Witch Zanthia´s Little Shop of Horrors

On the ground floor of a horror shop in an alley in a neighborhood far from the Scarlet Empire, a group of people chatted animatedly in a cordial business environment.

"So you're satisfied with the quality of the golems, Sir Johan?"

"Very satisfied indeed!" said the fat and bald director of the Abercrombie Company.

And it was true. The quality of the wax and obsidian golems that the witch offered was not inferior to the creations of the Circle of Alchemists or the enchanted artifacts of the White Tower. But the most important thing was that the Percy family was not distributing this merchandise. And now that the Abercrombie company was in the process of securing a monopoly for the distribution of these particular products, they might finally be able to force their way into Cester's difficult market.

"So ... with respect to what we talked about previously I think I can offer you these final prices."

The witch showed a sheet of paper with a sales detail. The men examined him carefully and then one of them took the other two aside to confer between whispers.

"It's a big discount. I think we should accept. "

"I agree. In addition, we need these products to enter Cester. "

"We must not miss this opportunity!"

The three men nodded and the fattest one approached smiling to the place where the witch stood, helping himself in his walk with his expensive black cane with platinum skull hilt. The witch waited in a seemingly impassive way but her eyes had an anticipatory flash that her veil could not hide.

"It's a deal."

Zanthia and the bald man sealed the agreement with a handshake.

[SYSTEM: Sales completed. Decrease in stock: -25 x Golems of different materials, types and levels. Increase of Cash: 523,451 gold coins and 750 magic crystals. Valuation of the sale: B ++. Reputation of the store +5. Reputation of the owner +5.]

[SYSTEM: Mission in progress: attend 20 clients to earn a reward. 12 customers left.]

"Very well! We finally reached an agreement, "the witch congratulated, pulling out of nowhere a cigar for Lord Johan and a cigarette for her.

They both lit their tobacco, took a breath and after a few moments exhaled it, all at the same time and in synchronized form.

Zanthia was more than happy. The Abercrombie Company was considered one more client by the system so that just the deal closed was accounted for in the ongoing mission. The increase in her reputation and that of the shop was very important. Only a little more was needed to get out of the negative threshold. In addition, if she was now able to sell more things to the clients then perhaps she could achieve it.

The representatives of the Abercrombie Trading Company were also satisfied with the deal. Ensuring the provision of high-quality golems was the first step in the campaign to conquer the Cester market. The Percy did not know what was coming. And their words showed that satisfaction.

"It's a good deal for both parties."

"If everything goes well, it will serve as a basis for future cooperation."

"The first business of the many that we will realize in the future."

"Meoow"

Everyone celebrated with joy. The skinny man and the non-descript man clapped their hands. Also, the cats applauded with their paws. Then, James and Shadow drew party horns and blew hard. A lot of confetti fell from the ceiling. Roberto and Luna did some dance steps together. Zanthia and Lord Johan enjoyed puffing while wrapped in a big cloud of smoke. Everyone was very happy.

A few moments later the young woman finished her cigarette. Then she slowly stroked her chin and said:

"Did you say that you also had individual orders?"

The festive air stopped. Lord Johan looked a little embarrassed that he had lost his composure. He cleared his throat and nodded to Gomez.

"Yes, there are some little things, that ..." began the nondescript man.

The witch interrupted him by raising her index finger. The others looked at her doubtfully.

"Wait a minute, Gomez!" Zanthia said and materialized an old and used straw broom.

Moving at super speed she swept all the confetti and ribbons that were lying on the floor with the cleaning implement until there was no trace of those things. Where were all those remains of ribbons and confetti? Nobody knew. They simply disappeared mysteriously when the trusted partner in crime of the witch passed.

Maybe it was one of the magical properties of the broom. The ability to get rid of the dead bodies, so to speak. Wait, did that make Zanthia a killer? A killer of microbes? No, that's not right. Maybe an exterminator of filth? Whatever. It was not important, just a little strange.

Anyway, the whole process took only a couple of seconds during which the customers observed what she did, their mouths open in surprise, but they did not say anything. Well, they did not say anything except for James who asked the gray cat a question in a very low voice.

"Is Zanthia always so punctilious with cleaning?"

