NOVEL NEXT The Man Behind The Counter.
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
In the early morning, the Markus family chatted as they drove. "Are you excited to see Annie dear?"
"I just saw her yesterday mom."
"Yea but this time you two will be meeting as fellow duelists."
"I guess, but it doesn't feel that much different from the usual though."
"Reeeeally? I thought you would feel different now that your powers awaken."
"WHAT!?" Jack's eyes widen as he gave all his attention to his mom.
"Don't tease him too much dear." Drake scolded Kate. "Don't take your mom too seriously Jack, your mom is just messing with you."
"I knew that," Jack grumbled as he crossed his arms.
"-Snicker- You can't blame me, it's just too easy to mess with you, Jack. Especially when you leave your novels lying around, I can't help myself from reading some of them." Kate gave her son a teasing grin. Jack's responded with more grumbling. "Well, are you excited to get more cards, Jack?" Jack perked up and nodded.
When they arrived at the DM store, Kate ushered Jack in while his father went ahead. Jack's eyes widen at the sheer amount of cards on the wall. He was only brought back to reality by his mom calling his name. When he looked up he was greeted by an older man.
"Hello young one, what can I do for you on this fine morning?" Jack fidgeted under the man's gaze, not used to meeting new people. However, he eventually gathered his courage and spoke up.
"I-I'm here to get the 25 packs that new duelists get, I was told that I can get them here."
"Ah, well you came to the right place lad, can you show me your Duel Watch?" Jack nodded as he presented the watch on his wrist. The man took the scanner and scanned the watch. He nodded after the scanner showed that Jack is indeed a new duelist. Picking up a catalogue he passed it to Jack. Jack's eyes widen once more at the sheer variety of options he has.
"Uhmm, sir? Is there an easier way to search by types of packs?"
"Oh no need to call me sir, you can call me Mr.C." Jack looked up at his parents, Jack's mom nodded at him while smiling.
"Oh, uh, hi I'm Jack."
"That's a wonderful name you got there, as for your question is there something specific you're looking for?" Jack nodded and handed his deck to Mr.C. Who took it and looked through it. "Oh, it's been ages since I've seen a new duelist use EVOs. They typically use something more flashy." After looking through the deck, the man nodded. "I think I know what might interest you, can I borrow the catalogue for a second." Jack nodded and handed the catalogue. Flipping the catalogue, stopping at a page near the end. "Will this do?" He asked as he showed the page to Jack.
Jack raised an eyebrow as he read the pack's info."I thought EVOs would only have big monsters?"
"Ah, I'm guessing you don't know about the Overseers?" Jack shook his head. "Well, some archetypes have sub-archetypes. The easiest example would be how the HEROES are not just the Elemental HEROES, they are also Destiny HEROS, and even the Neos. They have synergies between themselves, but they can also be played by themselves. Make sense?" Jack Nodded. "The Overseers or better known as EVO Overseers are a sub-archetype of the bigger EVO archetype. So what do you think? Does this pack interest you?"
Jack once more looked at the pack info, before looking toward his parents. They both smiled and shook their head. "The choice is up to you, not us. The first packs are a big deal for new duelists." Answered Kate, giving him an encouraging smile. Jack nodded and gave it more thought.
"I decide I will choose this pack."
"Would you like all 25 to be the same?" Jack hesitated for a bit before nodding once more, passing the catalogue back. Mr.C gave him a kind smile, but before he can get the packs he was stopped by Kate.
"Wait can you also get an additional 10 of those packs?"
"Kate, this wasn't part of the plan." Drake frowned at his wife.
"Hush dear, think of this as Jack's early birthday present. Also, I know you want him to learn how to make decks while having a limited card selection, but an extra 10 packs won't make a difference." Drake wanted to argue, but decide to back down when he saw his wife glare. Mr.C nodded before he went to the back. The family didn't wait long before Mr.C returned with the packs. After scanning Jack's watch once more to confirm that Jack got his starter packs and Kate paying for the additional packs. The family waved the older man goodbye.
Mr.C leaned against the counter, a warm smile on his face. "Ah it's always nice to see new duelists, it reminds me of my duelist days." He reached under the counter and grabbed a deck underneath. Reminiscing of his past duels as he looked through the deck. He was only brought back to reality by the sound of the doorbell. He placed his deck away and faced the customer, giving them a welcoming smile. The sight that greeted him when he looked at the people who entered the store was a group of 3 people in hoodies and masks. Each mask displays a different emotion. A laughing mask, a crying mask, and a confused mask.
"Hello, what can I do for you this fine morning?" The slimmer of the 3, wearing a laughing mask stepped forward.
"Alex Curse, your coming with us." The voice was feminine and cold. However, Mr.C's smile remained as welcoming as before.
"Ah, sorry madam I'm afraid no one with that name works here. My name is Mr.C, short for Mr.Cards. And I doubt I have to tell you why people call me that." Mr.C motioned towards the store walls full of cards. The air chilled as the person in front of the group extended her arm revealing an obsidian-coloured Duel Watch. She pressed a button on the side, transforming it into a Duel Disk. The other 2 followed her action, both turning their Duel Watches to Duel Disks.
"We don't have time for your silly games Alex Curse, you're coming with us or we'll have to use force." Mr.C gave a small snicker.
"For someone wearing a laughing mask, your quite serious aren't you? Well, I don't know who this Mr.Curse is, but why don't we chat at the back while we sort this all out?" Mr.C opened the counter door and beckoned to the door leading to the back. Crying mask and confused mask looked toward laughing mask. Who nodded towards Mr.C. Mr.C's welcoming smile still present motioned towards the back as the 3 walked inside.
Mr.C pressed a button on the counter that turned the sign at the front of the store from displaying open to displaying closed. Grabbing his old deck and a golden Duel Watch from under the counter, he followed the 3 into the back of the store. His expression stayed the same the whole time.