Chương 18: Zanzabar's Shop of Accessories and Things

Zero's eyes widened at the shop owners sudden dismissal.

"Wait, what?" He questioned the cold shop owner.

"Get out or I'll thrash you myself." He threatened.

Zero had no idea the non players in this world would even dare threaten one. As far as he could tell, they didn't have any form of powers. Seemed borderline stupid to threaten someone that does have them.

He wanted to yell at the man for his nonsensical dismissal, but this kind of treatment wasn't any different than how his parents would talk to him. So he simply dipped his shoulders and went to turn around when Kai grabbed his arm.

"It's okay." Kai said to him. "He's just like that."

Kai walked up to the shop owner who was still pointing his finger.

"He's a new player who doesn't quite know what he wants." Kai explained. "Can you cut him some slack this time, Mr. Zanzabar?"

The shop owner looked from Kai and drifted his piercing glare to Zero then back.

"Hmmm." He grumbled. "This time." Mr. Zanzabar lowered his finger and then clasped his hands behind his back as he slightly softened his stance. "How are the Rouge Wraps fairing for you?" He asked Kai.

Kai flexed his arm out in front like he was showing them off. "Perfect. I can feel the difference in my swing speed for sure. Even if the increase is small, that added advantage has saved me more than once."

Mr. Zanzabar nodded.

Kai reached around and pushed Kai forward from behind him. "This is my new partner, Zero. I wanted to bring him here to get your thoughts on what might help him."

"His systems?" He asked.

Zero was hesitant to answer.

"Trust me, he's not going to divulge info to other players." Kai stated.

"Ok. I have a Culinary System and one that manipulates darkness."

"Like a shadow system?" Mr. Zanzabar's stoic expression seemed to light up for a slight second.

"No." Zero responded, even though he truly didn't know the difference between the two. "It lets me cloak things and hinder enemies."

"Hmm, I see." He rubbed the gray stubble on his chin for a moment. "An interesting combo of systems you have..."

The shop owner then turned around to a large chest behind him on the floor that wasn't quite visible unless you were right at the counter. He opened the lid and all they could see was a light emitting from within the chest. He shoved his arm inside and acted as if he was digging around inside the light for something.

"Hmm, that's the one." Mr. Zanzabar said as he pulled his arm back and had a headpiece in his hand. It looked like it would wrap around the person's forehead like a headband and had two pointed sections that almost resembled cat ears on either side. Intricate silver lines ran a pattern on the front part of the head piece that neither Zero or Kai could recognize.

"This is the Shade's Helm It's part of a similar set to your Rogue Wraps, Kai." He said holding it out for them to see. "It grant's the user the ability to Shadow Walk."

"Shadow walk?" Zero and Kai both asked at the same time. He didn't know why, but Zero took some small satisfaction in Kai not knowing what something was.

"Yes. It's a bit of an advanced ability and can only be used by someone that has some control over the shadows, or darkness if you wish to call it. It allows one to move between areas of darkness as if there was a portal only they could use."

Zero's eyes widened. That's...incredible! He thought. That would be perfect combined with being able to already hide in the shadows! No one would be able to see me coming.

"I'll take it!" Zero said excitedly reaching out before Mr. Zanzabar quickly snatched it out of his reach. "Huh?"

Mr. Zanzabar shook his head. "What? Did you think this was free?! This is a business! You'll need to offer something up something of value first."

In his haste, Zero had completely forgotten that. Of course he wasn't just going to hand over such a worthy item for nothing.

Kai chuckled nervously. "Sorry about my partner, Mr. Zanzabar. We'll be back when we have something for you." He said, ushering Zero towards the exit. "Let's go Zero."

They were almost out the shop when the shop owner's voice echoed throughout the small room.

"Wait!"

The pair quickly turned around.

"If you're looking for valuables, I may have a job for you..."