Chapter 20:Ingredient Shopping

After taking the money, David started walking toward the milk shop. Along the way, he passed several fruit stalls, scanning each one — but none had what he was looking for.

‘No strawberries in this world ... I need to find some kind of berries fast,’ he thought, his brows furrowing slightly.

Ten minutes later, he reached the milk shop. Still no luck with the fruit stalls.

The shop stood near the church, where David noticed a crowd of carriages stacked in front, just like yesterday.

“Hmm ... Looks like kids from other villages are here for the class declaration ceremony today.” He thought, his expression neutral. He didn’t linger on the thought and turned right, spotting a large shop with a bold sign:

‘Milking Milkers.’

‘Well ... that’s an odd name,’ David mused before pushing the door open.

Ting!

A small bell chimed, drawing the attention of the girl behind the counter.

“Hello, sir, welcome to Milking— Oh ... a commoner,” she said, her voice trailing off the moment she saw him.

“Hi. I’d like to know the price of milk,” David asked as he approached the counter.

“Umm ... W-We don’t sell by the glass, sir. You have to—”

“What’s the price for a kilogram?” David interrupted, smiling.

Her expression evened out. “We sell a minimum of 5 kilograms for 3 coppers.”

“Got it. I’ll take it.” He pulled out 3 coppers and placed them on the counter.

“I’ll get your order right away,” she said, quickly disappearing into the back.

A minute later, she returned, carrying a large jug of milk, placing it carefully on the counter.

“Here’s your 5 kilograms of milk, sir,” she said, this time with a more genuine smile.

David peered into the jug, then dipped his pinky finger in. The milk was thick and fresh — good quality. Satisfied, he picked up the jug and turned to leave.

“Hope to see you again,” the girl called after him.

Once outside, David glanced around briefly, then activated his skill.

“Store.”

The jug vanished instantly.

“Next shop,” he muttered, leaving again.

After another 13 minutes of walking, David reached a small utensil shop. An old man sat behind the counter, looking bored.

“Oi, kid. This isn’t a toy shop. Go back to your mother,” the man grumbled without looking up.

David ignored the insult. “I want to buy some things.”

The old man glanced at him, raising a brow. “You mean utensils?”

“Yes.”

The man grunted. “What do you need?”

David scanned the shop, then pointed. “A big bowl like that one.”

The man stood, cracking his back. “What else?”

“That iron plate too.”

The old man let out a short laugh. “You a chef or something, kid?” He lifted the heavy bowl with one hand, carrying it over like it weighed nothing.

‘Woah ... How did he-’ David thought as he immediately used his skill.

[Name: Jeffery]

[Class: Swordsman]

[Race: Human]

[Mana: 500/500]

[HP: 1000/1000]

[Description: A dissatisfied retired adventurer working in a utensil shop to keep his family fed.]

‘Ah that explains it.’ David thought as he looked at the old man.

“Here’s your plate and bowl. That’ll be 5 coppers.”

‘Five coppers? That’s expensive. This better work, or I’m going broke.’

David sighed, handing over the money. He picked up the heavy items and left.

The second he was outside, he activated his skill again.

“Store.”

The plate and bowl disappeared.

‘That’s three spots taken. I have to be careful with the remaining inventory space — if it fills up, the skill goes on cooldown.’

David continued walking, eventually coming across two side-by-side shops — one a bakery, the other selling honey and some wild berries.

He entered the bakery first and bought seven long loaves of bread.

“Store...”

Next, he walked into the neighboring shop. An elderly woman sat at the counter, small jars of honey lined neatly in front of her. A pile of small blue berries rested on the side.