My head hung down as I dragged my feet out of the inn. I don't have a single silver or bronze coin to my name. Gazing around the street, I observed several stares from the individuals walking by.
Is my face still specked with dirt?
Then I inspected my clothes and understood why.
Not only were my clothes different from everyone else's, but they also had tears at the midsection, showing off my abs. On my black sweater, there was a white print on the left side of the chest and a big white design on the back. My lower half was equally eye-catching in battle-worn, dark, stretchy jeans.
I need new clothes too…
As I preferred to avoid too much attention, I headed back to the inn.
"Ah, excuse me again. Do you know where I can sell my items?"
The same young lady behind the desk responded. "What do you want to sell? Mana crystals, materials, or equipment?"
"I would like to sell some mana crystals!"
She drew a simple map on a napkin, reducing my worry about my terrible sense of direction. The map led to a trade market, with a section for mana crystals. Luckily, it turned out to be a short walk. Before I went there, I asked about a clothes shop. She looked at my clothes in understanding, telling me I would find clothing establishments in the same area.
"Please come back later!" She waved me off.
As I was heading to the market, it dawned on me how Duane recognized me as an outsider. It should have been obvious. I lacked a mirror to reflect how out of place I looked in this world. I didn't blame myself for not preparing. Who would expect this?
The sights I came across during my walk never failed to provoke my thoughts. If there's one thing I didn't lack, that would be questions. Of the things Duane told me, he only hinted at things, the spawn point for example. He didn't seem to keep secrets or withhold information, but the conversation moved so fast I couldn't ask everything I wanted until we arrived. I would make contacts in this city, expanding my knowledge.
A street filled with stalls and bustling market-goers caught my attention. The signs hanging from the buildings that lined the outskirts of the market provided a glimpse of the variety of shops available.
Before entering the fray, I studied the avid shoppers. Their methods of communication, trade, and haggling. I'd learn from them before I made my debut! Duane's word of advice still stuck in my mind. The merchants could be unscrupulous, even more so to an outsider that looked the part. It's not that I expected the natives to be hostile. I didn't seek to be an easy target for quick profits at my expense. Only after dressing in common clothes could I fit in.
Noticing a shopper bringing out a few pieces of crystals, I focused on the transaction.
Where's the haggling?
No words about finding another stall, acting to leave, raising eyebrows or making faces implying 'I can't go that low' occurred. I refused to believe haggling didn't happen in this world! Yet the scene repeated itself, without fail.
That was enough! I walked towards the stalls with confidence in my stride, a confidence stemming from the belief I had a business edge in this world. I picked the open stall where I saw the first transaction.
"Hello sir! I'd like to sell some of my mana crystals." I said with confidence.
"Okay. How many? What grade and rank?"
"Ah, my good sir, you see. I have a top grade F-rank crystal that I might depart with for the right coin!"
"That will be 2 silver."
"Ah, 2 of the big S? You see, I was thinking more—"
"Sir, there's no haggling for mana crystal prices here… There's a sign on every stall with the price."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see that there…"
"Are you from out of town?" The merchant questioned.
"Huh? Ah yes, I come from a land far away! I am visiting to explore the world."
"I see. That will net you 2 silver. Anything else?"
"I have 42 of the high grade variant!"
"For a price of 1 silver each, that's 44 silver total."
"Okay, do you buy materials here too?"
"No sir, only mana crystals."
I accepted the trade; the merchant pointed me in different directions depending on the material. Knowing where to sell the litt scales in case of emergency, I headed to a nearby shop for clothes.
Covered from the bleaching sun, the shop belonged to the buildings surrounding the market. The sign reading 'Fancy pants', I expect to find pants at the very least. Inside, I found a varied selection of clothes with multiple colors. I had no eye for this world's fashion.
"Excuse me, I would like to purchase some clothes."
"Yes? Is there anything particular you're looking for today?" Came an alluring voice.
A lady appeared from behind a huge rack of clothes, her pony-tailed hair complementing her foxy face.
"Hello, I need pairs of—of casual clothing—"
"Oh, my! What you're wearing—where did you get such exquisite clothing?" she said with genuine interest.
"This? Uh, I got this from a faraway land. As you can see, it got damaged."
"Yes, I can see that, but the design is nothing like I've ever seen before! It's simply out of this world!"
"…"
"If it's not too much trouble, are you willing to trade those clothes for a discount?"
I thought about it before deciding to accept. She graciously helped me in picking outfits. I ended up with a large bag containing several pairs of clothes. It totaled to 5 silver and 80 copper. The original price of 10 silver nearly halved from my worn and torn clothes.
A dark coat covered most of my body now, still giving me freedom of movement. In hand, I held another napkin map to the skills and technique area, as well as the name of a 'Medina Weltzer' with a heart next to it.
I headed further from the direction of the inn, not worried about appearances any longer. The only thing left for the day, buying the basic swordsmanship technique.
I entered the first store in the marked location, named 'The Smart Sword' finding myself among books locked behind bars. As I approached the now-empty counter, I was greeted.
"Good day sir! What would you like to buy today?"
"Do you have the basic swordsmanship techniques?"
"An aspiring warrior, I see! Certainly we do." He grabbed a thin book from underneath the counter.
"Anything else I can interest you in?"
"Only this for now. How much will it be?"
"50 copper coins, sir."
I handed him 50 copper as the book entered my hand. 'Use' I thought, but nothing happened.
"Thank you for your business! Please come again!"
I walked back towards the inn, scanning the pages of the book. As promised, basic techniques of swordsmanship filled every page.
Before I knew it, I had arrived at the inn again. I handed the young lady 10 silver for 5 nights, planning to stay for a while. My stomach rumbled. I would eat some food downstairs after settling into my new room. Learning a technique, I would spend as much time as possible on that goal. Remembering the strength of Duane excited me to no end. I couldn't wait to become strong enough to do anything remotely similar!
The room on the second floor unlocked with my numbered key. A bed, nightstand and a desk with a stool placed in front of a window were all the room had to offer. That's all I would need for now. Placing my new items down by the bed, I headed downstairs.