AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 150
Check my other translation works for other interesting stories
Maria : Mebius World Online
Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish
Episode 12-7
It’s been 35 days since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store.
Here I am, in the dungeon known as the “Petrified Forest.”
“The night sky is beautiful.”
“…Would you like to fly?”
“If I could, I’d fly back to Aion Mall Otherworldly Store. No, back to my original world.”
“Hmm? In Naoya’s world, can you fly back home?”
“No, I can’t. I know that, though.”
I let out a sigh and gaze at the crackling campfire.
I suppose it’s only natural to want to escape reality a bit.
I had left the dungeon “Old Town Catacombs” early this morning, stopped by Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, and then came straight to this dungeon, the “Petrified Forest.”
Since I’d experienced a tomb-type dungeon, I thought I’d try a field-type dungeon this time.
There are a lot of adventurers among the customers at Aion Mall, so I wanted to find out what sorts of things they might need.
Rather than just asking adventurers, I thought it’d be best if someone like me who knows the original world could experience it firsthand.
But right now, I regretted jumping into a dungeon so casually.
Thanks to Chloe, the elf holy knight who came with me, and Barbera, who looks like a kids but is actually a dragon in human form, I hadn’t faced much danger.
Mostly.
Yes, mos–t–ly.
“Am I gonna get hazard pay for this? Ah, I do get ‘otherworld allowance,’ don’t I? No wonder my salary’s high. If the cost of risking my life is factored in, it makes sense.”
Under the blue, swirling Milky Way, I recalled my experience after entering the “Petrified Forest” dungeon.
The “Petrified Forest” had traps, as one would expect from a dungeon.
And they were natural ones.
“Hm? This is! Naoya, hold your breath for a while!”
“Huh? It’s just a pretty flower field, right?”
“Those are petrifying flowers! If you inhale the pollen, you’ll gradually turn to stone! Barbera!”
“…Understood.”
“Wait, that’s terrifying.”
I held my breath in a panic. Barbera pursed her lips and blew out a stream of fire.
The terrifying flowers, which could apparently turn people to stone, began to burn.
The dragon’s breath only burned the petrifying flowers without spreading, thanks to her ability to selectively ignite what she wished to burn.
I tried not to think about the reason there were statues of animals and monsters here and there.
There weren’t any human statues, at least. Yay.
Monsters attacked us as if it was only natural.
“‘Barrier Protection’! Naoya, don’t look it in the eyes—trust us!”
“Huh? I can’t fight, but not looking feels just as scary.”
“It’s fine for me, Barbera, and Anna, but Naoya, as an ordinary human, is in danger! If you make eye contact with an evil eye at close range for too long, you could turn to stone! Barbera!”
“… do my best.”
“Wait, that’s too terrifying.”
I nervously looked down.
There was a clamor of thuds and impacts, likely from Chloe’s wooden sword and Barbera’s fists and kicks.
I heard the monsters’ cries, and it seemed they were taken down quickly.
When I got the all-clear and looked up, a monster that looked like a mix of a lizard, a chicken, and a snake lay defeated.
It was a quick win with a Holy Knight and a dragon. Amazing.
Then one managed to slip past the onslaught of monsters from between the two of them.
“Naoya! Hold on somehow!”
“Take that! Just ’cause you’re huge doesn’t mean a simple chicken can take on the grandson of farmers!”
“N-Naoya? That fighting fowl isn’t a mere chicken—it’s a monster, you know?”
“…Impressive.”
“Phew. Thanks, Grandpa, Grandma. I did it. I managed to take down a chicken properly.”
Though I masked it with enthusiasm, I wiped the cold sweat off my brow.
A large chicken, as tall as my waist, lay slumped on the ground at my feet.
I dodged its charge, threw my cape over its head to blind it, and took it down from behind.
Looks like I can manage if I try.
If I couldn’t even take down a chicken, I’d be a disgrace to the family farm. Not that I stayed on the farm.
Somehow, after everything, we managed to make it out safely.
I feel like I won’t be able to casually say “Let’s go to a dungeon” anymore.
Adventurers really are amazing.
I’m not going to give them special service when I get back to the shop… since it’s not a private store. But maybe a sale for adventurers’ supplies.
“Leaving one dungeon in the early morning, then going to another… this workload is unreal. Even if we set aside whether this is technically Aion employee work.”
“…Whew.”
“Wow, Barbera! You’re a lifesaver during camping!”
“…Looks tasty.”
“Indeed! A warm meal soothes both body and spirit! Here, Naoya, it’s time to eat!”
“Thank you, Chloe, Barbera.”
“N-Naoya is thanking me honestly…? C-could it be! Is this an advanced technique to show vulnerability, like ‘I can’t do without you, Chloe,’ to lure me in!? Hah, such a trick won’t sway an elf!”
“What do you think I am? And how is that even an advanced technique?”
I take a porcelain bowl from Chloe.
It’s slightly warm.
When I remove the lid, the aroma of beef stew entices my appetite.
I take a bite with the wooden spoon.
Delicious.
It seems to warm both my tired body and spirit.
“…Delicious!”
“We can enjoy a hot meal in a dungeon thanks to Barbera, and it’s tasty thanks to you, Naoya!”
“This really does the trick. I’m glad I started selling prepared foods.”
I think to myself.
Eating cold, hard bread in a situation like this would be too rough.
Whether or not a fire can be used depends on the dungeon or campsite environment, so warming things up isn’t always an option.
“In that case, offering ‘delicious even when cold’ prepared foods might be a good angle.”
“Oh! Is there such a thing in Japan!?”
“Things like onigiri and sandwiches are popular choices that don’t need reheating. But rather than expanding prepared foods, I’d prefer to think about a new line of products.”
I watch Chloe’s excited face as I scan our surroundings.
We’re camping in the dungeon “Petrified Forest.”
The Petrified Forest is a field-type dungeon with a forest environment inside. The outskirts are forest too.
Obviously, it’s not a place where we can set up a tent and relax as if we’re camping. Glamping is a distant dream.
We just spread a thick cloth in an open area and sleep with our cloaks as sleeping bags.
We lit a fire, but some adventurers apparently stayed in complete darkness.
After all, we have Chloe the Holy Knight and Barbera the Dragon, so monsters aren’t a problem for us.
So I thought it was okay not to hold back.
Apparently, many adventurers don’t even bother laying down cloth, taking naps directly on the ground. Harsh.
“There’s so much I wish I had here, so many things that would be useful. I’m glad I came.”
“Oh! What are you planning to sell? What kind of products!?”
“Too close. Calm down, Chloe, or I might fall for that ‘elf illuminated by the campfire’ look.”
“…Tasty?”
“Barbera, let’s take a break from cooking for now. Next time, I’m planning to focus on products other than food.”
I settle the two of them and let my thoughts wander.
It’s been 35 days since I became the manager of Aion Mall Otherworldly Store.
This second dungeon adventure taught me a lot.
Combat?
Taking down a chicken doesn’t really count as combat.
But hey, I’m a farmer’s grandson—I can handle a chicken!
Oh, and the fighting fowl was delicious. Perfect for chicken cutlets.