Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 68: A Violent Shopping Trip - A Visitor Straight from Knockturn Alley

Alex and Rishi arrive at the mall. As Alex attempts to park in the expansive lot in front of the mall, Rishi stops him: "Park over there between those smaller buildings by the wall. It's closer, and if we need to leave quickly, those extra seconds might be crucial. See that ladder? We may also want to get onto the roof at some point. This way, we'll have an easy exit route to escape down."

A bit overwhelmed by the thought of the situations Rishi has apparently anticipated, Alex follows his directions and parks the car where Rishi indicated. They exit and head toward the mall, spotting a few people rushing in and out, looting what they can.

"Are you sure we should go inside, Rishi?" Alex questions, glancing warily at the looters. "Seems risky. We don't gain anything from taking down random looters."

Rishi remains calm. "It's fine, Alex, only a bit longer than half an hour until the first ping goes out that will reveal everyone's location on the map. We'll want to be in a large area with lots of exits when it happens. In a big mall with plenty of people, we'll be hard to pinpoint, and we can use the chaos to either escape or retaliate if necessary."

Inside, they stroll around without a set direction, surveying the mall's chaotic state. Alex spots a smaller store that has been boarded up and looks untouched. Judging by the sign above, it seems to sell phones and electronics.

"Think we should go inside?" Alex suggests, nodding at the store. "A couple of hundred new iPhones are probably worth close to a hundred grand. I'd be fine swapping out some of the medical supplies I grabbed for something like that."

Rishi nods, interested. "Good spot, why not?"

Together, they pry apart the hastily nailed wooden boards and shatter the glass to break inside. The store alarm starts blaring, but neither of them pays it any mind. After around twenty minutes, they've managed to gather a collection of high-end phones, filling whatever inventory space remains with the valuables.

Alex checks the time. "Just three minutes to 2 AM. Should we get closer to the exit? I think we've gotten all we can in this apocalyptic-looking mall."

Without warning, Rishi's expression changes, and his usual look of enjoyment slips. He gives Alex a serious, cautioning look and whispers, "My innate skill lets me see and read the auras of others, remember? I can see an aura approaching us from the store's 10 o'clock direction, but there's no person in sight... The enemy is likely cloaked by an item or some ability. Don't look over there. Act natural. I can't see them, but I can see the aura slowly moving closer."

Alex stays calm and whispers back, "Could be that woman with the hood... maybe she's waiting until we all get distracted by the system update in..." he checks, "two minutes. I remember she looked like some kind of rogue-witch hybrid. Could she have an invisibility skill?"

Rishi gives a calm, calculated smile. "I'll tap the ground once when her aura approaches the store and twice if she enters it. After that, be ready to defend yourself—she'll make her move soon."

Alex subtly draws his [Barbed Dagger] from his inventory, positioning it carefully. The weapon hasn't seen much action, but its design makes it ideal for a fight like this.