Chapter 7: This Hero Gets Supplies!

I arrived at the general store as Biar was unlocking the front door. His breath was visible in the cold air.

He seemed to notice me stepping up to him as he turned to look at me. "Oh, you're here on time. That's good! I was a bit worried you would sleep in or something! Haha!" He laughed as he returned to the door.

Despite the fact that Biar apparently thought very little of my ability to be a functioning member of society, I simply responded with a small smile and a "Good morning" to him.

Biar fumbled around with his keys for a while before finally finding the correct one. He pushed the iron key into its slot and twisted it causing an audible clack to ring out. Once the door had been opened, Biar and I entered the store.

"Time to stock the shelves, Kenji-kun. I'll show you how to do it." Biar motioned to the side room.

I followed Biar as he led me into the side room. From the side room, I was shown another room.

"This is where we get shipments of new supplies. Anything that drops below a stock of ten gets ordered and usually arrives within three to four days. Today we're getting…" Biar trailed off as he pulled out a piece of paper. "Plumric, apples, and tumun. Did you get all that Kenji? Only grab those boxes. They'll be labeled so you shouldn't worry too much."

"Just grab the specific boxes and don't take what we don't need?" I raised my eyebrow as I repeated back his instructions.

"Yes, exactly." He nodded energetically as if to force his statement to be true.

This should be simple enough. Picking out boxes with labels is pretty basic after all.

We walked out of a back room. Outside of the back room was an alleyway that was between the two different building blocks. The ground is covered in a dusty stone flooring. In the alleyway waiting behind the shop there is a small covered wagon. I can hear the hard breathing of a horse that had just finished pulling something heavy as I saw the driver wave to Biar.

"Ah, Biar-san, who is this?" The driver shouted out. He tipped his hat to me as I bowed my head to him.

"This is my new hire, Kenji-kun." Biar put his hand on my shoulder and presented me. "I'm showing him how to handle restocking."

"Well alright then." The man shifted himself on his seat as he adjusted his hat. " Now listen, Kenji-san, don't take anything that isn't for you, alright? I don't want you to have to deal with those consequences."

Why is everyone trying to ensure that I don't touch anything other than the intended items? Do I really appear that untrustworthy?

Whatever. I doubt it's really going to be as much of a problem as they are insisting it will be.

"Alright..." The man pulled a list out as he put on some glasses. "Biar-san, the items you requested are apples, tumun, and plumric. They're in the wagon… somewhere."

"Alright. Kenji-kun, come with me." Biar motioned to me as he walked into the wagons back.

Wait, this guy doesn't know where the stock is located?

Despite my concerns, I followed Biar once again and stepped into the back of the small covered wagon.

"What the hell…" I let escape from my lips.

"Heh, yeah it does boggle the mind how it works, doesn't it? Magic is a crazy thing!" Biar shrugged as he continued walking forwards.

The inside of this carriage is enormous! This space has to be as large as a warehouse! How the hell does a single horse pull this thing? There are boxes everywhere! The total amount of objects in this wagon is incomprehensible!

"Follow me Kenji-kun. I'll show you how this works." Biar turned towards me and motioned for me to follow.

After getting over my minor panic attack, I followed the salvation that was Biar.

As it turns out, the objects in this area are apportioned to different sections based on the first letter and type of object they are. There are items here other than produce. I can see suits of armor, books, and other such things.

Wait, is that a lizard? Well, it's not my problem, but it's staring at me. I'm getting goosebumps from how much it's watching me.

After a moment of wandering around, Biar stopped in front of a crate and slapped the top.

"Ah, these are the apples!" He declared as he read over the label. "Kenji-kun, I need you to take these out of the carriage and take them into the back room. We'll stock the shelves once we have all our items."

"Alright. Leave it to me." I stepped towards the box and rolled up my sleeves.

At least, that's how reliable I want to appear. This crate is massive! How am I supposed to lift it on my own? Is there something to lift it with, like a pallet jack?

