Multi Dimension Shop

Morning sunlight streamed in through the windows of Takashi's shop, illuminating the neat rows of everyday products and the locked display cases of far more unusual wares. It had been nearly two weeks since the last time the dimension door had brought anyone notable—Rin Tohsaka or Sasuke Uchiha or even that timid herbalist girl. Things had settled back into a quiet routine.

Takashi flipped the sign to OPEN on the shop's front door, as usual, greeting a few regulars from the neighborhood. They came for instant ramen, cheap coffee, or the occasional random snack. None of them ever suspected that just behind a certain door in the back, an endless cosmos of possibilities waited.

After ringing up a set of magazines for a gray-haired office worker, Takashi sighed and leaned on the counter. The System's faint presence swirled in his peripheral vision—like a lingering ghost reminding him that, at any moment, everything could change.

He checked his current Shop Credit balance—3,200. Not quite halfway to the 7,000 or 8,000 he needed for the personal item he truly wanted (the Shopkeeper's Gate ring) or even the new 10,000-Credit milestone the System had dangled in front of him. At this rate, he'd need more high-value trades.

But that depended on the door—and the door had been still for days.

"I shouldn't get impatient," he told himself. "It's not like I want trouble." But a flicker of longing crossed his mind. As hectic as it was dealing with anime characters, it had become oddly addictive. Perhaps it was the sense of meaning—knowing that his items could alter fates, for better or worse. Or maybe he just preferred cosmic drama over scanning groceries.

He let out a mirthless chuckle. Careful what you wish for, some part of him warned.

A Subtle Stirring

It was past noon when Takashi felt the first prickle of energy at the back of the store. A quiet hum reverberated in his bones, sending goosebumps across his skin. Dropping the rag he'd been using to wipe the counter, he moved toward the dimension door.

The wood's carved glyphs were glowing—a sure sign it was about to open. Adrenaline pooled in Takashi's chest. He locked the front entrance (a measure to ensure no random local wandered into an interdimensional scene) and hurried back.

Creak…

The door slid open, revealing a swirl of bright, almost cartoonish colors. Light poured in as though from a warm summer day. A second later, a figure stumbled through—short, wide-eyed, wearing a tattered green cloak and a battered leather chest plate. He was panting, as if he'd been in a fight, and the faint reek of alcohol clung to his clothes.

Takashi blinked. He recognized the style of gear from a certain comedic fantasy realm—something reminiscent of Konosuba, the comedic isekai world. The man looked up, eyes darting around in confusion, until they landed on Takashi's face.

"W-What is… this?" the stranger spluttered, stepping gingerly onto the pristine floor. His scruffy brown hair stuck out beneath a cheap-looking steel helmet. "Where am I? I was just… holed up in the tavern after a failed quest, and then I found this door in the back storeroom…"

Takashi offered a measured smile. "Welcome," he said, resorting to his standard opening line. "This is my shop. It exists in a space that connects different worlds. I'm Takashi, the shopkeeper."

The man's eyes grew even wider. "C-Connects different worlds?" He glanced behind him: the door was still half open, giving a glimpse of a medieval tavern's messy storage area. "Am I dreaming?"

"You're not," Takashi assured him. "But I guess you could say it's… a very special place. Here, I sell everything—magical weapons, potions, items from advanced technology. Of course, each has a price."

The man's confusion gradually morphed into curiosity. "No way… You have potions? Like the high-grade ones that priestess girl is always bragging about? Or maybe some gear that can help me fight giant toads? I've been stuck on the simplest quests and still failing." He ran a hand through his hair, grimacing. "But I don't have much money. I guess I can't afford anything fancy. If you're selling super high-grade stuff, the cost must be insane."

Takashi leaned on the counter. "Everything has a price, yes, but the System that runs this Shop sometimes accepts trades. Artifacts, knowledge, unique currency from other dimensions. Even your experience in a particular skill can be valuable. But…"—he studied the stranger's ragged appearance—"…it does need to have some actual worth."

The man sighed. "I'm… Kazuma. An adventurer, sort of, though not a very successful one." He rummaged in his pockets, pulling out a few battered coins and a chipped dagger. "I, uh, I don't have much."

