While Tribe Guram prepared a cautious expedition to investigate the mysterious human merchants, the mysterious human merchant in question was shoving empty beer cans into a refuse bag.
'Man, does this squatter know how to drink or what? Four hours in, and I'm still finding bottles and cans scattered around the warehouse.'
Lex leaned against the wall, slid down to the floor and sighed, bringing the hem of his shirt up to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"I'm so unfit... A few hours of cleaning and I'm a tired mess," he mumbled. "What's worse is that there's no air conditioning."
Looking down, he found his white top drenched in sweat. It turned out the forest had an astoundingly warm climate.
As a northerner, he was suffering in silence. Four hours of work had turned the warehouse from a squatter's nest into something that almost resembled storage.
The old chairs had been dragged into one corner to serve as a miserable little rest area until they had the money to buy something that didn't look disease-ridden.
All that was left was to sweep.
Herman walked in with his hard hat on and a towel around his neck. He looked around the warehouse and nodded, looking chuffed.
"Not half bad in here." Lex looked around.
He was right. When he had started, it had been hard to walk because of all the rubbish littering the floor.
Not to mention that, every time he opened a cupboard, more rubbish came flying out. Lex shook his head at Herman as he stood and dusted off his trousers.
"Honestly, Herman, I'm surprised you've not gotten sick from all the garbage in here." Lex pulled open one of the loaded refuse bags, and a mountain of cans started to spill out.
"I mean... look at this!"
Herman scoffed and looked away. "I told you before, it wasn't me... Well... maybe some of them."
Lex looked at him deadpan. "You ain't fooling anyone when you look away from me."
Herman clicked his tongue. "Is that the thanks I get for fixing the front of the store?"
Lex looked at him in shock. "Shit, already?"
He was willing to overlook the change of subject, as this felt more important.
Herman gave a smug smile.
"Aye. Come have a look," he said, waving Lex over.
Following him, Lex was led to the front. He hadn't checked it since Herman had started working on it, and it had to be said— "Fantastic, Herman!"
Lex smiled. Compared to when he had first arrived, the front of the store no longer felt like a ruin.
The collapsed rustic shelving had been put back together, sanded down and made almost respectable. It wasn't sleek, but it was certainly a heck of a lot better than it had been.
The sign that had hung purely on hopes and dreams had been properly affixed above the door.
The windows were no longer boarded, and their edges had been cleaned up so new panes of glass could be fitted.
Having the windows open filled the store with the forest's golden light and brought in fresh air to replace the stale, dusty odours from before.
"You've outdone yourself. Not half bad for a washed-up old man," Lex joked.
Herman raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, who went and did the actual skilled work while the 'boss' of the store was cleaning?"
Lex sighed. "Just means I'm willing to do what most won't."
Herman snorted.
"Pfft. I can tell you're the type to take the easy lane. Don't give me that crap."
Lex rolled his eyes and looked down at the floor, which was still covered in glass and sawdust.
Spotting the broom and dustpan in the back, he headed over.
"Right, you get yourself into the back and have a drink. I'll clear the shit off the floor." He turned and pointed at Herman. "Of water!"
Herman frowned. "Who do you think I am?"
Lex responded, "A squatter!"
***
After a thorough sweep, the store looked almost usable. Not by any standard Lex had grown up with, but by the standard of a half-dead shop stranded in the middle of a fantasy forest? Good enough.
Putting the broom down, he sat on the chair next to Herman, who was sipping a bottle of water.
Lex let out a sigh of relief and stretched his arms.
"Oh man... what a day."
Herman looked at Lex with tired eyes.
Well, they always looked tired, but especially so now.
"You're telling me? I can't believe any of this even happened."
Lex briefly glanced at Herman before returning his gaze to the ceiling.
His voice softened. "Yeah. I'm finding it hard to believe we're actually in a different world."
The two sat in silence for a moment. Lex spoke. "Do you not think we've taken all of this in too easily?"
Herman chuckled. "Maybe. Maybe not. For me, my life's always been spontaneous. I've roughed it out for the past ten years by myself on the streets, doing odd jobs in exchange for food or places to stay. So, being here and doing all this..."
He gestured around the warehouse. "It doesn't feel too unusual."
