The interior was nothing like the humble exterior.
It stretched out into a spacious 15-by-28-meter hall. 420 square meters in total. On the extreme left side of the wall were twelve round tables, each surrounded by matching chairs on the right, and at the centre and along the left wall, with a wide gap in between that allowed him to see the door, were sparkling white shelves and vending machines.
The floor was made of polished marble, shining like a mirror. The walls shared the same smooth finish, while the ceiling was painted with sprawling murals of warriors clashing with swords, beastmasters commanding legions, cyborgs blasting monsters apart, and mages surrounded by the devastation of cataclysms.
It was majestic and almost divine.
Jonathan took a slow breath, feeling the chilled air from the AC brush against his skin. He exhaled in satisfaction, then summoned his status sheet.
The glowing blue panel unfolded before his eyes.
[ Dimensional Convenience Store Tycoon System – Host Status ]
Host: Jonathan Park
Age: 20
Occupation: Dimensional Convenience Store Tycoon
Store Level: 1
Current Income: 0 Credits
Store Reputation: 0 (Unknown)
Dimensional Energy: 0/100
Current World: Elendor
Jonathan was certain that the aged couple's words were correct from the current world status on his status sheet.
The dimensional energy that enabled to traverse to another world hadn't increased. The system indicated that he needed more customers, spreading the fame of his store worldwide to accelerate the dimensional energy's progress.
However, Jonathan wasn't sure whether he would be transported back to his home world or to a new one, since the system hadn't mentioned it yet.
If it wasn't for the store serving as his home, providing him with free meals, allowing him to traverse between dimensions, and allowing him to adventure into new and exciting places he had never once dreamt of living, he would've already given up from exhaustion.
Jonathan unsummoned his status sheet and looked at a section of a shelf and vending machine lined with dozens of identical noodle cups and canned Koka Kolas, with a price tag of 20 or 10 credits.
Credits were the system's currency. Any currency from any world he took would automatically transform into credits for use. The credits could then be used to upgrade or customize the store as he desired. Jonathan learnt all the information from the constant influx of information into his mind from the system.
"Now all I need are customers..." Jonathan muttered. He leaned on the counter, looking around the pristine room. How was he supposed to attract customers when he couldn't leave the store?
He had thought about it but found no solution to his current predicament.
The only thing he could do at the moment was hope that someone would willingly walk into his store.
In otherwords, a miracle..
At the moment, the bell of the door chimmed softly as an individual entered the store.
Jonathan swiftly straightened his back and sighed in relief.
The person who entered was an old man. His rough white hair stretched behind his waist. He wore a striped black-and-white robe adorned with golden embellishments along its edges, and a golden sash was tied neatly around his waist. His steps were light and unhurried. His face bore the visage of time, with wrinkles.
This was Van Relic Mountain Cloud. A Clan Elder of the Mountain Cloud Clan. He was 120 years old today. Once, he had been hailed as a genius among his generation, the greatest hope of the Mountain Cloud Clan, a once-prosperous clan of Ascendants.
However, their legacy was fading because they had not produced a Grandmaster Rank in over two hundred years.
To restore their glory, the clan poured the last of their savings into him, from purchasing rare elixirs, pills, and treasures, all for his breakthrough attempt into the Grandmaster Rank.
Yet, like his forebears, he had failed. He failed four times in total despite his preparations. His body could no longer support it, and his life vein has weakened from the constant attempt. Another failed attempt would mean that he would never sense the flow of mana, automatically becoming a cripple.
From the clan's brightest hope, Van Relic had become its greatest regret.
Though no one blamed him, because everyone had seen how desperately he tried to succeed. However, it wasn't enough to heal the wounds of decades of the Mountain Cloud Clan's lost investment.
The Mountain Cloud Clan could no longer sustain its lands. Their borders were already being swallowed by rival clans. To preserve their bloodline and heritage, the Clan Leader and Elders made a painful decision to send their most promising youths to the Great Fire Lion Kingdom, to compete for a spot in one of the five Great Heroic Institutions on the continent of Elendor.
Although their loyalty would shift from clan to crown, a descendant might rise to become a renowned Hero and reclaim the Mountain Cloud Clan's name.
Van was chosen as one of the escorts for this journey. As the younger generation registered themselves, he quietly excused himself, unwilling to meet their disappointed eyes.
He wandered through the city until the bustling main streets faded into silence. Eventually, his feet carried him into a neglected district, filled with cracked roads, dim lamps, and shabby buildings.
Suddenly, Van stumbled upon a small shop that stood out like a lone candle in the dark.
Its signboard gleamed with strange light.
[ Dimensional Convenience Store ]
"Dimensional Conven… what?" Van muttered.
The name was odd.
Van couldn't help but frown. He doubted the owner even knew what such a word meant. Still, he was curious, so he placed a hand on the door and pushed it open.
A soft 'ding!' echoed as he stepped inside.
Van froze, his eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and shock.
The interior was nothing like he expected. The space stretched impossibly wide, with shimmering marble floors. Rows of brightly lit shelves and strange artefacts stretched on the other side of the centre and the other side of the wall, with colourful packages and glass bottles he had never seen before.