Takashi suppressed a grin at the name. Kazuma—he certainly bore some resemblance to that notoriously unlucky yet cunning protagonist from Konosuba. Or maybe it was some alternate dimension variant. Hard to say.

He opened the System interface, letting the ethereal blue window hover in front of him. "Let's see if you have anything the Shop might consider valuable," he said gently.

Kazuma laid out his meager items—a small bag of eris coins, the chipped dagger, and a tattered quest scroll. The System scanned them:

Eris Coins (x20): 50 Shop Credits total Chipped Iron Dagger: 5 Shop Credits Incomplete Quest Scroll: 0 Shop Credits (Too damaged to be of value)

Kazuma rubbed the back of his neck. "Man, that's not much, is it?"

Takashi gave a sympathetic shrug. "Not exactly. But we also consider intangible trades—like unique knowledge or special skill sets."

Kazuma perked up. "Wait, I did learn this weird skill for stealing… but it's comedic at best. And a water-element trick I half-baked with a friend. Are those worth anything?"

Takashi's brow rose. "Potentially. The System can store or replicate knowledge if it's unique enough."

And so Kazuma tried to articulate the specifics of his "Steal" skill, which apparently not only lifted items from pockets but occasionally swiped random personal belongings in comedic ways. He also described a half-formed water trick that was more like a fancy party trick.

The System chimed:

"Steal Skill Variation: Minor Tier. 40 Shop Credits.

Water Trick Variation: Minor Tier. 20 Shop Credits."

Kazuma groaned. "That's it? 60 Credits for my Steal and Water Trick? So in total, I'm at… 115 Credits."

Takashi nodded. "Yes, 115. That's not nearly enough for advanced weaponry. But let's see…" He browsed the store's catalog for mid- or low-tier items. "We do have some budget health potions, minor magical charms, or low-tier magical gear. Enough to maybe help you fight off smaller monsters more reliably."

Kazuma brightened a little at that. "I'll take any advantage I can get."

Takashi found an item labeled "Sturdy Leather Bracers of Steadiness"—basic gear that improved aim and reduced stamina drain for novice adventurers. Price: 80 Credits. Another item, a small bag of basic healing potions, cost 30 Credits.

"That totals 110 Credits," Takashi calculated. "Leaving you 5 leftover. No real point in that leftover, so maybe it can remain in your account for a future purchase."

Kazuma's eyes shone. "That… that sounds perfect, actually." He hesitated. "But are you sure? I mean, I'm handing over my only skill knowledge…"

Takashi spread his hands. "Skills can still be used by you. The Shop's trade in knowledge doesn't erase your memory. It just stores a copy, so it can potentially sell that skill to someone else in a different dimension. You'd still know how to do it."

"Oh, sweet. That's good to know." Kazuma let out a breath of relief. "Then yeah, let's do it. I never thought I'd be able to afford better gear."

Takashi initiated the trade. A swirl of white-blue energy rose from Kazuma's items and intangible knowledge, vanishing into the Shop's intangible vault. In return, a set of sturdy leather bracers and a small box of potions materialized on the counter.

Kazuma stared at them in wonder, gingerly picking them up. "They're real," he whispered, slipping the bracers over his wrists. They fit snugly, laced with minimal magic that hummed pleasantly. "I can't believe this."

Takashi smiled. "Every item here is guaranteed to work as described. Just be careful out there. If you die, the gear vanishes with you."

Kazuma shuddered. "No kidding." He stuffed the potions into his satchel, still marveling at his windfall. "Thank you, Takashi," he said, a broad grin spreading across his face. "This might finally help me handle some quests."

He turned back to the dimension door, which still showed the interior of a cramped medieval tavern. Already, Takashi could hear faint shouts from the other side—probably the tavern keeper, wondering about the magical door that appeared.

Kazuma took a step, then halted. "Can I… come back?"

Takashi shrugged. "If your desire is strong enough and you have something to offer in trade, the door will open again. But it's not under my total control. The System decides if you can re-enter."

Kazuma absorbed that, gave Takashi a nod, and left with the bracers and potions in tow, practically bouncing with excitement.