"But you..." He hesitated, as if the words were caught in his throat.
"I'm... uh, impressed. Not many blokes could stay as calm as we have," he said, taking another sip of water.
Lex looked at him in genuine surprise.
A compliment? From Herman?
He continued, "Despite your serious incompetence, of course."
Lex's face flattened.
Of course.
"You really can't say nice things easily, can you, Herman?"
Herman smirked.
"Well, if you weren't incompetent, there'd be no reason for me to withhold the gracious kindness that lies within my heart."
Lex stared at him blankly. "You know you've been living on the streets for the past ten years, right? And you talk about competence?"
Herman frowned.
"A competent man without a home is still a competent man."
Lex raised a brow. "A competent man wouldn't be in a situation where he was without one."
The words came out sharper than he meant them to.
Herman huffed, about to retort—only to be interrupted by a familiar noise.
[ Congratulations to Owner Lex and Temporary Worker Herman Staul. ]
[ You have completed the quest First Day to a satisfactory level. ]
[ Please proceed to the terminal to clock out for the day. ]
The two men looked at each other and shrugged before getting up from their seats and walking into the terminal room.
Lex stared at the green, blocky letters on the screen.
[ Task Summary: Owner Lex Peckham and Herman Staul were assigned the duty of preparing the shop for opening, and they have done so to a suitable degree for this world. Although it will still be some time until we are able to sell to Earth, we can now start the process of stock procurement and welcoming your first customers. ]
Lex grimaced.
"It's not going to make us do more work today, is it? I'm shattered."
As if it had heard his concern, the terminal continued.
[ It is the end of your shift. You have both been clocked out for the day and are not required to work further until the morning. ]
Lex sighed with relief.
[ As a reward for your diligence, the Otherworld Retail Department will provide you with food, sleeping arrangements and enough firewood to keep you warm through the night. Initialising Reward Delivery. ]
THUNK
They both turned their heads towards the noise coming from behind the metal door.
Herman looked curious. "How does it do that?"
Lex shrugged. "After all we've gone through today, I'll just put it down to magic."
Herman held his chin. "Magic, huh?"
Just like with the starter pack, it seemed the store had somehow magically spawned another crate of goods. This time, the contents pertained to the staff's needs.
[ Reward Delivery Complete. ]
Lex looked at the terminal once more.
"So... am I able to ask you some questions? I'm sure you're well aware that we have no real idea what's going on. On top of that, I've got some basic queries related to store logistics and supply procurement."
Truthfully, Lex could talk to this thing all day and probably still be in the dark about what was happening. They were in a fantasy world. Whatever had been 'normal' back on Earth might not be the same here.
And supply procurement—where were they going to get the goods?
Would they be dumped into the warehouse like their rewards and emergency supplies?
Or would they have to venture out into the world of Duris to find them?
They could even be getting them from wholesalers back on Earth.
To be the owner of the store and not know its most basic logistics made little sense. If Lex was going to feel like the store was truly his, he needed to be more in the know.
[ ... ]
[ Processing request for information... ]
[ ERROR: Due to the majority of systems being unavailable until the morning, I cannot fulfil your request. Please come back once the store has regained some of its primary functions. ]
Lex looked at it blankly. "You're kidding me... You can magically spawn items but can't answer a few questions?"
[ Affirmative. The features you have experienced today used the last remaining reserves of magic. Please come back in the morning. ]
He sighed and turned to Herman. "You heard it. No more information until tomorrow."
Herman yawned. "Doesn't really matter. I'm too beat to focus on whatever's coming out of it anyway."
Lex nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Not working for ten years will do that to you."
Herman raised an eyebrow. "So what's your excuse?" Lex coughed, moving on swiftly.
"Anyway... the reward? Shall we check it out?"
Herman smiled. "Aye, let's see what we've got to eat."
Walking back through to the warehouse, they were greeted by several more large cardboard boxes.
Lex shook his head.
"Man, I just flat-packed all the other boxes, and now I've got more."
Herman chuckled. "Oh, woe is you. It's a few cardboard boxes."
Lex wagged his finger. "Yeah, but we've not got any way to dispose of them. The bin bags and cardboard are just sitting through the back door. I'll need to look into disposal after we get back—or see if the terminal has a method."
