I return everything into my inventory and exit the now open door.
The sun assaults my eyes as I breathe the very thin but fresh air.
Countless eyes stop and turn in my direction curiously scanning me up and down
I briskly walk down the road greeting me with a plethora of stores selling all kinds of trinkets and shinies. Most of the people I see have wings of some kind or are an avian race, is this the city of bird-people?
I squint trying to see but everywhere I look is like staring directly into the sun.
Every building seems to be coated with a shiny or reflective surface. The hustle and bustle of a populated city still ring true even in the sky.
minstrels squawking some epic poem while playing the lute, hawkers shilling some obscure contraption and stalls selling all kinds of random objects dot the street.
I take a closer look at one of the stalls and see a few items I recognise.
A lightsaber, a raygun and a rocket launcher
What the. Am I in the right world? Where did these things come from and how did a bunch of birds get them?
I ask the stallkeeper “Uh, excuse me, what are these?”
“Fine eye you got there small one, this here is a finely crafted dwarven made energy sabre! Complete with three mana batteries each sold separately! The one in the middle is a zapper that discharges electricity, perfect for any water-based battles! and the last one is a gnomish boomstick! Ammunition is in scarce supply so get it while it’s hot!”
Are these things normal here? Why haven’t I seen anyone carrying a gun if it’s this easy? Where were the lightsabers last time and why doesn’t everyone have one?
I look at the price and instantly understand the reason. Every refill costs almost the same as getting a new weapon and discharging so much mana drains batteries like water.
I slowly back away and go search the other stores, to my surprise, no two stores sell the same things. It’s as if they got the entire world on display here, gadgets and souvenirs that shouldn’t belong in a fantasy world seem so natural when lined up with 20 other out of place trinkets.
On top of that is the sheer quantity of stores per customer, there are more shops selling things than there are people buying or entertaining. Is there no other way to spend the time here?
I retreat into a more secluded shop, one of the few buildings that didn’t blind my eyes with obnoxious paint and glitter. I slump over on a table, massaging my head. All the lights and shouting started to give me a migraine and the heat certainly didn’t help.
Gathering my senses, I look around to see what store I stumbled into and it’s more comfortable than I thought.
A wooden interior with tables lining up all kinds of bizarre eggs greet my vision. A lazy owl shopkeeper naps in the corner next to a bell with “ding me” written on it.
I boop the bell and a high pitched whining sound pierces my ears. Ow! What the-
The owl rustles awake, peeking one eye open.
“Who?”
“Uh, hi? I was wondering what this shop sells”
I question
The owl fiddles with something under the table and hands me a pamphlet with his wing
The pamphlet has both pictures and words on it, drawings of weird orbs and question marks litter the page.
“This shop sells mystery, luck, wonder. Buy an egg and try your luck”
The shopkeep hoos mysteriously
I thought this place had something interesting, turns out it’s just a gacha store. No matter the world I can never escape the gacha.
Wait a minute. Can I cheat with Identify? I whisper “hey identify”
Don't even think about it
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Hmph, fine. You’re no fun.
I pick out a random egg and bring it to the counter. Why does this feel so familiar? Is it gonna hatch into a massive chicken that then turns into a blonde loli with wings? I don’t have a shield though so it’s unlikely.
“That’ll be twelve iron or its equivalent. We accept any form of currency or item of value” the merchant hoots
Carp, do I still have any money on me?
I toss the owl a gold coin I found lying around in my inventory and he returns five feathers and 3 clamshells.
I have no idea how the currency system works here, so I trust he didn’t just rip me off
...
“Place your hand on this magic circle and the egg will hatch within the week” he states matter of factly
Alright. I place my hand on the circle and visual effects swirl all around, engraving weird runes on the egg. With a flash, the ritual was complete.
“Here is a backpack for the egg, keep it on you till it hatches. Now get out” he grunts, going back to sleep
Uh, alright. I hop out of the store carrying my new egg friend and start feeling a little drowsy
It's been a long day so let's find a place to crash
I wander around in a daze before arriving upon a hollowed out great tree. I suppose this is their inn from the weird bed symbol and the words “roost inn” above the entrance. Inside is a comfy reception area fitted with beanbags and assorted furniture.
A cockatiel birdgirl preens herself at the reception, she looks up waving her arm-wing at me
“Chirp welcome! What can I do for you~” she sings in a melodic tone
“I-id like a place to stay for about a week?” I don't plan to settle here very long since I get restless staying in one place for extended periods of time
“Tweet! Would you like a single or double room? Ground or air loft? breakfast and lunch are included~”
“U-uhm single? Air? Food! Yes.” good job. great languaging there, su.
“Splendid! That'll be forty shinies and five greys, your nest is on the top middle branch to the right and breakfast starts at the second bell, lunch gets served at the fifth bell after the third squawk!” she twirls around in the air with too much excitement
Uhh did auto translate break or something? What is she talking about? Bells? Squawks? Shinies? The owl guy asked me for iron!
W-whats the shiniest thing I have in my inventory, a glowing radiance catches my eye. Ah! I forgot about that (at least I try to)
I summon a handful of glowing unicorn poop the rhino so graciously deposited upon my face.
I don't want to be anywhere near that thing again but the birdgirls eyes light up like miniature suns.
“WHERE DID YOU GET THAT!” she shrieks “w-we don't have enough to pay you back for that much! B-but I really want it… j-just a fingernails size! That's all!” the bird bargains, feathers ruffled and crest standing erect.
I shout “A-ALRIGHT!”. backing away from the much-too-close heavily panting girl
“Cough. Your room is in the top left branch. Hope you enjoy your stay!” she blurts before flying to god knows where.
…
I collect the rest of the glowing poop and head up to my room.
My room is an open-air nest on a large sturdy branch. My feet sink into the fluffy padding as a cool breeze tickles my ears
Incoherent squawks grab my attention so I peer over the edge giving a full view of the city
The setting sun reflecting on every building leaves me breathless
The squawks continue so I track its source…
Two birds a couple branches away doing the deed in their nest room…
That's enough sightseeing for today…
I place down my egg backpack and get comfy in my bed facing the open stars, I don't have a roof or walls but I'm used to that by now
I love the sky and outdoors
----------------------------------------
Name: Sucksuke
Level: 67
Str: 125 (+60)
Sta: 60 (+4.8)
Race: Beastkin - Cat - Other?
Class: Assassin
Spd: 121 (+39.93)
Agi: 45 (+17.1)
HP: 100% aliveness
MP: --?
End: 50 (+8)
Vit: 47 (+10.11)
Unspent points: 3.5
Status: sleeping
Int: 40 (-8.14)
Wis: 33 (-3.72)
Skills
Titles
Cheat Skill: Succ lv 36
Immortality lvl 26/50
Otherworlder
A kitty
Accuracy lvl 7/10
Item box lvl 13/20
The unchanging
Cheat skill holder
Night vision lvl 7/15
Identify: curious
Sucker
Main character
Catlike
Bad luck
Clutz
hold E to heal
Martial arts
cut me some slack
Pyrophobia
Hand to claw combat lvl 6/10
Sharp claws MAX
Superhuman strength
Snowball warrior
Swordbreaker style lvl 6/10
Summon sword style lvl 3/10
Dungeon diver
Cross-dresser
Party members
Baboon king
One who overcame calamity
Every Side Character - level 55 cardboard mage
Illuminate - level 43 light elf guide
Superhuman speed
An idiot
Cursed Chef