Power of Runes Chapter 435: Mr. Shopkeeper

[Elizabeth’s POV]

In mere glances, Elizabeth took in every oddity within the shop, her eyes sweeping over the entire space in that fleeting instant, since rising ranks elevate a person’s very essence, sharpening their mind to perceive and comprehend with greater speed and clarity.

So she lingered there briefly, her stare fixed on the man sprawled in his sloppy sleeping pose, utterly at ease like he hadn’t sensed her at all.

Then, as the soft chime of the entry bell faded gradually in the following seconds, the shopkeeper finally stirred.

The book draped across his face shifted a touch before his fingers seized it, lifting it away with casual ease; as it descended, his features emerged under the gentle glow, eyes blinking open drowsily as if from a quick nap, and right then, those eyes locked onto hers.

In that instant alone, Elizabeth’s mind went blank.

No abrupt jolt or thunderous impact hit her, nothing boisterous or overpowering, but the more she kept staring, the harder it grew to tear her gaze away, like beholding a masterpiece of perfection.

His white hair tumbled loosely around his face, silken strands swaying gently with the tiniest shift, outlining sharp yet elegant traits, while his pale complexion bore a subtle radiance that felt organic, making his aura quietly yet irresistibly prominent.

Yet his eyes ensnared her above all.

Deep irises of golden-violet hue that looked serene and tranquil at first sight, though prolonged gazing pulled one deeper into their boundless depths like an eternal void—not the terrifying sort that breeds dread, but one tempting a eager leap.

The shopkeeper showed no notice of her fervent stare whatsoever.

Rather, his eyes widened a fraction as though only now spotting her there, and he swiftly dropped his legs from the counter, sitting up with a touch of haste while setting the book down.

This brought his full frame into sight, a slender yet androgynous physique rippling with muscle, his greater height towering over her to foster a strange tension.

His outfit drew her attention too, a snug tunic molding flawlessly to his shape, collar loosened to bare a glimpse of chest, the material gliding fluidly with his motions as if tailored solely for him, lending an aura of natural charisma.

Elizabeth held her tongue for a moment, her thoughts scattering as her eyes stayed glued to him.

"Ah... I am sorry, I was just too tired that I slept unknowingly.....after all not many people come here....."

His voice flowed smoothly and genuinely, laced with a mild, unfeigned surprise.

His gaze found hers anew, and gradually, realization dawned on his face, brows arching faintly like he was double-checking his eyes.

"Wait... you are..."

He hesitated for a beat, ensuring no error, then burst out joyfully, his face and eyes sparkling with astonishment and incredulity.

"I am really delighted to host Miss Elizabeth in my humble shop... I saw you just now on the live stream... I never thought someone like you would actually walk into my shop..."

Disbelief rang clear in his words, blended with straightforward thrill that seemed pure, reminiscent of stumbling upon an unreachable icon.

Elizabeth stayed quiet, observing him intently.

He went on, steadying himself from the shock while handling his duties.

"My shop is not anything special, I mainly deal with clothes that have runes inscribed into them, although they do not provide direct protection or defense, but they excel at comfort and adaptability, there are many kinds of clothes present in my humble shop that can help the wearer remain comfortable whether it is heat, cold, pressure, or any other external condition..."

While he talked, his hand gestured lightly to the nearby displays, the motion fluid and familiar from repetition.

"I also take custom orders, if there is something specific you need, the runes can be adjusted based on personal requirements, though it might take some time depending on how complex the request is..."

His words came without falter, tone calm and straightforward.

Then, as a thought struck him, he flashed a small, somewhat sheepish smile.

"Naturally, for a distinguished guest like you, I can provide a substantial discount... it's rare for someone of your stature to grace a humble shop like mine, so it would be my privilege..."

His speech came smoothly, sentence after sentence, without any awkward breaks, his demeanor matching exactly what you'd anticipate from a typical store owner encountering a superior.

Yet Elizabeth kept her eyes fixed on him, though his remarks pulled her from her momentary trance.

In that short instant, her mind eased in an odd, foreign manner, her gaze holding on him as though pulled by an invisible force, picking up on overlooked details like the serenity in his face, the relaxed stance of his body, and the serene harmony in his aura that rendered him wholly at ease.

Precisely that realization hit her—something wasn't right.

A subtle tension crept into her as clarity returned, accompanied by a touch of hidden chagrin, since she plainly recognized her attention had wavered briefly, an occurrence that shouldn't happen so readily, least of all to her caliber.

For a Celestial rank warrior to be swayed merely by looks was unacceptable.

Her face stayed composed, yet her thoughts focused sharply as her Will activated on reflex, causing the tiny flame at her glabella to expand slightly, sufficient to anchor her mind.

Thus, her stare grew keen once more.

Now, observing him, she avoided slipping into a stupor, yet conceded he was the handsomest man she'd encountered.

With her head clear, the prior inconsistency stood out starkly, and rather than confront it, she chose to play along.

A subtle grin curved her mouth as she advanced smoothly.

"This appears to be quite the peculiar shop," she remarked in a serene, leisurely voice, her eyes sweeping the interior, absorbing the clothing displays and the subtle rune patterns embedded within, observing the precise organization where every item fit perfectly.

"Garments infused with runes emphasizing comfort over defense aren't typically sought after, particularly amid survival concerns, so I'm curious what led you to this path."

Her statement seemed mere interest, but hid deeper purpose beneath its gentle flow.

"And you cut quite the striking figure yourself," she added seamlessly, locking eyes with him long enough to catch any tiny response before glancing aside casually.

"I figured crowds would flock here just to catch sight of you; plenty of women might visit solely for that."

A wry smile crossed the shopkeeper's face at her comment, a hint of bashfulness coloring his cheeks as he replied, "Truth be told, I've only manned the counter for a few days; usually, my younger brother handles it while I craft the garments, so I haven't shown my face much."

He scratched the back of his neck, seeming a bit sheepish about revealing such a mundane fact, his response coming off genuine and unforced.

"Oh, really?"

Elizabeth gave a slight nod of surprise and comprehension, but pressed on with her questions, keeping her voice airy as though chatting idly, "So, where's your younger brother at the moment..? Tied up with work? Or maybe he doesn't draw the ladies like you do..?"

The shopkeeper brushed it off with a light wave and a grin, "No way, you're pulling my leg. He's handsome enough; he just went to watch your speech at the stadium, leaving me in charge. He could walk in any minute."

"I see."

Elizabeth murmured with a nod, her features turning pensive, though she reined in the talk this time, her reason for coming firmly in focus.

She opted for directness.

"So, why were you staring at me so intently?"

Confusion etched the shopkeeper's features, his expression plainly baffled by her query, eyebrows knitting faintly as he seemed to puzzle over it.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed sharply as she continued speaking, her tone dropping slightly to add gravity while maintaining its composed quality, "I sensed a gaze lingering on me throughout the entire time I spoke in the stadium. Initially, I felt confused because everyone was watching me via the live stream, yet one gaze stood apart—it was straightforward and unwavering, originating right from this shop. That's why I believed you were calling me over for a conversation. Was it not you, Mr. Shopkeeper...?"

The silence that ensued felt profoundly unsettling.

A profound hush enveloped the surroundings, the atmosphere growing dense as though poised for a reply, disturbed solely by the subtle ticking of the clock resonating gently within the four walls, occupying the void between them.

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