Inside the convenience store, two figures sat across from each other at the counter, one was a young woman of ethereal beauty, the other a small, round panda whose black eyes gleamed with mischief.
Evangeline crossed her arms, her scarlet eyes narrowing as she tried to digest the absurd explanation she had just heard.
"So, let me make sure I've got this right," she said slowly. "You summoned me to become your manager, you're actually some sort of... system, and this store exists in another dimension?"
The panda beamed, nodding enthusiastically. "Exactly! You're a quick learner. Here, take this."
With a snap of his paw, a scroll materialized out of thin air and floated toward her. Evangeline caught it and unrolled the parchment, her gaze falling on the neatly written clauses:
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[Contract for Panda Convenience Store Manager]
Clause 1: The Host shall serve as Store Manager, bearing full responsibility for managing operations and selling products.
Clause 2: The Host shall work thirty-eight hours per day, with twelve hours of rest. Weekly holidays and festival leave are included.
Clause 3: The Host will receive 30% of revenue from all product sales; the remaining 70% will belong to the Boss.
Clause 4: Within the store, the Manager is completely invincible and cannot be harmed by any internal or external factors.
Clause 5: The Manager shall enjoy unlimited personal supplies to ensure comfort during work, provided they are not shared. Sharing requires personal payment.
Clause 6: The Manager is entitled to a one-hour break for every five hours worked.
Clause 7: The second floor of the convenience store is for Manager's personal use. No outsiders permitted.
---
Evangeline read each line carefully, her expression gradually twisting into disbelief. When she finished, she exhaled sharply, holding the contract up in front of the panda's face.
"First of all, what's the meaning of this? Thirty percent for me and seventy percent for you, when I'm the one doing all the work? And what the hell is thirty-eight hours a day? A day only has twenty-four hours!"
The panda tilted his head, completely unfazed by her outrage. "I'm the boss. Of course I get more. And don't worry about the hours, time works differently here. The store doesn't belong to your reality, so the flow of time inside is independent."
That made her pause. "So... time is different here?" she murmured, lowering the contract as her thoughts spun. "Interesting. Then... what about outside? Can I return home?"
Her voice softened. "And wasn't I... dead?"
The panda puffed out his chest proudly. "Don't worry! I have a way to send you back, right to the day before your death."
Her eyes widened in horror. "Isn't that worse?! I could just die again!"
"Not if you're careful," the panda replied lightly. "Just stay inside your house all day. Problem solved."
Evangeline placed a finger against her chin, pondering. A homebody lifestyle... not bad. I could live with that.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she thrust the contract forward again. "Fine. But this seventy percent is daylight robbery. At least make it forty for me, I need some motivation to work."
The panda placed a stubby paw on her hand, speaking in a grave tone. "Thirty is final. The revenue isn't just money, it's energy. And that energy is precious to me."
Her brow furrowed. "Energy?"
"Yes," the panda said, his voice turning serious. "Our currency is Panda Bills, created by converting valuable items into energy. Those bills power this store. Without them, nothing works."
Evangeline folded her arms, listening intently. "So energy is the key resource. And what can I do with it?"
"Plenty!" The panda's tone brightened. "Energy lets you level up the store, unlock new products, upgrade facilities... and if you wish, you can even convert it into money for your world."
Her eyes glimmered with interest. "So it really is valuable. With energy, you can practically do anything."
"Exactly!" The panda clapped his paws together in delight.
"Are there others like you?" she asked, curiosity sparking.
"Oh, tons!" the panda said proudly. "There are millions of systems across the multiverse. Some are poor, newborn systems, while others—like me, are wealthy second-generation elites."
Evangeline blinked. "Wait. Systems have... social classes?"
The panda scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "You could say that. My parents are extremely rich. They gave me a huge amount of energy to build this-" He gestured around dramatically. "-the Panda Convenience Store! A hub that connects countless worlds!"
He leaned closer conspiratorially. "Most systems target desperate hosts and leech off them, taking ninety percent of the energy and leaving scraps. But you? You're lucky to have me."
Evangeline chuckled softly, reaching out to pat his fluffy head. "Yes, yes. Our little panda is very reliable... and cute."
"Hey!" The panda batted her hand away, his cheeks puffing in indignation. "I am NOT little!"
"Yes, little panda," she teased, a sly smile curving her lips.
"Hmph!" The panda turned away, folding his tiny arms. "I won't look at you anymore."