"It's a ... gargoyle?"
Lin Jie picked up the sculpture and examined it.
The stone sculpture was about 30 centimeters tall and 10 centimeters wide. A third of the sculpture was a pedestal and the rest was the body of the gargoyle itself, a monster that was half human and half beast, with two horns on its head, a tail with a pointed end, and a pair of bat-like wings. making it look like the spawn of the devil.
"I really have no idea how old Will managed to hide it in his clothes," Lin Lin pondered to himself. ," Lin Jie pondered to himself.
He could tell that the cost of this sculpture was not cheap considering its detailed and exquisite craftsmanship, which, along with the eerie red glow of its eyes, gave the impression that it was about to resurrect at any moment.
For a moment, Lin Jie's heart raced and he felt that something was wrong.
How scary!!!
Fortunately, the rough texture of the stone reminded Lin Jie that it was only a sculpture.
"Yes," Wilde nodded.
"I know there's nothing of value in it, and it can't compare to the help you've given me so far, but please accept it as a token of my gratitude. Next time I return, I will bring an even more valuable gift."
Lin Jie's first thought was to refuse the gift out of habit, but after some reflection, he realized that his Asian modesty was misplaced here. He could tell that old Wil sincerely wanted him to receive this gift, and if he refused it, it might seem that he didn't like him or that they weren't close enough.
Besides, the gargoyle was like those Chinese stone tablets that protected from evil by conveying old Wil's blessings and good intentions to him.
There was no reason to refuse it, so Lin Jie decided to try this 'local specialty'.
Lin Jie placed it back on the tabletop and smiled.
"Really a beautiful piece of art. I love it! I'm really looking forward to what you bring me!"
Wilde heaved a sigh of relief.
He had kept this gargoyle with him for many years, and it was also his graduation piece when he finished his apprenticeship with his teacher. Of all his creations, this stone gargoyle was his best work, created using the remains of an extinct sect from ancient times as raw materials, and it was filled with the blood, souls, and life force of 990 people.
Hard skin that was impervious to swords and spears, teeth and claws that could tear a human to shreds, and powerful wings that gave it speed and flexibility, the gargoyle was definitely not a creature to be taken lightly. It could even sense killing intent. Overall, his combat prowess was comparable to a Pandemonium rank warrior.
Wilde had reached a high level of proficiency in crafting magic items. At first, he was still pleased at the opportunity to show his work to Lin Jie, but when he heard the words 'work of art', his elation completely disappeared and he came back to reality.
Indeed, it was just a Pandemonium rank gargoyle. Any random book on his shelf is easily worth a thousand such gargoyles! I really feel like my gift doesn't matter much in the eyes of a supreme being. Haaaaaa... Lin Jie is really kind, he listens to my feelings and praises them from the other side. But that's fine!
Wilde had already prepared the next gift, and it would be absolutely heavy-handed. He thought even beings of the highest rank would appreciate it!
"You'll be pleased," the old man remarked with a light in his eyes before turning around and walking out of the bookstore.
Lin Jie brushed him off and sighed.
"This must be all business for today," Lin Jie thought as he looked at the pouring rain outside. Getting two customers in such nasty weather was already a rarity, and Lin Jie was unwilling to be bored even more.
"Keeping a good mood brings better luck," Lin Jie muttered with a sigh before sipping his tea. He picked up the gargoyle and played with it for a bit before placing it back on the tabletop.
In the twilight, this truly demonic sculpture on the pedestal seemed ready to spread its wings and start hunting at any moment.
Oddly enough, this stone gargoyle would fit in nicely with the bookstore. With that thought in mind, he turned the gargoyle so that the angry red glow of its eyes would be directed toward the entrance. Anyone trying to break into the bookstore would probably be scared silly of it, even if it was in broad daylight.
A wonderful anti-theft mechanism!
Lin Jie nodded contentedly before starting to clean the counter.
As he was putting away the tea cups, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
He noticed that the wet spots on the countertop were slowly spreading out on their own, coming together to form the words, "Long time no see."
Lin Jie jumped up with shock, his eyes still focused on the table when a familiar sensation swept over him. It was the same feeling he had experienced when he was brought into the bookstore three years ago.
He immediately realized, the hidden hand that sent him to this world had reappeared after three years!
"It's you!" Lin Jie calmed down, taking a deep breath and sat down again.
"Indeed, it's been a long time... Have you finally decided on the price I should pay?"
Lin Jie couldn't help but express his dissatisfaction.
"By the way, don't you think that you brought me here suddenly before I could realize what was going on? If it wasn't for a few richer customers supporting my bookstore, I would have starved to death long ago. long ago!"
"Are you some kind of devil? Someone to whom people sell their souls?"
Wet spots formed the answer, "No."
"Yeah, that's what I thought too. Devils aren't that careless," Lin Jie muttered.
In mythology, devils always did their best to use their contractors to maximize their benefits.
"Forget it, let's get straight to the point. What do I need to do?" demanded Lin Jie. He sat up straight with his arms crossed, looking at the water stains on the tabletop.
He didn't mind paying the proper price, even if it was three years late.
Firstly, Lin Jie himself considered it very important to fulfill the contractual agreements. Although the terms for their deal were not clearly defined, his dream had indeed become a reality.
Receiving a bonus three years before the agreement was already a benefit to him. Furthermore, this creature summoned by the ceremony had a rather mild character. Lin Jie speculated that it could be some sort of 'benevolent spirit', like the genie from Aladdin's enchanted lamp.
After that, Lin Jie watched in amazement as water stains formed: "You've already done it. I'm awake."
All sorts of thoughts swarmed in Lin Jie's mind. "So, after fulfilling my wish, you slept for the past three years until I accomplished a certain task by providing you with some energy or something else that allowed you to finally wake up?"
"Yes."
"..." Lin Jie tapped his fingers on the table.