As usual after getting off work, I fired up [Saving the World from Tales of Terror], only for a flashing screen to assault me as I blacked out.
And when I opened my eyes...
"Where... am I?"
The walls and ceiling were old concrete lightly dusted with mold, and beneath them stood display shelves lined with various items, just like in a shop.
I wanted to chalk it up to waking up in some store for whatever reason, but the total lack of even a single window on those walls made that feel off—way too unnatural.
If this was following the usual clichés, I'd say I'd been isekai'd into [Saving the World from Tales of Terror]. But as someone with over 10,000 hours clocked in the game, I'd never seen a place like this.
That should have been the case, but...
It felt kinda familiar somehow.
"Ah!"
Standing up and eyeing the displayed goods, a short gasp escaped me as I realized the source of that inexplicable déjà vu.
This was the shop from [Saving the World from Tales of Terror].
And as if waiting for my realization, a clichéd translucent window popped up in midair.
Except it was red, sticky like it was forged from blood, with a constant dripping sensation.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Finally, you've awakened.
It was even talking to me.
"You talking to me right now?"
Who else is here besides you?
"I mean, it's not exactly common for things to just strike up a conversation."
I have no idea what you're on about.
"So, who are you, and why are you talking to me?"
I am The Shop. And it's only natural for The Shop to speak to the Merchant.
I'd never been a merchant before, but did shops usually chat up their merchants?
No, putting that aside—I'm the merchant?
Stop making that dumb face. I'm getting hungry. Get to work.
"Work?"
As I lapsed back into that same dumb expression, The Shop—intangible as it was—practically radiated irritation before continuing.
🛒 Business Start 🛒Business, begin.
"Wait, how the hell do I do business?!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Quitting time had rolled around, and amid the bustling night, a man strolled home humming a tune.
In one hand, two whole chickens swung gently in their neat packaging.
'Gotta get home quick and eat with my daughter and wife!'
He was a family man who loved his kin dearly.
Imagining his family's surprised delight, he spotted the pizza joint that was always there by the road.
'Yeah, why not grab a pizza too while I'm at it.'
Counting the cash in his wallet, he pushed open the shop door and stepped inside.
"Welcome. Come on in, sir."
An off-kilter voice from the part-timer. An interior utterly unlike what it looked from outside. And goods so bizarre they made you forget all that.
This was no 'pizza joint.'
"T-Tale... A tale!"
Just like they'd drilled into him at work, the man swiftly dialed the Tale Management Bureau.
Duu... duu... duu—
But as expected, no one picked up.
Glancing back, the door had already vanished.
"Sir?"
A chill in the air made him whip his head around, only to find the merchant standing right in front of him.
"Hrk!"
The man flung the chicken and tumbled to the floor.
In his terrified eyes, the merchant loomed, gazing at him like he looked delicious.
And amid it all, the merchant thought:
'Aw, what a waste of good chicken.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"You alright there?"
I extended a hand to the fallen man, pondering.
While I'd been demanding more details from The Shop, this guy had suddenly barged in through a door.
Judging by his reaction, he hadn't come here willingly.
And seeing the situation plus these utterly grotesque 'goods,' he'd pegged it as a tale encounter.
Well, it sure was a tale, no doubt.
I retracted my hand from the man—who showed no signs of getting up, practically passed out—and surveyed the 'merchandise.'
Three items total.
A green pill wriggling on its own. Next to it, red flesh squirming like they were dancing together. And in somewhat normal-looking packaging, an eyeball candy blinking for real. Fewer kinds than before, but definitely the shop's wares from [Saving the World from Tales of Terror].
So I was definitely isekai'd into the game. But why the damn shop of all things?
Like most games, the shop in [Saving the World from Tales of Terror] felt like a standalone system, barely tied to the story.
If I'd possessed someone at the Tale Management Bureau, I could've blitzed to the ending with my 10,000 hours of know-how.
I let out a short sigh and turned to The Shop.
"So, Shop—what do I do now?"
Sell things. Do you even know what a shop is for?
"Of course I do!"
I swallowed an outburst and cooled my nerves.
"I mean, how am I supposed to sell these with zero price tags?"
Ah, right. Hmm... Fingers it is today. Openning special: everything's one finger.
Sure enough, price tags materialized on the shelves.
Finger x1
No need to ask—that meant a real finger, obviously.
"Shop! One last question. What happens if I don't sell anything?"
I'll starve to death, and in your case... yeah. Let's just say I wouldn't recommend testing it.
Whatever it was, it sounded ominous as hell.
I decided to throw myself into this world's role with gusto.
"Sir, please make a purchase."
The man shuddered in despair before slowly speaking.
"Uh... c-can I... not buy anything?"
No can do. I'm hungry. You have to buy at least one.
"Sorry, but that's not possible. Come over here, please. Let me explain the items."
No descriptions on the goods, but after 10,000 hours grinding these, I didn't need a manual.
"First, these two that won't stay still. This green pill is called Momentary Dream—cures minor stuff like colds by sending it straight to dreamland. And this nasty piece is Infinite Pig's Flesh. Just a bite fills you up so much you can skip meals all day."
I paused and glanced at the man.
He looked a solid ten years older than when he'd first arrived.
Pushing down my guilt, I pressed on.
"Finally, this candy... is exactly what you're thinking: Eyeball Candy. Pop it in, and you feel great."
A bit simplistic, but that was the whole deal.
You sure know your stuff.
See? Even The Shop agreed.
In-game, these three were the starter consumable kit for health, satiety, and sanity management. Simple effects, used constantly—impossible to forget.
The man mulled it over for a solid thirty minutes post-explanation before pointing at one with a finger.
"I'll... take this one."
Against my guess of Momentary Dream, he picked Eyeball Candy.
Why that one?
Not your everyday pick, logically speaking.
He'd probably inferred from the description, but it was basically a drug.
Low addiction risk, though.
Like occasional chicken cravings, at worst?
But he didn't know that, and he didn't strike me as the type anyway.
Maybe for a friend in need?
"Got it. Price is... one finger."
Even saying it felt gross.
But weirdly fitting—currency in-game was body parts, after all.
Hearts were top value, I think.
"Pardon? A finger?"
As he spoke, the finger he'd used to point was gone.
Hm. Delicious.
"Gaaah!! Urgh... ugh, sob."
He writhed in agony, but oddly, no blood.
Peering closely, the wound was cauterized like it'd been seared shut.
Wrap it up.
I couldn't hold back at The Shop's utter lack of humanity.
"What? I just made a sale, and now you're telling me to kill him?"
What? Send the customer home.
"Oh."
Hiding my awkwardness with a friendly smile, I turned to the man.
"Thanks for your business. Exit that way."
As the deal closed, the door reappeared. Clutching his hand, he stumbled out.
I sighed and slumped into the counter chair.
Fatigue hit hard; I closed my eyes.
Sorry, mister, but a finger's probably covered by insurance here.
That's the world.
The real issue's me.
Any way out of this game?
Too soon to tell.
Opening my eyes slowly, I spotted the chicken he'd ditched by the door.
"Guess I should clean that up?"
Felt weirdly like I owned this place now, but couldn't just leave it.
Grabbing the bag, white powder spilled from one side.