Episode 4: The Strange Order & the Laughing Blade
The morning passed like a breeze.
Rhea had already completed six more orders, gained over 4,000 Star Coins, and was starting to get used to the "ping" sound that followed every successful delivery. It was starting to feel… normal.
But nothing was normal about what happened next.
Ping!
> [New Order Request – Priority: Crimson Alert]
Item Requested: Laughing Blade of Lunaria
Offered Price: 8,000 Star Coins
Note: 'I'm dying. Only this blade can end it with honor. Deliver in 5 minutes. Location: Shadow Ridge, Realm 4.]
Rhea blinked.
"Wait… dying?"
She had seen urgent orders before, but this was different. A weapon to end life?
She hesitated. Should she really accept this?
> [Warning: Delay may result in target death. Accept? Y/N]
Her finger hovered.
"System," she whispered, "who is this person?"
> [Customer Identity: Hidden – Registered as "Wandering Soul"]
Wandering Soul? That name alone felt like pain wrapped in poetry.
She tapped [Accept].
In her inventory, a blade shimmered into existence—a long silver katana with crescent moon etchings on its sheath and a slight laugh echoing every few seconds. Yes, it literally laughed.
> Hehehe... hehehe…
Rhea grimaced. "Okay, that's creepy."
She tapped [Deliver].
> [Delivery Successful: +8000 Star Coins]
Seconds passed.
Then—
Ping!
> [Message from Wandering Soul]: "You've saved my pride. But your aura… it feels familiar. Who… are you?"
Another message?
> [Auto-Reply Enabled: Identity Protected via Shadow Encryption Layer]
Rhea let out a shaky breath. "System, remind me to never deliver anything that laughs again."
> [Noted.]
She tried to brush it off with a chuckle, but deep down, her heart felt heavy. Whoever that person was, they weren't just trying to survive—they were trying to leave with dignity.
This system… it wasn't just about profit. Every item she delivered meant something real to someone.
Still, Rhea wasn't ready to feel sad. Not when she was finally getting a chance at something bigger.
She tapped on her new balance.
> [Total Balance: 23,500 Star Coins]
[Next Unlock Achieved: Shop Assistant Access – TAP TO REVEAL]
Her eyes widened.
"A shop assistant? Really?"
She tapped it with excitement.
> [Generating Assistant…]
[Processing… 87%... 99%...]
[Shop Assistant Created: AI Entity – Name: Fizz]
With a pop! sound, a tiny glowing creature with huge sparkly eyes appeared beside her, floating mid-air. It looked like a cross between a fox, a cat, and a puffball.
"Heyyy there, Boss!" the creature squeaked. "Name's Fizz! I'm 20% smart, 80% adorable, and 100% loyal!"
Rhea burst into laughter. "What even are you?!"
"I'm your number one helper! I can manage low-tier requests, auto-deliver basic items, and even analyze market trends!"
"You analyze market trends?"
Fizz puffed up proudly. "With style!"
He shot a small graph in the air, filled with colorful bars and glowing charts.
"Whoa," Rhea whispered. "That's… actually useful."
"Of course I am! And just wait till I start talking to customers. We'll get extra stars just for my charm!"
Rhea chuckled again. "You know what, Fizz? I think I like you."
"Everyone does!" Fizz twirled in mid-air, sparkles trailing behind him.
Before she could say anything more, her panel glowed red.
> [System Alert – Market Talk Increasing Rapidly]
"Rumors of the Ghost Shop are spreading across dimensions. A few are beginning to believe the shop is connected to ancient prophecy…"
Rhea blinked. "Prophecy? What prophecy?"
Fizz tilted his head. "You… don't know?"
"Know what?"
Fizz looked hesitant. "Nothing! Probably just silly dimensional gossip."
Rhea narrowed her eyes. "Fizz…"
But before she could press him, another notification appeared.
> [New Order Received – From: ???]
Item: ??? – Special Item Delivery Challenge Activated]
Accepting this request may lead to story-triggering consequences. Proceed?
Rhea stared at the glowing panel.
"A story-triggering consequence?" she muttered. "System, what does that mean?"
> [Some deliveries are connected to forgotten fates… and locked memories.]
Suddenly, the air around her felt colder. Heavier. As if the delivery panel wasn't just offering her coins this time—but answers.
She took a deep breath.
Fizz floated closer, suddenly serious. "You don't have to do this right away, Boss. Some roads… don't have turns once you start walking."
But Rhea's eyes didn't waver. She tapped the panel.
> [Accept Request – YES.]
And just like that, her journey took a new turn.
She wasn't just a shopkeeper anymore.
She was a key.
And the doors were just beginning to unlock.
---