COZMART: Corner Shop of Visiting Gods

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

He clocked in for minimum wage—now every barcode beep keeps the cosmos from imploding.

Eathan Lin wanted three things in life: finish his CS degree, keep his minimum-wage corner shop gig, and maybe stop living on instant noodles.

The universe delivers… a[SYSTEM].

Now his shifts at COZMART—an unremarkable corner shop run by the coffee-addict “Mister White”—have turned into a cosmic traffic hub. Gods drop in unannounced, receipt printers spit out talismans, and Eathan’s new weapon is a gold-laced barcode scanner that can price-check reality.

Guided (read: bullied) by his suspiciously immortal boss, Eathan is dragged from flickering fluorescent aisles into rift-torn cities, spectral battlefields, and realms that rewrite themselves on a whim. Not to mention, each quest syncs another shard of a “missing fragment” to his soul, nudging him closer to something far less mortal—and far more explosive—than a part-time intern.

This is an urban fantasy x Chinese mythology x LitRPG story.Expect myth gods in modern society, growing power levels (from corner-shop skirmishes to realm-bending showdowns), minimum-wage grievances, divine bureaucracy, and one very unfortunate intern surrounded by every cosmic threat.

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Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: myoatbread

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.0/ 5.0
Followers: 419
Views: 106,887

Chapters(125 total)

What readers say about COZMART: Corner Shop of Visiting Gods

“This is something a bit different; it's a cultivation novel, but set in an almost familiar near-future, not quite dystopian, not quite cyberpunk setting. The numbers go up, but for what reason? Perhaps it's just so the MC's boss can get a bit more work out…”
T B CarterRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“I’m hooked! There’s action, comedy, worldbuilding, immature, petty children in divine bodies (ML said that, not me). What else could I possible ask for? As of the latest chapter, more prominent characters are being introduced and I can tell the author defin…”
WizardriesRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(7)

