The village wasn't very big, considering of around twenty small huts built close to each other along the shore, and a wooden palisade that wrapped around three sides.
Small fishing boats made their way up and down the river with one or two fishermen casting their line when the reached their "secret spot".
Paddling with the lid of the barrel, John landed right at the edge of the village. Dragging his barrel out of the water, he hid it behind the nearest hut.
Checking to see if anyone had seen him, he stayed hidden and decided to open his beginners chest.
"Hey Crackers, bring out the goodies! I wanna open that beginner's chest!"
The parrot flew up a little and scanned the surroundings for enemies. Flopping down again in a messy crash landing it squawked.
"Location is secure, here's your chest!"
"Poof!" A cheap looking chest, about the size of a picnic basket with advertisements painted on every possible surface, appeared with puff of seaweed scented mist.
"Bob's broken boats, Polly's parrot accessories, Edward's double eyepatches, Privateer prosthetics... What the?!" John felt this system wasn't as reliable as he had hoped. "What kind of sponsors are these!"
Crouching down and picking up the small chest, he found it very light. Shaking it like one does a gift, he put his ear up against it to hear that sweet rustling sound. "This is just like Christmas!" John said with a smile as he fiddled with the latch and opened the chest.
Confetti popped out before he could react. Turning to Crackers he complained, "enough with the festivities, just keep it simple next time."
Looking into the chest he grabbed his loot. "Sweet!" He thought, "now I'm not penniless anymore."
"Congratulations to host, you have received:
-154 copper coins
-1 red paisley bandana 100% cotton
-1 week's worth of parrot snacks
-1 child's hammer
-1 child's saw
-1 box of nails
-1 small knife
-1 simple beaded necklace (men's)
Please appropriate more valuable goods to increase your reputation and benefits."
John pulled out the items one by one, leaving the pile of coins in the chest for now. Tying the bandana around his head, he finally managed to restrain his unruly hair.
"Much better, but how am I supposed to carry all this?" John was stumped.
"Activating magic chest function, BAWK!" The parrot flopped around a bit before pulling out a miniature chest from under its wing. Tossing it on the ground it grew until it could fit a whole grown pig.
"Woah that's big! So what now, I put it all in here?" John placed everything carefully into the chest before shutting its lid, keeping only around 20 coppers in his pocket to spend.
As soon as the latch clicked shut, it shrunk again down to the size of a matchbox.
"Better not lose that," John thought to himself as he attached it to his necklace, it almost seemed like was made for that purpose.
Turning his barrel upright and putting the lid on, he left it by the hut and sauntered into town with crackers on his shoulder. Looking around, he confirmed his suspicions.
"Yup, I've transmigrated."
The reality of the issue didn't bother John that much. He never understood why characters in novels always were fixated on returning home. Especially considering how many didn't have a whole lot going for them in their old life.
Transmigrator usually had an amazing life full of adventure, and some had it easy with an overpowered system backing them up. Yes, this was the opportunity John had been waiting for. A chance for John to prove his true colors, a chance to be the main character, knock down corrupted leaderships and win the admiration of every fair maiden to cross his path. That was the destiny of the hero of the age.
Absorbed in his delusions of grandeur, John bumped into someone knocking them both over.
"Ouch! Look where you're walking you idiot!" A high pitched voice yelled as they no h picked themselves up.
'No way! Is this the beginning of a plot where I rescue this damsel in distress. It's too soon, I haven't even acquired any special abilities yet!' John's downward spiral continued.
Looking at the dirty youth sitting in a daze with a weird bird perched on his shoulder, the stranger backed away slowly before leaving the scene. Best not to get involved with that type of person.
"Hey wait! What's your name?" John snapped out of his daydreaming and chased after them. He skidded to a holt when he saw that unlike his fantasy it was just a young slightly chubby boy about three feet tall.
"Err, sorry for bumping into you earlier. You wouldn't happen to know of any fair maidens who need rescuing do you?" John wasn't quite sure why he said that, it just sort of escaped his mouth.
Stunned, the other shook his head. This poor lad, who fed him all these fairytales?
"Name's Aelfherrington Woodsheart," the little guy said holding out a surprisingly calloused hand. "And sorry no, there ain't nobody needs saving here."
Although a little disappointed, John was glad to finally make an acquaintance. Taking his hand and giving it the customary shake he replied "pleased to meet you err... Alfy, I'm John Goldborough."
Surprised at his new nickname, Alfy scratched his chin. The action brought attention to his pale blond beard.
'Nice beard,' though John as he rubbed his own smooth chin. 'Wish I could grow one too... wait what?!'
"Hey, ah, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you? How come you can grow such a fine beard already?" John asked.
"No problem, I often get asked that. I'm 32 this year, which is early to have grown a beard amongst us gnomes." Alfy said proudly as he stroked his beard. "It's the sign of being an adult, though most only get them around age 40."
John was stunned again, 'yup this isn't my world... but this is sweet!'
"I'm in the market for a new ship." John said suddenly, "its my dream to sail the seas, making a fortune and creating a legend!" Striking a pose, both he and Crackers raised their heads with pride.
