Mana Merchant : A Slice of Life Fantasy Adventure by Dax Hunter

Author:Dax Hunter [Hunter, Dax]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dax Hunter
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“The Greasy Grasshopper.” I gazed around the place, taking in the atmosphere as we sat at our table. “Colorful name, I’ll give it that.”

It wasn’t quite as fancy as The Spicy Oyster, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t without its charm. There were mounted heads fixed all along the pressed wood walls, none of which I could even begin to identify. I felt like we were dining in the trophy room of some big game hunter.

The large potted plants in every corner were the size of small trees, their leaves fanning out wide enough to brush against the ceiling. Along with the beast heads, it gave the place a real jungle-like atmosphere. It was different for sure. I liked it.

It was still early, and there weren’t many patrons here save for this weird-looking dude sitting over in the far corner. With a pink face and squid-like tentacles writhing about from his cheeks, he was happily munching away on a plate stacked with raw minnows.

With his suction cup–covered hands planted down the table, those face fingers of his were doing a pretty good job grabbing each minnow one by one and curling them into his lipless slit of a mouth.

I didn’t want to stare, but it was hard to look away. I wasn’t disgusted or anything like that, only intrigued. There were just some things from this world I wasn’t sure I could ever get used to.

Shalia leaned over the table. “Grubor,” she whispered in my ear, subtly tipping her head in his direction. I didn’t know what a grubor was, but that thing looked like it would be happier in the sea than walking around on land.

“Are they friendly?” I was so intrigued by the sight that I actually considered going over there to talk to him.

“Nope,” she snickered back. “Not even a little.”

“Thanks for the warning.” And just like that, my brilliant idea to go make small talk with the walking squid went up in smoke. “Guess I’m stuck talking to you instead.” I gave her a lopsided smile.

“Aww...” She tucked her chin, tilted her head, and batted her eyelashes. “Well, don’t let little old me stop you. If you let me talk to him first, maybe I can set up a blind date for you two.” She puckered her lips and made a string of kissing sounds.

“Meh, fishboy couldn’t handle me, anyway.” I brushed off my shoulders one at a time.

“Guess I’ll have to ask Naomi to see if that’s true.” She winked, then refused to look away even when I turned red and dropped my eyes.

“So...um...this is your favorite place to eat?” I asked, eager to take this conversation in another direction as quickly as possible.

“Not at all.” Okay, that answer surprised me a little. “Don’t get me wrong, the food is fine. But it’s not why I come here.” She lifted her hands and gestured around. “This is about as full as it ever gets. Nice and quiet, see? It’s the perfect place for us to chat.

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