Chapter 14 - The Village market

Ram had time, so he went to the village market to understand the currency, the type of goods available, and if there was something he could trade for.

While going towards the market area that he saw yesterday, he met the village chief on the road.

"Hello, Village Chief, How are you today?"

"I am doing good. Thanks for asking."

The village chief replied, then added

"You woke up early?"

"Yes, I usually wake up early; I don't like to sleep for a longer time." Ram nodded and replied, further stating

"Elder I had time before I started working in the forest, so I thought of visiting the market."

"Good, young man, you should wake up early. Head straight and turn right at the intersection, and you will reach the market. Have a good day."

Then the elder went wherever he was going.

Ram then continued and reached the market, and to his surprise, the market was mostly empty. He thought maybe it was because of the early morning time.

While strolling in the market, he could see some villagers going from one stall to another and using paper to buy things.

"Wait, wait, paper, isn't that currency note? "Why is it currency and not gold and silver?"

"Does this world also have a banking system?"

"I guess this world has also introduced the currency system, but it's fascinating that some of the things on earth are also similar to the Rudra world."

Ram asked and then answered himself.

If someone had observed Ram at this time, he would have taken him and admitted him to some mental asylum. What Ram had asked and answered was actually the most basic knowledge that even kids knew.

Ram came across several stalls when walking through the market, looking at the clothes, food supply, furniture materials, antique objects, and even things like tiny animals being sold off that he did not understand or have any knowledge of.

He went ahead and stopped at the older man's stall selling food utensils.

"Hello, elder, how much is it for this set of food utensils and kitchen knife set?"

The old seller looked at Ram and smiled politely while answering, "100 Rudransh notes for the basic food utensils and 200 Rudransh for the kitchen knife set."

"Are you new around here?" The elder then inquired about Ram.

"Yes, it has only been a few days since I settled in the village."

Ram answered while having a confused expression.

The old seller saw Ram's reaction and knew what he was thinking and saying.

"I asked if you are new because I have lived in this village for more than 100 years and I know almost everyone. You are a person I haven't seen before. So I was curious. I hope you don't take offence to my question."

"Not at all, senior; I was just curious how you knew I was a new person in the village, nothing else."

Ram answered while further asking

"Do you also barter for the products? I am new in the village, and all my money got lost while reaching the village from the dense forest."

Elder thought for a while. and said.

"I usually don't do barter, but since you are new and don't have any money, if you can help me with unloading the products that will reach here in some time, I can barter the product for this service."

Ram immediately accepted it and waited near the stall for the products to reach him.

So the currency here is called Rudransh. I hope it's the same currency throughout the world." Ram thought out loud while observing the trade happening around him in the market.

"System, can you explain to me a little about the currency and its structure?"