AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 165
Check my other translation works for other interesting stories
Maria : Mebius World Online
Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish
Seneca : Unrivaled Sewing Skill
Episode 13-5
“Then, shall we begin discussing the details?”
“Looking forward to it, Nyaoya-san.”
“Yes, we’re ready.”
It was the 41st day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
I was currently in the food court, which wasn’t open for business.
Seated across from me were two members of the Catkin—a race of Cat People.
While they resembled upright-walking cats, they were taller than ordinary cats, probably around 130 cm. Both were sitting properly, unlike how you’d expect cats to curl up or walk on all fours. Apparently, doing so was considered “childish” in their culture.
“Please don’t lump us together with kittens, we’re fully grown, nya!” they once told me. It wasn’t exactly covered in the cross-cultural communication training I had… but then again, Catkin weren’t on the syllabus!
“No need to be so nervous. Naoya-san is a kind person,” said the lady seated beside me, Francine-san.
She had experience dealing with the Merchant Guild and was familiar with the business practices of this world. I’d asked her to assist because, well, she wasn’t undead, a dragon, or anything too unusual—just a regular human.
“First, please take a look at our products, nya!”
“We intend to sell these goods made by everyone in our village, nya.”
Saying so, the two Catkin laid out their wares on the table: fabrics, clothes, and leather goods.
Each item was intricately embroidered with unique colors and patterns.
“Wow, these have a kind of ethnic vibe to them. If I were to compare, maybe something like Titicaca?”
“Ethnic? Titicaca?”
“Sorry, Nyaoya-san, we don’t understand…”
“Ah, my apologies. I mean, the embroidery’s colors and patterns give it a cultural, artistic appeal. Are these original designs of the Catkin?”
“Nyaoya-san, actually—”
“Nyaoya, it’s not just embroidery or patterns!”
“Chloe? Are you feeling better now?”
“Y-yes! Worrying about how Father and Mother might react won’t change anything, so I’ve decided not to think about it!”
“Quick recovery. That’s the spirit. So, Chloe, what about these?”
“These are magic circles! Even if faint, they all have various effects, you know!”
“…Excuse me, what?”
“This fabric has [Speed Enhancement], and this belt offers [Mental Fortitude]. These are high-quality items.”
“…Wait, hold on. Are you saying that wearing these items enhances abilities using magic?”
“Exactly! That’s why the Elves had trade agreements with the Catkin village where these two lived! Metal armor is too heavy for Elves, so they preferred these items!”
“Ah, I see! That’s why you, an Elf wearing heavy metal armor, get called a ‘Failed Elf’—no, wait! This could be an incredible product!”
“It’s not that incredible, nya!”
“Hehe. But it does make us happy to see you appreciate the work of everyone in our village, nya.”
“Adventurers would go crazy over these! Why haven’t you been able to sell them in the city?”
“Naoya-san, while these are indeed magic circles, as Chloe mentioned, their effects are faint. High-level adventurers prefer more potent magic items, while most others opt for cheaper, sturdier gear.”
“Not to mention, it’s hard to find exactly what you need! Even if you discover a piece, it might not have the effect you’re looking for!”
“I see. That makes sense. Catkins are rare, and since these are handmade one-of-a-kind items, they end up being expensive. So adventurers opt for more affordable and practical options.”
Now it made sense.
For adventurers, relying on hard-to-find enchanted clothing didn’t seem practical. They’d prefer durable leather armor or thick clothing that was readily available and cost-effective.
On the other hand, Elves, who valued lightweight gear, seemed like the perfect customers for the Catkin’s goods.
“I see… but doesn’t that mean if these were consistently available here, they’d sell? Oh, wait—pricing. How much are these items you’ve laid out on the table?”
“This fabric would go for about this much, this piece of clothing is more because it’s labor-intensive, and the belt would be priced around here.”
When I asked, it was the calico catkin, not the tabby, who answered.
The tabby was friendly, proactive, and capable in battle, while the calico seemed to handle support and negotiations—clear roles for each of them.
By the way…
“Huh? The prices aren’t that high, are they? Sure, they’re a bit more than what I heard for new clothes in the city, but…”
“Naoya-san, for the average commoner, buying clothes usually means purchasing second-hand. New clothes are typically reserved for special occasions.”
“Ah, I see. So clothes in general are already pretty expensive, and these are priced higher.”
“We can’t lower the price any more, nya!”
“These are handmade by everyone, so we can’t really…”
“Oh, no, I think if there’s added value, the price can be higher. The key is whether you can supply them steadily…”
“Ugh. Everyone’s a bit… temperamental, so it’s tricky to increase production. We can’t always control which items we make, and the magic circles change based on our moods.”
“I see…”
“Does that make things difficult, nya?”
“No, it’s fine. Some businesses succeed by marketing ‘one-of-a-kind’ items that you can’t find again, so it might work if we approach it correctly.”
“Then, then!”
“Hold on a moment. If you decide to set up a shop here, the rent will be a percentage of your sales.”
“Isn’t there a fixed price for rent?”
“There could be, but right now we have fewer customers, so we’re focusing on mutual growth. By tying rent to sales, we aim to help each other increase foot traffic and revenue.”
“I see…”
“Recently, we’ve been seeing over 300 customers per day. During the ‘Dragon Sale,’ it went over 600.”
“Three hundred!? Six hundred!? That’s about the same number of people as in our entire village, every day…”
“With a percentage, the more you sell, the more you’ll pay in rent.”
“We can discuss that. I’m not looking to make money just by charging rent. The goal is to attract more customers by having great stores, which will benefit everyone.”
The two Catkin sat in thought. They likely needed to talk with the rest of their village, especially if they wanted to ensure steady supply.
As I was about to suggest giving them some time to consider things, something else popped into my mind.
“By the way… The Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store employs people from various races, including Chloe the Elf. There won’t be any issues with that, right?”
“Of course! Meeting different people is fun, nya!”
“Yes, we don’t mind at all. The real concern is whether we’ll be accepted…”
“Heh, don’t worry. You two are no problem at all! Right, Chloe, Francine-san?”
“Yes. Colette the Dogkin works here every day and enjoys it.”
“Yeah! A Catkin should be fine, no problem at all! You won’t have to worry about anything! After all, undead are—”
“Woah! Woah! Chloe, stay! Just wait a bit!”
I quickly interrupted Chloe, who was about to say something.
The two Catkin tilted their heads in confusion.
Phew, it looks like they didn’t catch that.
It seems they aren’t bothered by different races working together, which is a relief. Now, I just need to make sure they keep things confidential when the time is right.
I believe in everyone—none of the undead here are bad. Everything will be fine!
It had been 41 days since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
The two Catkin, who were the first to show interest in becoming tenants, seemed to be leaning positively toward considering it for now.