I wandered through the city, taking in the sights and sounds all around me. Towering stone buildings lined the narrow, cobbled streets, their weathered facades telling stories of a time long past. The air was thick with the aroma of spices from market stalls, where merchants shouted to draw in customers, showcasing everything from vibrant fabrics to curious trinkets.
'Reminds me of my 3rd life, technology's the exception, however.'
Cameras perched on every corner, silently captured the bustling life, giving the whole place an almost futuristic feel. It was a strange contrast to the guards who patrolled the streets—clad in gleaming steel armor that caught the light with every step. They carried both swords and sleek firearms that seemed out of place yet perfectly integrated into their presence. Watching them move in disciplined formations added an edge of tension to the lively atmosphere.
"Let's see if I can't find a couple of old friends,"
The looks I got were something but I ignored them all.
As I made my way to the town square, I paused to admire a fountain that bubbled cheerfully in the center. The water danced in the fading light, sending up shimmering droplets that caught the glow of nearby holographic signs. These signs flickered with vibrant colors, advertising everything from enchanted potions to inventions, blending seamlessly with the stone surroundings.
One sign pulled me the most [Mr World's Tobacco Creations].
'Bingo!'
I walked in as quickly as I could.
"Welcome!" An older man with an exceptional mustache welcomed me. His attire was a bit strange however, the suit of his style and coat were like those of old soviet officials.
"Do I know you?" I had the strangest sense of deja vu.
"You don't but I know you, double o." He chuckled with a strangely warm smile.
"Double O..?!"
"I know you well, Daemon Devourer, I know you better than yourself. [The Divine Illusion], [Crimson Harbinger], [Lord Of The Last Mountain], [His Majesty's Finest], [The God Of Life], [The Heavensplitting Sword], [North Star: Polaris], [The 9th Wing], and many many many more names."
"Who-no, what are you?!" I was taken aback completely.
"A friend. While it benefits me. You can call me Mr. World, my store is open for you no matter where you are or who you are. Simply form the will to buy and its door will find you,"
"Whatever, I've seen stranger things. What do you sell?" I shrugged my shoulders and moved on, he didn't seem like a threat to me.
"Anything, everything. I can sell it If you can think of it and afford it,"
"Currency?"
"Souls. Put them in here," He tossed me what looked to be a small heart carved from jade and attached to a chain, it shone with a strange light when I caught it.
"What is this? It feels familiar."
"The heart of an old god, Isteroth the blind." He looked deep into my eyes as he spoke.
"Fate is a cruel, old friend.. who did it?"
"Dernan Of The Northern Sector." Mr. World replied.
"*Sigh* Dernan's life was saved when Istaroth pleaded for me to spare him, and this is how it ends?"
"Enough, did you come here to buy something? The first visit beckons a gift."
I looked around the store, the shelves were filled to the brim. The atmosphere was both enchanting and unsettling. Dimly lit by flickering candles and an occasional glowing orb, the air was thick with the scent of incense and aged parchment.
Shelves lining the walls were full of a myriad of strange artifacts: a jar of swirling shadows, a compass that spun wildly, and a crystal vial containing captured moonlight. Each object was unique.
In one corner, a glass display held mythical creatures: a tiny dragon curled around a jewel, a mermaid's scale shimmering under the light, the feather of a phoenix, iridescent and radiant. Nearby, an ancient map sprawled across a table, marked with locations of legendary beasts and lost treasures in a different land.
Some things I recognized, but most I did not.
"My flask, can you get it?"
"The flask of the legendary Jack Jones? Of course, I have it."
"My flask and the pack of reds Illuvium gave me."
"That's all? I could get you anything and everything and that is all you want? What about your sword? Are your eyes forged from a dead star's core? Your guns, the Gemini Colts you held so dear? Your grimoire? I can even bring you people if you want!"
"I'm broke on souls, I'll just take the free stuff."
"True. Catch!"
He waved his hand and tossed me three objects. The titanium and jade drinking flask from my first life was blessed by a shaman so the liquor lasted twice as long. A pack of Marlboro red cigarettes carved from wood, originally made by Istaroth after I told him I missed cigarettes, used mana to refill the cigarettes.
"The ring's a gift,"
The third was a silver ring.
"You're really getting on my nerves, of all the things you could have thrown me!" I used every bit of my Aura and cut towards him with my full strength.
I wanted his death but the moment I made impact my sword broke into a thousand pieces and my Aura dispersed.
He didn't judge, he didn't use any form of magic, just his very flesh was beyond anything I could imagine.
"Ingrid Wagner betrayed and took her own life as a form of repayment, her name surely still haunts you."
"Why bring her up? is this some twisted joke?"
"Like I said, it's a gift. Ingrid Wagner has ended up in this world, with fractured memories as a new person, I hear she's a rising star as well."
…