Chapter 13 - Shopping Time!
Following Lizbet into the store, I was pretty impressed by the sight. I'd already sensed from the exterior that it was fairly upscale, but the interior felt luxurious and flashy even compared to my memories from Earth—more than passable.
This wasn't your typical clothing shop crammed with racks of clothes and two or three mannequins. Instead, the wide walls were lined with individual outfits displayed in full view, and there were over ten visible mannequins striking various poses in diverse attire, showing off the clothes. The store even had several comfy-looking chairs for customers, and there was plenty of space—even for my massive bulk.
Soon, a beautiful woman who looked to be in her mid-thirties emerged from the back, wearing a flashy dress that exposed her shoulders and sporting heavy makeup. She froze for a split second when she saw me, but her expression didn't change as she greeted us right away.
"Oh my~ Welcome. You're the mage who came last month, right? And this must be the Divine Beast everyone's talking about in Radia lately?"
Whoa... She'd have every reason to freak out seeing me, but she kept her cool and responded perfectly. I was surprised enough by that, but recognizing Lizbet after over a month? That was impressive too. Must be the owner. So this is what a pro shopkeeper looks like, huh?
"Hi, sis. Actually, that outfit I had made here got ruined thanks to this Divine Beast behind me. So I came to bleed you dry as payback."
"Oh dear~ Whatever happened, that dress your boyfriend loved so much is unwearable now? Guess I'll have to pick something really expensive for you, then."
"Yeah. Price doesn't matter this time—I'm gonna browse everything."
Lizbet and the shop owner chatted and laughed as they slowly started looking around the clothes. Ugh... Even if they're pricey, could any top a single gold coin—equivalent to over 10 million won back home? But the upscale vibe made me nervous. Still, seeing not just flashy designs but also simple, modest ones gave me hope that prices varied.
Lizbet's eyes were lingering on those understated styles, too.
"Looking for adventure gear like last time? How about this? The blouse you bought before only had magic resistance, but this one's made from silk that resists slashes to some degree."
"Yeah, that looks good. Then this one too..."
Lizbet and the owner browsed, picking out several pieces—not just one. They were trying stuff on before deciding, it seemed. This'll take a while, so might as well look around myself.
I scanned the surroundings carefully. Up close, the nearby mannequins had surprisingly large breasts molded in. This world's average figures are top-tier, alright. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
But then it hit me: this world has some surprisingly high-tech elements tied to daily life. No cars or vehicles on the streets, yet they craft these intricate mannequins? Impressive tech. And those chandelier-like ceiling fixtures twinkling away—decent lighting too. Probably all magic-based, right?
As I pondered that, I thought it might be smart to get a custom outfit for myself. I had this rag draped to cover my horse cock for now, but with Humanization potentially unlocking anytime, maybe get something tailored properly. I turned to another mannequin...
"...Oh... this..."
There it was: a mannequin in my exact taste, perfect for Lizbet too, legs crossed in pose. Sleeveless white shirt with buttons starting low, exposing the upper chest; tight skirt with a side slit. Next to it hung a flashy jacket mixing red and black, sold as a set. The whole design screamed glamour. Lizbet would look stunning in it.
As I admired it, Lizbet finished picking and headed to the back to try things on. The shop owner approached me.
"Looks like you did a number on that mage girl~ She's picking without restraint."
"Haha... Yeah, I messed up bad enough to kowtow and apologize. Now she's dragging my wallet along in tears. Without the settlement gold the kingdom gave this Divine Beast, I'd be screwed."
"You're still new to Radia... But the clothes she's choosing are modest ones—not too flashy, so they shouldn't be that pricey."
"Hmm... I think Lizbet suits flashier stuff better..."
"Her hero boyfriend from last time seemed to like simple, neat styles. She's probably matching that. Shame, with her looks—but hey, following your man's tastes, right?"
So Lizbet's plain outfits—which could come off as a bit dowdy—weren't her choice, but Als's preference? Her beauty makes even those look cute, but at her age, she could rock bolder looks...
Click.
Lizbet emerged from the back in her first try-on: a fitted blouse and a flowing skirt down to below the knees. Total countryside girl vibe. Add a straw hat, and it'd be perfect.
