"I normally set up the stand right after I finish breakfast, so, does morning sound good?" Clay stated.
"I guess, but isn't it gonna interfere with the business when I have to leave after 2 hours? Because I don't think I can stand guard for more than 2 hours" Josh scratched his head.
"It's ok, at most it would only take a little longer to get enough money to buy the materials"
"Well, if you say so" Josh replied.
"Then I'll get going, I'll fetch you tomorrow morning okay?" Clay extended his hand out to Josh.
"Alright, I'll be waiting then" Josh shook Clay's hand.
And thus, a partnership is born, one between people who could shake the world with their might in the future, one being a destroyer of worlds, and the other being someone who could travel endless worlds.
Clay went back home to eat his long-awaited lunch.
Clay didn't continue manning the stand as he might get mugged again, and he wouldn't like that to happen, he already had little wares, to begin with, and if even one map gets stolen Clay would lose one valuable option a customer could have chosen if they weren't interested in the other maps.
So Clay went to his bed, sleeping while hoping he would achieve great heights in the future.
The next day, the sun was shining brightly and was resting on top of the village, Clay, whose eyelids were hit by a stray ray of sunlight through his window slightly opened his eyes, immediately closing them after 2 seconds after feeling a painful sensation on his retinas, almost blinded by the ray of light, Clay sat up, doing his morning stretches before planning out his day like usual.
"Mmm" A groan escaped from Clay's mouth as he stretched his arms and back.
'Nothing is as good as waking up and doing a good stretch' Clay thought as he washed up and did his morning routines.
It was still too early for breakfast so Clay thought he could sneak in some sales before eating, after all, money isn't gonna earn itself.
It was early so the sun wasn't that strong, at most it only felt like a warm breeze since clouds were blocking out the sun in the sky.
A customer appeared she walked up to Clay, it was a long-time customer, Clay had seen her face around the first day that he had started, and ever since, she had been coming now and then. Clay couldn't help but wonder what the people who were using his wares were using them for. Curious, Clay asked her.
"Excuse me miss, but may I know what you are always looking at my map for/ Because I always see you come to my stand now and then"
"Oh, what do I use your maps for? Well, I normally use them to check up on my family, after all, they live in a different area compared to where I do, it always brings me peace of mind seeing that they are doing well, so I would say it is worth 10 Cits for being assured that my family is doing well" The woman responded.
"That's quite a noble reason miss" Clay smiled, sometimes it was nice to hear wholesome things from strangers.
"Clay, breakfast is ready" Clay's mother called from inside the house.
"Coming, just ten minutes!" Clay replied.
"I see that you still haven't eaten yet" the woman said.
"Yeah, I was thinking I could do something before eating" Clay lazily said.
"You are quite a hardworking young man, I wish I had a son like you, he normally just lazes around, your mother must be very proud" the woman said with a sigh.
"I doubt it, I only think it's right considering what she's done for my family so far" Clay said in a wary smile.
"I guess my ten minutes are up, you should go and eat now young man"
"After all, you still have room to grow" the woman hurried Clay to eat.
"Alright, guess I'll take my leave now"
"Bye, please come again" Clay said his goodbyes.
"Will do" the woman left after saying that, going in the direction of a store that sells grocery items.
Clay packed up his maps and brought them to his house, afraid that if he left it outside someone would come and steal it.
'I guess after eating breakfast I'll go and pick up Josh'
Clay ate his breakfast hastily, taking a 5-minute rest before standing up and telling his mom that he was going to Josh's place.
"Stay safe honey" Mrs. Mapa worried for her son.
Clay left, heading out to pick up Josh.
After a short walk, Clay arrived in the Daskt family estate.
Knocking the on door softly, making Josh appear after a short while as he opened the door.
"Hello bro, I'm here to pick you up" Clay said as Josh opened the door.
"Ok, just give me a moment to change" Josh replied.
Barely 30 seconds had passed before Josh appeared again, a very big difference compared to girls changing.
"I'm ready let's head out" Josh said in a tone full of energy.
"Ok buddy, hold your horses, no need to get too excited haha" Clay laughed at Josh's eagerness.
The duo then went to clay's house this time.
"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" Clay asked on the walk there."
"Yep, it was eggs and some greens" Josh replied.
clay nodded, and soon the two arrived at the makeshift stand that Clay had created.
"Wait here I'm gonna go inside a bring out the maps" Clay said to Josh while he was inspecting the sorry excuse of a stand.
Clay came out shortly after bringing out 5 maps with him, with Josh standing on guard, Clay wouldn't have to worry about anything, even though Clay doesn't know the range of Josh's attacks, judging by how the horned rabbit Josh had turned into mist some days ago, who was at least 5 meters away from Josh, Clay estimated that his range should be enough to damage the legs of any thief that tries to come and disturb his business.
And just like that, 2 weeks had passed.