Could We Get a Human Guest?

This novel is restarting, and the author is locking it while preparing a major rewrite. The revised chapters will be released one by one when they're ready.

Please look forward to it, and thank you.

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Si Le nearly died young, but luckily, he met the System.

The System said, "Hey, kid, want to stay alive? Then you'll have to go to other planes."

Si Le nodded. Sounded fine to him.

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The System continued, "Great! Then go run a supermarket! You're going to become the King of Supermarkets!"

Si Le: ???

Then Si Le got a run-down supermarket, with peeling, mottled walls and so little stock that it looked like a relic from the last century.

Si Le: ...You call this a supermarket?

The System insisted it wasn't its fault.

Looking at the mess in front of him, Si Le sighed.

Guess I'll make do. What else can I do? JPG

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But...

Si Le had thought he'd just be running an ordinary little business.

His first customer was a monster who wanted to bite his head off.

Si Le: ...

His second customer was a zombie who wanted to eat him.

His third customer was a tentacle that smeared his face with slime.

His fourth customer was a giant white worm that loved clinging to him.

Si Le: ...I have nothing to say. +

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Si Le had given up hoping for human customers. He just wanted someone who could speak like a person.

So his next customers were a hybrid brother and sister who were barely surviving in a slave society,

a werewolf assassin abandoned by his master and sentenced to death,

a weary centaur knight captain, disillusioned after witnessing countless horrors,

and a snakefolk clan leader about to be taken by his people to be sacrificed.

Si Le: ...Why didn't I ask for low-magic, low-risk worlds back then? I'm just a supermarket owner. I don't want to risk my life!

The System: What's the problem? Aren't all your wishes coming true?

Si Le regretted everything.

But looking at the pairs of eyes before him, all different shapes and sizes, Si Le sighed.

What else can I do? You can all come work for the King of Supermarkets. Shrug. JPG

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Bonus scenes:

Scene One:

"Aos, try this and tell me how it tastes."

"Aos, why have you closed both your eyes?"

"What does it taste like? Why have you closed both your eyes again?"

"Hey, wait. What does it taste like? Why have you closed all your remaining eyes?"

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Scene Two:

"Shou, how did you find me?"

"Your scent."

"What? Sorry, I didn't hear you."

"I said, I'm here. I'll always be here. I'll become your shadow."

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Scene Three:

"Alenka, how do you take care of your fur?"

"Want to touch it?"

"May I?"

"Of course. Want a ride while you're at it, little prince? Centaurs rarely let people ride them, so I'll make an exception for you."

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Scene Four:

"Um... Yousal, could you loosen up? Your tail is squeezing the breath out of me."

"...Sorry."

"Phew, it's fine. Hey, did you fall asleep?"

"Hey, hey, your tail's still wrapped around me! Wake up first!"

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Scene Five:

"Is it time to say goodbye?"

"No need."

"System, will we meet again?"

"Maybe."

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Please note:

1. There isn't much focus on running the business, so this isn't a traditional slice-of-life farming novel. Don't read if that's not your thing.

2. This is a cozy, everyday-life story.

3. The pairing is undecided, but they'll all end up as one family anyway.

4. Nonhumans. Everyone except the protagonist is a nonhuman.

5. The writing is amateurish, so you don't need to think too hard while reading. Really.

Theme: Those who have been caught in the rain want to hold an umbrella over others.