Chapter 46 - 046: First customer

Kai noticed the look on her face and stepped slightly closer.

Anaria ignored him, her attention shifting when she spotted a familiar little boy standing beside his mother. He was covered in dirt from head to toe, clearly having spent the entire day playing.

She looked at the woman. "May I show you something?"

The woman hesitated, glancing around at the other villagers before giving a reluctant nod.

Anaria crouched down, ignoring the ache in her back, and took the boy’s hands. "Let’s see if you like this."

She rubbed the soap between her palms until it lathered, then gently washed his small hands.

The boy stared at the bubbles forming between his fingers, his eyes going wide with wonder.

"What’s that?"

"Soap."

He touched the foam with his other hand, fascinated by the texture. Then he rubbed his hands together and laughed. "More!"

Anaria smiled. "You’re enjoying this already."

The boy immediately reached for another handful of bubbles, spreading them across his arms. His mother laughed softly as he tried to cover himself completely.

Even some of the villagers smiled at the sight.

The little boy then spotted the basin of water nearby and reached toward it.

Anaria caught his wrist gently. "Don’t drink it."

The child stared at her, confused. "Why?"

Anaria laughed. "Because it’s only for your body, not your mouth."

Rylan shook his head, clearly amused. Kai looked toward the villagers, who seemed confused at why she had stopped the boy from drinking the water.

"They seem interested now," Kai murmured.

Anaria glanced around. Some were still suspicious, their arms crossed and expressions guarded. But several had moved closer, craning their necks to examine the soap more closely.

She picked up another bar and held it out. "Anyone who wants to try it can."

Nobody rushed forward. The villagers exchanged glances, waiting for someone else to make the first move.

Anaria wasn’t surprised. She simply placed the soap back on the table and shrugged. "Fine. Take your time."

The System remained silent. No task completion appeared.

Anaria looked at the villagers, then at the soap sitting on the table, she hadn’t convinced them yet but at least they were looking.

After standing there for what felt like forever, Anaria finally rubbed her forehead, it was now getting exhausting.

She had already explained the soap, demonstrated it, and even let them see the results. Yet most of the villagers were still standing around as if she had brought them some cursed object.

Anaria looked at the crowd and sighed. Maybe she should just forget about the task.

[Host.]

Anaria rolled her eyes.

[Do not even think about abandoning the task.]

Anaria frowned. "And why not?"

[Because doing so will negatively affect Host’s beauty-related rewards.]

She clicked her tongue. "So I’m trapped."

[Correct.]

"Great."

She glanced at the villagers again. "What am I supposed to do when they won’t even try it? Do I have to shove the soap into their faces before they’ll come and take it?"

[Would Host like to worsen her current situation with the villagers?]

Anaria’s mouth fell open "Are you seriously threatening me now?"

[The System is simply reminding Host to remain calm.]

She sighed and folded her arms "Then what am I supposed to do?"

The System was quiet for a moment.

[Good luck, Host.]

Anaria stared blankly ahead "What’s good about that luck?"

There was no answer, the System has already disappeared.

Anaria groaned under her breath. "Useless."

Before she could think of another way to convince them, a small figure moved through the crowd.

A young girl stepped closer, looking at the soap in Anaria’s hand.

She stopped a few steps away and looked up at her "Can I use it?"

Anaria blinked then her expression softened "Of course you can, my dear"

The girl’s face brightened immediately, She reached toward the soap, but several voices rose from the crowd.

"Don’t!"

"What if something happens to her?"

"She shouldn’t use that thing!"

"It’s the witch healer’s product!"

The girl’s hand stopped.

Anaria’s expression tightened and Kenai’s face darkened "Enough!" His roar spread across the market square, forcing the villagers into silence.

Nobody dared speak again, Anaria glanced at him.

Kenai was staring at the crowd with a warning in his eyes.

She smiled faintly before turning back to the girl "Come here."

The girl stepped forward. Anaria placed the soap in her hands and showed her how to wet it first. The girl followed her instructions, then rubbed the soap through her messy hair.

Within moments, foam covered her hair.

The girl stared at it in fascination "Look!"

Anaria smiled. "Keep washing."

The girl happily continued while the villagers watched closely.

When the girl finally rinsed her hair, the difference was obvious. Her hair looked cleaner and smoother, no longer tangled with dirt from playing outside.

A murmur passed through the crowd.

The girl touched her hair repeatedly "It’s soft."

Anaria couldn’t help smiling.

Kai stepped forward and looked at the villagers "You’ve seen it now. Nothing happened to her."

His gaze moved across the crowd "So stop bickering and use your eyes." Several villagers looked away

"If you still think she’s trying to harm you," Kai continued, "then go home."

Anaria quickly reached out and caught his arm. Kai glanced at her, she shook her head slightly.

"Not yet" she said it with her eyes

She still needed them, Anaria turned back to the villagers "You don’t have to trust me yet," she said. "But if anything goes wrong after using the soap, I’ll compensate you."

The villagers looked at one another.

Kenai stepped forward "As your leader, I’m telling you that the soap is safe."

That finally seemed to settle something.

One man cautiously approached "I’ll try it."

Anaria handed him a piece.

Another followed Then another.

Soon, more villagers were gathering around the table, curious enough to test it for themselves.

Anaria watched them with growing satisfaction.

Maybe this wasn’t going to be as difficult as she thought.