After all, back when she was on Earth, she'd grown up juggling part-time jobs and relying on the kindness of strangers to make ends meet.
This was just the same struggle, but in a new world.
What was there to fear?
"Madam Signora, I've left the goods on the table. I've got to head to the library soon, so I'll be going now."
Ash waited for a moment, but Madam Signora seemed tied up with her work and couldn't come out anytime soon.
She gave her a quick shout before preparing to leave.
By now, Ash had been doing odd jobs at this wholesale market for almost a month.
She'd become familiar enough with most of the shop owners here to chat casually with them.
There was no concern about someone trying to stiff her pay just because she left early.
Returning the Spirit Beast Compendium she'd borrowed from the library over two weeks ago was a higher priority.
She was already nearing the end of the library's free borrowing period.
Sure, the overdue fee was only fifty cents a day, but for Ash—still struggling to make ends meet—fifty cents was fifty cents!
Don't underestimate a bread just because it's small.
No matter how small it is, it's still food!
...
"Scorchupial~!"
Just as Ash stepped out of the wholesale market, something tugged on the hem of her shirt from behind.
She turned around but saw no one there.
Realizing what it might be, Ash looked down at her feet and smiled. "Oh, it's you. What's up?"
The culprit was a Scorchupial.
This Spirit Beast looked like a small, white-furred marsupial and had up to twelve different evolution forms depending on its elemental affinity.
If she remembered it correctly, this Spirit Beast belonged to Mr. Gospodin, the owner of the clothing shop at the corner on the second floor.
Usually, it sat outside the shop, acting as a lucky mascot to draw in customers.
The passersby often stopped for a while to pet and fuss over it, unable to resist its charm.
Every time Ash came by, she'd see this poor little marsupial swarmed by fashionably dressed young women.
But why had it suddenly left the second floor and come all the way down to tug at her now?
"Did Mr. Gospodin send you to find me?"
Ash crouched down and gave the little marsupial a few head pats.
Its fur was so soft and silky, like a fluffy cloud that was impossible to resist.
Now she understood why this little marsupial was such a hit with customers in the market.
"Scorchupial~ Scorchupial~"
Once Ash was done petting it, the Scorchupial turned around and revealed the tiny backpack strapped to its back.
"This is for me?" Ash raised her hand and pointed at herself.
The Scorchupial nodded its head and then turned around to unzip its tiny backpack.
From it, it pulled out a few banknotes and placed them into Ash's hand.
"Scorchupial… Scorchupial~ Scorchupial!"
Since Ash wasn't its Beast Master, she couldn't directly understand its thoughts.