Lingering Questions

The door closed, the swirling light fading until it was just another piece of old wood. Takashi checked his updated balance:

Previous Balance: 3,200 Credits Trade Gains: 115 (Kazuma's total transaction) Inventory Cost (bracers + potions): 90 Credits (the behind-the-scenes price the Shop required) Net Gain: +25 Credits New Balance: 3,225

He let out a short laugh. "So… not exactly a big sale." But it was something. More importantly, he was fascinated by how many worlds might be comedic, tragic, or something in-between. And how each visitor was simply looking for the same thing: a solution to a problem their own world couldn't fix.

He reopened the front door to the street. A wave of midday traffic noise rolled in: cars honking, footsteps on the sidewalk, the hum of normal life. For a moment, he thought about how Kazuma had literally just hopped from a fantasy realm into modern-day Tokyo and back. The wildness of it all made him grin in disbelief.

Afternoon Lull and Revelations

The day rolled forward. Takashi served a handful of local customers: a harried mom buying bread, a college student grabbing energy drinks. With each mundane transaction, he felt the strangeness of his double existence deepen.

He had just finished sweeping the front aisle when a small beep notified him that the System had a message. He stepped behind the counter and opened the interface.

System Message:

"User is approaching new milestone. Total Credit accumulation so far: 3,225.

At 5,000 Credits, partial advanced merchant permissions will unlock.

At 10,000 Credits, full advanced merchant privileges become available."

Takashi read the lines carefully. "So I don't even have to hit 10,000 in one go… 5,000 unlocks something too?"

System: "Affirmative. Partial privileges will allow the Shopkeeper to customize certain transactions, place limited restrictions on item re-sales, and access new types of wares."

He felt a spark of excitement. That sounded useful. Right now, he could only do so much bartering on the System's behalf. If he had more control, maybe he could better tailor deals, or even reduce the chance that dangerous items fell into the wrong hands.

A faint pang of concern crept in. What if these new privileges also came with new obligations? The System seldom gave without wanting something in return. Then again, the entire arrangement was one big cosmic deal.

He closed the interface. "Alright, guess I need to keep selling."

The Second Visitor of the Day

The lunch rush ended, and the shop fell into its usual mid-afternoon calm. Takashi was flipping idly through some stock records (not the cosmic ones, just ordinary receipts) when he heard a distinctly different ring from the door in the back.

He set the papers aside. Another visitor? That was unusually soon, though it had happened before when the door was in an "active" phase.

Rising from his stool, Takashi walked into the back. The door glowed faintly, the handle turning. Slowly, it swung open. Warm air rushed in, carrying a faint spicy aroma, like exotic incense.

Through the doorway stepped a tall figure, cloaked in dark robes lined with gold thread. A hood concealed most of their face, but glimpses of red eyes peered out from beneath the folds of black cloth. The person moved with poised steps, as though unaccustomed to the environment.

Takashi's nerves jolted. Something about this presence radiated power—maybe even danger. He mustered a polite smile. "Welcome to my shop," he began.

The figure lifted a hand to draw back the hood, revealing a woman's refined features. Her skin was pale, her hair a deep midnight color with subtle violet undertones. She studied the shelves briefly, then locked her crimson gaze on Takashi.

"Your words… you claim to have everything, correct?" Her voice was smooth, with a hint of an accent.

Takashi inclined his head. "Yes, though it depends on what you want. The System can usually source it, if the price is met."

Her lips curled in a faint, sardonic smile. "We shall see." She extended a slender arm, pulling aside part of her robe to reveal a bandaged portion of her left forearm. A subtle dark aura clung to it, like cursed energy. "I've been afflicted by a curse that resists even the greatest healers of my world. A price was put on my head, and I need to remove this curse before I can assume my rightful place among the ranks of the sorcerers' council. My attempts at purging it have failed."

Takashi glanced at the dark swirl. The System's mental interface automatically provided a faint reading: a necrotic or demonic-based curse from a high-magic realm. Potentially lethal or corrupting if not removed soon.

"Hmm," he murmured thoughtfully. "We have curses and curses… but if you're looking for a cure, we do have specialized potions or artifacts that counter demon-based corruption. The question is your budget."