Shadow nodded and then pointed a toe of her delicate paw at her head. Then, she twirled the toe repeatedly as if to indicate that the witch had a loose screw that need tightening. Maybe more than one.

James smiled but did not have time to add anything because at that moment Zanthia finished sweeping. The floor was shiny. The witch looked over the room and with a gesture of approval dematerialized her broom.

"Now, let's go back to business. What were you looking for? "said the young witch with a wide smile.

The customers looked at each other and shrugged. One by one, they explained what they were looking for. The witch led them through the store to show them the best products according to their requests. Meanwhile the cats were busy preparing the delivery of the order for the company Abercrombie. The golems began to form near the door of the store, arranged in rows.

Maybe it was the consequence of relaxing after having closed a complex and difficult negotiation of an important order but, whatever the case, the seller and the buyers understood very quickly this time. There was no haggling and the products seemed to be exactly what the customers were looking for.

Every time they found what they were looking for buyers, their eyes shone as if they were shaped like hearts while those of the witch not only acquired the shape of gold coins but also when opening and closing it could be heard in the store a noise similar to that of a cash register.

So…

"I was looking for some toys for the children ..."

*SWHOOSH*

"Nice! Nice! This miniature automaton chess will serve to entertain them for a long time! I buy it!"

* KA-CHING!*

[SYSTEM: Sales completed. Decrease in stock: -1 x Combat Chess Camelot Scenario Level 1. (Warning for responsible parents: The pieces are not edible. They do not taste bad, but the damsels cry and the knights stab sharply when they resist with their swords and spears. Especially Lancelot. Bastard!) Cash Increase: 2,000 gold coins. Valuation of the sale: C-. Reputation of the shop +1. Reputation of the owner +1.]

A few moments later ...

"I want a mechanical pet that has consciousness and looks like one of these cats ..."

*SWHOOSH*

"Aaahh! Is beautiful! And it's made of that beautiful violet metal! I take her! "

* KA-CHING!*

[SYSTEM: Sales completed. Decrease in stock: -1 x Feline Corundum Mechanical Pet. Level 1. (Vaccinated) Cash Increase: 100 magic crystals. Valuation of the sale: B +. Reputation of the store +1. Reputation of the owner +1]

And finally…

"I need a gift for my niece Sarah's birthday. Look, Owner Zanthia, Sarah is an unruly teenager and she is in that typical stage where she listens to sad music all day and tells everyone that life is horrible. I really do not know what to give her ... "

*SWHOOSH*

" Excellent! This gothic makeup set really is the kind of thing she would wear. "

* KA-CHING!*

[SYSTEM: Sales completed. Decrease in stock: -1 x Set of Wonderful Gothic Make-up for Young Witches, Sensitive Skin Vampires and Conflicted Teenagers. (Efficacy Guaranteed by the famous witches Zanthia Fateweaver, Maddalena Befana and Natasha Blavatsky.) Cash Increase: 10 magic crystals. Valuation of the sale: B +. Reputation of the store +1. Reputation of the owner +1]

Soon the sales were closed and the customers satisfied. The cats rushed to prepare the merchandise for delivery. The chess and the makeup were wrapped for gift in bright and colorful metallic paper.

The Mechanical Mascot of Corundum did not need wrapping but anyway Shadow decided to put a big pink bow on her. Lord Johan and Roberto Gomez seemed a bit hesitant but James was delighted with the idea.

"Only one thing is left now."

"What? Something else is pending?"

"Owner Zanthia, don't you think that after making the purchase we deserve something else?" asked shamelessly the fattest man in the room.

"Do you want another discount? I had the impression that we had already agreed on the price and closed the deal! " the witch frowned.

"Yes. Yes. Of course. I was not referring to another discount, " granted the man in a placating tone before continuing, " But ... you'll see, they told us that in this store ... "

"In this store ... What? Just say it, man. "

"They told us there were some fabulous candy courtesies," said Lord Johan, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"Eh? Candies? "Zanthia repeated surprised.

The cats looked at each other incredulously. Could it be that unexpectedly another unwary fool would die because of the poisoned candies?

