[Soul Absorption Technique]
Usage Effect: Continuously absorbs energy.
Maximum Absorption: 20
Usage Cost: None
Range of Use: Radius 40 meters
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
——Can absorb energy.
The attribute panel for the new skill was opened, and the text color had changed from white to green.
Zhang Xiaoman looked at the changes on the skill, feeling happy yet somewhat puzzled.
Naturally, the attributes had doubled compared to before, but the description of the skill was somewhat vague.
Zhang Xiaoman opened the shopping interface, and indeed, there was a new Soul Absorption Technique listed. He checked the price—it required 10 points, the same as Holy Water.
"The description of 'Soul Absorption Technique' lacks the keyword 'environment' unlike 'Soul Absorption Technique', so does that mean it can target specific subjects?"
Zhang Xiaoman came to a preliminary conclusion, but due to limitations, he couldn't find a subject to experiment on.
Having spent all his points, Zhang Xiaoman didn't delay any further. He planned to set up his stall today, which was directly related to his pocket money situation.
He pulled the stall cart out of the garage, hopped on, but just as he was about to set off, he stopped, a grim expression on his face.
"This, this... the school is closed today!"
Zhang Xiaoman almost spat blood, having completely forgotten about the holiday in his planning.
Yes, Zhang Xiaoman had already chosen the perfect spot for his stall, which was near a school in his neighborhood.
There were many students there, a high foot traffic, mostly young people, who had a strong desire to buy sushi, making it a golden spot for his business.
As a hardworking worker who had graduated over three years ago, Zhang Xiaoman had long forgotten what school holidays felt like.
Thus, he had forgotten about this detail when choosing the location, leading him to this awkward situation where he had nowhere to go.
"To die before achieving victory, is to make a hero's tears flood his garments!"
Zhang Xiaoman regretfully slapped the handle of his cart, tears nearly falling.
However, having come all this way, he couldn't just go back. Zhang Xiaoman pedaled his tricycle out of the neighborhood, aimlessly riding down the road.
Actually, Zhang Xiaoman had thought about it—apart from schools, there were other places where business might be good.
For instance, near the industrial park where he used to work, which also had many young people with strong purchasing power.
Unfortunately, Zhang Xiaoman's home was located in a remote area, with the closest business districts over 14 kilometers away. Riding such a tricycle, he would probably be exhausted before even reaching the place.
Zhang Xiaoman kept riding his tricycle for a while and dared not set up his stall on the main road, so he had to head towards areas with more alleys, and somehow ended up near the old town area where Master Liu lived.
"Hey, after all that detouring, I ended up coming back here."
Zhang Xiaoman couldn't help but feel sentimental about his surroundings.
By then, he had ridden quite a distance, and his legs were already sore and numb. Deciding not to look for another spot, he chose to start his business right there.
He found a relatively pleasing spot by the roadside and set up his stall.
A few other stall owners scattered around were selling skewers, fast food, and fruits— all kinds of stalls were there. Seeing a new young man setting up, they couldn't help but stare at him a few more times.
As a newbie to the vending world, Zhang Xiaoman actually felt quite nervous at this moment.
He tried to ignore the strange looks from both sides and put on a straight face, pretending to be experienced in setting up stalls as much as possible.
"I am a stall owner without feelings. Other people's stares don't affect me..." Zhang Xiaoman murmured.
The vegetable selling lady next to him tilted her head watching him.
"Let your stares be sharp, but I remain unmoved..."
Zhang Xiaoman maintained a calm demeanor.
The lady continued watching him.
"He is strong, let him be; a gentle breeze sweeps the mountains; he is free, let him be, the bright moon illuminates the river . . . " Zhang Xiaoman kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart.
The old woman was still watching him.
"They're all just tools, all NPCs, I shouldn't care about their stares . . . " Zhang Xiaoman's forehead showed veins popping out.
The old woman kept glaring at him relentlessly.
Five minutes later.
"Damn . . . "
Feeling the old woman's stare, Zhang Xiaoman almost let out a swear word.
He reached under the counter and pulled out a sushi chef's knife, slammed it down onto the cutting board with a "thud," turned around, and glared fiercely at the vegetable-selling old woman.
The vegetable-selling old woman, startled, hastily averted her gaze, and the surrounding vendors also looked away.
"Phew, finally some peace." Zhang Xiaoman let out a long sigh of relief.
...
Evening.
Having forgotten to bring a sun hat, Zhang Xiaoman endured the afternoon under the enthusiastic care of Father Sun, looking at the till that still showed a zero balance, he felt like crying but had no tears.
"I might as well go deliver takeout . . ."
Zhang Xiaoman felt that his actions could be recorded in textbooks like "How Corporate Leaders Retain Employees with Unrealistic Entrepreneurial Dreams."
Just as he was feeling disheartened and about to pack up and go home, a voice interrupted him.
"Master, how much are your sushi?"
Zhang Xiaoman looked up to see a young man who looked quite young and was nervously looking at his stall.
Although Zhang Xiaoman did not understand why the man called him 'Master,' this was after all, his first customer since the opening. Zhang Xiaoman quickly welcomed him.
"The plain ones are 10 yuan a box, the fruit ones 13, and the ones with Yu Zi are 14 . . . "
The young man, surprised, said, "Master, your prices are very affordable."
Zhang Xiaoman laughed, "That's right, I run a small business, thin profit margins but high turnover."
The young man showed a realization, saying, "Oh, Master, this must be a side job for you, I get it."
Zhang Xiaoman's face was full of question marks, what Master? What side job? What do you understand, I don't get it at all.
The young man didn't say much more, took two boxes of fruit sushi, paid, and quickly left.
Zhang Xiaoman, who was initially thinking of closing up, suppressed that thought; having his first customer as a newcomer to the vending scene was indeed encouraging.
Indeed, as it was nearing the end of the workday, the crowd on the path grew larger, with many young people from the old city district coming back as well.
Zhang Xiaoman started to feel glad that he hadn't gone back straight away; in just a short while, he had managed to sell several more boxes of sushi, making the place not seem as terrible as he had initially thought.
"Master, how much for this signature sushi?"
"Signature sushi, 10 yuan a box . . . "
"Master, how much for this tempura shrimp roll?"
"Tempura shrimp sushi, 17 yuan a box . . . "
"Master, I'll take the Sweep Across the Wastelands meal!"
"Alright, a special offer of 45 . . . "
...
Zhang Xiaoman, smiling, flipped through his wallet balance. Although he hadn't sold much up until now, it was still a good start.
Compared to sitting in an office and laboring for someone else, he really preferred the feeling of earning money for himself.
Yet, there was one thing he just couldn't understand.
"Why do they all call me 'Master'?"