Her crimson eyes glinted. "Budget is no issue. I have access to the hidden vaults of my lineage—gold, relics, forbidden spells." A pause. "But I can't carry those vaults here. I… had to slip through the door in secret. My rivals watch my every move."

Takashi nodded. "I see. Then perhaps knowledge trade or smaller, high-value relics might suffice."

Her expression shifted, a flicker of suspicion crossing her face. "You want my secrets, hmm?"

He raised both hands in a calming gesture. "I don't want them. The System will set the trade value. We can see what's acceptable to you."

She stared at him for a long moment, as though measuring his integrity. Then she snapped her fingers. From the folds of her robe, she drew a small, ornate box. Opening it revealed three bright rubies, each swirling with flecks of black.

"Demonic Rubies," she stated. "Harvested from the heart of a demon general I slew. They're said to hold great power, if one dares harness them. Will these suffice?"

Takashi mentally commanded the System to scan them. A swirl of spectral lights flickered around the gems. After a moment, text appeared in his mind:

"Item: Demonic Ruby (x3)

Purity: High.

Trade Value (total): 4,500 Shop Credits."

His eyes widened slightly. 4,500 was no small amount. More than enough for a potent cure.

He smiled. "That's quite valuable. Alright, we can try to match that to a cure. Let me see."

Flipping through the Store's healing and purification inventory, he found various curses cleansing potions, but none specifically for "high-level demonic corruption." Then he stumbled upon one labeled "Blacklight Purge Elixir." Price: 3,000 Credits. The description indicated it was specifically brewed to eradicate demon-based curses or possession up to a certain tier. If successful, the curse would be completely undone, leaving only mild aftereffects.

3,000 Credits. She'd still have 1,500 leftover if she traded in all three rubies. Or she could trade just two. He double-checked the second approach:

2 Demonic Rubies = 3,000 Credits. The Elixir cost: 3,000.

Yes, that was an exact match. The leftover third ruby could be saved if she wanted something else.

He looked up at her. "You have a few options. The Blacklight Purge Elixir costs 3,000. That's exactly two of your rubies. You'd retain one. Or you can trade all three if you want something else, maybe extra items for protection."

Her eyes flickered with interest. "I want to ensure the curse is removed permanently. Is there an accessory or ward that can keep it from returning?"

Takashi's gaze scanned the store's "anti-curse accessories." Something called "Lament's Ward" caught his eye—a pendant that prevented re-application of the same demon-based curse for up to a year. Price: 1,500 Credits. Perfect.

"Alright," he murmured. "So if you use two rubies for the Elixir, and then the last ruby for the Ward, you'd have exactly 4,500 total. That covers both."

She considered. A slow smile curled her lips. "Done," she said firmly. "I'd rather not risk the curse reattaching itself. Those three rubies are worthless to me if I die."

Takashi initiated the trade. The rubies glowed, lifted from their box by unseen forces. The System devoured them in a flash of shimmering light. In their place, a dark glass vial sloshing with midnight-blue liquid and a slender pendant on a silver chain appeared on the counter.

She watched them materialize with quiet awe. Then she lifted the vial, eyeing the swirling darkness inside. "This will purge the curse?"

"That's what the System says," Takashi confirmed. "You should drink it, let it do its work, and then wear that pendant for added insurance. The Shop guarantees authenticity."

She set the vial against her bandaged forearm, exhaling. "I suppose I should do this now." Carefully, she removed the cork. A faint wisp of black mist curled up. She brought the vial to her lips and tipped it back in one smooth motion.

A Trial of Purification

The result was immediate. She stiffened, eyes going wide. The black aura around her forearm started to swirl like a living thing. A muffled hiss—almost a demonic screech—echoed through the Shop. Takashi felt the hair rise on the back of his neck.

"Rgh—!" She clutched her arm, swaying. Her entire body trembled. Shadowy tendrils erupted from the bandage, snapping at the air. The curse, in its death throes, fought to remain anchored to her soul.

Takashi instinctively stepped back, though he knew he was invincible within the Shop. Still, the sight of demonic manifestations lashing out was alarming. Items rattled on shelves. A glass jar tumbled to the floor and rolled away.

