Rob felt that the atmosphere was getting creepier by the second. Warily observing the shopkeeper and his surroundings, he seemed to see shadows lengthen in his surroundings.

Rob thought in horror what could the shopkeeper want in exchange for the staff: Is he just playing with him?

Those seemingly warm eyes staring at him reminded himself of the butcher at the slaughterhouse: Reassuring the prey to not to panic and be tense.

The storekeeper just smiled and observed him keenly from top to bottom, as if seeing through his entire being. Finally the owner opened his mouth in slight sneer and spoke to him.

''I can see that you are having a fair share of burdens on your back. Maybe the cane would suit you well, especially on rainy days like these. It is quite cheap too, considering that the cane has some history behind it.''

Rob moved his field of vision to the cane stuck in his hand. Yes indeed, it is obvious even to normal civilians that there is bound to be some dark history concealed in this ''simple'' walking aid.

''I can feel it too. What is it that you want in exchange for this?'' Asking the crucial question that was haunting his mind. What exactly would this strange shop want for such a powerful relic?

''With the discount, I can give it to you with only 49 Remis. Not bad huh?'' Startled Rob turned to look at the shopkeeper, wondering if he heard it right.

''49 Remis? Only?'' Rob felt his brain overheat when he heard the price: That is basically one meal in a restaurant, where is the catch?

Did he misread the situation and he is really just an ordinary man who has no idea what he has for sale in here. Pulling out his wallet from inside his overcoat, he counted his bills. ''Here is 50, I will take the cane.''

Rob looked at the shopkeeper's facial expression that had a slight mocking feel to it wondering if this is really what he meant. Handing over the money for the cane, the shop owner took it happily.

He thought in that instant that he really made a killing here. The shopkeeper must really be some chump that has no idea what kind of treasure was on sale here. Handing over the 50 Remi bill, Rob felt that this must be his lucky day.

Watching the transaction finalize, Rob suddenly felt that he lost something extremely precious to every living being.

Trying to hold his panicked scream in, he observed the changes inside his very being in horror. Piercing pain ran through his very core of being, and he observed his soul with great haste.

He saw strange inscriptions that he could not make heads or tails on what they represent covering half of his soul. Startled and afraid, he did not know what was happening to him.

Realizing that power does not come without price, Rob dejectedly lowered his head. Hearing that the owner was walking further away from him, he felt lost.

Contemplating what this means for him, he knew that nothing could be done now except embrace this new and strange knowledge the shop owner granted him.

Rob knew that he was in a tough spot, but never did he imagine that the answer he was seeking would be found in selling his own soul. Only self-deprecating thoughts ran through his mind thinking that he could have it all without making sacrifices for it: It seems that power does come with a price tag attached to it...Caressing his new cane, he connected his spirit to the staff.

Strange and never ending darkness overflowed his senses and he once again fell into the abyss. Rob saw phantom mirages of strange creatures.

Hideous, malformed and never before documented beasts all around the skull head of the staff floating in the middle of the void. I see now... My world view has been limited to this world. I shouldn't have been obsessed with just the most dangerous animal on the planet. The answer for my quest for greater power naturally lies beyond the common sense of the world. Like a two dimensional being can not imagine what third dimension is like, I too have been the same.

Snapping out from his dazed mumblings, Rob felt gratitude towards the shopkeeper. It never occurred to him that the reason why the former top dog of the city was reduced into a stray dog. Hunted by sheep he once despised, he now had to admit that there is strength in numbers.

With his newfound strength, the scales would be tipped in his favor once again. Rising his head to express his gratitude towards the owner, he saw him leisurely walk towards him.

The owner then extended his arm, and handed him something.

''Your change, Sir. Thank you for shopping in the -Ages past antique store- I do hope to see you once again soon.''

Taking the coin for single Remi from the owner's hand, Rob felt intense pleasure. ''P..P..Part of my soul was returned to me...'' He mumbled in a quiet tone, which the shopkeeper did not miss.

''Ah yes. Small sums do make a great amount if accumulated over time. By working even a little you will make up the lost amount, isn't that right.''

Realizing that there is still hope for him to regain his soul by working for the young shopkeeper, he made a pledge to himself.

He would do whatever was needed to make him whole again. ''Yes...Yes that is correct. By the way, this cane is perfect for me. I feel like the lost part has reunited with me after a long time. If there is anything I can help you with, just tell me.'' Rob had a smile on his face from ear to ear, realizing that this was his opportunity to go to the top.

Victor gave himself a mental high five and appreciated what a considerate customer he had. Only looking briefly around and responding politely to the small business owners. The man was not old, but his footsteps seemed to be quite heavy: Foot or hip injury maybe? Watching the customer caress the cane, Victor recalled old saying: ''There is no wrong product, only right customers.''

In truth: He just felt bad that in such murky weather the walking stick would help him get by better. Cold and rainy days may be taxing, especially for hard workers such as construction employees or such.

For Victor, it was not hard to find something in his store to help the customer out as it was filled to the brim with items of all kinds.

When the customer asked if he had any requests for help, he could not but shake his head lightly and say: ''Well the business has not been too good, my guess would be that the weather is driving them away. If you really want to help, you can always recommend this store to your friends.''

Seeing that the customer was nodding his head up and down vigorously, he knew that he could maybe get a few more customers through word of mouth.

Victor chuckled lightly and started to daydream about the new luxurious restaurant by the 3rd street. If Rob's friends came as customers, maybe they could be THE infamous whales from mobile games from his previous world and they would buy a bunch of stuff. To make connections and keep his small business afloat, Victor would happily provide good customer service for more available cash flow .

Of course he would not be a heartless racketeer in business, but a man has got to eat too. Preferably in a luxurious restaurant with a fancy dessert.

Focusing his attention back to the customer, Victor offered the customer tea, but was hastily declined. The customer seemed to be in a hurry and Victor left him a calling card containing the address info of the store.

Seeing that his first customer for a few weeks was in a hurry, he did not insist on serving him tea.

After waving him well, the man left his store. Huh, he was such a nice man. Rob was it? I really hope that he gets home safely and doesn't get sick in such weather. And maybe recommends this place to his friends huhhuh. Chuckling slightly, Victor pushed the customer outside of his thoughts and focused his imagination back to daydreaming about the restaurant.

Walking up to the old counter, he opened his cash register and deposited the 50 Remis there. It ain't much, but it is honest work. The positive side of this job is plenty of free time, I can write, play games or do pretty much whatever I wish to.

Ready to get back to his writing, Victor was reminded of something. ''Fuck! The tea must be cold already... Back to boiling water I guess...''

''Incredible... Such a store, hidden in plain sight in my city.'' Rob whispered in reverent voice as he walked away from the antique store. Light clacking sounds were echoing on the empty streets as he walked at a leisure pace in the rain.

Trying to hold his excitement inside, Rob felt that this was a good long term investment. Greater power without allying himself to the dirty rats calling themselves as guilds, or corrupt government. This is my answer to my problems.

Unable to keep his excitement to himself, Rob slid his hand across the walking stick and connected his spirit with the staff.

The simple walking stick emitted greenish black haze around it and seemed to morph into a staff with intricate inscriptions, decorated with the skull of an unknown human-like creature on the tip.

Watching the new appearance of the staff, Rob looked into the eye sockets of the skull. Green mist flowing with black hue, running along the staff and finally absorbing through Rob's hand.

''Now then, let us see if you are still as arrogant as before...Maybe soon you will realize that stray dogs can't bite venomous spider without getting poisoned...'' Quiet whispers echoed the narrow streets of the Runa-city accompanied by the light sound of lightning rumbling in the distance.