Welcome to Master Lumir’s chain of shops!

Finally, my shift is over!

I cheered with joy as I turned off the lights at the store. Cookies and chips grinned at me from every shelf, and magazines winked at me from the window. Many times, I’d been tempted to grab something and slip it under my jacket—but I resisted, as always.

Why couldn’t I at least take a free comic, since I slave away here from morning till night?

I pulled my cap down onto my head and stepped through the doors, which jingled softly as they closed. I fished a key from my pocket to lock the store—when suddenly, a fierce gust of wind hit me. It wrapped around me like a snake and clouded my vision. There was a click—like clockwork—and then I was gone.

I opened my eyes and found myself standing before intricately carved wooden doors with massive iron knockers. Confused, I looked around and realized there was no other exit.

What on earth happened? Where am I? As if I didn’t have enough trouble already! Did some psycho kidnap me to play some stupid games? Ugh, what have I done to anybody?

Resigned, I shoved open the door, thinking maybe I'd at least get something out of this mess if nothing else.

Beyond the door, I wasn’t greeted by some weirdo on a trike—but by a very attractive, cute woman sitting at a reception desk. She was reading a newspaper and had… a pipe in her mouth? Strange, but why not. I liked it.

I approached cautiously. My eyes fell on headlines: “The Zangwils Strike Again!”, “Gelmnir Runs for Chair of the Free Democratic Witch Party!”

“Um… excuse me, but where am I?” I asked the woman.

She looked up reluctantly, stared at me for a moment, then suddenly her face lit up with a sweet smile.

“Well, hello! We haven’t had someone like you here in a long time! We’re very happy to see you—and I assume you’re here for work,” she chirped.

Work? That unpleasant word made my stomach turn.

“Well… I don’t know where… exactly I am?”

“Oh yes, everyone’s a bit confused at first. You’ve been, what’s the technical term—transmigrated into a new world. Isn’t it exciting?!”

Woah, so I’m the protagonist of an isekai story? Awesome!

I leaned on the desk with charm, giving the receptionist a playful wink.

“So, where are my superpowers and harem?” I whispered in a tone teetering between flirtation, elegance, and harassment.

She gave me a strained smile and pulled out some paper and a pen from under the desk.

“Please sign here.” Her smile didn’t waver.

“Um, and what is this?”

She was about to answer—when it dawned on me.

“A heroic guild! Fantastic!”

I grabbed the pen and scribbled my signature on the blank line. I judged the authenticity by the very cool logo in the corner.

The receptionist added her signature next to mine and offered her hand.

“Welcome to the Master Lumir’s chain of shops.”

Weird name for a guild, but whatever.

“Please proceed this way.” She gestured toward a door to the right of the desk.

I headed there immediately and waved cheerfully at the receptionist. To my disappointment, she was already engrossed in an article about the extinction of wyverns on the eastern coast of Pozdrak.

I opened the door and was met with a purple portal. Without hesitation, I stepped through.

After another unpleasant teleportation sensation—this time like being sucked through a hose—I appeared at my destination.

I was in a small room with a table and chair and shelves full of parchment scrolls and manuscripts. The walls were plastered with promotional posters. I was mildly disappointed that advertising in this world wasn’t much better than in my own.

Before I could take it all in, the door burst open. An older balding man stood there, dressed in something like a bathrobe—but thanks to a billboard featuring the Great Bimbandur, I realized it was probably a formal attire.

“Ah, good, you’re here.”

“Yes, I’m ready to defend my land as a guild hero!” I exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.

“Yeah, sure, come on then. We’re opening soon,” he grumbled and shuffled off.

I followed him, feeling increasingly uneasy. Something about this place felt too… familiar. Narrow hallways, storage rooms with shelves…

We passed through another door, and I found myself—behind a cashier counter. Yes, it was wooden, but its true nature was unmistakable. I looked around in horror and realized I was standing in a magical convenience store! The only magic was in the odd items on the shelves—it was otherwise just… a regular store.

A cold sweat broke out as I looked at the bald man rummaging under the counter.

“Bald… I mean, Sir, there has to be some horrible misunderstanding,” I stammered.

“Misunderstanding? Yeah, newbies say that sometimes. You’ll get used to it.”

“But—”

“So, let’s get this over with. We don’t have all day,” the old man rubbed his hands. “You’re at Master Lumir’s 26th branch shop. From today on, you’ll be selling. It’s not hard—even a dunce like you can handle it.”

I was at a loss for words. I stared blankly at him while he explained how to price goods and such.

“Oh, and one more thing—we’re in an interspace. To break it down for your bird brain, only portals lead here. Three, to be exact—from Golgam, Jutria, and Peltacia. Customers will come through them. If the darkness outside the windows feels too depressing, feel free to hang up some wallpaper.” He clasped his hands and looked around. “That’s about it—just grab your uniform from under the counter. Good luck and do your best. We don’t want bad ratings.”

He walked toward one portal, paused, and shouted back.

“Oh—and don’t even think about running away. You signed a contract for two years at Master Lumir’s chain of shops.”

“Two years!?”

“Yeah, sucks, I know. Sorry, but three years ago a law limited ordinary magic contracts to two years. It used to be ten.”

“But this is like slavery!”

