Dimensional Storekeeper

Chapter 216: Ready or Not, Tournament Starts Now!

“I want to show Whis how amazing the store’s food is! She has to taste it!”

Kurome’s whiskers twitched slightly.

She considered rejecting it.

But who was she to even think that way?

She was not the owner of the store, nor did she hold any rightful authority to block their choice.

Even if she was protective, even if she was wary – she wouldn’t lower herself to act out of personal feelings alone.

’Do as you wish.’

“LITTLE SNEAK FROM DOWNTOWN – AND IT’S GOOD!”

The imaginary commentator in Hao’s head screamed with joy.

Game-tying assist. Perfect timing.

No telegraphing, no foul. Just pure, legal clutch play.

’Ohhh.’ Hao fought back a smile.

’Nice move, Chibisuke.’

’You finally did something useful.’

Hao’s eyes shifted to Kurome.

He appreciated her decision more than he showed.

She wasn’t the one who ran the store. She had no real authority to decide who could come in or who had to leave.

But if she wanted to be petty, she easily could have made things difficult.

One word. One glare. One barrier was all it would’ve taken to push Whis out.

But she didn’t take that path.

And that said a lot about her.

It reminded Hao of real life. Of the kind of people who had the chance to embarrass, belittle, or punish someone – but didn’t.

Not because they were expected to be kind, but because they chose to be.

Complex creatures didn’t automatically act with wisdom. Survival instincts, power, pride – they could all cloud judgment. Strength didn’t always come with clarity.

And those who had the power to hurt often used it just to remind others they could.

That’s why Hao respected people who didn’t.

Like a sibling who kept your secret instead of laughing about it.

Or a boss who knew you messed up but gave you a quiet second chance.

The kind of people who could throw their weight around, but didn’t. Because they didn’t need to.

Kurome had that.

Even as a spirit beast molded by the laws of power and instinct, she still knew how to step back. To stay fair.

She didn’t let pride speak louder than reason.

That kind of restraint – especially from someone strong – was rare.

If she had taken it personally, if she used her place at his side to block someone out just to feed her own pride…

He would’ve had to seriously reevaluate everything he thought about her.

But she didn’t.

Thankfully, Kurome was Kurome.

Stoic. Sharp. But never small-minded.

With Kurome’s approval, Little Sneak and Whis finally got their hands on the store’s full spread of goods.

Well – technically, only Little Sneak paid.

Whis, having brought nothing but her pride and a bruised ego, latched onto him the moment they stepped into the aisles.

“This is part of my emotional recovery.” she said, already holding a can of Peach Oolong Tea in one hand and waving a bag of Original Salted Potato Chips in the other.

“Don’t deny a grieving woman her healing.”

Little Sneak’s eye twitched as he watched his crystal stash shrink with each “just one more” item tossed into the growing pile.

He wanted to say no. Really, he did.

But he didn’t.

Mostly because she might just hiss at him.

By the time they reached the register, Whis was humming softly, arms full of products.

Hao just quietly rang them up. He didn’t ask questions.

Not out loud, anyway.

In his head, he was already patting himself on the back.

With every crystal spent, the system ticked a little closer toward his next task completion.

Not a bad day.

A weird one, sure – but weird was starting to feel normal.

And before Hao knew it, the 8-ball pool tournament had officially begun!

A loud chime echoed through the store as the system closed registration, and in the next moment, a massive bracket chart unfurled on the wall beside the usual posters in the billiards room – crisp, bold lettering showing who would be facing who in the tournament.

The room itself?

No longer cramped.

The system had quietly, instantly, and very helpfully expanded the space, stretching the room wide and deep to accommodate the crowd. Cue sticks prepped and lined up neatly by the side.

And oh, the crowd.

The store was packed – everyone had shown up. All of the regulars.

But it wasn’t suffocating. The air felt charged. Expectant.

Everyone surged toward the bracket display, eyes scanning for their names, mouths murmuring predictions and rivalries.

“Who am I up against?!”

“Please not Yan Shu’er in the first round…”

The customers crowded around the wall, squinting up at the match-ups for the opening round.

And there, at the very top, two names lit up in gold.

Hao glanced at the bracket.

His smile stretched a little.

“Oh?”

It wasn’t a bad lineup at all. Balanced, even. Of course, a few unfortunate matchups were bound to happen – it was a tournament, not a tea party.

Someone had to get crushed early.

Still, it made him curious. Who was actually going to take the win?

Off to the side, a familiar voice broke into excited muttering.

“Yes! This is it! Heaven really is on my side!”

Dou Xinshi was fist-pumping in the corner like he’d just ascended to a higher realm. His entire body bounced in place, arms waving. He even spun around once, mumbling something about “divine luck” and “peach oolong fate.”

This wasn’t just a match. This was a mission.

The heavens had aligned, the bracket had spoken, and Dou Xinshi had been chosen. It was his duty now – to clap this bald man out of existence and teach him humility.

Not out of spite, of course. No, no.

A bald man who had tried billiards once. Briefly. And failed to even hit the white ball on his third shot.

The bald man in question?

Ji Yunzhi.

Yes. That Ji Yunzhi. The rogue alchemist who spent more time locked in his smoke-filled workshop than breathing open air. He barely made it in time to register, robe still half-dusted in herbs and ash.

It was already a miracle he’d touched grass today.

But the prize for winning the tournament?

Any product of his choice.

That was worth socializing for!

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