Chapter 3: I’m richer than I thought?!

“You’re eating well, that’s good to see. I’m sure you’ll grow tall in no time.”

“I only took it because I wanted to eat more.”

“Of course, of course.”

“Ugh…”

Why did it feel like I just lost somehow?

Maybe I shouldn’t have taken it after all.

“Is it good? It’s good, right?”

The bald vendor kept fanning the flames from the side, egging me on.

Still, I couldn’t lie and say it wasn’t delicious, so I nodded lightly and kept shoveling the food in.

By the way, this is so strange.

I was full to bursting, but somehow, I kept eating.

Could my stomach actually swell up like a balloon at this rate?

“You know, meeting like this must be fate. I’ve been feeling a little lonely lately. It’d be nice if our little young lady here could keep me company.”

“…Why would I do that?”

“Haha, you’re sulking, huh? Then how about this: you keep me company, and it’ll cover the cost of the second skewer.”

“Wait, what?”

I blinked in shock.

What? The second skewer wasn’t free?

“Hmm, if you don’t want to, I guess I’ll just have to charge you properly…”

I’ve been duped.

Completely duped.

I thought this guy was harmless because of his gentle demeanor, but now I could see he was a sly fox who toyed with people.

“…Fine.”

“Don’t be so glum about it. I’m sure it’ll be good for you too.”

“…”

“Heh, what a cute little one.”

“Please don’t pat my head.”

“…Oh, sorry about that. You just remind me of my friend’s daughter.”

“And don’t try to pat my back either.”

“Alright, alright.”

Seriously, I couldn’t let my guard down around this man.

After that, we had some small talk.

At first, I was too annoyed about him teasing me to bother responding.

But his stories turned out to be both entertaining and informative, so I decided to humor him for a bit.

“Wow, really?”

“Of course! Back in the day, I was quite a big deal.”

I also learned his name—Alex.

It was surprisingly exotic for someone who looked so rugged, like someone named Chun-shik or Dae-shik.

“Hm? Is there something on my face?”

“No, it’s just, um… your bald head is fascinating.”

“Oh, is that so? Then let me show you something even more fascinating.”

“Huh? …Ahh! It’s so shiny!”

“Haha!”

Anyway, I found out Alex used to be a famous adventurer.

After retiring, he started hunting monsters around the village to make a living.

He said running this food stall was a hobby he picked up when he felt bored.

For someone who looked so rough and tough, his hobby was surprisingly modest.

“By the way, your muscles are enormous…”

“Oh? You’ve got a good eye for that. Want to feel them?”

“No thanks.”

“Such a sharp rejection—feels like I got cut.”

Aside from learning Alex’s name, I also figured out the currency used in this world.

I cautiously took one of the coins from my pocket and showed it to him.

He raised an eyebrow as if to ask what I was trying to say.

“This is silver? Why are you showing me this all of a sudden?”

“I was wondering how much this would be worth.”

“Three silver coins are three silver coins… Ah, hmm… Roughly speaking, one silver coin could buy a basket full of bread.”

“Really? I’m richer than I thought!”

It felt like, in Alex’s mind, I’d been relegated to the status of a clueless child who didn’t even know how currency worked.

But, well, it couldn’t be helped.

According to his simple explanation, the coins I was holding weren’t just coins—they were silver coins.

Here’s the breakdown of the currency system as he explained it:

Ten copper coins make one silver coin.

Ten silver coins make one gold coin.

Ten gold coins make one platinum coin.

A single copper coin is enough to buy a freshly baked loaf of bread.

The system was simpler than I’d expected, which was a relief—it would be easy to remember.

“By the way, what’s this place called?”

“Alex’s Skewers,” he replied with a grin.

“No, not your stall’s name!”

“Just kidding. This village is called ‘Maru Village.’ It’s on the southeastern border of the empire.”

“Maru Village…”

Figures, it’s a rural village.

The name’s as plain as the place itself.

“I’m stuffed, Alex.”

“Already finished? See, I told you it’d fit!”

While exchanging bits of information, I somehow ended up finishing the skewer I had been holding.

Time had flown by—when I looked up, the sun that had been high in the sky was now slipping beyond the horizon.

Well, not the entire sun.

Only one of the two suns had disappeared, leaving its twin still visible in the sky.

The day was still bright, but it looked like the remaining sun would set soon too.
It was time to leave.

“Um… Alex?”

“Hmm?”

“I think I should get going now.”

I needed to get back to the orphanage before it got dark.

The night isn’t a safe time for children.

