Chereads / Jack's Trading Post / Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Mysterious Customers and New Achievements

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Mysterious Customers and New Achievements

Mysterious Customers and New Achievements

A month had passed since Jack started his business in Diagon Alley, and the store that was once quiet was now starting to get busier. Many customers were drawn to the rare and unique items that could only be found in Jack's shop. Although he felt like it had only been yesterday when he first opened the store, in reality, it had become a place that was increasingly well-known among witches and wizards. Jack was starting to feel more confident in his sales abilities, although the profits he made were still far from what he had hoped for.

It had been a month since Jack opened his shop in Diagon Alley, and the store, once quiet, was starting to become busier. Many customers were drawn to the rare and unique items that could only be found in Jack's shop. Although he felt like it had only been yesterday when he first opened the doors, the shop was already becoming well-known among witches and wizards. Jack was beginning to feel more confident in his sales abilities, even though the profits were still far from what he had expected.

That day, however, the shop felt quieter than usual. The cool afternoon air entered through the door, and while a few regular customers came in to browse, Jack knew it was not a particularly busy time. However, as he was tidying up some items on the shelves, the bell above the door rang, and an old man entered.

The man wore a black wizard's robe made from fabric that seemed very old, with long white hair and a beard that gave him an air of deep wisdom. His eyes were sharp, and there was something mysterious in his demeanor. Jack smiled and greeted the elderly man, although he found his arrival a little strange, as the man seemed vaguely familiar.

"Welcome to Arcane Emporium," Jack said warmly, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

The old man stepped closer to the counter where Jack was standing. "Hmm... this shop looks very interesting. I can sense something different here," he said, observing every corner carefully. "I'm intrigued by your unusual items. Tell me, what do you sell?"

Jack smiled, pleased to have an interested customer. "We have a variety of unique items here, from magical objects to more modern ones. For example, this Protection Ring," Jack said, showing a ring with an intricate design that seemed to shine with protective energy. "This ring can protect its wearer from both physical and magical attacks, making it perfect for dangerous travels."

The old man nodded and looked toward another shelf. "What else do you sell? There seems to be something even more interesting here."

With confidence, Jack continued to explain, "We also have a variety of magical cards. Like the Parseltongue card, which allows its user to speak with snakes. Or the Lumos card, which gives you light, and Protego, which provides magical protection. All of them are very useful on adventures."

The old man approached the counter more seriously, his eyes fixed on a shelf with several smaller items. "Of course, I'm more interested in the... mysterious things," he said softly, "What is this storage ring?"

Jack was surprised by the question. "Ah, the storage ring," he replied. "This ring allows its wearer to store a large number of items, even though the ring itself is very small. It's very useful for those who like to travel or need extra space without carrying a large bag."

The old man gazed at the ring with great interest, clearly impressed by its functionality. "What about the cards?" he asked again. "Is it true that tearing the paper can change something within me? I'm curious..."

Jack smiled, feeling a bit challenged. "Ah, that's a secret of our shop. Every card you buy here can grant you a special ability once you tear it. When you tear the card, you'll feel a change within yourself, and the ability will manifest immediately. Of course, each card has a different effect."

The old man looked at Jack with even sharper eyes. "A secret of the shop, huh? I feel like this is no ordinary store. Alright, I'll give it a try."

Reluctantly, the old man took a Parseltongue card and tore it carefully. Instantly, a magical aura filled the air, and Jack watched closely. Soon, the old man began speaking in a strange language.

"Amazing," he muttered. "I... I can speak with snakes now." He looked toward a broomstick in the corner of the shop, and with a gesture of his hand, the broomstick began to move as if it had a life of its own. Suddenly, the broomstick transformed into a large snake that coiled around the table.

The old man chuckled softly, very impressed with the result. "I can feel this power flowing through me. This is incredible! I've never encountered anything like this. Do you have other items that can change one's fate?"

Jack smiled, pleased with the success of his sale. "Certainly, we have many other items that can help. We also have various potions, protective tools, and other items. There's also the Protection Ring that provides maximum protection, or the Healing Potion, which is highly effective for recovery."

