A warm breeze drifted through the slightly open window, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers into the room. The afternoon sun bathed everything in a golden glow, casting long shadows across the floor.
Alex's eyelids fluttered open.
For a moment, he lay still, his mind in a haze, adjusting to his surroundings. The bed beneath him was soft, but his body felt surprisingly well-rested despite the intense workout from earlier.
His stomach grumbled softly.
"How long did I sleep?" he murmured, rubbing his forehead.
Sitting up, he turned his gaze toward the door. The memory of his mother's visit lingered in his mind—her warm smile, her concern, and the tears she had shed over him.
He let out a breath and stood up.
Stretching his arms, he walked over to the door and pushed it open.
Stepping into the hallway, he found himself in a long corridor lined with intricate wooden doors, each leading to another part of the mansion. The walls were adorned with elegant carvings, depicting dragons and celestial beings.
As he walked, he saw maids busy with their tasks, moving with precision and discipline. Some carried baskets of fresh linens, while others dusted the decorative vases and paintings that lined the hallways.
A familiar voice called out.
"Young Master, where are you going?"
Alex turned and saw Lila, the maid from before, walking toward him. In her arms, she carried a stack of thick, leather-bound books.
She glanced at him, tilting her head slightly. "I knocked at your door earlier, but you didn't answer, so I assumed you were still asleep. I didn't want to disturb you."
Alex nodded, appreciating her thoughtfulness. "I was just roaming around, stretching my legs."
Lila held up the books. "I brought the books you requested. Should I place them in your room?"
He thought for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, just leave them there for now."
"Understood, Young Master." She bowed slightly before turning to deliver the books.
Alex continued his casual exploration, turning corners and passing by different rooms.
Then, after a while, he saw it—
The exit.
A pair of large metal gates, guarded by dozens of armored men.
As he walked toward them, several guards noticed him and immediately bowed their heads.
He returned their silent greeting with a nod before something else caught his eye.
To the left of the gates, nestled within the estate walls, was a beautiful small garden.
The moment Alex stepped into the garden, he felt an overwhelming sense of peace.
A soft breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the delicate fragrance of countless colorful flowers. A small pond sat at the center, its clear waters reflecting the sky, filled with exotic fish that shimmered like liquid jewels.
A simple wooden hut stood nearby, tucked beneath the shade of a large tree. In front of it, a single chair faced the pond.
Curious, Alex walked over and sat down.
The sound of the gentle rippling water and the distant chirping of birds felt almost hypnotic.
His eyes drifted toward the vibrant flowers growing along the garden's edge.
Unable to resist, he walked over and plucked one.
Bringing it close to his nose, he inhaled deeply.
A sweet, soothing scent.
His lips curled into a small smile. "What kind of flower is this?" he wondered aloud.
Before he could think further, a soft meowing sound interrupted his thoughts.
"Meow... Meow..."
Alex turned toward the sound and saw an orange cat emerge from a small hole in the estate wall.
The hole was much larger than expected—big enough for a person to crawl through.
His eyes narrowed as curiosity took hold of him.
"Where does this lead?"
Without hesitation, he knelt down and began crawling through the hole.
The moment he emerged on the other side, Alex was greeted by an entirely different world.
A massive city stretched before him, alive with glowing lanterns and bustling streets. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold.
The streets were packed with people—merchants shouting about their wares, children running through the alleys, noblewomen in flowing silks, and men gathering in groups, laughing over drinks.
The vibrant sights, sounds, and smells overwhelmed his senses.
For a moment, Alex simply stood in awe.
"This place… is amazing."
Taking a deep breath, he pulled a cloth from his pocket and covered his face to avoid attracting too much attention. But even with a disguise, his natural charisma was impossible to hide.
As he walked through the streets, he felt the weight of countless eyes on him.
Most of them belonged to women.
Some blushed and whispered to each other. Others simply stared in dazzled silence.
Meanwhile, their male companions looked furious, throwing him jealous glares.
Alex sighed internally. ("I should've known this would happen.")
Just as he was about to turn into a quieter alley—
He spotted something on the ground.
A small pouch.
He picked it up, inspecting its contents.
Inside were 20 bronze coins, 10 silver coins, and 1 gold coin.
His eyes widened. "Jackpot."
But then, a question struck him. ("Wait… what's the currency value in this world?")
"Hey, System, explain the currency."
___
[Currency System]
100 Bronze Coins = 1 Silver Coin
100 Silver Coins = 1 Gold Coins
___
Alex's smile widened.
"One gold coin is worth 10,000 bronze coins? That's… a lot of money!"
Although he felt a bit guilty for keeping the pouch, he reasoned, "Finders keepers. Still, if I ever find the owner, I'll return it… eventually."
With his newfound wealth, he continued down the street.
Before long, he spotted a large, well-lit inn.
Through the open windows, he could see people eating, drinking, and chatting.
Feeling a bit hungry, he decided to enter.
The moment he stepped inside, the entire inn fell silent.
All eyes turned toward him.
Alex ignored the stares and calmly walked toward an empty table.
Slowly, the chatter resumed, though most of the female guests continued sneaking glances in his direction.
A middle-aged waitress approached him, a polite smile on her face.
"Sir, may I take your order?"
Alex glanced at her and said, "Bring me your best dish."
The woman nodded. "Understood. Please wait a moment."
As she left, Alex opened the pouch once more, staring at the coins inside.
A feeling of guilt settled in his chest.
"If I had my own money, I wouldn't have to use this… but I'll make it up later."
Just as he was lost in thought, the waitress returned, setting down a steaming plate of food.
"Here is your meal, sir."
Alex thanked her before pulling down the cloth over his face.
The moment he took a bite—his eyes widened in shock.
"This… is incredible!"
The rich flavors melted on his tongue, better than any meal he'd ever had.
As he enjoyed his food, someone approached his table.
Looking up, Alex saw—