“You signed it yourself. You’ll get paid, have weekends and vacation, so no, it’s not slavery. If you want real slavery, some colleagues work in the Demon Castle in Wizburg.”

With that, he waved and vanished through the portal.

I listened to the hum of the portals in silence. Then the very next thing I did was try to escape. To my disappointment, it didn’t work. All portals simply sent me back.

Then a portal flared open and a tall blond man in shining armour stepped out—flanked by three stunning sorceresses.

“The new store looks pretty nice, don’t you think, Lasi?” the man chirped.

“Very nice, Dalpnir.” One of the witches smiled at him.

“Get out of here,” I grumbled from behind the potion shelf.

“Oh, a new clerk. They’re usually in a bad mood when they start,” Dalpnir said. “That’s fine, I’ll just serve myself.”

I stayed tucked away in a corner and hoped he’d mark the items himself. And if not—it’s not my problem.

During the day, a gnome came just to use the bathroom, a band of orcs, an annoyingly intelligent young mage around my age, and an indistinguishable blob. I just stayed in my corner.

I glanced at the clock and realized it was almost closing time. I stood up and headed to the register. A portal hummed and a customer stepped through.

“We’re closing,” I said, moving toward the counter. “Come tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry, but I really need some crystalline dust for a summoning ritual,” said an angelic voice behind me.

I turned and saw a breathtaking girl with curly ginger hair down to her waist. Her face was gentle and adorable, her eyes had an emerald green colour. She held a magical staff, wore a white robe adorned with a snake ornament, and had a hood with cat ears. I was slightly disappointed it was just a fashion accessory—but the rest more than made up for it.

“Um, sorry for bothering you this late. I guess I should get going?” She gave me the cutest, most apologetic look I’d ever seen. That was enough to make me dash behind the guide with the item list.

“Right away!” I blurted, desperately flipping through pages—and glancing at her nervously, because she continued to stare adorably.

I started sweating. I flipped on—and realized with horror that we didn’t have it in stock! I sprinted through the aisles—but no luck.

“If you don’t have it, never mind.” She twisted her skirt and stared at the floor.

My face burned.

“I-I-I’m so sorry; I’ll—I'll get it for you! I promise!” I stuttered.

“Really? Thank you so much! I’ll come tomorrow!” The sorceress lit up. She gave me a sweet smile and hopped back through the portal.

What now? My brain kicked into overdrive. I can't disappoint her!

I began searching through all the manuals and lists—and finally found the order sheet. As a clerk, I also handle ordering stock! Perfect! And on the item list, they have crystalline dust! My heart leapt. I can’t let such a beauty slip away!

I scribbled the order on parchment. Then I thought—how much did she want? Hmm, she didn't say. No matter, I'll order a lot. I wrote the quantity—and the ink vanished. I assumed that meant success.

In good spirits, I closed the store and went to bed.

The next morning (though the concept didn't quite apply here), my order arrived. It was an enormous box full of small bags of dust. It was way more than I expected, but I didn’t mind and eagerly opened the store to wait.

Customers came in—but no sign of yesterday’s beauty. I didn’t worry at first. By afternoon I got anxious—and with each passing hour my pulse rose; by evening I was dripping with sweat. Half an hour before closing, I was about to faint. That’s when I realized what I’d done. How much did that even cost?!

I checked the list—it was 822 glens. I still wasn't fully familiar with prices in this world, which made me even more nervous.

I just couldn’t take it anymore. I approached a group of heroes who were choosing a sword sharpener and a silly pointed hat with a ribbon. They’d come through the same portal as the red-haired beauty, so I figured they might know her.

“Um… excuse me, but do you happen to know a heroine with ginger hair, green eyes, and a cat‑ear cloak?”

They all stared at me in surprise. I guess they didn’t expect a clerk to ask them questions. They all thought for a moment.

“I think—” began the man with odd moustache and ponytail— but he was interrupted by a mage with big round glasses.

“Oh, forbidden love! How romantic!”

“And how did you come up with that?!” I blasted back. “Anyway, why would love between a clerk and a heroine be forbidden?”

A short awkward silence fell. I cleared my throat.

“Okay, fine, maybe it doesn’t sound the best. But that doesn’t mean it’s forbidden!”

“Don’t mind Winry,” apologized the serious-looking dwarf woman. “She’s a romantic soul.”

“More like a maniac,” muttered the elf with a small crossbow on his back.

At that moment, the man with the moustache laid a hand on my shoulder. To my dismay, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He sniffled.

“I’m… deeply sorry, good sir. The one you speak of is surely Lagata from the Sakar Wizard Guild. You… won’t see her ever again.”

My heart sank with sorrow. She’s dead! Oh God, they killed her!

I was snapped out of my grief by the dwarf woman. “Oh, don’t be so melodramatic, Lay.” She turned to me. “The Sakar’s guild teleportation contract expired yesterday. They keep forgetting to pay it, so as a penalty they’ve been bumped to less frequented and prestigious teleportation circles. She might come back—it’ll just take a while.”

I swallowed hard and said with a trembling voice, “May I… ask one more thing?”

“Anything, good sir,” whispered Lay.

“Is… 822 glens a lot?”

“My friend, that’s about… five months of your salary. Assuming inflation doesn’t go up.”

I fell to my knees and let out a despairing cry.

Not only I might never see that beauty again—but I’ve buried myself in debt because of her!