"You'll see, Owner Zantia. Lord Johan is what you might call a candy fan, " explained the butler.

"And the kids talked so good about your candies that ... surely you'll understand," added the nondescript man.

"Well, if that's what you want ..." said the witch hesitantly.

The cats hurriedly began to make gestures of denial with the head. Zanthia sighed with resignation.

"I'm afraid I just remembered that we've run out of candy for the time being," the witch said. The cats surreptitiously whistled of relief.

"Seriously? What a pity! I really wanted to try those candies! "

"But do not worry, you all will also have a courtesy gift for their purchase. Something special."

"Oooh! Something special! What a way to generate expectations! As expected of Owner Zanthia, her talent is indisputable! "James approved flatteringly.

"Excellent. And what is that gift that is so special? "

"Ehh? That is, uh ... that is ... " the witch looked quickly everywhere looking for something that would get her out of trouble.

Something cheap and flashy. And of course, it had to be something that was not dangerous. She did not want the fiasco of the poisoned candies repeated again. Mmm, the truth is that there were not too many options.

Most of the things that were in that part of the store were expensive, like the wax golems and the obsidian statues. The magic books were not adequate either. Maybe the human skull could serve as a paperweight but somehow it did not feel appropriate.

And then the witch remembered a series of objects that had recently come up from the warehouse. They had multiple uses and were relatively cheap. She had even rubbed them with a cloth until they were shiny. Yes, they were the perfect complimentary gift.

"Here. Take these boxes. A courtesy of the house for your purchases! "

"Ehhh"

"This…"

Shadow and Luna facepalmed! This idiot! Since when the dynamite is delivered as a courtesy gift? What if the customer accidentally exploded in pieces on the way home? Evidently no one in their right mind would want to receive that with their purchase!

"Ooohhh! Dynamite! It really is dynamite! And just when I had finished what I have at home! What a good gift! "

Everyone in the store focused on James. Zanthia smiled as she congratulated herself internally on her successful choice. The cats looked at him strangely as if afraid of this guy's weirdness. Could it be that James and Zanthia were actually kindred spirits?

As for his companions, they could not help but blush at the unusual reaction of the butler, who kept looking and reviewing the long, red tubes as if it were the gift he had been waiting for all his life. They even let him take their share.

"Thank you very much, Owner Zanthia! I never tire of repeating it. You madam, are a complete wonder! I promise that from today you will have in me your most faithful client, " said James making several bows.

"Hehehe ... it is not necessary ... it is not necessary ..." Zanthia repeated blushing as she shook her head but it could be clearly seen how much James' words had pleased her.

The two men and the two cats watched the scene with supreme embarrassment. They knew that the situation was ridiculous but it did not make sense to interrupt the true happiness that those two people seem to had at that moment.

A short time later the men were removed from the store with the merchandise. The business was going from strength to strength. And most importantly, the reputation of the shop was increasing. Actually very soon two other messages appeared in front of Zanthia.

[SYSTEM: Mission in progress: Serves 20 clients to earn reward. 9 customers are left.]

[SYSTEM: The reputation of the store has finally reached positive levels. Congratulations! All the aftermath of the fiasco of the poisoned candies have been definitely forgotten. From now on, many people who previously hesitated to enter the store have decided to give it a try. Good job!]

The witch smiled satisfied. But very soon she remembered something and her face acquired a tinge of concern. Zanthia tried to communicate telepathically with Little Sun once more. This time she did it without any problem. Little Sun said he was fine and that he had the situation under control but the scenes she saw on his memories during the telepathic transmission made Zanthia grind her teeth.

Her familiar had been in danger. And she had not noticed. She should have paid more attention to that sense of uneasiness. She felt horribly guilty. Without wasting more time, she went with Moon and Shadow to see Little Sun.

He was sitting quietly on the stairs, holding in his claws a round and concentrated fragment of green haze. Inside this foggy sphere you could see a tiny ghost that looked very depressed. If you examined him you would discover that it was only level 40 and that his incorporeal shape had many traces of bites to the point of having teeth marks all over his sad yellowish face.

"I told you I had everything under control," said the black cat smugly.

