AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 153
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Maria : Mebius World Online
Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish
Episode 12-10
“Now, how will they react? I thought all of these were necessary for dungeons…”
This is the 37th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store.
In preparation for the “Dragon Sale,” which we hold every 10 days, we started test-selling new products today. Based on how they sell, I’ll place orders and launch them in full force during the Dragon Sale three days from now—assuming we can align the wavelength of the <Small-Scale Transfer Gate> that connects here every two weeks to a month.
“This table is amazing! It’s lightweight, sturdy, and foldable! Perfect for outdoor marches!”
“Well, we’re adventurers, you see.”
“We don’t want unnecessary baggage. We can eat without a table.”
“Exactly. Sorry, Chloe-chan, we’ll pass on this one.”
The picnic folding table that received lukewarm reactions yesterday also didn’t fare well with the adventurers today.
It makes sense, though. For adventurers who travel on foot, fight monsters, camp out, and carry materials back, the less baggage, the better.
Even if it’s compact, lightweight, and convenient to carry, there are no cars in this world to help transport it.
“Argh! W-wait! This table isn’t just a table—it can double as a shield! No extra baggage at all!”
“No need to push yourself, Chloe. Let’s move on to the next one.”
“But, Naoya! If it doesn’t sell, won’t it be a disaster!? What if you say, ‘Chloe, you’ll have to take responsibility for this… with your body’ and corner me! K-kill me now!”
“That won’t happen. If anything, it’s the manager’s responsibility—mine.”
“Wha-what!? So you’re saying, ‘Sorry, Chloe and everyone. As an apology, you can do whatever you want with my body’!? W-what is this feeling!?”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all. Come on, let’s move on to the next product demo. There’s still plenty left.”
I calmed Chloe down and handed her the next item.
Although today isn’t the Dragon Sale but a regular business day, we’ve set up an outdoor booth for the test sales.
We also created an eat-in space where customers could snack on side dishes or galettes while listening to Chloe’s product presentations.
The adventurers seem interested, judging by their willingness to chat with her.
This is likely due to the track record we’ve built with our side dishes and exotic fish.
Even though the folding table didn’t sell.
“Argh… On to the next! Behold, the chair version of the last item! With this, you can sit anywhere! And look! It folds up compactly!”
“But we just sit on the ground.”
“Yeah, it’ll just end up as extra baggage.”
“Adventurers don’t need such fancy stuff.”
“Sorry, Chloe-chan.”
“Ugh… Naoya…”
“Th-there’s still more! Let’s keep going!”
“Is there a folding chair with better seating comfort?”
Just as I thought the picnic folding chairs were a bust, an adventurer who looked like a mage asked a question.
It was the usual former-noble, eccentric-food-loving mage.
“Wow! What do you think, Naoya!?”
“Well, we don’t have it in stock right now, but we can order it.”
“Really? In that case, I’ll consider it—after seeing the actual product.”
“Thank you very much!”
“Yay, Naoya! …Wait, I haven’t seen such a thing. Do we even sell it?”
“It’s an order-only item. Aion has everything from ‘A’ to ‘Z,’ complete with love. We just don’t have much of this world’s goods.”
A comfortable folding chair…
Not the small, cheap ones usually displayed in Aion Style, but a camp chair with a backrest might meet their standards. Probably.
Being a former noble, sitting on the ground must feel beneath them.
If that’s the case, it might sell to the knights, too.
Still, even if it’s compact, it’s bulky.
“Chloe, keep demonstrating the products. I’ll grab a catalog.”
“Understood! Now, everyone, pay attention! This next product is amazing—a thin water-repellent cloth! Patterned, blue, all at affordable prices!”
“No way. A cloth like that can’t repel water.”
“Exactly. For waterproofing, you need thick leather coated with oil.”
“Actually, I’ve heard thin aquatic monster hides can repel water. Maybe it’s similar?”
“Fufu, your skepticism is understandable! Anna, do it at once!”