I looked around for a moment before Biar stopped me.

"Just try lifting it, Kenji-kun. You must have lived in the boonies if you've never seen this." He watched me with a childish grin plastered on his face. I can tell that he's looking forward to whatever is about to happen.

What is he saying? Does he really think I can lift this? Just because I'm fat doesn't mean I'm strong, you know?

We were just staring at one another.

Whatever, I'll just try it. What's the worst that can happen anyway?

I grabbed the crate with both arms and began to lift.

"W-Whoa!" I let out.

This crate is so light! I could lift it with one hand if I really wanted to! Who would have known that working out last night would have such quick results! At this rate I'm going to be able to defeat the Demon King in no time! Alright!

"Haha! Yeah that shocked me my first time too! The feather magic they use on these crates really does make you feel like a superhuman." Biar's voice made my dreams come crashing back down.

Wait, what?

Feather magic?

I'm not actually this strong, but it's just magic? Come to think of it, the crate falls slowly too.

The magic is cool… I guess. I'm just disappointed that I'm not actually this strong. Oh, no, please don't look at me with that pained expression Biar-san, I don't want you forming a lower opinion of me than what you already seem to have. Please stop.

Biar turned away from me as he began to walk. "Alright. You take those to the back room. I need to get one of the other items while I'm here. Be sure not to touch anything other than that crate you're holding right now, alright?"

"Yes sir, Biar-san." I held the crate with one hand and saluted him with another.

We parted ways and I attempted to follow the path Biar took in reverse.

Hm? Where is the exit? There are no signs anywhere. This place is certainly not up to fire safety code.

"Where is the exit?" I yelled out.

Silence. Oh no.

"What do you do when you're lost? Stay put? I don't think I have the luxury of staying put though. What do I do?" I cupped my chin as I began to think aloud.

As I was thinking out loud, a lizard walked past me. The lizard got a short distance ahead of me and looked back at me.

What's the deal with this lizard? Is it mocking me? I ought to skewer it.

Wait, why is it just standing there? It's staring at me. Wait a moment...

"Do you… want me to follow you?" I tilted my head.

The lizard blinked. I'm talking to a lizard. What has my life become?

You know what? I might as well follow this lizard. What else do I have to lose anyway?

I began following the lizard. Once I started getting close to the lizard it would start moving again. It kept taking turns at different corners. At times, the lizard would occasionally stop and look behind itself as if to ensure that I'm still behind it before it would begin walking again. Don't worry Lizard-san, I won't fall behind.

After a little while I could hear the sound of birds chirping. I see the exit!

The lizard turned around and looked at me one last time before running off back into the deeper parts of the wagon.

"Thank you, Lizard-san. I will never forget you!" I waved it goodbye.

"What are you doing, Kenji-kun?" A woman's voice called out to me.

Reese was standing behind me while holding a crate of her own.

"Just… um…" I looked away. I couldn't bear looking at her right now.

"You got lost and a lizard helped you out, am I right?" She adjusted the crates she was holding as she looked towards me.

"Yes ma'am." I could feel my face burning as I stared at the ground.

A pained smile emerged on Reese's face. Honestly I want to know just how low of an opinion I can reach with this couple.

"Well, everyone gets lost on their first time! It's a big place after all!" She tried to laugh to brush off the embarrassment I was feeling.

Reese, you are an angel. Thank you for trying to salvage my shattered pride.

"Come, we need to stock the store." Reese walked past me as she spoke. She stepped out of the carriage as I followed.

As I was leaving, a question emerged in my mind.

"Oh Reese-san, what is the deal with the lizards, anyway?" I adjusted the box I was carrying as I looked back at the covered carriage.

"Oh, they're the security for the carriage. They guide lost people and they eat robbers." She shrugged. "It's some magic contract made with a wizard that the company that makes the carriages provides or something."

I am very glad I didn't try to touch anything.