He was clean and without injuries of any kind. It did not seem like he had just come out of a life or death situation at all. Actually, what happened was that, when Melchior was trapped by the Ardsheall, Little Sun had taken a few curative and mana potions from the secondary reservoir closest to the cage.

He needed them urgently and also, having something to do managed to distracted him a little bit from that hideous "Crunch! Crunch!" that came from the monster's mouth and the corresponding grievous cries of the ghost.

"Seriously? Because in those images for the memories that you did send to me it seemed that you won purely by chance. By the way, thanks for feeding the Ardsheall. "

"You are welcome. Of course everything is fine. This Cat Lord had that brilliant plan from the beginning. To tempt the ghost to enter the cage of the Ardsheall and let it eat him. Yes, an excellent plan! Even Moon could not have thought of anything better! "

"I can calculate 42 more effective and efficient ways to solve that situation. And that's merely what I came up with from the moment Zanthia told us about what you went through until just now but if you give me scarcely ten more minutes I'm sure I can find many more ways to …"

"Ahem! As you can see, Zanthia, Moon says that my plan was a masterpiece, even better than hers. "

"But, Little Sun, that's not what Moon said. She said that ... " try to intervene Shadow, very confused, while scratching her head.

"And look, Melchior is now an obedient ghost," Little Sun interrupted quickly in a loud voice, "another domesticated horror of the store. Right, Melchior? "

"Damn cat! I'm going to kill your entire family until the fifth generation and I ... "

Little Sun shook the round and concentrated fragment of green haze with force and the complaining phantom turned uncontrollably on itself as if it were a whirlwind, bouncing inside the foggy sphere again and again. For some strange reason, each time it bounced a sound similar to a bell was heard. The kind of sound that made you want to listen to it again and again. Like a tinkle…

*TINKLE! TINKLE! TINKLE!*

"Aarrghh! Stop that. I'm not a damn bell for you to play with!!"

*TINKLE! TINKLE! TINKLE!*

"¡Aaargh! No! Not again!"

*TINKLE! TINKLE! TINKLE!*

"Aaargh! Please, enough, no more!!"

When the black cat finally stopped, the tiny ghost was completely dizzy and had a very hard time standing.

"Did you say something Melchior?" asked Little Sun with an air of self-sufficiency.

"No, Master. I mean, Yes, Master. You are right. I am your obedient ghost ... "said the ghost on the verge of tears.

"Did you heard that, Zanthia?"

"I heard it, I heard it ... Anyway, good job recovering the horror, Little Sun."

"But he was the one who lost it in the first place! wasn't he? When he broke that vessel..." mumbled Shadow still utterly confused by the whole situation.

"Ahem, we already talked enough about myself, I do not want to overshadow others with my greatness. How did it go with the guys from the Abercrombie? "

"We were able to reach a mutually beneficial agreement," Zanthia said in a professional tone of voice.

"Yes, the truth is that they left very happy," Moon agreed while nodding.

"Especially the dynamite guy!" said Shadow, eager to contribute something to the conversation.

"Dynamite? What dynamite?"

Little Sun did not liked dynamite at all. Once in the past he had a dangerous bout with it. He had infiltrated the grounds of the Cirlcle of Alchemist that time but unfortunately it was the designated time for the test of a new formula. And those guys' items did not have the quality of the shop´s stock at all. The uncontrolled explosions burned their eyebrows and mustaches and Moon and Shadow mocked him for weeks.

"Well, apparently Zanthia decided it was a good idea to replace the poisoned candies for the dynamite as a courtesy gift," Moon explained.

"Seriously? Well, there is a possibility that it could be a little safer, " Little Sun said doubtfully as he scratched his head.

"The important thing is that we closed an important agreement for the future of the store, in addition to achieving a sale with the company Abercrombie and three other individual sales with each of the representatives. It was a very profitable morning."

"Then you should go out to celebrate. I heard somewhere that some kind of event was being held in the main square. Some kind of celebration for a national date or something like that, "suggested the black cat.

"Good idea. It's been a while since I left for a walk around this city. A little fresh air will do me good. "

"In addition, we must celebrate that the reputation of the store went up. What do you think about going to eat outside this time? " proposed Luna.

"¡Nyah, fish for everyone! "