Chapter 9: New customers
Before he knew it, a single loaf appeared instantly on one of the shelves.
Noah blinked, momentarily startled. The auto-baker had just finished its work. One perfect loaf—golden-crusted, aromatic, and completely ordinary to anyone who didn't know what it could do.
He approached the loaf, running a finger over its crisp exterior. The memory of his vitality boost from earlier that day lingered—that rush of energy, the sensation of his body becoming somehow more resilient, more alive.
I wonder...
"System, would me eating the bread give me more attributes? Or is it just a one-time thing?" Noah asked, eyeing the solitary loaf on his shelf like a child contemplating stealing a second cookie.
The blue interface flickered into his vision:
[It's a one-time boost. Eating the bread will not give you a stat boost. However, it will provide the same benefit that others experience: accelerating your natural healing by 30%.]
"Figured. I knew that was too good to be true," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Noah dragged himself back to his chair near the door, resuming his vigilant post. For the past hour, he'd kept the door ajar, scanning the street for potential customers. The empty sidewalk mocked his efforts. Not a single soul had wandered by, not even the goblin.
He yawned, stretching his arms overhead until his spine popped satisfyingly. "Forget it. That's enough for now. I need some sleep. I'm still a mortal after all."
Noah lifted the chair, preparing to close up shop, when movement in the periphery caught his attention. Two figures had emerged from the alley across the street. One supported the other, who limped heavily, head hanging low.