"Well, what would two wanderers that do not seem to be tourist want in my humble shop?" The old man stated as he looked at Jihan and Esme.
Esme calmed herself as she was never great with scary stuff. She always used the excuse of horror movies being lame, but she is just not great with scary stuff like monsters. Even now, her mind keeps trying to find a logical explanation on how an old man managed to sneak up on her. She prided herself on being the perceptive type in the team.
"If the elder knows that we are wanderers then can you please answer our question if this is the sigil you use in your store?" Jihan asked while showing the picture of the Eye of Horus.
"I believe that you are mistaken young man." The old man stated but then he noticed Esme' gaze.
"It is very rude to try and peer inside the mind of an old man don't you think, young lady?" The old man stated as he smiled at Esme that did not seem like a smile.
Esme froze as she got caught but what made her afraid is not the fact that she read the old man's memories. All she got is an immense dark space upon peering into the old man's mind which greatly affected her psyche.
She felt like she just peered into a dark abyss that wants to suck her in. She did not know that what she saw is the power that the old man held compared to the power that she held. She is now in shock and unable to speak.
"I told you to not do anything unnecessary, Esme. Esme?" Jihan stated as he noticed that Esme started to shudder. She is also cold to the touch that even the sweat rolling down her face is cold.
"What did you do?!" Jihan asked wand this time he showed no respect.
"If I were you young man, you should keep calm. We both know that you cannot handle me. The young lady is just facing what we call a shake in her psyche due to seeing the difference between me and her. Why don't you start introducing yourself and state your true purpose?" The old man stated.
Jihan is also starting sweat because the old man is now releasing his aura. He is concerned for Esme, but he knows that she could overcome her trial. It must have messed up her psyche, but she is one of the strongest persons that he knows.
"My name is Jihan and the one you scared is Esme. I would like to know the name of the elder also since I do not want to be disrespectful." Jihan introduced himself and Esme stopped shaking but she fainted.
The old man then used some sort of spell and Esme plopped down on a bean bag. Jihan arranged her sleeping position after determining that she is alright. The old man then continued their conversation.
"You can call me Ibis. I am the owner and store clerk of this store. But you are not here for any of my goods. What do you really want, young man?" Ibis asked Jihan.
"We want information about the Book of the Dead. We want to know if it is still in the underworld." Jihan asked.
"You need to be specific about books of the dead, young Jihan. There are different types of books of the dead. You need to name one." Ibis stated but he did not expect that question. He is debating if fate is playing tricks with him.
"We want information on the Book of Thoth." Jihan stated.
"I see. I think I have the right thing here." Ibis stated as he went behind the counter and rummaged a bunch of old books in the shelf there.
"Here it is. The book that you need." Ibis stated as he handed over the book to Jihan.
Upon receiving the book, Jihan flipped its contents and immediately blushed. He did not know whether the old man is a man of culture or actually just losing his hearing.
"Not this book. I meant the Book of Thoth. The Egyptian God of Wisdom. We want to know if the Book of Thoth, which holds the records of the living and the dead, is safe and not being used by others to commit atrocities." Jihan stated as he handed the book of 'culture' back to Ibis.
"If you are pertaining to The Book of Thoth then you are assured. It is still in the hands of the God of Wisdom and does not leave his side. It seems that our boss has deduced that the mass murders that Deviants are doing has something to do with a Book of the Dead." Ibis stated which did not shock Jihan.
Jihan knew that this old man is not simple so his wisdom should also be equivalent to his power.
"Can I have proof? Forgive me if I cannot take your word for it as it is part of the job." Jihan stated.
"I see. I will give you this emblem then as me saying that it is true. I am pretty sure Joe knows the meaning of that emblem." Ibis stated which greatly shocked Jihan.
"You know Joe?" Jihan exclaimed.
"I do. He has been in this earth since ancient times, so I know who he is and what he is. I would tell you but I do not say personal details of persons that I know. If that is all then goodbye." Ibis stated as he waved his hand.
Both Jihan and Esme disappeared as they are sent outside of the shop. Ibis then held the book of 'culture' and made sigils with his hands. The previous book changed in appearance and became an ancient but powerful book.
"It seems that the son of the dragon has yet to awaken his full potential. I would have happily given him a teaching if he saw the illusion that I cast." Ibis stated as he begun to transform into a man with the head of an Ibis. The store also disappeared from its current location.