A swirling glow enveloped her, darkest midnight laced with threads of shimmering blue. The black tendrils recoiled, dissolving into vapor. She let out a tortured gasp, dropping to one knee. Then, as quickly as it came, the blackness receded. Her bandages fell away in tatters.

Takashi inched closer. "Are… are you okay?"

For a moment, she only panted, eyes closed. Gradually, she lifted her forearm. The skin was pale and unblemished—no sign of the curse. A faint wisp of smoke hissed from her fingertips, then faded.

The woman let out a strangled laugh, relief etched on her face. "It's… gone," she whispered, trembling. "I can't feel the corruption anymore. It's truly gone."

Takashi offered a steadying hand, which she accepted with surprising gratitude. She stared at him, wide-eyed. "You've done what the grand healers of my land could not."

"This store does have everything," Takashi reminded gently. "Though you paid a hefty price. Are you satisfied?"

She drew in a shaky breath, then slipped the Lament's Ward pendant around her neck. The silver chain settled at her collarbone, glowing faintly. "Absolutely," she breathed, standing upright with renewed composure. "You've saved my life—and more importantly, my future."

Takashi gave a polite bow. "I'm glad we could help."

She brushed back her dark hair, eyes glinting. "This place… I had heard rumors of a door between worlds, but I never believed them. Now I see it's true. Perhaps I'll return one day with a grander request."

Takashi offered a cautious nod. "As you wish. The door has a mind of its own, but if your need is strong and your offering is worthy, it'll find you again."

She cast a final look around, expression unreadable—part wonder, part ambition. Then, with her hood pulled back up, she swept through the door. A swirl of incense-scented air followed her, fading to stillness as the wooden frame eased shut.

Reflections in the Aftermath

Takashi slumped against the counter, letting out a long breath. The Shop was calm again, though the faint echoes of the demon's scream lingered in his mind. He had never witnessed such an intense purification scene.

He might be invincible here, but the Shop's dramatic transformations when purging high-level curses were new territory. He was just glad nothing in the store got too damaged.

A quick glance revealed a few scattered jars and potions that had rattled loose. He picked them up, placing them back on the shelves. "You sure know how to put on a show," he muttered to the inanimate door.

Then he checked the new balances:

Previous Balance: 3,225 Credits Trade Gains: +4,500 Credits (for the three Demonic Rubies) Inventory Cost: –4,000 Credits (3,000 for the Blacklight Purge Elixir, 1,000 for the Lament's Ward from the System's internal vault) Net Gain: +500 New Balance: 3,725

Takashi ran the numbers again. "So, I'm at 3,725. Another step closer to that 5,000 milestone." He closed his eyes, exhaling. "Two visits in one day. That's rare."

The thrill of these deals still reverberated in him. Each new customer brought new wonders—and new dangers. He recalled how that woman's demonic curse had nearly unleashed havoc in the store. Thank goodness for the System's protective wards.

He wandered back to the front, flipping the sign to CLOSED for a little while to catch his breath. The surge of cosmic activity was exhilarating, but also draining. Outside, the bustling Tokyo street continued on, oblivious to the swirl of demon curses and comedic adventurers that had come and gone mere feet away.

Takashi looked out the large window onto the city. Buildings gleamed in the sun, cars inched through traffic, pedestrians crossed at lights. All so normal. If only they knew.

Evening Visitors

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in a warm orange glow, Takashi decided to re-open for regular customers. He tidied up quickly, then flipped the sign to OPEN once more. A few people popped in, grabbing last-minute groceries or a quick snack after work.

He was in the middle of handing a woman her change when the dimension door chimed again. A subtle, resonant note that thrummed in the back of the store.

Takashi froze, his heart lurching. Again? Three in one day. That was almost unheard of. He forced a smile at the customer, hurriedly finishing the transaction.

Then he bolted toward the back, mind racing with possibilities. Would it be Sasuke? Rin? Some new face entirely?

He arrived just as the door glowed with swirling fractal patterns. Slowly, it opened—revealing a figure he recognized instantly by her signature twin tails and confident stance: Rin Tohsaka.

His initial rush of surprise gave way to a smile. "Rin," he greeted, stepping aside to let her pass. "Welcome back."

