Mutagen

Day 378 - : - Moonstone Boutique, Commercial Zone, CNC Subspace

The conversation between Mark and Devon was interrupted as the former fell silent, staring at something.

There, surrounded by the infatuated servants of the boutique, Mei walked out of the door. She donned a gown that looked simpler than most items in the store, but it suited her perfectly and enhanced her incomparable beauty.

It was a black gown with an off-shoulder. The cloth was chosen to hug the wearer's body shape tightly. However, a few layers of laced ruffles covered the area around the chest and from the waist below, keeping a mystery on places that hoodlums would likely pay more attention to for anyone in this style of dress. Those few layers of frills also gave the dress a balance of cuteness and elegance while its simplicity emphasized Mei's natural beauty.

Seeing Mark's reaction, Mei blushed happily, satisfied at his rarely shown emotions.

"Hmm, hmm," Chris' voice broke the vibe on purpose. "This is one of the hardest jobs I had in centuries."

Mark glanced at the owner of the boutique, asking her what she meant.

"Your wife here is special," Chris understood the glance and explained proudly. "She would look good in any dress, so finding one that would boost her natural beauty is harder. So, I had to remake the dresses I took earlier on the spot."

Now that Chris had mentioned it, none of the dresses she took from the displays earlier looked like what Mei was wearing. It meant that in a short period, Chris redesigned and remade the dresses into this final product.

"And these, too," Chris then added. "Both of you should wear them. Her mental state is far from ideal, so you better lay low."

Chris then handed Mark and Mei a pair of matching jet-black Venetian Eye Masks. The masks were made using some type of light and durable cloth-like material. They were not overwhelmingly gaudy but not simple-looking either.

Mark and Mei could not help but look at Chris as they accepted the masks. It was amazing how she was able to know and consider Mei's mental state even when her supposed job was only to dress her up.

But as Mark scanned Chris and her appearance one more time, along with the clues, he became sure of one thing.

"Is there something wrong?"

Chris asked with a slight frown as she noticed Mark scanning her.

"Are you a [Silky], perchance?"

Mark finally asked.

Of course, the question surprised everyone in the vicinity due to it being unexpected. Furthermore, none of the people present, including the employees, knew what kind of creature Chris was. As such, it also intrigued them.

"Well, well," Chris smiled. "Would you look at that? It's been centuries since anyone correctly deduced what I am. What prize do you want? A discount?"

Her tone and wording sounded a bit sarcastic. However, Chris was genuinely surprised and happy that Mark guessed correctly. And as she had said, it had been centuries since anyone found out she was a [Silky].

[Silkies] were creatures from Northwestern European folklore. There were very few stories surrounding them, and people were not even sure whether they were Ghosts or Fae. There were even people who believed they were demons. Putting their species aside, [Silkies] were known to do domestic chores in the house they inhabited after the family living within had gone to bed.

It would not be wrong to call [Silkies] house spirits.

And looking at Chris, the question of the [Silkies'] race as Ghosts or Fae was likely both right.

It was because Chris was a Ghost who became a Fae. This situation was not new to Mark. After all, the [Fae] races were classified as [Spirits]. And Mark's supposedly dead aunt back in Catanduanes was now a half-spirit. It was definitely not an isolated case without precedence.

"So? How did you know?"

Chris asked Mark.

"Just gut feeling," Mark shrugged. "Let's just say I'm a fan of magical stuff and had a whole lot of unnecessary knowledge."

"I am not convinced, but let's just leave it at that," Chris said as she glanced at the door as the chime indicating its opening went off. "Let us talk in a different room to finish the transaction."

Chris then beckoned the group to follow her, sending her servants away to serve the incoming customers.

Following Chris, the group entered a back room, which seemed to serve as a workshop and an office. One part of the room was filled with unfinished designs, and a corner had a reception table with a set of comfortable sofas in front of it.

Chris sat behind the table and motioned for Mark and Mei to sit. On the other hand, both Val'Flora and Devon did not dare to and remained standing behind the two's seats like servants.

As she sensed the confusion of her two customers, Chris spoke.

"There is no need to mind them. The seats are for the customers. And Agents accompanying Clients aren't customers. It would be a different story if they were buying the clothes for themselves, however."

Now understanding the reason, Mark and Mei nodded.

"Well then," Chris glanced at Val'Flora, then back at Mark. "The payment will be handled by your Agent, correct?"

"That's the first idea, but do you accept trades?"

Mark answered, surprising everyone one more time.

"What do you mean?"

Chris asked, curious.

"The usual payment would be in points, yes?" Mark asked, and Chris nodded. "I'm pretty satisfied with my wife's dress, so I figured it's better to give you something you might need instead."

CLACK! CLACK!

Without warning, two clacking sounds echoed as Mark placed two peewee marble-sized crystals with a white-foggy hue.

Chris stared at the two crystals with undisguised surprise before turning to Val'Flora, who could only reply with a shrug.

Val'Flora had been gaining some reputation within the organization due to her bringing several [Pure Elemental Crytals] into the treasury. The crystals were small-sized, but their purity was too high that even Deities and Gods would be interested in them. Each crystal was not extremely valuable compared to many other treasures, but its purity and rarity made up for it.

And now, two of those extremely rare crystals were haphazardly put on her wooden table.