“Yes. Hehe, even for a demonstration, pouring water on someone wrapped in a cloth is a bit nerve-wracking.”
As I headed to the back to grab a catalog, I overheard Chloe and Anna’s exchange behind me.
Anna poured water from a ladle over Chloe, who was draped in a blue sheet.
The moment Chloe dramatically removed the blue sheet, I heard the adventurers and merchants gasp in amazement.
“Alright, let’s see.”
Judging by the reactions, it seems the picnic sheets and blue tarps will sell well.
The unit price is low, but we can stock plenty, which should help boost sales. Hopefully.
Oh, by the way, the response to LED lanterns and flashlights was lukewarm.
But not yet.
I haven’t revealed today’s highlight product yet!
“And now, for the final product!”
When I returned with the catalog, Chloe was just about to introduce the “highlight product.”
While I was gone, a crowd had gathered in front of the demo booth.
I’m grateful for the attention.
Though, I couldn’t help but notice that everyone was draping picnic sheets or blue tarps over their shoulders like capes.
Thank you for your purchase.
It’s not exactly the intended use, but I guess the “water-repellent” feature really resonated with them.
Still, seeing this group of overly creative individuals feels a bit… surreal.
“Chloe-chan, what’s that? Looks like a small pouch.”
“A drawstring bag? A storage item? Though the material seems unusual.”
“The new products this time are hit or miss.”
“Could it also be waterproof? If so, it might be useful for valuable documents or delicate ornaments…”
“The surprise is yet to come! Behold!”
Apparently buoyed by the customers’ reactions, Chloe was brimming with excitement, her movements exaggerated.
Come to think of it, Chloe’s dramatic actions might be well-suited for live product demos.
I might try prepping her with staged audience reactions next time.
As I pondered idly, Chloe pulled out the highlight product from the small pouch.
The item expanded as it filled with air.
“Lightweight! Compact! And warm! The highlight product of the day is this ‘Super Light Down!’“
“Whoa, it inflated!”
“That jacket came out of that tiny bag… Is it some sort of <Item Pouch>?”
“It’s shiny. Is it coated with oil?”
“The look isn’t exactly elegant.”
“Super light… feathers?”
Chloe unfolded the compactly packed item and put on the down jacket.
This was inspired by what I noticed during dungeon inspections and adventurer experiences.
It gets chilly at night or depending on the type of dungeon.
But bulky coats are inconvenient for traveling or combat.
That’s why I thought portable cold-weather gear would sell well.
By the way, the Super Light Down isn’t from Uniql*—it’s Aion’s private-brand PB product.
An original item inspired by the concept.
“I’ve prepared samples here! Feel free to try them on! Oh, and while not as water-repellent as the earlier sheets, they can fend off light rain!”
“Whoa, this is so light!”
“How does the closure work? Metal? Such precise craftsmanship…”
“It’s warm! This is amazing—perfect!”
“You can fold it small and light, but it’s warm when worn. Incredible…”
“Hey, was buying that sheet earlier pointless? This could replace everything!”
“You idiot, you can’t fight in this! It’s great for camping, though.”
“Chloe-san, how many of these can I buy? Please sell them all to me!”
“Wait, buying out the stock isn’t allowed. Chloe-san, how about entrusting the sales in the royal capital to our merchant guild?”
As expected of the highlight product, the Super Light Down drew the biggest response of the day.
Even some merchants expressed interest in wholesale.
Judging from this reception, it’s bound to be a bestseller.
“Alright, alright! This will be the highlight of the next ‘Dragon Sale’! May the <Small-Scale Transfer Gate> connect in time!”
This marks the 37th day since I became the manager of Aion Mall Otherworldly Store.
It looks like we’ll be venturing into clothing sales starting with the next Dragon Sale.
A certain major clothing chain’s flagship product seems popular even in another world.
Oops, I mean it’s an original product! An inspired, original PB product!
…Aion is scary. Big companies play rough.
Maybe they won’t get mad if it’s in another world?