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"Frick's Bones and Grocery Store".
The name of the store is engraved on it.
It seems this is the right place.
Without a second thought, Maurice pushed the door open and entered.
"jingle!"
A crisp sound came from above. Morris looked up and saw a brass bell hanging inside the door frame, its clapper made of a small finger bone, swaying gently.
The store layout is similar to that of a regular store. The store is not large, and there are shelves all around, displaying various skeletons and some miscellaneous goods.
In the corner stood a huge animal skeleton, still covered with dried flesh and blood.
This perfectly matches Morris's imagination of the place.
Surprisingly, the air was very fresh.
Contrary to expectations, there was no bloody or rotten smell; instead, a faint, pleasant fragrance permeated the air.
"Is anyone there?" Morris called out tentatively, but no one answered.
So he started wandering around the store by himself, observing the items on the shelves, especially the bones.
Maurice was mesmerized as he gazed at these exquisite creations that had once sustained life.
The skeletal dog followed at his feet, curiously observing its kind.
Morris walked to the back of the shop and suddenly stopped in front of an inconspicuous, ordinary wooden door.
A faint conversation came from behind the door, between a man and a woman.
"How was the technique?"
"Just right... Oh, a little lighter, that's very sensitive... A little to the left, yes... Ah, even lighter..."
Morris wanted to leave immediately and look up to check the address one more time.
Did he wander into a place that someone his age shouldn't be at?
Half a minute later.
"That's enough, Mrs. Caroline," the man's voice rang out again.
"Thank you, Mr. Frick. Your massage technique is as superb as ever. Here's a tip." The woman's tone was also very satisfied.
Then, clear footsteps came from inside the door, approaching from afar.
Morris quickly turned around and pretended to be engrossed in studying the row of bat skeletons on the shelf next to him.
"Squeak."
The wooden door was pushed open.
Maurice pretended to have just been startled by the sound of the door opening and turned around naturally.
However, the sight before him startled him.
The woman who emerged from the door was not the woman of any age he had imagined, but a skeleton.
Yes, a living skeleton.
Tall and slender, with bones that are ivory white and have a delicate luster.
"It's beautiful," Maurice thought.
The skeleton put on the robe and left the shop.
Then, a middle-aged man of about thirty years old came out of the door. He was thin and bony, with dark red hair, no glasses, deep-set eyes, and several iron rings embedded in his flesh on his face.
This must be Ezra Flick.
Morris removed his mask and spoke first: "Hello, Mr. Frick."
Frick looked at Maurice's young face and paused for a moment. "Do I recognize you?"
Morris explained, "I bought a swallowtail dog skeleton from you through an owl back in the summer."
Upon hearing this, Frick immediately had a look of sudden realization. "Oh, it's a guest. Let me think... Mr. Black?"
He extended a hand and smiled kindly, "Nice to meet you."
"I'm glad you still remember me."
Morris shook hands with him.
The shop owner seemed to have a good attitude and could accurately remember customers' names.
He's a savvy businessman.
Frick glanced at Maurice's face and said strangely, "So, before we begin our formal conversation, could you revert to your original appearance? It doesn't really matter, but you make me feel like I'm talking to a child... It's so weird!"
Hearing this, Morrison felt somewhat helpless.
Clearly, the other party had a preconceived notion that he was an adult who had used compound medication.
He had no choice but to patiently explain, "This is who I am, Mr. Frick. There is no compound drug, no disguise."
Flick had a look that said, "I don't believe it."
Seeing this, Maurice could only shrug and say seriously:
"Let's get down to business, Mr. Frick."
"As I just mentioned, I once bought a swallowtail dog skeleton from you."
"I spent thirty Galleons, but the skeleton was missing a toe!"
"This matter has caused me a lot of trouble."
A look of confusion crossed Flick's face.
Missing a toe? A huge problem?
In addition to compound medications...
He suddenly understood.
This person is deliberately looking for trouble!
Then he won't hold back.
Just as he was about to turn cold, Morris bent down, picked up the skeleton dog, and showed him its right front paw. "See? It's missing a toe."
Frick squinted and took a step closer.
Indeed, the second toe on the right front paw of the skeleton dog is somewhat empty.
but...
"I don't recall ever selling a swallowtail dog skeleton that moves!" he said in surprise.
Morris said calmly, "It's an undead creature now, so it's reasonable for it to move."
Flick took a step back, looking Morris up and down with suspicion in his eyes.
"Alright," he finally sighed, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, "let's accept this for now. So, Mr. Black, what exactly do you want me to do today?"
Morris said almost without hesitation, "Find and replace that toe, or give me back the thirty Galleons."
Of course, he secretly hoped it was the latter.
After all, he's short of money right now.
As for the skeleton dog's toes... well, that's not important.
"jingle!"
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
The two turned around and saw that the skeleton guest who had left earlier had returned and was standing by the door.
"Mr. Frick," Mrs. Caroline's jaw clenched, "I've forgotten something… Could you please get me another bottle of Bone Regeneration Elixir?"
"Of course, madam."
Frick immediately turned and walked to a shelf near the door, quickly took a slender crystal bottle from the second shelf, and said obsequiously, "Here you are, Mrs. Caroline. Same price as always, 20% off."
Mrs. Caroline gracefully accepted the bag with her fingertips and placed it on a low cabinet beside her. "Fifteen Galleons in total."
Then, her skull suddenly turned toward Maurice and the skeletal dog in his arms.
"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise, "A live skeleton dog! When did you start selling these things, Frick? It looks so exquisite… How much?"
Chapter 69 The Crisis of the Skeleton Dog
Before Frick could speak, Morris interjected, "I'm sorry, madam, this dog is my pet; it's not a product of this shop."
Upon hearing this, Lady Caroline's empty eye sockets turned to Maurice, and she elegantly rested her chin on the back of her hand. "Oh, little wizard, where did you get this dog? I like it very much. Could you sell it to me?"
Morris felt the skeletal dog in his arms shift uncomfortably.
He reached out and stroked the skeletal dog's head, soothingly whispering, "Silly dog, how could I possibly sell you?"
The skeletal dog immediately quieted down and affectionately nuzzled Morris's face with its head.
Yes, how could its owner possibly sell it?
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