"Hey, Sema. What do you think?"
She wanted my take, even while picking for Als's taste.
"Hmm. I feel like flashier designs suit you better... Not bad, but it kinda wastes your looks? You could doll up more."
"Wh-what? Hah! You think I wore this for you?"
Her face flushed as she snapped. Then why ask...?
She tried on a few more, but after eyeing the store's flashier options, they all felt... off to me. Cute, sure, but...
"Hey, Sema. What style do you think suits me?"
Noticing my expressions, Lizbet asked with a subtle frown.
I scanned the store and pointed to that mannequin. "How about this? I think it'd look amazing on you."
"Oh~ The Divine Beast has the same eye as me. I thought it'd suit you too, miss. Perfect for mage adventures."
The owner chimed in, explaining the outfit's features. Beyond design, it had various magical enhancements. But when she quoted one gold and sixty silver... I balked. 16 million won!?
"Wh-whoa, only a pervert monster would pick that..."
"Hey, what's wrong with it? It's fine, right?"
"I think it's great~ That level of exposure is nothing these days. Honestly, your boyfriend might prefer a bolder reveal on you~"
"U-urgh..."
With the owner and me egging her on, Lizbet flushed and fidgeted, mumbling, "F-fine, just a try-on..." She took the fresh size from the owner and vanished into the back.
Moments later, she emerged, hands covering her skirt and chest.
"Urgh... This much skin..."
"Ooh..."
Better than I'd imagined. The short tight black skirt created an absolute territory with her matte white stockings, while accentuating her huge, firm ass. The sleeveless white shirt bared her shoulders and upper tits, cinching her slim waist. Even more my type than I thought.
My horse cock twitched below, threatening to poke out—I shook my head in panic. Rare on Earth, sure, but after a month eyeing Radia's women, styles varied wildly. Adventurers in bikini armor? This was tame.
"Urgh... S-so, what? Does it suit me?"
"Whoa... I figured it'd look good, but damn—this could make you Radia's top beauty, no exaggeration."
"Oh, Divine Beast, great minds! It suits you perfectly~ If the exposure bugs you, try the jacket too. It's the set—doubles as a mage cloak."
The owner draped the loose-fit, ornate red-black jacket over her. Tight shirt and skirt plus jacket birthed a glamorous Lizbet. Perfect.
"Urgh... Jacket covers the shoulders, but chest and legs still show..."
"No, it looks amazing. I'm shocked even recommending it."
"Grr..."
"I get matching your boyfriend Als's taste, but at your age, plain clothes feel like a waste to me. Anyway, your call."
"...You like this style?"
"Yeah, my taste... but no guy would hate it."
She blushed, head down, pondering—then turned to the owner. "Sis, pick stockings to match. Price no object—white, super luxurious and comfy."
"For stockings, our top-shelf spider silk from silk spiders~ Check these..."
Lizbet chose glossy ones with fancy garter trim. Fully dressed, she packed her old clothes at the counter. As I reached for my pouch, she whispered to the owner and ducked to the back corner. Bathroom break?
"Uh... any male staff here?"
"My husband helps on his days off, but I run it solo usually. We sell limited high-end pieces I design. Why?"
"Was thinking custom tailoring... Guess not, then."
"Women's fine, but... oh, for the Divine Beast?"
"Yeah. This rag's just something I threw on arriving in Radia. Even the same style, but sturdier fabric, fitted."
"Easy enough—I'll handle it. Let me measure your build..."
"Ah, wait...!"
She lifted my cloth and bent to measure—then froze. Ah, she spotted my massive balls down there.
"Th-that's why you asked for male staff..."
"Y-yeah... Sorry for the sight, Divine Beast..."
Face beet-red, she re-draped me. So awkward. Lizbet returned, paid one gold eighty silver from my pouch—the owner's blush lingered.
As we headed out, embarrassed, she spoke up. "About your custom outfit... No good fabric now, but come back tomorrow? As apology for the rudeness, on the house."
Free? Sweet. I thanked her and followed Lizbet's humming exit.