Author's Rambling Corner:
Hello readers,
I've tried writing this chapter from the MC's POV for a different perspective. I'm eager to hear your feedback on how it enhances the story. Happy reading:)
Bowen's Pov
Can you believe I was kidnapped, threatened to sign a shady contract, and forced into child labor at the young age of 6? I am also in training to become a professional murderer by a self-proclaimed god and an inconsiderate stone-hearted system. Scary right? I welcome you all to the abnormal and horrible life of mine. strange happenings have become common to me now. Just a week before a beautiful girl came to me and handed over her girly hankie for no reason, shouted idiot to my face then ran away.
System: [host if you have time for self-loathing how about taking your a** of the bed and focusing on your main mission]
See what did I mean by being heartless and inconsiderate? My only clue for the main mission 'MR GOOD PERSON-BALE' is gone. And you haven't issued me any side missions then. I also do not have Mr. Herald's classes anymore. Except for cultivating Nova's technique all I have to do is fiddle away my time with handling and experimenting with herbs and play(train) with Casper.
Jago: "Bowen are you there? come on, let's play hide and seek today "
ya right! add acting as an innocent child and enduring my hyperactive childhood friend to my bucket list.
Well, as of today I am free from Jago because I am going on a trip with my father to the town of Aswalt. My father and mother were against it at first. Of course, they will be after the incident in Elu mountains. My tantrum and puppy eyes finally paid off. Now I am riding on a cart pulled by a bullhorse. Yup, you guessed right. It is the combination of a bull and a horse. A Common animal used to pull carts. There is also bullion, a combination of bull and stallion, used by people of the above-average financial class. It is double the cost of a bullhorse, but has a faster speed and can travel long distances. Talking about costs, let me introduce to you the money system in the grime sphere. Copper coins are the lowest value of currency here.
100 copper coins = 1 bronze coin
100 bronze coins = 1 small silver coin
100 small silver coins = 1 large silver coin
100 large silver coins = 1 gold coin
100 gold coins= 1 platinum coin
100 platinum coins = 1 purple coin
The cost of a loaf of hard bread is 10 coppers. which is the basic food of many people in our village. The rent of Bullhorse for a day is 50 coppers. Considering the total income of my family amounting to 2- 3 bronze coins/ month, the bull horse is in itself a costly expenditure. Nevertheless, my father needs to rent one every month to transport wooden logs and his wood works to the town for selling. Oh! Did I mention my dad is a carpenter? well, he is not an expert in that field but can make basic items of furniture and also sells some firewood and tree logs in bulk as a side hustle.
Wow! look at the time... as we were talking we have already reached the entrance to the town of Aswalt. Even though I have seen many bustling cities with skyscrapers in my previous life, this is my first trip outside the village as Bowen in this fantasy world. Of course, I am excited. After all, adventure in unknown lands is every man's dream. As we stand in a long line of vehicles on the left which seems to have lined up for inspection we could see some better carts and wealthy people go to the right side of the line where there are fewer people and a short line. ..and there it is the discrimination against the wealthy and poor which is common in every world, country, and society. finally, after 20 minutes of waiting, the large gate at the entrance loomed over us, standing at an impressive 15 x 20 feet. It was made of a dark, sturdy wood that seemed to be intricately carved with images of sea creatures and ships on sides. There was a big carving of an anchor on the door in the middle which is the symbol of this coastal town. As we stepped through the gate, we were immediately struck by the bustling activity of the town.
"Brother Theodore,who's the little guy with you?" A guard in uniform greeted my father.
"Hello, Mr. Xander. This is my son Bowen," Dad introduced.
"Son? Wow, I had no idea. Is this your first time here, cutie?" Xander asked
me.
"Yes sir, it is," I replied politely.
"No need to call me 'sir', buddy. You can call me Uncle Xander. I work as a gate guard, so let me know if you need help," Xander said, ruffling my hair. I smiled, my father and Theodore shared a chuckle.
"Go away..go go...don't stand here during peak hours. you are disturbing the customers here." We turned around to see a drunken man stumbling out of a shop, his face flushed with alcohol. He was a tall man, with shaggy, unkempt hair and a thick beard that almost hid his face. His clothes were dirty and ragged, and his breath reeked of liquor.
The shopkeeper, a burly man with a scowl on his face, was chasing him out, brandishing a broomstick. The drunken man seemed unaware of the danger he was in, or perhaps too drunk to care. He tripped over his own feet, stumbling and falling to the ground.
"Its quite the commotion there," said my father just because he didn't want to act blind seeing a big ruckus.
"He is a refugee from nearby town of Ludwig. That drunkard has been here in slums for months now. At first some took pity on him and offered him alms and food. But his demand grew day by day. He has started to block the entrance of shops disturbing the business and never leaves until the owner of the shop offered him money for alcohol." Explained xander
"Jeez..that's too bad. Can't you guards do something about it?" Said my father.
"The problem is this town's laws are in favor of refugees to care for their wellbeing. The most we can do is warn or chase him away by force."
We saw the drunkard stagger his way to another shop without a care even after getting hit by the broom. We couldn't stay longer for the show as my father had to take care of his business. We thanked xander and moved on to the direction of the market.
The roads in Aswalt were better than any I had seen in my small village, but still narrow enough that horses and carts had to carefully weave their way through the crowds. In addition to horses, centaurs, and other bulky animals, there were carts pulled by some winged creatures. Some of the more affluent residents might ride in carriages pulled by sleek, black stallions. The streets were smooth and well-developed, with polished stones lining the way. The buildings that surrounded me were made of a mix of wood and bricks, and some of them even stood two stories tall. It was quite a change from the small, humble homes of my village. Some of the wealthier homes had stained glass windows and ornate balconies, and every street was lined with trees and flower plants. The locals seemed to take great pride in keeping the town clean and well-decorated.The Market was chaotic, colorful scene with vendors hawking everything from exoticspices to live animals. On either side of the street, shops and stalls sold everything from fresh produce to handcrafted goods There was a section for fresh fish and seafood caught that day from the nearby coast. The air was thick with the smells of spices and roasting meats, and my stomach growled in anticipation.
While I was in daze looking at the bustling market , Soon my father attended all his regular consumers and sold all of his wood stock in the carriage.
"Want to go see Gia grandmother?" asked my father.
"Ummhmm." I nodded and father directed the coachman in another direction.