I really needed a phone. It’s so hard to navigate around town like this.

“Geez, I can do that just fine, Master,” Sandy snarked, “From your memories, I found you much more adventurous. How come you got so lazy after dying just once.”

“Dying once?” I gasped at her remark, “Is dying supposed to be a regular thing?”

Sandy replied, “No, but, Master! It would be best if you went back to being your old self. I can’t wait to venture into a brand new world.”

“Do tell me; you traveled other worlds?” I asked, eyes narrowing with budding suspicion, “Worlds!!!?”

Sandy stammered, “Ummm, he-he. Wrong metaphor, I guess.”

“Not plausible enough!” I shook my head in dismay.

“Anyway, do I need to stroll around the whole town for you to make a mental map of the whole area?”

“Yeah, Master.”

“I’ll think about it,” I shooed Sandy away and took a left. The town square was just ahead. I could already hear the bustling crowd, and it was lively. The street was filled with the aroma of different spices, the stench of cured leather, and the burning smell of coal and smelted iron.

The town square seemed similar to a medieval town. The stalls were mostly made up of wood, and it had a tent-like appearance. One sheet covered most of the stalls, and it was tightly bound with the street using large nails.

The stall was run mainly by dwarfs. There were few beast-kins behind the counter. The beast-kin was more common at stalls selling weapons, armors, and other crafted materials. Judging from their plain and run-down look, they are most prolly slaves.

As I entered the closest vicinity, I heard many sellers calling me to see their product. One voice caught me, “Good sir, we’ve everything you might be looking for. We buy and sell everything with an artisan’s spirit left in it, whether real or superficial. Welcome!”

I pinpointed the source to see a very familiar figure, no wait. She looks totally different. The only familiar thing was her auburn hair. Her eyes glistened in the honey glaze as the morning rays reflected on it. A red bandana covered her ear. She wore the kimono that was gifted to her. I thought it was gonna be a bit baggy for her. But I keep forgetting that all garments and the things mum left me had some sort of enhancement done to them. SIGH~ she is the best mum; I could possibly get in a new world. Regretfully, I’m gonna miss her sooo muchhh!

“It’s raining!” I snapped awake from my thought, hearing Sandy.

“Yeah, drown in my tears!”

I heard her shouting again, “Welcome, to Dirk’s shop. We sell only the best. Welcome!”

I dunno if it’s an everyday thing or just today. The shop was more or less empty. I wonder if they sell at all a day. There was a total of three beast-kins behind the counter. One was Megumi, and the rest two, I don’t know. They were more beastly. They were, termed dogs, standing on two feet and had a strangely human gait.

Megumi looked absolutely gorgeous in the kimono. The flowing petals of purple in the silky pink kimono went really well with her soft milky skin texture. She covered her nape with the collar, which had more solid pink. And the way her messily knotted auburn hair flowed on the collar looked beautiful. Her ears twitched more vigorously than yesterday. The bottom line, Megumi looked like someone else. The Megumi I met yesterday and the one standing behind the counter seemed totally different. Well, the change is for the best. She’s seemed transcendently graceful.

I pushed away some dwarves out of my way and strolled to the stall; Megumi operated that, “Who’s dis?”

Megumi was surprised. She stared down, scratching her index finger, “Oh, hi, didn’t notice you.”

“Do I know you?” I teased.

Megumi tried reading my expression, but I tried my best to keep a plain face. Megumi laughed, “Stop joking!”

I gave her an odd stare, “Excuse me! Do you think I’m joking?” Then I looked around the shop, “I’m looking for a Megumi,” Pausing abruptly, “Oh, she is more popular by the name Tsukiki here.”

Megumi’s eye grew wider and wider. It was fun to watch.

I continued, “Dirk told me I could find her here. You see, I’ve got some business with her. So, if you guys know where I can find her, then please give me some pointers.”

I focused my gaze on the beast-kins with dog appearance.

They exchanged a glance and then laughed in a low guttural voice. Sounding more like a panting dog.

The male beast-kin, finally managing to hold his laughter, spoke politely, “I can understand the cause of your confusion, Master Black. We’ve been notified of your humble presence.” He then performed a full ninety-degree bow.

“Come on, no need to bow,” I pointed my finger and told him to stop with his etiquette, “May I get your name?”

“It’s Alrich Stauss, Master Black.”

“It sounds awfully German. Forgive me if I’m wrong. Does it have something to do with how you look?”

“You humble me, Master Black. And yes, it’s related, now on to the main topic. The girl in the kimono is Tsukiki-chan you’re looking for.”

I looked at Megumi, then back to Stauss, “You’re not kidding, right?”

Stauss nodded politely.

I glanced at the beast-kin standing beside Stauss, “And what’s your name?”

“It’s Zuwen, Master,” Zuwen, the beast-kin, replied with a polite slight bow.

“Nice name,” complimenting her, I stared at the small figure sulking before me. Megumi seemed really. I don’t know. Her face had subtitles of amazement, anger, and fear?

I am not very good at reading faces.

“Are you Megumi, as in the Megumi, who gave me a lift last night?”

Megumi nodded vigorously. She seemed like she was about to cry.

“What’s the secret code?”

Megumi looked at me dumbfounded, “What code?”

Megumi bit her lower lip, “Can you seriously not recognize me?”

“Your voice is somewhat similar; guess you’re Megumi after all.”

“What do you mean after all? I am Megumi, you jerk.” Megumi kicked my shin so suddenly that a yelp escaped out of me.

I ruffled her hair, messing up the knotted bun, “I was just teasing.”

Megumi turned to face me, her glare oozing of death.

“You wanna talk here?” I pointed toward the next street. There are restaurants from as much information I’ve garnered.