Back in the store, Chen Xuan rummaged through drawers and found a bright red notebook in the middle drawer of the bar. The notebook prominently displayed the words "Manager's Code."
This cover... It seems like it was deliberately written just for him to see.
He eagerly opened it, only to find three sentences on the first page.
"Welcome every guest with enthusiasm."
"Treat every ability with care."
"Let the world plunge into madness hahahaha!"
At first glance, Chen Xuan thought he was seeing things; it took three checks to confirm he hadn't misread.
What's all this nonsense? Was the code written while the author was munching on Yunnan mushrooms?
He frowned and skipped to the next page directly.
From this page, the content became more normal.
[Manager's Notice]
"Guests are the most valuable asset. Their every request, every thought should be carefully considered. Not all guests know what they want, but you must know better than they do."
"It's advisable to have detailed discussions with guests."
"If guests are unwilling to talk, create opportunities for discussions."
"Enthusiasm and sincerity are always your killer moves."
Chen Xuan realized that this notice section was a further explanation of the code, and this page clearly referred to the first item of the code.
Continuing on: "Abilities are the main focus of this store."
"They are the means to create value. Placing them correctly can yield greater rewards."
"Assessing abilities, collecting abilities, trading abilities—these are key factors that determine your performance."
"Always keep an eye on inventory, avoiding both shortages and accumulation of abilities."
"More details can be found on the computer."
Uh... why does this part seem a bit odd?
Chen Xuan scratched his head. Initially, he thought the second item meant the manager should make the most of every employee and utilize their individual abilities, but the notice's explanation clearly differed from his understanding.
Trading abilities...
Is it literally referring to trading abilities?
Regardless, he's understood the store's founding purpose—though it flaunts coffee machines and shelves, it is decidedly not a boutique coffee bar or small supermarket.
With this question in mind, Chen Xuan flipped to the fourth page.
It did not have the madman's scribbling he had anticipated; rather, the content was unexpectedly serious.
"The manager's salary consists of a fixed wage and performance bonuses, and the store's operational costs are borne by the manager."
"Under no circumstances is the store allowed to close. The manager must arrive at the store by 8:30 PM, with a minimum working time of 8 hours, no maximum limit. In case of operational injury resulting in disability or inability to run the store, the manager will bear full responsibility."
Chen Xuan's mouth twitched — is this a sweatshop?
Look at the last sentence; is this something a person should say?
Also, why would one get injured or disabled while running a store? Is this reasonable?
But the requirement to arrive by 8:30 PM reminded him of his experiences over the past two days—could it be that he is forced into the store by some supernatural force just because he didn't check in on time?
Turning further, there was a series of illustrated examples demonstrating the transaction process, as though the handbook was not written to attract attention, but indicating that such things truly happen.
With a notion of doubt, Chen Xuan opened the computer following the illustrated instructions, discovering a software called 'Ability Manager' on the desktop.
Upon opening it, the software was divided into three major sections: the store management on the left, transaction records in the center, and inventory on the right.
One has to admit, the software was quite user-friendly, wrapped in a graphical interface. Previously working at fast food restaurants involved using databases, which were quite cumbersome to operate.
Opening the inventory, there was only one selectable item.
Ability Inventory Count: [0], Available Ability Provider: [1]. The name after 1 was Chen Xuan.
Am I actually the merchandise?
Chen Xuan almost couldn't help but laugh.
Having lived for twenty-six years, he never knew he was a Superpower User.
Despite the absurdity, he opened this item, eager to see what was in store.
A draggable dialogue box popped up on the screen.
"Special Eating" Level 1.
"— Has a better appetite than most people."
"Extraordinary Sleeping Ability" Level 1.
"— Sleeps more soundly than most people."
"Free Will" Level 2.
"— The degree of life's understanding of the universe's mysteries, the broader the cognition, the freer the will. Note, forbidden knowledge is not included and will only shorten your lifespan."
"Encyclopedia of Ancient and Modern" Level 2.
"— Local historical insights; you think you can learn from it, but in reality, you cannot. Its greatest effect is enriching your story collection."
The first two abilities were gray, the latter two were white.
Chen Xuan instantly sensed the designer's malice. Would you dare say gray versus white isn't a rarity indicator? Not to mention the legendary gold; gray is typically considered garbage in any game, yet he got two of those? Moreover, from their literal meanings, these two abilities indeed seemed akin to rubbish.
Pure nonsense?
Yet upon careful reflection, he realized he seldom worried about sleeping or eating, even during continuous overtime where he could sleep immediately in the cramped staff lounge, earning praises from supervisors for his innate ability to endure late nights.
Chen Xuan had always thought that enduring hardships when young made him more resilient, never expecting it could be classified as an ability.
Fortunately, the bottom of the page featured a colorful ability.
Indeed... its borders sparkled with five dazzling colors, signifying its top-notch rarity according to common sense!
Full of anticipation, Chen Xuan moved the cursor to the ability.
"The ???th Manager" Level 1.
"— Often, it's the only Legendary Ability you can obtain. Thank fate that an unknown nobody can rise to fame with it, provided you live long enough."
"Non-tradable, non-transferable. Current manager status: Still alive."
Thank your sister, indeed!
He slapped the mouse back onto the table.
Is this manager really a consumable?
Ding ding ding~~
Just then, the wind chime rang.
Someone pushed open the curtain at the store entrance.
"Welcome!" Chen Xuan swiftly shifted into guest mode, displaying a sincere smile.
This was a habit honed from his part-time job experiences.
A refreshing scent of osmanthus drifted in with the wind.
The guest was a young girl dressed in white, her dress nearly reaching her ankles. Her movement was almost silent, appearing to float on the ground.
At the sight of her, the word 'immortal' couldn't help but spring to Chen Xuan's mind.
Not only dressed like an immortal, but she also looked the part. He couldn't quite describe it, but even those typical Immortal Family characters from TV dramas paled slightly in comparison to her. Her facial features were naturally flawless, long black hair cascading like silk, and aside from a wooden hairpin, she wore no other adornments, perfectly illustrating how clothing serves to enhance persona.
Though clad in ancient attire, her gait was poised and her strides brought her to the bar in just a few steps, eyes as clear as crystal scrutinizing Chen Xuan, seemingly assessing something. For reasons unknown, Chen Xuan felt her attitude wasn't very friendly; her gaze carried a certain coldness, adding a touch of the mundane beneath her ethereal demeanor.
Nonetheless, a guest is a guest.
"Would you like to purchase something?" He adjusted the mouse he had dropped and casually asked.
"What kind of store is this? Doing business out here in the wilderness?" Her voice was crisp, yet it carried a hint of accusation.
What's wrong with her head?
Moments ago, he was admiring her appearance, but her words instantly dispelled his mood; he even took a quick glance outside the store, "Wilderness? This is the Celestial Ridge District—"
Halfway through his words, he suddenly halted.
When did the outside become pitch black?
Even if the outside of the store lacked street lights, he should've still been able to see the distant residential building lights!
"Hold on for a moment." Chen Xuan quickly stepped out of the store.
The scenery outside had changed. The once densely erected buildings vanished without a trace, replaced only by moonlit outlines of mountain ridges. The ground beneath his feet was not concrete but the soft swaying of grass. Some kind of insect was chirping in the woods, accentuating the vast solitude of this place.
"What district did you say just now?" The girl's voice echoed softly from behind.
Chen Xuan turned around, his expression steeled, finally noticing that a long sword hung behind her, the blade dark red... blood-red even, dripping subtly from the tip, forming tiny marks by her feet.
He realized that the red liquid was blood.
Fresh and warm blood!