Starting From Scratch

"Here we come again,

As cinders amidst the flame."

I.

"Mister Horan, this is how the currency in our town works." The receptionist began. He has long black hair that is swayed backwards. His facial features all seem normal. That is, except for the emerald colored eyes he has; hidden behind his thick glasses. He is as tall as I am with a fair complexion.

Before this event occurred, where the receptionist is explaining details of the town, a lot of things have already happened. First of all, Gyn left me as soon as the gates opened. I asked him to assist me some more but all he said was:

"Don't be such a crybaby." Making me wonder if it's normal for town guards to be rude to visitors.

The second thing I did is that, I headed inside after his remark. What awaited me there were maids in casual uniforms and a man sitting in the reception area. I expected to be bombarded with the same hostility shown by all the town guards, but what awaited me was different. All the people here greeted me with are warm and pleasing smiles.

"I knew there are nice people in this town!" Was my triumphant declaration to myself as these people welcomed me.

The other things which happened followed naturally. I was then escorted to my room. My body suddenly remembered how much sleep it wanted and so I got excited. As soon as I was left with the key, I entered the room, shut the door close and went into hibernation.

When I woke up it was already past noontime. My stomach started grumbling again as I got out of bed. I noticed how much of a glutton I've become since entering this world. But that is not my fault! That is largely due to my stamina being depleted whenever I use a skill or maintain its activation. In this case, it is my undead units eating up my stamina. But the rate of depletion is too quick!

"I should have invested more points in stamina." I told myself as I headed down.

"Good afternoon Mister Horan." The receptionist greeted. This led me to remember what Gyn said about, the currency in this place being different. This made me go to the receptionist; making me ask and leading me to this present situation. He is now explaining everything to me.

"Basically our conversion goes like this." The receptionist continued.

"We trade things using different kinds of precious rocks instead of the Gol used outside. An Emerald is equivalent to three gold coins. Sapphire is equivalent to two gold coins. Ruby is as good as one gold coin. Opal for lower currency. While it is Amethyst which is used as the lowest."

I'm a bit shocked about the fact that they have two stones which is of higher value than a gold coin. A coin like this is already equivalent to an average person's whole month of work and yet, there is a currency higher than it here in Crystal.

"If you are wondering why we use stones instead of coins, that is the Count's idea. We are after all named "Crystal Town". Furthermore, Mister Horan, the people of this town are accustomed to this trading method. Rare visitors like you may see it as a problem, but for us here, there is no cause for concern."

He said everything so flawlessly that I'm beginning to see a resemblance between him and Sei.

"Thank you uhmmm…"

"The name is Sebastian. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He answered as if he knew exactly what I will ask.

"I have some questions about the place itself. If that's okay with you." I told him.

"I'll answer all your inquiries for the right price." He told me. Why does it feel that there is a universal rule for all innkeepers to rip-off their customers?

"What is the right price exactly?" I asked.

"That is for me to decide. For now, you may begin asking. I will just collect everything after you finish with your questions."

"This is such a shady deal." I told myself. But hey, I'm used to shady deals already and I've come out alive until now.

"Okay. So this is my first question. Why are there areas that are off-limits?"

"Ahh the simplest one." He said, making me feel like an idiot.

"The off-limits areas are for the elites of this town. You may not have noticed but, Crystal is big enough to be called a city. There are various nobles here just like Count Dreyfus. They gather at those areas to entertain themselves with things that normal people cannot afford."

"So Dreyfus does not actually own the whole land of Crystal?"

"No. Not at all. However, he does have a strong influence amongst the counts so you better watch yourself when in front of him."

"Understood." I answered.

"You mentioned something about entertainment? What is that about?" I asked, curious. This may be a chance to raise my rank in this town.

"Oh that one. Well Mister Horan, that information is only available to the nobles. That is the kind of knowledge which are unknown to us civilians. Well, that would usually be true but…" He motioned for me to come close to him and whispered the next lines into my ear.

"If you give me some extra payment after this, I may just remember some important details."

"…"

"…

"…"

"Mystica I may have found your master in ripping people off." I told myself.

"Fine. I will pay you properly after this. Can you move on with the details now?"

"Have you ever heard of gladiator fights?" He asked. This is something which I have learned from my past life. But maybe the version here is different so I need to make sure.

"No. What is that?"

"Basically it is a place where slaves are gathered together to fight. A noble can pick any champion they wish and use that person to fight for them. The nobles use this system to get properties from other nobles because, deals are made before the fight. If a noble cannot pay something monetarily, he or she must use any existing property in its place."

The concept of fighting is the same as with how it was in ancient Rome. The only thing different is how specific nobles have their very own gladiators who will fight for them.

"Should I tell you about the other place too?"

"Please do." I answered, making sure that I have my pockets ready for the price I need to pay later.

"The next place which the nobles use is an opera house."

"That seems normal." I told him.

"Well yes. Except for the part that the cast gets killed at some point of the show."

"Nevermind what I said."

"The last one on the list is a black-market auction house." Sebastian continued.

"Here they sell goods which cannot be obtained through normal means. The place is also dangerous for nobles because, once you get an item which another noble wants, there is a possibility for you to get assassinated some time later on. The item you bought would naturally be stolen."

"I knew this town is also dangerous." I told myself.

"Okay that will be all."

"Right then, as for your payment, I will discuss the details when you get back. You have other matters to attend to. I believe the Count Dreyfus has invited you to his manor?"

Damn. I almost forgot about that. Wait, how do I even get there?

"Master Gyn has been waiting for you for quite some time now. He is outside the gates and talking with the guards there." Again, Sebastian has answered my questions even before I could ask them.

"Thanks Sebastian." I said as I headed outside the inn.

"Pleasure doing business." He replied.

II.

Gyn seemed to be having a great time as he talked with the other guards. He has a smile on his face now. I thought that guy never smiles, guess I was wrong.

"Gyn! Sorry for making you wait!" I shouted as I walked to his direction.

As soon as he saw me, the bright smile he wore on his face bent downward. I know that I'm not good - looking but having that facial expression as he sees me isn't giving me any justice either. My irritation with Gyn finally reached its peak.

"Sei."

"Yes master."

"Help me find a way to entertain him. I'll pay him back by making him happy while we are together."

"Master…are you gay?"

"SEEEII!"

"That was a joke master. I'll see what I can do." She replied.

I soon reached the gate and waved at Gyn.

"Don't come near me you weirdo."

"What the hell?" I noticed that his disgust with me is higher than his first expression and it's not only him. The guards who are accompanying him wears the same expression on their face now.

Why? What did I do? All I did was walk while calling out to Gyn. Then I talked with Sei… oh wait

I forgot to turn on the Subconscious skill. Then I shouted SEI! This is so embarassiiing!

"Let's get going, we still need to get you some…." Gyn stopped with what he was about to say. He began looking at me from head to toe. Then, He touched my body.

"Hey man, what gives?" I said, embarrassed.

"Your clothes. They aren't wet. Where did you get those?"

"Oh uhmmm, I brought some along." I answered.

"You didn't bring any bag with you. Where would those extra clothes come from I wonder?" Sweat started forming at the top of my forehead. I didn't think he'd be this smart.

"Well that's not my business. Just keep your distance from me, I don't want to get contaminated with your weirdness." This guy is a real piece of work.

"Yes sir." I said, following him as we began walking.

Just wait for it Gyn. I'll make sure that you are the first person I entertain in this town.