Martin stood taking in the scene before him. The street was bustling with orcs, a sight he had encountered many times before. However, he noted that the orcs were predominantly male, each towering at least two meters tall, their muscular forms unmistakable. Their fangs, though intimidating, did little to diminish the allure of a female orc descending the steps of the shop.
As she approached, Martin couldn't help but admire her figure: long, powerful legs, a slim waist, and a chest that demanded attention. Her clothing was simple—almost battle-ready—featuring a skirt that barely covered her thighs and a top that left little to the imagination. If one could overlook the green hue of her skin, she was, undeniably, striking.
The female orc revealed herself fully as she reached the bottom of the stairs, biting down on a chicken leg with a primal satisfaction. Her red hair fell messily over her shoulders, giving her an almost wild appearance. Martin couldn't help but wonder if orcs had a different standard of grooming altogether.
"Oh, we have guests!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of warmth and curiosity. She pulled the remains of the chicken leg from her mouth, grinning widely, revealing her sharp fangs. "Welcome!"
"Uh, hello..." Martin stammered, recognizing her now as Kara, the owner of the bookstore. She was known for her beauty among the Fang Tribe—a group of orcs famed for their formidable fangs and strength. He recalled hearing stories about her, but the reality was far more captivating than he had imagined.
Kara seemed to remember him as well, her eyes glinting with mischief. "What brings you here? I heard you used a magic scroll to take down a fourth-tier swordsman this morning. Impressive! I'll give you a 10% discount on your purchases today."
Martin's mind raced. He had only been in a minor scuffle, but word traveled fast in a small town. He tried to play it cool, but the thought of her discount felt overshadowed by the weight of his prior actions. "I, um, just want these two books," he said, placing them on the counter.
Kara raised an eyebrow, flicking through the pages with a scrutinizing gaze. "Sure you want these? Remember, once you touch them, there's no going back. The total is ten gold coins."
Martin blinked, taken aback. A lavish meal at Stan City's finest restaurant cost only eight silver coins, and now he was being asked to part with ten gold coins for two books? The realization hit him—he might have made a serious misstep.
"Ten gold coins?" he repeated, incredulous. "For these?"
Before he could protest further, Debbie's voice cut through the confusion. "Martin! What are you doing?" she exclaimed, her tone laced with a mixture of anger and concern. "You can't just touch the magic tomes! You have to buy them if you do, and they're ridiculously expensive. Plus, you can't learn magic without a teacher!"
Her words struck a chord. Martin's heart sank as he remembered the intricacies of magic. The tomes might provide some insight, but true understanding came from a master. He felt like a fool for even considering buying them without a plan.
Kara watched the exchange with a bemused expression, chewing on the remnants of her chicken leg. "So, are you buying or not? The encyclopedia comes free with your purchase of those two tomes."
Debbie turned to Kara, her eyes wide. "You can't just give away books like that!"
Kara smirked, seemingly unfazed. "It's my store; I can do what I want. So, are you in, or are you going to keep hesitating?"
Martin felt cornered. The excitement of acquiring knowledge clashed with the reality of his dwindling funds. In the end, he reluctantly agreed to the purchase, handing over nine gold coins for the encyclopedia and the other tomes. As he left the store, his heart heavy with regret over the impulsive decision, he couldn't help but feel he had been taken advantage of.
Debbie walked beside him, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. "You really need to be more careful, Martin. Learning magic isn't just about reading books. You need guidance, and those tomes won't help you without a teacher."
Martin sighed, acknowledging her point. He had made a sizable investment, but he still felt drawn to the challenge of understanding magic on his own terms. He recalled his past as a hacker—self-taught and constantly learning. Perhaps he could apply that same determination to his new endeavor.
As they walked past a group of children playing nearby, an idea struck him. "Debbie, I've got a plan to boost our store's business..."
With renewed energy, Martin began to share his thoughts, his mind racing with possibilities.