She closed the door behind her, eyes darting around. She wore casual clothes this time—no red sweater or school uniform, but a dark jacket and black skirt. Still, her posture radiated that same practiced grace.

"Took a bit of searching to find this place again," she admitted wryly. "Things in the Grail War are… complicated. But I have a new problem."

Takashi nodded, ushering her away from the front area (lest a local customer stumble in). "Problems are my specialty, or so they say."

She smirked. "We'll see. Let me explain."

They made their way to the main counter, where Takashi discreetly flipped a hidden sign indicating the back section was off-limits to normal patrons. He then turned his full attention to Rin.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Rin tapped her foot, arms folded. "As you know, I've been using the Starweave Ring you sold me. It's worked wonders. But now, a certain enemy Master has started employing advanced illusions that mask entire blocks of the city. My ring helps with mental interference, but it's not enough to see through location-wide illusions. I need something that either breaks illusions on a grander scale or helps me locate hidden presences."

Takashi thought of the many illusions in the Fate world. "So, a large-scale detection or dispel… Let's see." He mentally opened the System's catalog, filtering for "Anti-Illusion, Medium/High Tier."

Rin fiddled with the Everglow Ward Pendant around her neck. "The pendant I got last time helps with domain-based illusions, but the illusions I'm facing now are ephemeral, cast on the environment. It's tricky."

Takashi nodded, scanning item descriptions. Finally, he found something: "Aegis Lens"—a small monocle or lens that, when worn, allows the user to peer through illusions or glamour-based spells within a certain radius. It didn't break illusions by itself but let the wearer see the truth behind them. Price: 2,800 Shop Credits.

He read the summary to Rin. She considered it, nodding. "Sounds perfect. But 2,800, huh? What can I offer this time?"

Takashi checked her transaction history. She'd parted with some Tohsaka gemcraft knowledge and a lesser tracer gem. "If you have more magecraft knowledge or rare artifacts, the System can evaluate."

Rin bit her lip. She was running low on relics she was willing to give up. "I do have an older catalysts collection from my father's era—some of them are worthless to me but might be interesting to the Shop. Let me see…"

She carefully removed from her jacket pocket a leather-bound pouch. Inside were three small orbs of polished stone, each faintly etched with mystic runes. "They're basically catalysts for old summoning experiments, never used. My father left them in the family vault. I doubt I'll need them."

Takashi scanned them. The System's voice chimed:

"Ancient Summoning Catalysts (x3). Total Value: 1,500 Shop Credits."

Rin exhaled, disappointed. "That's only 1,500."

She rifled through her pockets again, producing a high-grade mana crystal. Another 300. "So 1,800 in total so far. I need 1,000 more."

Takashi raised an eyebrow. "Any spells you can share? Or currency?"

She gave him a look. "You know how I feel about giving away Tohsaka gemcraft. But… I did develop a custom rotation formula for cyclical mana layering. Not strictly a Tohsaka secret, but quite advanced."

She explained the gist of it. The System scanned the intangible data.

"Trade Value: 900 Shop Credits."

"Still short by 100," Rin groaned.

With a frustrated sigh, she patted her pockets, coming up empty. Then she remembered something: a tiny crystal key she carried on a necklace beneath her blouse. She hesitated. "This was given to me by an acquaintance, but it's not actually from the Tohsaka family. It's a key to a minor pocket dimension. The place is half-collapsed. I don't really need it. But it's unique."

The System scanned it.

"Dimensional Key (Collapsing Pocket Realm): 400 Credits."

Rin stared at Takashi. "Would that be enough? Overkill, but I don't mind. That realm is more trouble than it's worth."

He nodded. "You'd have 300 leftover if you included the key. Or you can hold onto it in case you need something else tonight. Because once you're over the cost, the rest is still yours."

"Actually, that's a good point," she murmured. "No, let's just do the orbs, the formula, and the crystal. That's 2,600 total. I still need 200 more. Let me see if I can chip in some currency from my world."

Takashi requested a partial conversion from the Nasuverse's Japanese yen equivalency. The System set it at roughly 200,000 yen—similar to before.

Rin grumbled. "Fine. 200,000 yen. That's a chunk, but better than giving away the key."