T B CarterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is something a bit different; it's a cultivation novel, but set in an almost familiar near-future, not quite dystopian, not quite cyberpunk setting. The numbers go up, but for what reason? Perhaps it's just so the MC's boss can get a bit more work out of his overtired, overworked employee.
This is an easy book to like, the main character, Eathan manages to be endearingly and utterly clueless as to what is happening in his life, bouncing from one crisis to another, trying to balance college life and a night shift in a not-quite-normal convenience store and that's even before the weird shit starts to happen. The secondary characters are well thought out, feel realistic and best of all, only do more to increase his confusion. One day, the MC may get a straight answer, but I doubt it.
I like this writer's style and their humour. Not only do I want more of this story, but I get the impression the author has only started to scratch the surface of this intriguing alternate world. The grammar is good, I didn't have to fight for understanding, and I didn't notice any problems. In fact, I absorbed the first ten chapters in one sitting.
In short, novel good. Reader want more.
WizardriesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’m hooked! There’s action, comedy, worldbuilding, immature, petty children in divine bodies (ML said that, not me). What else could I possible ask for? As of the latest chapter, more prominent characters are being introduced and I can tell the author definitely has some interest stuff planned that will be gradually revealed as we go on further. As for the ML, he’s quite likeable in how he’s confused all the time but not in an annoying way, and the dynamics between the characters and their banters are always hilarious to read. Other characters (especially Mister White) are definitely holding mysteries of their own. Hoping for more mythical lore to drop soon!
ZacheasRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
COZMART: Corner Shop of Visiting Gods is a refreshing and imaginative blend of high fantasy and high-tech science fiction. At the heart of the story is Eathan, an ordinary young man who unexpectedly acquires a mysterious system. This system rewards him with points for completing seemingly mundane daily tasks—like brushing his teeth or organizing his space—which he can use to unlock powerful abilities and supernatural enhancements. What begins as a quirky twist on the "system" trope quickly escalates, as Eathan is thrown into deadly confrontations with monsters and seasoned individuals who already wield their abilities with lethal precision.
One of the standout elements of this novel is its world-building. The author skillfully crafts a society where advanced technology and arcane magic coexist, creating a world that feels both grounded and fantastical. Rather than bogging down the narrative with excessive exposition, the author allows the world to unfold naturally through Eathan’s experiences, keeping the reader intrigued while maintaining narrative momentum.
From a technical standpoint, the book is well-polished. Grammar and spelling are consistent and error-free, which adds to the smooth reading experience. The prose is visually descriptive without being overwrought, and the pacing strikes a satisfying balance between character development, action, and world exploration.
The characters are another highlight. Each one has a distinct voice and set of mannerisms, lending authenticity to their interactions. Eathan, in particular, shows clear growth as he adjusts to his evolving role in this complex world.
Overall, COZMART is a compelling, fast-paced, and highly engaging read. With its inventive premise and strong execution, it’s definitely worth checking out for fans of both fantasy and sci-fi.
GlytchedChiqRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
TL;DR:
Literally reads flashy and dramatic with all the action and special effects! And Affects! Literally and! The sound design is also so amazing.
You heard me.
Recipe Blog:
Almost dropped it at the beginning because MC was all kinds of creepy stalker, not even super deseperate, but trading money and favors for information on someone you kinda just assume doesn't know you exist so you can imagine how your life together would be, and that imagining is unrealistic AF, doesn't have anything to do with them understanding what you like, just you showing off how well you know them and them going along with it all happy?
SKIP!
And then it gets really good. Without the hardcore super creepy focus. Then it gets confusing because someone tried to kill him, several times, but it's aight, question mark? <<< Is important. Not spoiling. Just something I had to push through.
And then the little nuggets of awesome action, sound, emotion, surroundings descriptions, and full on casual character awesomeness descriptions, exploded into the main part of the story and I'm glad I kept reading. Did binge from no-idea-what-this-is to chapter 35, so I didn't have to wait through the, "nah, I'm good" parts.
It does do the yada yada awesome scene that should have murdered thousands with no, "ack, collateral damage!", but there's a spell for that, so...
The mix of modern/future in a realistic kinda already here but better style, and the yeah it's just ancient magic with different people having different levels of understanding that, yeah, it's always been this way, because, technically it's always been this way! Smooth. So smooth. It's not like people (read gods) instantly adapted to changes, and some did better than others, and the subtle nods to their true "nature", and the stuff and things! Stuff such as abilities that work across so many platforms and things such as shitposting or the actual meter for how people-y are you?
Warning, MC does care about their life, but being helpful to the g
AleoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a novel worth paying attention to.
Even though it currently only has nine chapters, it already shows great potential.
Here are some of my honest thoughts after reading:
1. Worldbuilding – The Immersive Charm of Modern Fantasy
This isn’t your typical isekai story.
Instead, it takes place in the familiar reality of the 21st century.
To be honest, I personally prefer fantasy stories set in modern times—because the sense of immersion is stronger.
We live in this era.
Our society, our culture, and the way we think—all of it is filled with storytelling potential.
Using the present-day world as a foundation for fantasy doesn’t weaken the imagination—it deepens it.
Although the story only has nine chapters so far, I sincerely hope the author will continue to expand it into a grand and sweeping vision of a “fantastical 21st century.”
One that feels both familiar and full of wonder.
2. Characterization – Eathan Lin Feels Fully Realized
Despite the short length so far, the protagonist Eathan already comes across as vivid and well-defined.
And I don’t say that to flatter—I can point to a specific quote from Chapter 1 that left a strong impression on me:
At some point, helping someone would bankrupt you faster than hurting them.
Hesitation was survival, and so, people learned to look away.
Ugly, but real.
For the ironic sake of survival.
That line resonated deeply with me, because something very similar actually happened in real life.
Look up the Xu Shoulan v. Peng Yu case in China—it’s on Wikipedia.
Even though it took place back in 2006, the fear of “being punished for doing good” is still very present in modern Chinese society.
It also reminded me of the recent and unsettling push toward a 100% plea conviction rate...
Anyway, I’ll stop digressing into real-world issues.
The point is: the author clearly has something to say.
You can sense a layer of social reflection behind the characters’ reactions—there’s thoughtfulness, and even a quiet critique of the world we live
BrokenBulb65Royal Road
★★★★ 3.5
This story has an interesting premise and setting, but is let down by a phobic level of exposition avoidance.
Style: From the little I piece together of the world this story is set in, it presents an interesting juxtaposition of sci-fi (think back to the future instead of star wars) and fantasy.
Story: As mentioned, even after 10 chapters, the story has done a terrible job at explaining things. This, by itself, wouldn't normally be a problem, if it wasn't for protagonist learning about things offscreen and not bothering with explaining much. Everything that's explained is done so off-handedly, through only a few sentences at most, and sometimes, random events seem to happen for the sole purpose of giving the protagonist some more information.
Example: when Eathan went back to COZYMART after the basically-a-succubus attack and there were a bunch of talismans floating around with important keywords, with no explanation as to why they're there)
Additionally, the protagonist seems to suffer from a severe lack of curiosity and willingness to ask follow-up questions. Finally, a lot of elements are thrown in our faces without being properly introduced first.
Examples include: what are the 6 realms exactly, and how do they interact with the world? (I think the author might expect us to have prior knowledge of buddhism?) What are glyphs? Leylines? How do talismans work? What exactly is "spirit static"?
Grammar: The grammar and poise are good, with fun expressions and turns of phrase.
Character: The characters are passable, with a few flaws. For example, the protagonist's main driving force seems to be his want to help people, but not in the shonen protagonist way where its inspiring, but the "I just had my entire worldview shattered, saw someone I loved die in front of me, and have, in the last day alone, almost died twice. How can I help you?".
milgitaRoyal Road
★★★ 3.0
All the side characters are assholes. I don’t get it. Like, he’s being thrown into a whole new side of reality. Of course, he’s going to be confused. But the shopkeeper and the dragon and Chewie all treat Eathan like an idiot for not knowing what to do or how to handle things. They downplay the enormity of the sudden perspective shift and dismiss his complete disorientation, as if they aren’t the ones who have been actively keeping him in the dark. It’s a huge turnoff. The novel’s concept seems interesting, but with such unappealing characters, I’ve already lost interest. Perhaps it’s just my personal taste in books. Maybe it’s just my PTSD. I don’t know. When a main character gets told he’s useless and a failure for having reasonable responses to an unexpected situation, I get angry. Very angry. It’s exceedingly unhelpful and adds nothing of value to the story. I’m literally only still typing because there’s a 200 word limit. Sure, they’re ancient inhuman beings who probably think of him as a lesser being. I literally do not care. There are better ways to demonstrate that than a chapter or so of presumed allies actively sabotaging any reason for him to respect them.