The old man nodded, seemingly very interested in everything Jack was saying. "I'll take the Parseltongue card. Also... two Protection Rings, for safety on my upcoming journey," he said, taking two rings from the shelf.

Jack quickly wrote it down. "Of course, I'd be happy to," he replied, then added, "Would you like to see anything else? We also offer various magical cards that can enhance your abilities."

The old man thought for a moment, then said, "I think that's enough for now. I'll take a look again after my long journey is over." He paid for the items, and Jack quickly prepared his purchases.

As the old man left the shop, Jack felt very pleased. This sale had been quite significant, and he was satisfied with his accomplishment. "Hmm, maybe I'm a little familiar with that old man," Jack thought. "But it's fine. As long as I can complete my tasks and make good sales, I'll keep doing it."

After the old man left, Jack sat at the counter, pondering for a moment. "Very interesting," he thought. "There's something more to that man. Maybe he's someone more than just an ordinary customer."

However, what mattered most to Jack at that moment was that his sale had gone smoothly, and he had made a decent profit from the items he sold. While the shop remained a place full of mysteries, Jack knew that every day brought a new adventure, both in terms of sales and the deeper mysteries he had yet to fully understand.

When the old man left the store, Jack let out a sigh of relief, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction from the big transaction of the day. He started tidying up the items on the counter, counting his earnings, and experiencing a feeling he couldn't quite express. This shop was indeed full of surprises, and today, Jack felt that perhaps, the biggest surprise was coming from himself.

Suddenly, a familiar sound echoed in Jack's ears, startling him. The voice came out of nowhere, like a message that appeared just as he completed the transaction.

Ding!

"Congratulations! You have completed Task One: Achieve 1000 Galleons in Sales!"

Jack stared at the empty screen before him for a moment, even though nothing was displayed. However, the voice was so real to him, almost as if it came from within his own mind.

Ding!

"Reward for Achievement: 3 Forms of Haki from the One Piece World."

Jack was momentarily taken aback. "Haki? What is that?" he thought, though his curiosity quickly replaced his confusion. Something new, something that would definitely be useful in this adventure.

Soon after the voice, three small shimmering orbs appeared in front of Jack, each with a different color—black, blue, and red. Without much thought, Jack reached for each of them one by one and tore them open, feeling an extraordinary flow of energy surge into him.

Jack's eyes widened. He felt a powerful force coursing through his body, mastering every fiber and cell within him. In an instant, he felt far stronger than before. Without hesitation, he tried to use Armament Haki. His body felt denser, as if wrapping itself in a tough layer of energy.

With a motion of his hand, Jack directed it at a nearby shelf. Instantly, the shelf seemed to darken, as though enveloped in a hard protective layer, as if it were filled with physical strength shielding the objects within it.

Jack smiled in satisfaction. "So this is Armament Haki," he said to himself, marveling at how powerful this ability was. "I think this will be very useful."

He glanced at the small mirror near the counter. "But... what if there are more worlds I need to explore after this?" he thought, pausing for a moment in contemplation. He didn't know how to travel between worlds, or how he could go to further places after completing his tasks in this one. But one thing was for sure—he felt more ready than ever.

However, Jack wasn't overly concerned about the future. "But for now, I need to focus on this shop first," he said, looking at the shelves around him. "There are so many items to sell, and much more to achieve."

With this accomplishment, Jack felt stronger and more confident that Arcane Emporium would continue to grow into a larger and more profitable place. This new world would guide him through many exciting adventures, and Jack was ready to face them with the newfound strength he now possessed.

The second task given by the system appeared clearly in Jack's mind after some time had passed. He had just completed the first task and received a significant reward, but when the second task appeared, he couldn't help but feel curious and slightly confused.

Ding!

"Second Task: Go Explore the Magical World."

Jack paused for a moment and stared at the screen that had suddenly appeared in front of him, even though it was something only he could see. "Explore the magical world?" he thought.