Furthermore, these two were not just some [Pure Elemental Crystal] for Chris. The white-foggy hue of the crystals indicated their [Soul-type] attribute. These were crystals perfectly suited for Chris, who was a [Silky], a [Ghost] who turned into a [Fae].

In more common instances, souls of the dead with strong attachment to the mortal realm would become [Ghosts]. Those [Ghosts] with prolonged time in the mortal realm would either vanish and leave [Echoes] or absorb negative energies and turn into [Evil Spirits]. In the rarer instances, some [Ghosts] would find the opportunity to become [Spirits] instead, allowing them to become more tuned to nature and turn into different [Spirit Races].

[Silkies] were among those rare occurrences. This was the reason there were very few recorded instances of their existence. And as a former [Ghost], a [Soul Type] nourishment suited her the best.

"You need these, right?" Mark asked. "These will prolong your life for another several hundred years."

"Hmm... So, you noticed," Chris smiled. "I guess it should be expected for someone blessed by [Death]."

"Wait, what is the meaning of this?" Val'Flora could not help but ask loudly. "What's this about prolonging life, Old Hag?"

WACK!

"Ack!"

Val'Flora recoiled while clutching her head in pain.

Looking at Chris with her outstretched right arm, she hit Val'Flora's head with a feather duster, with no one realizing where it came from.

"Since you are calling me Old Hag, then you know that I'm getting old," Chris sighed. "I should still have another two or three decades. But for a race with a prolonged lifespan, I guess it's pretty short."

As she retracted her feather duster, Chris continued to explain.

"[Spirits] can maintain their existence indefinitely by absorbing energy from nature. But I am not a pure [Spirit]. I'm a human [Soul] that became one. My lifespan isn't indefinite, just like most half-breeds whose lifespans were shorter than pure ones. It's not like I'm hopeless. I'm still a [Spirit]. I can increase my lifespan if I can absorb energy from a purer source. But that is easier said than done."

"And that is why you are giving these to me," Chris smiled at Mark. "I guess I shouldn't have been rude earlier."

"So, you know you were rude."

Mark smirked.

"That is the usual me," Chris shrugged. "But it would be different for a benefactor."

Then, as Mark retracted his hands from the crystals, Chris reached for them.

"I have no reason not to accept these," Chris said, carefully looking at the crystals she picked up. "But it is too much for just a dress. If you need something I can do, do tell me."

"Then," Mark spoke without hesitation. "Do you accept custom orders?"

"I see, so that is what you have in mind," Chris smiled. "What do you want tailored?"

"Several uniforms," Mark said as he produced a small stack of papers with sketches from his [Spatial Ring]. "Use the best material as you can. You can adjust the designs if needed. The cost is not an issue, either."

Chris was surprised that Mark had a [Spatial Storage Item] but hid her expression as she reached for the designs he took out.

"Hmm... Not bad," Chris remarked as she looked at the designs. "Each design had a similar aesthetic but had some differences. It's due to the wearers having different abilities, correct? The necessary measurements are here, too. There's no need to measure them personally."

"I believe I can proceed with these designs," Chris turned to Mark. "Do you want to finalize the order?"

"Yes, if there are no issues."

Mark nodded.

"I'll take these then," Chris took the designs and put them inside the drawer to her side. "I'll inform little Flora when the orders are ready."

Then, there's silence.

"Wait," It was Val'Flora who broke the silence. "Shouldn't there be a contract to sign between you two for this transaction?"

That was a valid question. Furthermore, it was not just a cheap transaction either. Several uniforms with top-class materials would not come out cheaply.

"Contracts are signed to uphold rules in a transaction, especially when there is little to no trust between the opposing parties," Chris said with a smile. "But to a benefactor who designed clothing for his important people with utmost care and attention? There is no way I would see that person untrustworthy."

Mark looked at Chris. He could not help but smile. The [Silky] in front of him had both experience and wisdom to recognize his work.

"Well then," Chris stood up from her chair. "I would love to talk a bit more, but it is time for you all to go. The sale and transaction ends here. The auction won't be waiting."

And there, Chris chased off the group from the office like a grandmother sending her grandchildren to school.

At this time, there were considerably more people in the store area of the boutique. Many of them were humans of different countries. It was obvious that they were all here with their Agents to pick up clothing for the auction.

Sure enough, the owner of the boutique accompanying customers herself gained some attention from the Agents present with their clients as it was rare for her to come out into the store. Fortunately, Mark had already told Mei to wear the mask as they went out of the office, hiding their faces from prying eyes.

Chris was also thoughtful of Mei as she guided them to a more covered area of the boutique before bringing them to the entrance.

"Well, then, good luck at the auction," Chris said before turning to Val'Flora. "And little Flora, take good care of your client."

"You don't have to tell me that."

Val'Flora sighed.

Chris then waved at the group, watching them step into the dark haze outside. She then returned to her boutique, with many eyes eager to personally greet her.

Unfortunately for them, the owner of the Moonlight Boutique was as elusive as ever.

With one blink, the owner vanished from the doorway and appeared outside the back room office. She entered the room, not paying a tiny bit of attention to the people inside her store. After all, she had employees to do that for her.

Furthermore, Chris had a very important order to make. And she decided to make the order by herself.

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