After half a day of night flying, the sun started to rise, and we decided to make a rest stop on a tiny fishing island 3 hours away.
"Icarus, the sun is rising do you want to take a rest within the amulet?"
Icarus roars loudly into the sky, stood on its hind legs before plopping down into the soft sands of the beach, wings and body fully rolled in the sand like scratching an itch before, closing its eyes with all four legs facing the sky.
I guess that means it wants to relax here, no harm in that.
"We'll explore the island, don't go anywhere." With a snort, Icarus answers and resumes it nap.
Bumping into villagers along the coasts, simply dressed and carrying woven baskets of seafood joyful and courteous, we deduced it was a simple fishing village without any potential threats.
Bringing out my draconic wallet, "Withdraw 10,000 gold."
"World System notice- Draconic currency exchange available, proceed to convert into local shell currency?"
"That would be very convenient, yes exchange."
"Calculating... Success exchange rate 1: 15 ... 150,000 Shells dispensed."
A large sack materializes, similar to a 50kg sack of rice appeared filled with cream white shells, and 10 large golf sized balls of black pearls.
Curious I scooped one out of the sack, immediately the value pops up in my iris... Description: Black Pearl = 10,000 shells...
Neat, nobody really needs 1000 $1 notes, realistically 10 and 100 should be given.
I should probably buy something back for Europa as thanks for this revolutionary item.
"Hey Sagi, let's go take a look at the market there's probably no chance for weapons or armor but definitely some highly priced tourist trap souvenirs."
Giggling, Sagi ties her hair up, and runs ahead of me leading the way.
It was expected... but still nonetheless, a disappointing array of offers in a small market with only 4 stalls out of which three sold seafood, either grilled, fried or dried. The dried mackerels displayed on a woven basket were God awfully stinky, with flies buzzing around it.
As we held our breath and walked past it, we entered a souvenir shop selling a variety of large seashells...
Eh... isn't the currency shells, and they're selling shells for SHELLS!?
Sagi approaches the vendor, a young beautiful Siren flashing a perfect smile, head covering in wavy cerulean blue hair and reflective violet scales on her large tail.
Seaweed slapped onto her sizable C cup boobs, the layers not nearly enough to cover, being able to slightly see through the poking shapes of her nipples. What a tease!
Gulp... I think I remember from my past life that somehow mermaid porn was an unusual but highly rated and sought after category but some, I used to think those people were just niches in the community but seeing it in person I think I get it now.
"Hello welcome to our souvenir shop, where she shall sell seashells is our slogan. Creeping ever closer, whispering into my ears delicately "kindly peruse all we have to offer sir, if you're unsatisfied there's more in the back..."
Looks like some real fresh seafood for dinner tonight!
Pretending to browse through her wares, "only seashells? I'm UNSATISFIED."
Sagi whipping her head to look at me, "Yuujiro calm down, sure their stuff sucks but we can't tell them that."
In fact, Sagi had overheard her little whispers and was only genuinely curious if they had better goods for sale in the back.
"Follow me..." She turns to get off the chair and slams straight unto the floor face first and starts crawling with her hands and elbows her giant tail just a large slippery crutch at this point.
Our jaws dropped... I mean what did exact her to do WALK!?
A truly pitiful sight, we stopped her before she continued struggling. "Miss STOP! Let us help you at least."
As Sagi and I lifted her over each of our shoulders dragging her into the backroom shrouded by a shower curtain.
"Thank you both... right here our prized jewel..."
Bam! Dramatic spotlights revealing!
"We have here a rare BLACK PEARL! Truly a treasure in our culture." smirking proud of herself.
We watched in a daze gently put her down in a corner and began to walk out.
"Customers wait! Alright my personal collection for you lady first time on display, how about these Loofahs! A curated sponge that exfoliates and cleans the skin! Feeling like a newborn baby Siren's tail."
Sagi's attention peaked, "Wow beauty care huh, our family does take a lot of pride in skincare sure I'll take 2."
Disinterested and sighing, "Make it three... I'll send one back to Europa maybe she can clean the weapons better with this."
Opening our shell sack, scooped a handful like rice and gave it to her, "Is this enough?"
"Yes, actually more than enough, its 45 shells but you've scooped me over 300, let me count it and give you the change."
This was equivalent to counting 45 grains of rice in a bowl... "Stop Miss Siren please keep the change."
"Such generosity! For you sir, perhaps you might want to indulge in some fun?"
My eyes lighting up "YES. That's what I was looking for fun!"
In a gentle smile, "I think my sister would be fond of someone strong and generous like you Sir, she's said to the be the most beautiful Siren, eclipsing my beauty 10 folds."
Exasperated at even the thought "What!? 10 folds! Where is she?"
In my mind, she must be like the most beautiful gravure idol I've ever seen...
She calls out to her sister, "Psari! Sister I have a suitor who would like to meet you, please grace him with your beauty."
Wow Psari? what a unique Greek name I wonder what it means... as she reveals herself behind another curtain leading to a bedroom.
The curtains covered only to the waist height, was like a peep show, as Psari sultrily walks into view, her beautiful slender legs, wearing only a bikini covering her bottom. With a butt that girls in the dream can only dream of.
Oh My God, she is sexy as hell and she's doesn't have a tail! Great! probably one of those with minor mermaid features probably some nice violet scales along her face like make up or fins covering her ears, "Psari nice to meet you my name is..."
What came next can only be said as frightening, her entire top half of the body a fish. A flat fish with both eyes at least facing one direction.
is...Chronos Fora...
Her grotesque slippery body and slender legs starts walking backwards all the way into the room.
Rewinded to make her perform activities 30 mins back.
"Sister where are you going!? Sorry Mister Chronos seems like my sister is not in the mood."
"Don't worry I'm not either anymore..."
Exiting the shop, Sagi and I walked in silence to the other food stalls and ate in silence for the rest of the day unable to unsee what we had seen.
The night soon chased out the sun and we trudged back to the beach we had came from.
Finding Icarus, completely melted his wings and feathers all a puddle. Now I just have a bald eagle headed lion sprawling on the beach.
"Sagi... Maybe we should have given Charles the Atomic Demon cockroach a chance." as she nods sighing.
Who knew Icarus loved sunbathing, no wonder Minato was so adamant against taking him.
Squatting near the puddle, depressingly and lazily pointing my index finger on the wax puddle casting Time bending magic...Chronos Fora for the second time in a day.
The still puddle began rippling, reverting into falling liquid droplets, hardening and attaching itself back onto Icarus' forming its feathers on its head followed by its wings.
Once done, Icarus energetically gets back up, making large gusts with its brand-new wings.
Do I have to do this every time? What a chore... Maybe I can get a replacement... side eyeing Icarus.
Catching it, he throws an innocent look. "Icarus you can sunbathe again soon, we'll probably stay in Athens for a while, but please not on rest stops again..."
In agreement, he gave me his large lion paw acknowledging his mistake and made a promise.
Amused I shook it forgiving him, "Hehe alright, grab Sagi and let's go."
Also proceeded to convert the sack of useless shells and pearls back into gold using the Draconic Exchange at a massive loss of 1: 25. Fuming, I stored it before leaving, making our way in the night to the city of Athens.
"Never coming back here again!"