Convenience Store 24: The Tower of the End 1st - Chapter 73



Only Krnovel

Episode 73, 41st floor, the country of turrets (1)

‘What? An attack by the natives?’

Numerous arrows hit the ground and flaming orbs fall down on the monsters’ bodies.

I thought as I listened to the screams of the monsters.

‘It looks like I’ve fallen into the middle of a battlefield this time. I don’t think I should step in and just wait until things calm down.’

There is no need to go outside right now and get shot by arrows.

About an hour had passed since I had put the products on the shelf and counted the gold coins.

Before I knew it, the noise had died down.

The thunderous noise and the screams of the monsters also stopped.

‘Is it over?’

I quietly left the convenience store.

On the floor, there were charred corpses, apparently belonging to monsters, rolling around everywhere.

‘Oh, it smells a bit strange.’

It smelled a bit like grilled meat or roasted chestnuts, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

But there was one thing that surprised me more than anything else.

A huge purple storm is visible nearby.

No, I stuck out my tongue as I saw what at first glance looked like a door.

‘Isn’t that… a gate?’

At that time.

“Who are you? You don’t look like a monster that came over from the gate.”

I turned my head when I heard a voice from behind me.

‘oh?’

Aren’t there some kind of apes with pointy ears resembling elves and a short stature that could reach my waist looking up at me from afar?

‘You’re a halfling, right?’

Thanks to the existence of the gate, I was already certain where this floor was.

The presence of the halflings strengthened my convictions.

‘Oh my, where did I fall? … It was in the Grand Line of the Turret Country, and inside that too?’

41st floor, commonly known as the land of turrets.

If we were to point out a unique feature of this floor, we would have to mention the turrets.

‘I can definitely see the turrets when I come outside.’

Behind the halfling’s back, in the distance, huge towers were visible.

As if to prove the fierce battle that had just taken place, some of the turrets were spewing out pure white smoke.

‘Wow, it looks bigger than it did in the video. That’s what they’re going to use to intercept the monsters, huh? How romantic… . . ‘

“I ask you again. Who are you?”

I wonder if he hasn’t let his guard down yet.

I smiled at the halfling who was aiming his short dagger.

“Haha, I’m not a monster that crossed the gate. I’m just an ordinary raider.”

“… … A climber? It certainly looks like a climber… … .”

The halfling in the lead frowned.

The halfling next to him shouts firmly.

“We strictly control climbers crossing the Grand Line, so this can’t be a climber! That guy is clearly a monster that has transformed into a climber!”

‘A monster… … Well, you could think of it that way.’

After all, the location is close to a battlefield.

It was not hard to understand why the halflings were so wary.

First of all, clearing up the misunderstanding will be a priority.

“I am a merchant and a wanderer who travels the world with this shop. So it is not at all strange for me to be here.”

“… … You’re saying that it’s not strange at all since we entered the Grand Line?”

“It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s a wasteland or the center of a battlefield.”

The halfling in the lead looked me up and down and let out a small sigh.

“I already knew that climbers were unruly, but you guys are really a different breed.”

“Haha, I hear that a lot.”

“Wait a minute, Mr. Gus! Are you believing what he’s saying?”

“I once heard a rumor that was quite widespread among climbers. It was said that some climbers opened their own shops and sold things from the outside world. To be honest, I thought it was just a joke that climbers often made, but I guess the rumor wasn’t completely wrong.”

Gus asks me, one corner of his mouth turning up.

“But you have chosen the wrong place to show up today, sir. This place is not very friendly to you.”

He pointed to a gate located just 500 meters from the convenience store.

“The wave has just ended, so there will be a lull for a while, but soon enough, tens of thousands of monsters will come out from there and target your shop. Of course, our turrets will also shoot.”

“Of course. But as you can see now, the store is fine.”

It’s hard to believe that we’re in the middle of a battlefield.

Because there wasn’t a single scratch on my convenience store.

“… … It looks like that. Anyway, what I want to say is, please leave this place. If things like this happen, we might have trouble dealing with the monsters.”

I nodded to Gus, who spoke politely but firmly.

“I don’t plan on staying long, but is that okay with you?”

“Are you okay?”

“After today, I don’t know when this fantasy shop will open in the Land of Turrets again. In the worst case scenario, it may never open again.”

Gus’s eyes waver at my words.

“It can never be used again… … .”

