I've been in the sales industry for a long time to know the ins and outs of the industry. One of the most important things in opening a shop was: Location. The location of the store could be instrumental to its success. It is IMPORTANT that the store was located somewhere noticeable, accessible, and affordable.
And Bedo already failed in that category.
I stood in front of my shop that looked like a pile of rubbles put together. I only added some wooden doors and windows to make it look like a home and not a cave.
Even so, a slight smirk appeared on my lips, proud that my shop was finally prepared to operate. I gazed at it more, studying what else I forgot to patch up, and I detected a ton — I meant, nothing.
"What?" I inquired while my brows knitted. "You think the business will fail just because it's located in the middle of the fortress?"
I looked at my shop, Bedo, and chuckled while shaking my head. One would surely consider me delusional for talking to a pile of rubble — I mean, talking to a shop. But Bedo was my best friend, my family, and my stepping stone to success. I see nothing wrong with it; if this was called crazy, then this entire world of Aslesia was just a vast asylum.
"Bedo." I paused and crossed my arms, standing proudly before it. "Our location might be a disadvantage, but that's our brand, my brother. That is why I named it Bedo's Secret Shop. It won't be a secret if it's out there in the plaza, correct?"
A low yet proud chuckle slipped past my lips. Honestly, I just didn't have the money to rent and even if I had money to rent, I wouldn't bother with that sort of added cost.
"Just think like this; a shop that is established in the middle of this fortress. Who do you think it will attract?" I cocked my head, explaining why this decision of mine was reasonable. Whether or not this pile of rubble could understand, what was important was that I convinced myself.
"Those who can find this shop are only the strong or wise ones. Just finding this place will filter out clowns who go to do window shopping. In that case, all our clients are those who are serious about doing business with us."
The side of my lips stretched broader, nodding in satisfaction. I had convinced myself enough, so it was time for me to go to the second phase of my plan to be the richest man in Aslesia.
I hurried inside while carrying the equipment I used to do the final touches to my shop last night. Unlike what it looked like outside, the inside of my shop was more... acceptable. There was enough space for at least thirty people; they could even somersault even if they were inside all at once.
Inside my shop had a counter where I put all my things. There were shelves I hauled from the trash and repaired; chairs and tables, herbs, some old accessories, bones, and blunt weapons I managed to rob from thieves or dug up from the graves deep in the fortress. I didn't spend a cent on all the things my shop offered.
Bedo called this a disaster, but I considered it as being resourceful. Of course, even though I didn't spend a penny on these items, I still exerted some effort. I cleaned the weapons and made them shine until they could reflect like a mirror. I tested some potion on myself — I made myself the guinea pig.
I consumed poison while doing so, but it was a small amount, so I was safe. The worst thing that happened to me while testing the potions was an allergic reaction. My entire body swelled that time and it was the fucking worst.
This may sound not logical, but this was Aslesia. I couldn't even help but wonder if the God who created this world was a fan of anime and novels. He surely created an OP world with too many OP characters.
"Alright," I muttered, dragging my sack, which I used as a bag and only attached drawstring on each end, so I could carry it across my body.
I dragged the pile of posters, which I would use as flyers since I wrote the advertisement on its back. As I did, one paper floated down to my feet. I gazed at it but didn't pick it up immediately. Instead, I placed the 'flyers' inside my bag before bending over to pick it up.
My brow raised as I checked the back of my handwritten flyer. It was a wanted poster for a criminal. The technology in Aslesia wasn't as advanced back on Earth, but it was more like a medieval futuristic setting. So, the poster was only a detailed drawing of a hooded man.
"Who will recognize this person if half of his face is almost covered?" I wondered, staring at it for a moment before shaking my head lightly. "Whatever. Not my problem."
I shoved the wanted poster, which was now a flyer, inside my sack. All these flyers were either recruitment posters or wanted posters. Aside from the fact that I had no money to buy clean papers for flyers, this was also an efficient way to get a customer. Some people just tear these posters from the bulletin, after all.
"I'll come back later, Bedo," I uttered as I marched towards the door. "Don't worry. I don't need to sleep. I need to grind, my brother. Take care while I'm out."
I waved as I was by the door, not looking back even once. I might be stubborn about this business, but I didn't have high expectations in the first few weeks. All I need was to let people know about this shop's existence.
When I was at a good distance from the shop, I halted and looked back. "By the way, do you know the other reason why I insisted on staying in this forest?"
A soft gust of wind blew from the east while I stared at my shop from my vantage point. No one answered me, but the side of my lips stretched into a grin.
"As I've said, only strong individuals will dare come in here. But more than that, the people who would go to this suspicious place are shady people. What I mean is, shady people doing shady business always pay a good amount of money."
I rubbed the tip of my index and thumb against each other, before motioning an OK sign. "We'll milk them all dry. Alright, Bedo?"
I affirmed confidently before resuming in my strides, heading to the downtown of Parkwind.