Even though Alex kept the area around the village clear of monsters, there was no telling what might roam around once the night fell.

Besides, there was still so much to do.

I had to buy food and materials to fix the door.

I needed to start moving quickly.

“You’re leaving? That’s a shame. I’d just found myself a great little… target for teasing.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, a great conversation partner.”

“…Alex.”

“Ahem.”

This guy, seriously.

“…I’ll come back another time!”

“You better! You have to come back!”

“Your special bald-head skewer was delicious!”

“Wh-what skewer?”

“Oh, right! Lizardman skewer!”

With that, I finished my small but satisfying revenge and took off running deeper into the market at full speed.

“Let’s see… Alice’s Clothing Shop?”

Clothes weren’t a priority right now.

Pass.

“‘Maru’s Mysterious Library?’”

There’s a library in a place like this?

Interesting, but I don’t need to stop there right now.

Pass.

‘Henson’s Firewood Shop: Selling the Best, Completely Dry Firewood!’

They even sell firewood? Well, given the time period, I guess that makes sense.

Now that I think about it, there’s a pile of wood behind the orphanage.

Maybe I could gather it up and sell it later.

Pass.

‘Magic Scroll Shop?’

That sounds pretty fantasy-like, and I like it.

But it’s probably way too expensive, and I don’t have time to check it out.

Pass.

‘Chop-Chop Butcher Shop: We Handle Any Monster Meat, Big or Small!’

Meat’s too pricey, and I don’t have a place to cook it anyway.

Pass.

‘Mrs. Gordon’s Fresh Goods: Fresh Fruits Delivered Today!’

Fruits?

They’re healthy, filling, and probably cheap in a rural place like this.

Not a bad idea.

“Oh my, what an adorable little customer. Do you need something?”

“Um, do you have something that, uh… fills you up easily? And, uh, if possible, something I can pay for with copper coins instead of silver ones?”

“…Huh?”

The shopkeeper tilted her head, looking a bit confused.

“I mean, something fresh but affordable, and easy to eat. Uh, it doesn’t have to be dirt-cheap, just, you know, filling and—”

“You need fresh, affordable, and filling fruit?”

“That’s it exactly!”

My rushed explanation had come out as a bit of a jumble, but thankfully, she seemed to understand perfectly.

Phew.

Humming a tune as if she were used to this kind of thing, the shopkeeper moved a few fruits from one basket to another.

“Here, does this look good to you?”

She handed me a small basket filled with various fruits, flashing a warm smile.

There were apples, beets, lemons, corn… all pretty familiar-looking fruits for the most part.

Though some of them seemed unnecessarily large.

“Well, it’s a bit more than I expected… but how much is it?”

“One silver coin.”

“…What?”

One silver coin.

That was a third of my entire wealth.

Even though it was a decent-sized basket of fruit, for me, it was a steep price—no, an overwhelmingly steep price.

“Should I try asking for a discount?”

The shopkeeper seemed kind, and she might agree if I asked nicely.

I’d heard that haggling was a part of market culture anyway, so it wouldn’t be too rude.

Alright, let’s give it a shot.

I decided to trust my years of military-honed negotiation skills.

“Um… could you maybe lower the price a little?”

“Lower the price? Hmm…”

“…If not, you could just, um, give it to me?”

“Goodness, there’s no need to be so scared! I’m not angry. I’m just a little surprised that such a clever little customer knows how to haggle!”

She laughed softly, clearly more amused than annoyed.

“R-Really?”

“Of course! It’s the end of the day anyway, so just give me three copper coins.”

“Huh? T-that’s way too big of a discount…”

As I hesitated, scratching my cheek in confusion, the shopkeeper quickly snatched the silver coin from my hand.

“Here’s your change,” she said, and before I could react, she stuffed a bunch of coins into my pocket.

…Wait, why does this feel like way too much?

“Um, you only need to give me seven copper coins—”

“Off you go now! Come back next time! Oh, and if any of the fruits are spoiled, just return tomorrow, and I’ll replace them with two fresh ones for free!”

“…”

“Well then, time to head home!”

Before I could say another word, the shopkeeper vanished from sight, leaving me standing there with the sound of jangling coins filling the air around me.

What just happened?

Looking into my pocket, it was obvious she’d given me way more than seven copper coins.

“…What’s going on here?”

I was completely baffled.

“Should I return the extra money later?”

Still amazed at the strange turn of events—where buying something had somehow made me richer—I set off toward my next destination.

“Let’s see… where’s the woodworking shop?”