“Gus! Nothing will change if you don’t use that one store!”

“Anthony, can you shut your mouth? I’m thinking about it right now.”

Gus seemed to think deeply, then looked at me again and asked a question.

“Does your store only carry products from the outside world?”

“Well, I guess that’s what it is.”

“Then I wonder if there are any items among them that would be helpful to us. For example, items that help with the firepower of the turret, or items that can increase the durability of the turret. Even if that’s not the case, items that help with subduing the monsters would be fine.”

‘Something that increases the turret’s firepower? How could something like that exist!’

What convenience store isn’t a military supply company, so how could something like that exist?

Besides, such items cannot be brought into the tower in the first place.

“I’m not sure about the items specialized for turrets… … However, I am confident that we have prepared enough items to soothe your bodies and minds, which are exhausted from a long battle.”

For them, dealing with monsters flowing out of the gate is a daily occurrence.

I was convinced that the products at the convenience store would be a good remedy.

‘What do halflings like…? Oh, right! Let’s show them that as bait!’

I took a chocolate bar out of my subspace pocket and handed it to Gus.

“For example, something like this.”

“What is that? It has a unique color and shape.”

“It’s called whiskey chocolate, which is eaten as a snack outside.”

This whiskey chocolate will definitely suit the taste of halflings who love alcohol and often seek out sweets.

‘It wouldn’t be bad to do a favor.’

“Whiskey chocolate… … .”

“Mr. Gus, we don’t know what kind of harm he can do. It would be better to throw him away… … .”

Quadduk-

Gus immediately bites into the chocolate.

The halflings around him look at him with their eyes wide open.

“Hmm, oh! This is really special. Hahahaha!”

“Mr. Gus, are you okay?”

“It’s hard on the outside, but the sweetness is outstanding! The slightly bitter aftertaste is also wonderful! And the liquid inside! This is alcohol! It seems that a small amount goes well with the sweetness!”

Gus chuckled and showed a look of satisfaction.

The atmosphere that had been suspicious of me also became a little warmer.

“If it’s okay, can I see some other items?”

“Haha, of course.”

The halflings, led by Gus, enter the convenience store.

“Oooh! What a bright light! Is that a turret too?”

“Look at that instead! There are so many strangely shaped things!”

The halflings’ attention soon turned to the items on display.

“What is this long thing?”

“Ah, that’s called a jjondaegi. It’s a snack with a soft and chewy texture.”

“Jjondgi! Then what is this?”

“It’s called peanut, and it’s a salty delicacy.”

I piqued the interest of the halflings by answering their barrage of questions one by one.

“Okay! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!”

* * *

‘It’s unusual. It’s a very unique place.’

Gus listened to the store owner’s explanation.

He had no choice but to admit that he had become absorbed in this fantasy shop.

‘I think I know why climbers like it.’

Even he, who is over 100 years old, must be attracted to this store.

What about climbers?

‘I especially like the fact that there are many different types of alcohol and snacks that go well with alcohol.’

For halflings who love alcohol.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that this place, which sells a variety of alcoholic beverages and food, is a paradise.

‘Especially this lime soju? It’s a very fancy looking drink.’

First of all, the neat green bottle stimulated the hearts of drinkers.

‘Spending a quiet night with this foreign liquor and dried cheese… … Sob!’

Gus shook his head vigorously.

‘Wake up, Gus! You are the commander in chief of all the turrets!’

Now is the time to act for the national interest rather than personal gain.

‘Yes. For the safety of our country, we must do so!’

Their country, the country of the turrets, is not safe.

All kinds of monsters coming out of the gate were always threatening their safety.

They had been intercepting them with turrets up until now, but there was no guarantee that they would continue to do so in the future.

‘The monsters are getting stronger by the day, while the turrets are getting older and older… ‘

Up until now, the monsters have been kept at bay well within the ‘Grand Line’.

However, in the past, a huge number of monsters burst out of the gate and the Grand Line was almost breached.

‘It was only with the help of climbers that it was finally stopped, but something truly terrible almost happened.’

If the Grand Line were to be breached.

After that, several halfling villages that had been established would have been burned by the monsters.

‘But we can’t rely on climbers.’

Since that incident, most climbers have left, saying happily, ‘The next level has opened.’

What’s more, the country of turrets is being attacked by monsters.

Would climbers risk their lives to help them?

