The first floor of the departnt store sold items popular with Trainers—clothing, and, to Reiji's surprise, space backpacks.
He stepped into a backpack shop and found that the space backpacks were divided into three categories:
10 cubic ters, 50 cubic ters, and 100 cubic ters—the largest available size was 100 cubic ters.
The one matching the size of the backpack currently on his back was priced at 15,000 Pokédollars. The 50 cubic ter model was 8,000, and the 10 cubic ter one was 2,000.
Depending on the color, design, and decorative features, prices could fluctuate by 100 to 1,000 Pokédollars—but nothing drastic.
"Sir, we offer a wide variety of space backpacks—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet—every color you can imagine, along with different strap styles. Would you like to introduce them to you?" the salesgirl offered.
"No need," Reiji cut her off imdiately with a wave of his hand.
He wasn't sure how much these sold for on the black market, but he'd already made up his mind: this wasn't the kind of item to buy from shady sources. Even if the price was higher here, a legitimate purchase was worth it.
After all, who knew what kind of stolen goods circulated in the black market—just like the one currently on his back.
Even if he wanted to sell the Pokémon hunter's bag, he'd have to unload it in the black market. The departnt store might accept second-hand bags, but they'd probably slash the price by half—that was just how it worked. So if he was going to sell, better to do it where it'd get proper value.
"I'll take this black one," Reiji pointed to a full-black backpack. It had a clean, minimal design—no flashy extras. Just what a practical guy like him preferred.
He reached out and felt the material. Cool and smooth to the touch.
It seed breathable and non-reflective—perfect for blending in at night. Just what he needed.
"Certainly, sir. Would you like it gift-wrapped?" the salesgirl asked, pleased to have such a decisive custor. She reached for the pack to start wrapping it.
"No need. Just tell the price," Reiji waved again and reached into his pocket.
"Yes, sir. This all-black 100-cubic-ter backpack sells for 16,000 Pokédollars. Will you be paying cash or by card?"
"Cash," Reiji pulled out two 10,000-Pokédollars bills. Before handing them over, he asked, "Any chance of a discount?"
"Apologies, sir, our store doesn't offer discounts. However, we do provide a complintary gift with purchase. You may choose whichever you like—"
"Where's the gift?" Reiji asked. A little disappointed by the lack of a discount, but it was fine. A space backpack wasn't a consumable item. You only needed one. No discount? So be it.
"Right this way, sir…"
Following her lead, Reiji was brought to a wall full of backpack charms. So that was the so-called "gift."
He glanced sideways at the salesgirl. If he hadn't asked, would she even have ntioned it? She kept her professional smile perfectly intact.
He couldn't tell if she had planned to keep it for herself, or if it was just store policy not to ntion it unless asked.
But he didn't dwell on it. They were just little toys, after all.
He started browsing the charms and quickly found ones shaped like his own Pokémon—Poliwhirl, Butterfree, Pelipper, Krabby, Spinarak… all of them.
Then he turned to the salesgirl and asked, "Mind if I ask you sothing?"
"Of course, sir!"
"Can I take two?"
"I'm afraid not, sir," she replied as expected.
"Let rephrase: if I take two charms, I'll buy the backpack. If not, I'll take my business elsewhere."
He wasn't pushing too hard. There were plenty of stores that sold space backpacks. He could go anywhere.
"Very well, sir," she agreed instantly. Compared to the commission from a 16,000-Pokédollars sale, one little charm was nothing.
The charms were ant to be gifts anyway, though technically they could be sold separately too. While the store policy limited it to one per bag, policies were flexible—people were not.
If a custor wanted a second one, she could just cover it out of her commission. Worst case, she made slightly less.
"I'll take these two—Poliwhirl and Butterfree," Reiji said, clipping the two rubber charms to his new bag. They were like tiny Pokémon figurines—adorable, and soft to the touch.
"Please wait a mont, sir," the salesgirl said as she took Reiji's 20,000 Pokédollars and went to get his change.
He walked out of the store with his new backpack, two charms, and 4,000 Pokédollars in hand.
As for why he chose Poliwhirl and Butterfree—well, they were his first partners. No one else could replace them in his heart. Of course he'd pick them.
Leaving the backpack shop, he made his way to a clothing store, ready to pick up so fresh clothes. The hunter's outfits could finally go in the trash.
Once inside, a salesgirl approached him again to introduce the rchandise, but Reiji waved her off.
He browsed on his own and picked out a black windbreaker. Then he asked, "Is this jacket stab-resistant?"
"Sorry, sir, none of the clothes here are stab-resistant. Everything here is standard apparel…"
Reiji lost interest imdiately. The clothes looked nice, but if they couldn't stop a blade, he wasn't paying 8,800 Pokédollars for them just for looks.
"Do you sell stab-resistant clothes anywhere here?" he asked. Better to ask a local than wander aimlessly.
"Yes, sir. Just a bit further inside, there's a dedicated outdoor gear shop," she said, pointing into the building.
"Thanks," Reiji nodded, then headed deeper into the mall.
He soon found the store she'd ntioned. The owner was an old man with a white beard—not a salesgirl this ti.
The store sold all kinds of outdoor gear in addition to clothes—tents, sleeping bags, moisture pads, folding tables and chairs, cookware, flashlights, binoculars, knives, shovels…
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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