“There was once a little child deemed a failure by his village. The child was denied military work because he had a weak body. His Father sent him out in his parents’ steps to become one to work the fields. I must have seen no more than nine winters when one day, I collapsed while ploughing the soil. Couldn’t walk for days… Father said I was missing something that made our kind who we are. So that night, they brought me into the forest and ordered me to sit still till the morning. I remember the sounds of things moving about in the treeline and glowing eyes watching from the bushes. My body trembled from fear, yet I followed my Father’s orders and remained unmoving. Eventually, the sun rose, and I found the world around me had changed. The ground slipped beneath my feet and became a wall on one side. I sat inside a ravine gorged by the rain, trees growing around me in unusual directions. They never told me the world outside the village was so interesting and little me was mesmerised. There were new plants, so many mushrooms, but most importantly, all kinds of new bugs to discover. My fascination with the crawly things must have started then, because I remember looking under the remains of fallen trees and pulling out a fistful of insects, then putting them in my little pockets. They were my new friends, and I loved them dearly.”

The shopkeeper stopped crushing apples and, after removing the remaining chunks, he poured some fruit juice into Tanuki’s mug.

“You might remember bridges connected many of the realm’s points with the village. I was the one who built those. Originally, there was no way for plantfolks to approach the sides of the world. But you see, my younger self was a crafty little critter and figured out a way.”

“Fascinating,” Tanuki wiped the drink off the sides of his mouth, “I would have never guessed a child could make something so complex all by himself.”

“Well, I was not so much of a child anymore. You see, Great Hero,” as he said it, Tanuki flinched slightly, “Despite the village being so close, I spent years stranded in solitude. To this day, I never learnt how my elders managed to bring me where I was left. Perhaps because they were stronger and taller, they could climb out by reaching things I was too short for.”

“How long were you down there?”

“Ah, yes, I kept count of every set of snow. Altogether, it was seven years, plus-minus a few months that I spent alone.”

Tanuki wanted to say words of comfort but knew not how to appropriately express them. Rather, he remained silent and listened.

“It was when my body began to turn into a man’s that I finally saw a way out. I was a sickly child who remained a sickly adult, but my crafting skills made it possible for tools even someone of my affliction could put to work. And so, I have, and when I felled my first tree, things took a turn.”

He chuckled as he continued, “I was so caught up with building paths around the realm that I spent an extra year exploring. I stumbled upon the village by accident.”

“How did the King react to your return?”

“He wanted to take my head for leaving village ground for so long, but after learning about my path-building expertise, he let me stay alive on one condition.”

“That being?”

“I must build a bridge to a shrine in the forest. Ah! It was the same one we used for our escape. What a coincidence!”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

He pushed his mug aside and leaned forward. His crescent eyes were black as night, no orbs shone underneath. Still, Tanuki could sense a human want in the dark.

“Great Hero. Or rather, my Liege.”

He put his elbows on the table and locked his hands, resting his chin on the bridge he built with his fingers.

“I will open my shop for you, but I must ask one thing in return.”

Tanuki raised an eyebrow. He did not expect the shopkeeper would be so bold as to haggle. “Speak,” he replied.

“I have gathered all the most peculiar items scattered throughout Yoshimura, but the thing I wished for more than anything could not be found in the forests. My dream, my purpose, they are to earn what all who speak earn as their birthright: I want a name, my Liege.”

Tanuki awaited further demands. After none came, he let out a sigh of relief.

“I feel honoured you turned to me with something of this importance, but I must ask, do you believe it is right for me to name you?”

He nodded, “Of course! As my one and only King, I would be blessed to have you grant me one.”

Considering how usually the parents were the ones to name their child, Tanuki felt uncomfortable with the implications this action would have. The shopkeeper’s age was unclear, but his raggedy clothes gave the aura of someone much older, even if the opposite seemed true.

Furthermore, he wanted to distance the plantfolks from the past king’s regime and total control. They would be allowed free thoughts in this world, and he would be glad to see them grow to become individuals.

He was aware the hivemind mentality lingered deep within the plantfolk mind, and rooting out the cause seemed like an impossible task. The next generations would adapt easier to this new way of thinking, but the current one required some sense of familiarity to keep some stability in their lives. Besides, he had yet to determine why Edgar felt the plantfolks were dying. Perhaps letting them retain some of the old ways would help with that issue.

“So be it,” Tanuki left his chair and stood next to the table before pointing at the shopkeeper, “Stand!”

He followed Tanuki’s orders. As he stood up, their eyes met at the same height and the shopkeeper bowed instinctively. Tanuki grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back up.

Observing his mask and attire, he failed to think of a good name.

“What’s your favourite thing in this world?” he asked the shopkeeper.

“Woodlice.”

“What are those?”

“Bugs that live on old wood. They are my friends.”

Tanuki thought for a while. The answer seemed obvious, but he searched for a name that might sound more special. He could not come up with anything, thus bringing him back to where he started.

“Woodrow. Your name shall be Woody Woodrow.”

He hated himself for not finding a better name, but the shopkeeper was ecstatic. He repeated that name quietly at first, Woody Woodrow, then said it louder and again and again, until his words slurred into a laughter.

Tanuki was glad to see a tear of joy leave the plantfolk’s mask amidst laughter. He let him enjoy the moment and planted his ass back in the seat.

“Goofy creature,” Tanuki shook his head with a smile.

After a few more seconds, Woodrow the shopkeeper sat down in his chair.

“Thank you, my Liege,” he bowed his head respectfully, “I shall now fulfil my end of the promise. As I explained before, for every boss you’ve slain I have put aside a token for you. Since only two met their end by your hands, and unfortunately I cannot give a coin for Hundredth’s kill, I am sorry to say I can only reward you for those two Pretenders. However, because you have helped me and my kind escape the Crazed Queen, and accepted us without a thing in return, I rewarded your kindness with a token of my gratitude. Now, let me show you my wares…”

As expected, the shop was not something physical but a part of the system. A window opened before Tanuki with a small space for Woodrow’s head on the side and his available tokens.

Before him were eight pedestals, five of them holding different items. Each one of those costed no more than one coin, which meant he could buy three.

The items were as follows:

[ 1x NPC Token ]

[ 3x Healing Potion ]

[ 1x Class Token (Enchanted) ]

[ 1x Mystery Gift A ]

[ 1x Mystery Gift B ]

The first three were obvious, while the last two had no clear explanation and their description showed only question marks.

But the real question was, what else should he buy with his three coins?