They confirmed the final trade: the orbs, the gem, the formula, and 200,000 yen. The lens manifested on the counter—a small circular piece of glass bound in a silver frame, dangling from a fine chain.

Rin lifted it, seeing a faint shimmer across its surface. "So this is the Aegis Lens. How do I use it?"

Takashi explained. "Wear it like a monocle or hold it to your eye. You'll see through illusions within about a hundred-meter radius, depending on the complexity."

She nodded, satisfied. "Thank you. This War's illusions are getting out of hand, and I'd rather not waste time fumbling in illusions all night."

A short pause. She looked at him, a trace of curiosity. "So… busy day?"

Takashi laughed quietly. "You have no idea. This is the third dimension traveler I've seen in the last 24 hours."

Rin whistled low. "That's unusual." Then, with a knowing smirk, she added, "Don't forget: the more you meddle in our worlds, the bigger an impact you have. Word might be spreading. Perhaps your door is calling more people."

"Maybe," he conceded. "Though it's not exactly up to me."

She gazed around, a pensive look in her eyes. "Right. Well, I'll be off."

Takashi walked her to the door, which had begun shimmering with the faint outline of Fuyuki City. She placed a hand on the handle, then turned back for a moment, meeting his eyes. "Thanks again," she said more softly. "I know we're in a business relationship, but… still. You've helped me more than once."

He shrugged, smiling. "I'm happy to do it. Just remember the motto: There's nothing free; everything has a price."

She snorted. "Don't I know it? Take care, shopkeeper." With that, she vanished into the swirl of her world, leaving Takashi in the hush of the store.

Closing Time

The Shop felt oddly quiet after Rin departed. Takashi locked the front door for the final time that day, flipping the sign to CLOSED under the glow of streetlights. Then he tallied up his latest transaction:

Previous Balance: 3,725 Credits Trade Gains: +2,600 (catalysts + gem + formula + partial currency) Item Cost (Aegis Lens from System vault): –1,900 (He discovered the lens had a smaller overhead cost than expected) Net Gain: +700 New Balance: 4,425

He whistled, impressed. Approaching 5,000. One more big deal, and the partial advanced merchant privileges would be unlocked.

Exhaustion prickled at the corners of his mind. Dealing with demon curses, comedic adventurers, and war-bound magi in one day was a lot—even if he was physically safe inside the Shop.

He climbed the narrow staircase to his modest apartment above. The night was deepening, the city lights glowing like distant stars. Takashi opened a window, letting the cool air brush across his face as he thought about the day's events.

Kazuma from the comedic fantasy realm: naive, but earnest. The robed sorceress battling a lethal demonic curse. Rin Tohsaka returning yet again for new gear. So many stories, so many worlds.

He remembered how Sasuke had tested his item in battle, how Rin had fought Kayneth to prove the ring's worth, how that young herbalist saved her grandmother with a Tonic. Each transaction was like a thread weaving into a larger cosmic tapestry.

And then there was Takashi's own role—the caretaker of the Shop, granted by a mistake from "God" and sustained by the System's rules. Invincible in this realm, but still a normal person with normal vulnerabilities once he stepped outside. He recalled that fervent wish to purchase the Shopkeeper's Gate ring for 5,000 Credits, enabling him to teleport back at will.

He was close now, just a handful of trades away. Maybe next time the door opened, it would bring someone who needed to buy a powerful artifact, netting him the last chunk of Credits. Or maybe it'd be a small-time sale again. The unpredictability was part of the Shop's charm—and curse.

Leaning on the windowsill, Takashi gazed at the city below. The horns, the chatter, the rumble of trains in the distance—human life marching on without knowledge of the infinite cosmos behind a single door. A part of him found that comforting. Another part felt strangely lonely.

But he reminded himself that the Shop was never truly idle for long. Fate or coincidence or the System itself ensured that eventually, someone would find their way to his threshold. And when they did, he'd be waiting behind the counter, ready to say:

"We have everything when we say everything, means everything. But of course, are you willing to pay the price?"

He whispered the words into the night, an incantation and a promise. Then, with a final glance at the faint glow beneath the door downstairs, he turned off the lights and let the hush of darkness enfold him, drifting into dreams of swirling portals and the countless stories yet to be told.