It will protect you—shield you from harm. It can keep you safe for a time, and it may even warn you if someone is nearby. But it's not permanent. Once the magic fades, you'll need to find another source of protection."
The boy's eyes lit up as he picked up the amulet, his fingers brushing over the smooth surface. "This... this is perfect," he murmured. "How much?"
Li Kai hesitated. He knew he couldn't charge too much—this boy was clearly in need, and he didn't have the resources to offer much in return. But then again, the System had set the prices. He wasn't sure how flexible the system was with prices, or if he even had any leeway to change them. He glanced at the holographic display.
Price for Amulet of the Watchful Guardian: 750 Credits.
He looked at the boy, who was holding the amulet with both hands now, his grip tight as if afraid it might slip away. "It's 750 credits," Li Kai said quietly, his voice softer than before. "But... if you don't have that, I can work something out."
The boy looked up at him, his eyes filled with gratitude but also shame. "I don't have that much," he whispered. "But I... I'll find a way. Please, I need it."
Li Kai felt a pang in his chest. This was more than just a business transaction. This boy was truly in danger, and the urgency in his voice hit him harder than he'd expected.
Before he could say anything more, the door to the store creaked open again, and a tall figure stepped inside. Li Kai froze as he recognized the adventurer from the other day—the one who had purchased the Elixir of Echoing Thunder and the Shield of the Eternal Guard. The man's golden eyes locked onto Li Kai, and he strode forward without hesitation, his voice deep and commanding.
"Keeper," the adventurer said, his tone firm. "I've come to collect something else."
Li Kai's heart skipped a beat. This was bad timing—very bad timing. The boy still stood in front of the counter, clutching the amulet, his eyes darting nervously between Li Kai and the adventurer.
The adventurer's gaze shifted to the boy. His eyes narrowed, sensing the tension in the air.
"Who is this?" he asked, his voice low. "And why is he here?"
Li Kai took a step forward, trying to put himself between the two. He had no idea what was going on, but one thing was clear: things were about to get complicated.