The next few days at Faraway Bookstore were unusually quiet. The bell above the door remained silent, undisturbed, and Raziel found himself surprisingly grateful for the peace. He had feared that Archer would show up again, throwing more of his bizarre flirtations his way. But the player hadn't returned, and Raziel was cautiously optimistic that he had finally gotten the message.
Raziel settled back into his usual routine. Mornings were spent dusting shelves, afternoons organizing new inventory, and evenings tucked behind the counter with a book in hand. He cherished the solitude, the comforting quiet of his little corner of the game world. It was exactly the kind of life he had always wanted since being transmigrated into this game as an NPC: uneventful and perfectly dull.
However, it wasn't long before Raziel's instincts started to tingle with unease. He noticed subtle changes—nothing major at first, just small things that seemed off. The usual foot traffic of players wandering into the bookstore had slowed to a trickle. Some of his regulars, players who often dropped by for quest-related books or simple NPC banter, had stopped coming altogether.
He frowned, glancing around the empty shop. Had he done something to offend them? He couldn't imagine what. His interactions with players were minimal, polite, and he always made sure to provide the best service he could.
Deciding that he needed to investigate, Raziel put away the book he'd been reading and stepped outside. The streets of the town were bustling with activity, as they always were. Players of all kinds roamed around—warriors in heavy armor, mages in flowing robes, rogues with their dark, stealthy outfits. It was a typical scene of chaos and excitement that Raziel had grown used to.
He made his way to a small park nearby, where NPCs often congregated and where he might overhear useful information. As he approached, he could hear the chatter of several players. Raziel moved closer, making sure to keep to the shadows, and listened in on their conversation.
"I heard there's this NPC that's driving people crazy," one player said, a young woman with bright green hair and a bow slung across her back. "Some bookstore owner who doesn't have any stats or hearts. It's like he's not even a real NPC!"
"Yeah, that's been the talk of the town," another player chimed in, a burly man with a large axe resting on his shoulder. "Archer's been talking non-stop about him. Says he's determined to figure out why this NPC is different."
Raziel's heart sank. So that was it. Archer had been spreading rumors about him, piquing the curiosity of other players. No wonder things had been so quiet at the bookstore. Players were probably avoiding it, wary of what they might find inside.
He clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling up inside him. This was exactly what he had been trying to avoid—attention, curiosity, and most of all, disruption to his peaceful life. Archer had turned him into some kind of spectacle, and now everyone was interested in the 'mysterious' bookstore owner with no stats or hearts.
Taking a deep breath, Raziel forced himself to calm down. This wasn't the time to lose his temper. He needed to think this through carefully. If he confronted Archer directly, it would likely only fuel the player's obsession. But if he did nothing, the situation could spiral even further out of control.
As he pondered his next move, a familiar, irritating voice cut through the noise of the park.
"Well, well, if it isn't the elusive Raziel."
Raziel stiffened, slowly turning to face the source of the voice. Archer stood there, a smug grin on his face, arms crossed as if he'd been waiting for this very moment.
"What are you doing here?" Raziel asked, his tone cold.
Archer's grin widened. "Looking for you, of course. I've been wondering when you'd come out of that bookstore of yours. Thought you'd never leave."
"I'm not here for you," Raziel said flatly. "I'm here to figure out why my customers have stopped coming. Seems like I've found my answer."
Archer laughed, the sound grating on Raziel's nerves. "Oh, come on, don't be like that. I'm just having a bit of fun. You've got to admit, it's kind of interesting, right? An NPC without stats or hearts? It's like you're more than just part of the game."
Raziel's patience snapped. "I don't care what you think is interesting. Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused?"
Archer's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual playful demeanor. "Alright, alright, I get it. I might've gone a bit overboard. But you've got to admit, it's kind of funny seeing everyone all worked up over you."
Raziel's eyes narrowed. "There's nothing funny about it. I just want to be left alone."
For a moment, there was silence between them. Archer studied Raziel, his expression unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, he sighed.
"Alright, Raziel," he said, his tone more serious than Raziel had ever heard it. "I'll back off. I didn't mean to cause you trouble. I was just… curious, I guess."
Raziel was taken aback. He hadn't expected Archer to relent so easily. He'd braced himself for more teasing, more persistence. "You will?"
He nodded and somehow Raziel felt bad—that is before Archer opened his mouth again.
"Of course not! I mean—at least until you answer my question."
Raziel clenched his fist, he was afraid that it would suddenly go out of control and slap the other. Though he was an NPC, he was a merchant type of NPC, not a punching bag type of NPC like those bandits. If he were ever to punch this piece of shit then it would only attract more attention for him.
'You think you're a clever bastard. You're just a bastard, you bastard!'
Raziel tried his best to smile and answer the other with a flat tone which made Archer grin even more.
"And if I don't answer your question?"
"Then...all I can do is beg for the owner's mercy and answer this lowly one's pure heart."
This time, Raziel didn't even need to cringe internally. He just cringed.
"Just screw off before I ban you on my store."
"Ban? Oh my is the NPC threatening me? Don't tell me that the owner is some kind of hidden boss. Are you slowly planning the downfall of the world in that pretty head of yours?"
'No, but I am planning to give you the most inhumane death, never seen by mankind.'
Nonetheless he says nothing and just leaves. He ignores the other shouting out his name as he made his way to the shop. He needed to get some rest. For eternity, if possible.