Agent's Dog System

13.Adventures in the Supermarket

The dog said to Aiden that now that he had calmed down, what had that been? That girl had made him feel different. Reia wondered if perhaps opposites were attracted. If so, why hadn’t he felt the same way about Miss Adia?

Aiden responded, a bit flustered, that he didn’t know. He felt, as they say, butterflies in his stomach for Elena. But Adia was an older woman, or at least he thought so. Besides, he saw her as a friend who had helped them.

Reia continued, saying he was right and that they needed to finish the shopping Miss Adia had asked them to do before heading to the center. It was lucky he mentioned it because they were standing in front of the supermarket, which was already closed. A sign announced that they had moved a couple of blocks away. Without wasting time, they set off.

Meanwhile, Elena, who was near the counter, noticed some money left on it. She mentioned it to the shopkeeper, who replied that the young man had probably forgotten his change. She suggested they should return it, as she didn’t think he was far away. The man, seeing it was a slow day, gave her permission. “Take the bike from the back and return his change,” he said. “What a forgetful boy,” the owner added, shaking his head.

Elena took the red bicycle from the back of the store, a vintage bike with a front basket and a rear rack for carrying heavy items. She hopped on and began pedaling, thinking he had likely gone to the right.

Meanwhile, Aiden and Podbe arrive at the new supermarket, situated on a wide avenue. Upon entering, they saw it wasn’t a small shop but a large establishment with twelve aisles. However, before taking a step, the security guard at the entrance indicated that animals weren’t allowed, pointing to a sign with the prohibition. Aiden looked at Podbe and asked, “Now what do we do, boy? I can’t leave you out here alone.”

At that moment, Reia interjected, "It doesn’t matter if Podbe stays outside while you finish the shopping. If you need help, you can let me know. I can also hear what you’re saying thanks to the connection I have with the system, but not over a large area, so don’t wander too far, Aiden." The boy nodded, though he still worried about leaving the dog behind. After several glances back through the automatic doors, he heard Reia’s voice, slightly annoyed: “Hurry up, kid.” With that, he went inside completely, grabbing a cart to begin shopping.

Aiden checked the list and started walking through the aisles. In each one, an employee offered him free samples of various products. He liked some, others not so much. Finally, after passing through all twelve aisles, he completed the list Adia had given him. The place was somewhat crowded, and he had to wait in line behind fifteen people. Meanwhile, Elena kept pedaling until she reached the old supermarket. A hunch told her the boy might be at the new location.

For better or worse, the cashier was quick, and soon it was Aiden’s turn. When the cashier told him the total was fifty euros, Aiden reached into his pockets, but his expression changed instantly from joy to despair. The cashier scrutinized him, increasing his nervousness. Just then, Elena arrived at the supermarket, saw Podbe at the entrance, and called out, “Hello, little buddy, where’s your master?” She scratched him behind the ear and assumed he’d be inside. “Here, I’ll leave my bike with you; take care of it,” she muttered to herself, hoping she wasn’t too late.

She rushed inside and searched for the boy. When she spotted him at the checkout, she approached quickly. “Here,” she said to the cashier, saving Aiden just as he was about to be reported to security. The boy grabbed the package and the receipt, apologizing with a mix of shame and relief, as Elena pulled him by the hand toward the exit. Outside, she said, “This is all your change. You left it at the store. I thought you remembered, but in the end, you forgot.” Podbe gave Aiden a little nudge with his paw to snap him out of it. Once recovered, Aiden thanked her shyly and stammered his name: “I’m Aiden.” She smiled and replied, “Nice to meet you.”

Elena resumed the questions she had asked him at the pet store, like where he was from and other trivial details. Reia and Podbe told him to endure it and share a bit about himself; maybe they could see each other later. Aiden explained he was staying with Miss Adia and mentioned he had just arrived. “Ah, at the weird house,” she remarked. “Well, I don’t know if it’s weird, but I’m staying with Miss Adia,” Aiden replied. Elena admitted she didn’t know the owners of that house but added that she found it amusing and liked him. “What do you think about meeting up after my shift ends? I can show you around,” she proposed. Aiden, gaining a bit of courage, responded enthusiastically, “Of course!”

“Great, let’s meet at five o’clock in the afternoon at the pet store; does that work for you?” she asked. Aiden nodded. Elena took her bike and said goodbye: “See you later, then.”

On the way back, Aiden thought to himself, “And now, what do I do?” Reia, teasingly, replied that they could hear him from a kilometer away without him even speaking. Podbe suggested they should return to Adia’s “weird house,” referencing what Elena had said. “I don’t know why she said that; we should investigate a bit, don’t you think?” Reia commented, Ever practical. “For now, we need to go back with the groceries.”

Aiden carried four heavy bags and handed one to Podbe to carry in his mouth. At that moment, a notification indicated they had completed the quest. Reia, astonished, said, “I see. I think Podbe, since he couldn’t enter the supermarket, couldn’t complete the quest until you gave him one of the bags. How interesting; I’ll keep investigating these details.” Eighty-five experience points. Then another notification appeared: “Deliver the purchased items to Adia to receive your reward of five experience points.” Podbe commented, “This system sometimes does strange things, but I like the easy stuff.”

The boy and the dog returned home and delivered the groceries. The two dragons analyzed them as before and opened the door. Adia greeted Aiden and asked how their shopping trip had gone. Then she added, “I forgot to ask if you speak Italian.” Aiden replied that he spoke a little but had managed to thank a girl who also spoke his language. Adia noticed something different in his gaze and teased him: “Are you in love or something, little Don Juan?” Aiden blushed and quickly denied it. Adia insisted, “Surely someone has already asked you out, or you’ve asked her out.” Aiden admitted she had invited him. Adia, laughing, remarked, “I knew it! You have a date. And it’s your first one, too. Lucky you, I can’t even catch a cold.”

Adia told him he needed to get ready. “Leave the things in the kitchen, and we’ll see what magic I can work on you—maybe a new hairstyle.” She looked at him mischievously, making Aiden nervous and unable to utter a word.

Meanwhile, Reia said to Podbe, “We gained five more points; now we have ninety experience points. We’re close to reaching one hundred and leveling up to level four.”