"Uhhh... Joanne, are you sure this is the right place we want to be?"
Following the angel, we were now in an isolated area. I can't help but wonder if Joanne's sense of direction was mixed up.
"This is the place. I feel it!"
After coming to our destination, I saw a familiar store. The place was hard not to remember. This was the place where I temporarily fixed my troublesome ability, I was thankful, but the experience was something I didn't want to go through again.
"I have been here before..."
"You have? Is that even possible?"
"This store is different from the rest. Once you enter, you will be transported into a different dimension. Not only that, but there's an annoying clay inside."
Thinking of the annoying cactus antics, I couldn't help but want to smash it into smithereens once again.
"It's me!!! HANNY!"
"..."
We had already entered the Treasury, and Hanny appeared. Joanne picked up Hanny, curious about what it was.
"Did you fall in love with me at first sight? How flattering."
"Zip it. You're annoying our guests."
Someone was telling Hanny to be quiet. A lady appeared whom I didn't recognize. It was hard to tell what she looked like with something covering her.
"Where are my manners? I'm Cassidey, the owner of this small building. Whatever is destined to be yours will be yours for the taking."
"Hooman!!! You owe Hanny an apology!!!"
The last time we met, I had accidentally killed it. But even so, I didn't feel bad about it. If that were the only way for him to shut up, I would gladly do it again.
"Apologize? I don't feel like it."
"HOOMANNNN!!!"
"Joanne, let's just find something and leave."
I ignored the clay doll and asked Joanne to search around. As for Cassidey, she sat down on her chair and continued reading the book she had been reading earlier.
"Charles. I feel something in here."
The angel pointed in a direction and went toward it. Hanny followed along, and I couldn't help but glance at it.
I also felt connected to something, but was that possible? Unless they had new items in stock, I would wait for Joanne to get her item before I found mine.
"This is so pretty!"
Joanne had found her destined item. What Joanne found was a ribbon accessory. The system here had worked, unlike where we were before.
"What does it do?"
"That's a secret."
"..."
"Secret? How interesting! Hanny wants to know! Tell Hanny, please!!!"
The little shitter held onto Joanne's leg and asked what it did. Someone who manages this place should at least know what some of these artifacts do. It was his fault for not knowing.
"Something is calling for me too. Let's check what I get."
Since Joanne had found her desired item, it was my turn to get mine. I sensed where my fated item was and went toward it.
"This is it."
[All Purpose Compass]
This was something I needed. Anyone could understand what this was just by looking at it. With this, Constance would be found.
The compass I found was well-designed. It was more of an orb than a compass, but it could tell me where the object was if I followed the top. It had the standard, north, south, east, and west with the addition of up and down.
Made of transparent, sparkly material, I couldn't help but stare at it like it was a treasure that was gifted to me by God.
"To get a compass in a place like this, how fortunate!"
"Search? Are you finding something? Who!!!"
"Someone important."
That was all that needed to be said. I didn't know why I told Hanny that, but this place wasn't needed anymore.
"Did you get everything you need? Coming to a place like this twice isn't an easy feat. This strange feeling in me tells me that this won't be the last time we meet."
"Before you leave, let me tell you a divination. Do you want to hear it?"
Cassidey had finished reading and, before we left, had spoken to us. Fortune telling? What's with everyone with these abilities? Lately, I have been seeing people like these.
"If it doesn't take long, go ahead."
"Then sit down. It would only take a few seconds. Do you also want a divination?"
She looked at Joanne and wanted to hear her thoughts on it. Her expression alone told you that she was going to accept.
"If it doesn't trouble you, please do."
"Very well. Sit down and relax."
Cassidey summoned a cushion for us to sit on. I didn't know how Cassidey would use her powers on us, but once she touched my shoulders, I felt a mysterious energy lifting me up. It was uncomfortable if I had to say it, but I relaxed as she said.
"I didn't expect your fortune to be like this..."
"???"
"No matter. Would you like to hear it?"
"Is there something terrible waiting for me?"
From Cassidey's expression alone, I knew it wasn't anything good. My curiosity wouldn't allow me to deny what she was about to say.
"What I have to say isn't always going to be bad. If you want to listen, then I will begin."
"Lost and Found. Two choices lead to different paths. One path will lead to regret and suffering, yet at the end of this path, your suffering will be rewarded."
"As for the second path, you will be given another two choices."
"Order or chaos, depending on the path you choose, you will have to select one at some point. Any path you chose would have a major effect. On one side, you will lose yourself and protect everything important to you; on the other, you will descend into madness and lose everything close to you."
"That is all. I have to say. It took a lot of energy just to tell you this."
This fortune-telling has given me more questions; I wanted to ask more, but I doubt Cassidey has more to say. It was Joanne's turn; she had done the same action as earlier.
"Boy, it's preferred if the angel listens to this alone; if you wouldn't mind, give her some privacy."
I looked at Joanne, and she nodded. Listening to the words of the mysterious woman, I was booted out.
This interaction made it more suspicious. I wonder what Joanne is cooking up, I haven't realized it, but something about Joanne was strange.
Speculating anymore was useless, as I had nothing to speculate on. Ten minutes later, Joanne left the building with a strange atmosphere around her.
"Do you want to rest? We don't need to stay here anymore."
The black market was now useless. I had a tool to find Constance, so coming here held no more value. I could leave immediately and search for her alone, but I still had to check up on Joanne for my own consciousness.
"I appreciate it."
Cassidey's fortune didn't seem too good for Joanne. We left the black market, returned to the town, and found a place to stay for the night. After getting two rooms, we split off for the day.
It was awkward how we said nothing to each other on our way back, but it couldn't be helped.
Now that I was alone, I guess it was time to explore. Sleep was something that I didn't need to bother myself with, as I could stay awake for years. I returned to the bar, trying to figure out what this town could be used for.
"Did you have a fight with your lady friend?"
"No, she went to sleep."
"Sleep? How fortunate, this body of mine can't."
The bartender was a shape-shifted monster that was branded with a slavery contract. I can sense the slavery contract on him but don't know the content of it. But sleeping was probably something this monster in front of me couldn't do.
I couldn't help but pity him. I could destroy the slavery contract on him, but the man before me must have done something terrible for this contract.
"Bring me every drink you have. I have all day."
"Can you drink that much?"
"Can your drink knock me out?"
I didn't have much experience in drinking, but a problem may arise if I did. And with a body like mine, being drunk would be hard.
"Hey, big boy. Mind buying me a drink?"
Hearing the voice, I cringed. Her words of choice left me uncomfortable, considering how old that line was.
The woman had a mature voice, but I didn't find her attractive as she wasn't my type. What was before me was a cyclops. Looking at her one huge eye made me uncomfortable.
I continued drinking my drink and ignored her existence entirely. I hoped this would get her away from me. Seeing that I wasn't going to interact with her, she left.
"Faithful, aren't you?"
I will let the bartender leave his thought so that no trouble will come with me.