Herman smirked.
"Look at you, thinking about the store so much."
Lex shrugged.
"I mean, it's my store now. I've kind of got to think of it like that."
Opening the box with a cutter, they revealed what was inside. Camping supplies. Lex pulled out a pan.
"Guess we're not getting ready-made meals," he said with a chuckle.
Herman huffed.
"Better not be. After all that work, I expect a good meal!"
Herman took the pan and tested its weight. It was a quality-made item—cast iron and solid.
"I've got a feeling we may be treated as such." He smiled.
And for food? Herman's stomach growled as he pulled out cases of it.
"Ohoho, we're eating gooood tonight." He grinned.
Lex smiled at Herman.
"Seems like food's the way to your heart."
Herman nodded firmly. "Most certainly. Food like this isn't something I often get to enjoy!"
Inside the box were two prime-cut sirloin steaks, organic eggs, herbs and spices, a few metal plates, some cutlery and several freshly baked loaves accompanied by a neatly sealed jar of honey.
"The store sure knows how to feed a man after a day's work, eh?" Herman said, nudging Lex on the arm.
Lex watched Herman explore the packaging, pure joy spread across the older man's face.
'I've not seen him like this before. He almost looks like a child.'
He rested a hand on his own plump stomach. In truth, it had been a long day for both of them.
Although Lex hadn't been the one to provide the food, seeing Herman so happy over something so simple brought a smile to his face as well.
"Right... Let's get this stuff moved outside and start the fire," Lex suggested.
However, Herman was already way ahead of him.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" he said, picking up the entire crate and waddling out through the front.
Lex chuckled, picked up the food crate and followed behind.
The sun was setting, its golden light giving way to a reddish hue. Walking farther outside, they sat a good distance from the store and the barrier's edge, plonking the boxes down and taking a moment to catch their breath.
"You know what they say, Lex!" Herman said, clearly expecting Lex to continue.
"I'll have to disappoint you here, for I do not, in fact, know what they say," Lex replied.
Herman tutted. "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning."
Lex raised a brow. "And that means?"
Herman looked at Lex, bewildered. "Seriously, you've never heard that saying?"
"Would've responded the first time if I had."
They worked while they talked.
Herman collected stones and arranged them in a circle on the grass before placing some tinder in the middle.
"Well, a red sky at night usually means it's going to be sunny tomorrow. A red sky in the morning means the rain's coming—hence the term 'sailor's warning'," he explained reluctantly, as if it were common knowledge.
Lex gazed at the setting sun. "Really? I've never been much of an outdoors guy."
"Yeah, I can tell!" Herman said.
Lex gave Herman a side-eye. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, you're not exactly fit, your skin's pale despite it being summer, and your hands are soft," he said, without a hint of remorse in his tone.
Lex's face warmed as he adjusted his shirt. "All right, epitome of health. Calm it."
But Herman did surprise him. They had met that day, and not on friendly terms. Yet Herman had studied him closely enough to feel comfortable insulting him, as though he already knew Lex wasn't insecure about it.
Luckily, he didn't really care about the words of a homeless alcoholic.
Lex pulled out and unfolded the camping chairs, setting them up on opposite sides of the fire. He then arranged the utensils and food near Herman as he worked.
'Glad he's doing the fire. Didn't want to mention that I've got no clue how to make one either.' Relief settled over him.
Fifteen minutes passed, and the crackling fire took shape. The smell of burning wood filled the air as Herman set up the cooking rack above the flames and placed the pan down to heat.
"Now here's the question: which of us makes a better steak?" Herman asked.
He looked at Lex, but before Lex could answer, he took the question back.
"Never mind! I'm not letting you fuck up these beauts," he said, reaching for the steaks. Lex sighed and sank into his camping chair, unbothered.
Herman dropped a knob of butter into the cast-iron pan, and it hissed across the surface. He crunched the herbs between his fingers, scattering them across the steaks, then laid the meat down with a rich, violent sizzle, doing the same with the eggs once the steaks were finished.
The smell wafted into the evening air, carrying garlic, rosemary, and seared fat through the trees.
Lex tore a piece of bread while the honey jar caught the firelight beside him.
For a while, neither of them really spoke, enjoying the quiet night.