‘After all, strangers are just strangers. We have no choice but to take responsibility for our country’s safety.’

In order to do that, we had no choice but to increase our national power by any means necessary.

The best way is to strengthen the turret.

‘We didn’t build the turret in the first place… … .’

Turrets and gates.

They have been there from the beginning.

As if it had been there since time immemorial.

Therefore, it was virtually impossible for them to strengthen or build turrets.

‘What a pity, what a pity… … .’

That’s why I had small expectations for this exotic shop.

The small anticipation turned into bitter disappointment.

“This Bull Bear beer is also very popular. It has a refreshing and light acidity that makes it quite addictive.”

Looking at the store owner continuing to explain the products.

Gus smiled bitterly.

‘It’s a shame, but it has come to this. I should buy some foreign products and take them with me.’

Gus grabbed a handful of the ‘snacks that go well with alcohol’ the shop owner had mentioned earlier.

Then he took them and approached the counter where the store owner was sitting.

“How much does it cost to do it all?”

“I’m sorry, but you cannot purchase more than two at a time.”

“… … What?”

“Because it’s one of the basic rules of our store.”

Gus was dumbfounded.

There are so many items, but I can only buy two!

“Is there a reason why such a rule was made?”

“Because there are so many situations where there are so many customers, we ended up making that rule.”

“… … .”

His answer was even more difficult for Gus to understand.

‘Even if you say you’re a customer right now, we’re all inside the store… … .’

“That rule seems like it should be applied when there are a lot of guests. It doesn’t apply to the current situation.”

“Well, that’s true. I certainly don’t mind bending or applying the rules to my liking.”

“Is that so? Then… … .”

“But I don’t intend to do that.”

Just as Gus was about to open his mouth in embarrassment.

The shop owner continued speaking.

“If you change the rules so easily, the credibility of my rules will be completely destroyed. And that reduced credibility will affect my evaluation as well.”

“… … .”

Gus didn’t show it, but he couldn’t hide his surprise.

It is rare for someone to stick to the path they have set for themselves.

Moreover, he tries to stick to his own rules even at the cost of giving up things that benefit him.

‘I thought he was a pretty cheerful climber, but he’s actually stronger than he looks.’

It felt a little uncomfortable to hide my appearance with a mask.

I quite like that podium and the wick.

“Okay, let’s make it two.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Just as Gus was about to take a gold coin out of his pocket.

Thud, thud-

“Eugh… … .”

A strange sound was heard from the entrance of the store.

Gus turned his head slightly.

“Euuuuu… … What, why aren’t you going out?”

The young halfling tried to leave the open door with a sad look on his face.

For some reason, the guy couldn’t get out, as if he was blocked by a transparent wall.

‘… What are you doing? Is there really an invisible wall?’

But isn’t that the case, that other halflings are just going out the door without any problems?

Just as Gus was about to approach the young halfling.

“It seems like the subordinates have bad habits.”

For some reason, there is a cold smile on the lips of the shop owner as he continues talking.

“… … What does that mean?”

Instead of answering, the shopkeeper grabbed the halfling’s arm as he continued to bang his head against the empty wall.

“What, what are you doing! Can’t you let this go?!”

“Shall I tell you why you can’t leave this store?”

The shop owner violently rips off the armor of his subordinate.

Thud thud thud-

Items from the shop that had been hidden inside the armor were scattered on the floor.

“That’s because you tried to steal the items without paying for them. This store has a feature that prevents you from leaving if you try to take an item without paying for it.”

“iced coffee…….”

‘That fool… … ‘

“Uh, Gus… … I just… … .”

“I’ve heard that halflings have bad habits, but this is disappointing. Is this the price you pay for your kindness?”

Gus lowered his head, suppressing the urge to strike his subordinate right away.

“… … Since he is still young, he seems to have become blinded by greed. I apologize on his behalf for not being able to properly control my subordinates. I am sorry.”

But the shop owner smiled brightly at his apology.

“It’s okay. There are rules that take this into account.”

“… … .”

For a moment, Gus felt afraid.

Whatever the rule is, that guy is going to try to follow it.

“If it’s a rule… … .”

“You will pay me back 100 times the amount of the stolen goods. Let’s see, one, two… … Oh my, you stole a lot. If we add it all up… … it will be 435 gold. Oh, I gave you a discount of 52 silver.”