After scouting out the newly purchased shop, Woon and Arth realized there was no furniture or supplies inside—just empty rooms and halls echoing with the potential of what could be. With no place to rest there yet, they decided to find lodging for the night.
#At the Inn
The inn they chose wasn't luxurious, but it was clean and comfortable—perfect for a temporary stay. After checking in and being guided to their room by the cheerful inn lady, the two settled in. Woon opened his travel bag and handed Arth a folded set of clean clothes.
"Here you go," he said casually.
As Arth began changing, Woon sat on the edge of his bed, lost in thought. His mind returned to the mysterious woman who'd given him the funds that made everything possible.
"Securing that shop would've been almost impossible if not for Diana giving us those 10 platinum coins. But who exactly is she? There's no way someone just walks around with that kind of money unless they're powerful or have powerful background. Was she some noble? A runaway royal? A merchant heiress? It's pointless to speculate without more information... For now, I need to focus on what's in front of me."
He leaned back and sighed.
"I've got far more pressing issues—like buying all the furniture and cooking equipment. And most importantly... finding employees. The restaurant can't run on Thoughts alone."
Just as Arth finished changing, Woon straightened up.
"Alright, I've decided what we're going to do tomorrow."
Arth raised an eyebrow slightly, giving him his full attention.
"Starting tomorrow," Woon said, adjusting the strap of his bag, "your job is to focus entirely on climbing the adventurer ranks. Take whatever quests you can—monster hunts, material collection, escort jobs, anything that boosts your credibility and helps raise your rank. The higher your card level, the easier everything else gets."
He gave Arth a look. "And make sure to bring back monster meat every now and then. Saves us money on meat, and we'll need fresh ingredients if we're serious about the restaurant."
Turning his gaze toward the nearby street, he continued, "Meanwhile, I'll take care of the restaurant side. I'll head into town, look for furniture, grab some cooking gear—pots, pans, knives, all the basics. And I'll keep an eye out for anyone we might be able to hire. We'll need help if we want this thing to run smoothly."
Arth gave a silent nod of understanding. Their tasks were clear.
With nothing more to discuss, they both lay down for the night after exchanging a simple, "Good night." The candlelight flickered for a few more moments before fading into darkness.
__________
#The Next Morning
The next day arrived with soft golden sunlight spilling through the inn's curtains. The sounds of carts rolling down the cobblestone streets and morning chatter filled the air.
Arth left early for the Adventurers Guild to begin his missions, while Woon, after a quick breakfast, set out for town.
As he walked through the bustling streets of Bahamara, he observed the vibrant market life: shopkeepers shouting their deals, travelers bartering for wares, and children weaving between crowds with laughter.
Suddenly, someone brushed past him—an unremarkable man dressed plainly, save for the iron collar secured tightly around his neck. Woon blinked in surprise, his mind immediately flashing back to his conversation with Diana.
"Slavery is legal in this world," she had mentioned casually, as though it were nothing out of the ordinary.
That memory sparked a thought.
"Wait a minute... if hiring normal workers is risky—because I'll have to hide my Online Shopping ability—then maybe... slaves could be a viable solution. They won't question my sources, won't talk, and can be trained. Plus, I can form a loyal staff that won't betray me. And... if I'm building a dream restaurant, wouldn't it be nice to have a few beautiful women around too?"
He paused mid-step, an image forming in his mind: himself reclining on a lavish couch, surrounded by gorgeous slave girls serving him food and drink, their eyes filled with admiration. A wicked grin stretched across his face.
"Hehehehehe..." he chuckled darkly, drawing a few confused glances from passersby.
Snapping back to reality, Woon shook his head.
"No, no—focus. First, the essentials: furniture and equipment. Slave shopping comes later."
__________
#Furniture Shopping
Woon made his way to a well-established furniture shop in the heart of the city. The interior was lined with wooden furnishings ranging from humble stools to ornate canopy beds. After browsing for a while and asking questions, he placed his order:
20 round wooden tables
100 matching chairs (five per table)
10 single beds for staff quarters and future helpers
The store owner, a middle-aged dwarf with a keen business eye, gave him a fair quote.
"That'll be 10 gold coins for everything, including delivery to your location," he said.
"Perfect," Woon replied, handing over the coins without hesitation.
"Expect delivery by this evening," the dwarf promised, scribbling down the address.
__________
#Utensils and Kitchen Equipment
Next, Woon headed to a bustling cookware market. Rows of pots, pans, knives, ladles, and more lined the stalls. He carefully picked out everything he'd need to open a functional kitchen—cutlery, bowls, storage containers, and several sturdy wooden prep tables.
Then he came across a section showcasing ovens and cooking equipment powered by magic stones. One particularly sleek model caught his eye—a large magic-fueled oven with temperature control runes engraved across its surface.
"This one," he said, pointing.
The shopkeeper beamed.
"Excellent choice! Very efficient. Works with mid-tier mana stones and doesn't require much maintenance."
He added a magic-fueled stove to his list too, one with four burners.
He paused and thought for a moment.
"I do have a modern stove from my Online Shopping skill, but using that here would be too suspicious. Better to stick to what's available in this world, especially for when others are watching."
By the end of the visit, he had spent:
3 gold on all utensils and tools
20 gold for the oven
5 gold for the stove
With all his purchases made and deliveries scheduled, Woon stepped back out onto the street. His coin pouch was significantly lighter, but the sense of accomplishment weighed heavier than any gold.
He took a deep breath, watching the sky begin its descent into afternoon hues.
"Now that that's done... let's go visit the slave trader." He said with a calm, calculating tone.
And with steady steps, Woon turned toward the district Diana had once vaguely mentioned—the place where masters bought their servants and destinies were rewritten.
To be continued.....