The work was finished, the forest had mostly grown dark.
Beyond the barrier, was an entire world they didn't know existed.
Insects chirped from every direction. Birds sang unfamiliar tunes from the canopy, and occasionally, something rustled through the bushes.
The barrier rippled faintly when anything was near. And if Vargis' caution was so severe, they doubted anything was going to bother them this night.
Dinner was served. A plate of near perfectly cooked steak with fried runny eggs and a side of warm honeyed bread.
Lex dipped the steak into the yolk, and brought it to his mouth.
His eyes widened.
"This is actually incredible."
Herman was already half way through his own plate.
"Besht thing thish plashe has done for ush" He said, his mouth full and chewing the entire time.
"I mean, it's transported us to an entirely different world."
Herman swallowed his mouth full.
"Aye, but these steaks man, way better than that."
Lex shook his head, smiling as he looked into the fire.
They ate in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. After the day they'd had, neither men had the energy to pretend they didn't enjoy the company, at least a little bit.
Lex wiped his mouth, resting the plate on his knee.
"Do you actually believe any of this yet."
Herman glanced at him. "What do you mean? Thought we'd talked about this."
Lex scoffed, "Barely."
"I mean think of it all. The magic store, the goblins, this world."
Herman chewed for a moment.
"Doesn't matter what I think. It's sitting all around us."
He pointed the spoon toward the barrier.
"Those green freaks spoke to us. That strange watery wall stopped them from getting closer. And Lex, unless I've hit my head we're eating steak and eggs under two moons."
Lex looked up.
He somehow hadn't noticed the second one.
One moon was pale and familiar, the other was smalled, tinted slightly red hanging a while away from the other.
"Huh."
"Aye. Huh."
Lex stared at Herman.
"You know... I was terrified earlier. When the goblins appeared."
"I know."
Lex frowned, "Didn't have to say it like that man."
"You were stuttering like an engine in winter."
"My engine does that anyway." Lex chuckled. "And you pushed me against a wall man."
"To shut you up, aye."
Lex gave him a tired look before turning back to the fire.
"Still... I thought I'd freeze up. Hide in the warehouse until they left."
"But you didn't, did you?"
"That's because you called me a pussy in my own store."
Herman sighed, "Motivation comes in many forms."
Lex snorted.
The humour faded into the crackling of the fire, but they both had a small smile.
"I've not felt useful in a long time." Lex admitted. "University feels like I'm just turning up because I don't know what else to do. Grandpa's gone, my parents have been gone for years and..."
He rubbed his hand against the side of the metal plate.
"I don't know. Everything's felt like something I've had to get through."
Herman didn't interrupt him this time.
"But today was different. It was horrible. I'm shattered, my clothes are drenched in sweat and I've probably inhaled enough dust and germs to kill me." Lex laughed quietly. "But when I looked at the shop after it was finished... it felt amazing. Like there was proof I exist in the world."
Herman nodded slowly.
"Work's like that when it's for yourself."
Lex looked at him. "You enjoyed it too though."
"Don't push your luck."
"You did. I saw you smiling. And you were like a big kid when you saw the steaks."
Herman stared into the fire, his expression tightening, debating on what he should say, or show.
"It's been a while since anyone needed me for something." He said. "On the streets, people need a job done, they give you enough cash to grab a quick meal, or offer their couch for the night. Then you're gone by the morning, every day was a fight to live."
He poked the fire with a stick.
He'd been caring for the fire like it was his baby.
"One bad year became two. Then five. After ten of those years, you start wondering whether you're the issue or the world is failing you."
Lex opened his mouth to speak, before shutting it closed.
Not because he didn't want to say anything, but that he didn't know what he could say.
So for once, he didn't say anything.
The fire crackled as the breeze blew through the forest around them.
Herman eventually broke the silence.
"Lex."
"Hm?"
"What happens when we go back?"
Lex cocked his head, "To our world?"
"Aye. Tomorrow, when the store takes us back."
Herman kept his solemn eyes on the fire.
"What happens to the store?" He paused, quieter now. "What happens to me?"
Lex' lips pressed tightly, unsure.
He had spent the day thinking about what he needed to do for the store but...
Not once had he thought about what he was going to do with the squatter.