"BAWK! All your gold are belong to..." Crackers was interrupted by John claiming its beak shut. The moment was ruined.
"Weird Bird you got there buddy." The gnome laughed. "We don't have ships here, you should have noticed that by now. Just small fishing canoes for the most part, with a few of the older fishing crews owning a felucca"
"Oh, well that would probably do for now, any for sale?" John asked.
"Not likely, the fellucas were built at the town upriver. No one would get rid of their primary breadwinning tool. As for canoes, you might find someone willing to part with their old one."
A few questions later, Alfy had to get back to work at the docks. His small size and nimble fingers netted him a job maintaining boats, fishing nets, fishing rods and all manner of equipment.
Spending the afternoon asking around with no success, John met up with Alfy for dinner. Lunch had been a cheap salty fish stew from a street vendor.
"Nobody would talk to me after I brought up selling their canoes. Like they didn't think I could afford to buy a paddle, much less their handcrafted canoe..." John complained between mouthfuls. "I mean, it's not like they are that expensive right?"
"You'll probably be looking to spend around 5 to 10 silver for an average canoe," Alfy nodded and explained "They take a bit of time to make, and a mans got to live off something in the meantime."
"5 silver, that's like what 50 copper? Like I said, cheap." John took another big bite of the delicious battered fried fish.
"Uhhh... how are you doing your math?" Alfy facepalmed, "everyone knows the exchange rate is 37 coppers to a silver out here in the countryside. In bigger cities they've even eliminated the copper currency already. It's value as a legal tender was less than the value of the raw copper used to make it so the decision made sense."
"Pffff!!!" John sprayed out his beer when he heard that. 'So the system wasn't generous at all... giving me less than 5 silver in a currency that is being phased out! Dammit!'
"Sorry bout that," John apologized, thankful that he had time to turn away before soaking his friend. "That just put a wrench in my plans... you see, all I have is copper, someone cheated me by giving me that instead of silver." He put on a pitiful face and wiped a tear from his eye. Choking on his drink had caused him to tear up.
"Ouch, sounds like you're on more of a budget then. No wonder everyone blew you off." Alfy said understandingly.
"I guess I'll need to make my own boat then..." John calmed down as he started forming a new plan, "that might not be so bad after all. Ship building was my hobby in my last life!"
"Err what?" Alfy was confused.
"Not to worry Alfy my old pal, you know any places people get rid of old canoes or boats? Or other places to get materials at discounted prices?"
"Yeah, old Harry down near the South Gate will take anything off your hands and pay you for it. Not much, mind you, but it's better than scuttling the boat." Alfy said thoughtfully.
"Sweet thanks, I be off then!" John slapped down a handful of coppers before leaving in a hurry. "Keep the extra as a thank you."
Ally's face twitched a few times, the coins were two copper short of what John's meal cost. Now he had to pay the difference. Sighing he gathered the coins before paying at the counter.
"Hey Crackers, does the system have any ship building or modding capabilities?" John asked as he made his way through the village at a jog.
"BAWK! Affirmative. The system does have such capabilities. Please the total value of goods stolen to unlock." Crackers screeched into his ear.
"How much have I got so far?" John asked.
"Calculating, 1-silver and 2-copper total." Crackers paused, "the silver for the barrel, the two copper for making Alfy foot the bill."
"That works too? Awesome!" John fist pumped, "oh wait, he probably won't be happy about that." Remembering something he asked, "what about that golden arrowana I stole?"
Crackers pecked him and replied "that achievement belongs to this body's unfortunate original owner."
"True, hmm. What happened to that unlucky guy anyway?"
"BAWK! Memories of the previous owner of the body available for purchase, once shop is unlocked. Please plunder more to unlock."
"Great, it seems I'm destined to be at odd with the authorities in this world."
Arriving at the last shack before the gate, John slowed down and looked around. The sun had just set but old Harry was still sitting on his front porch whittling a piece of wood.
"Good evening, I'm looking to buy some materials and I heard you might have some." John approached and tried to be polite, discounts were only given to friends after all.
"Bugger off!" Harry didn't bother getting up. The situation immediately became awkward.
"Well, you're not quite as keen on selling as I had hoped... I should mention I can pay in copper right now. If you let me look at your wares, I'll pick out what I want and pay right away. I'll be gone before you can say kiss the gunner's daughter."
Taking another look at John, Harry spat before saying, "I don't sell materials, I only buy them. Now leave before my patience runs out."
"Alright alright, no need to get feisty." John left frustrated. "No need to get mad... just wanted to build a boat... why you gotta make things difficult." John muttered, kicking a rock to relieve his frustration.
"Yeaouch! Oooo that hurt a lot... stupid rock, stupid Harry..."
"BAWK! You could borrow some stuff when nobody is looking... it would be cheaper they say, plus you could unlock some sweet new functions!" Crackers reminded him.
"True true, let's wait for the cover of night, in the mean time, let's work with what we have. Time for a makeover ye old rum barrel."