A City on the Brink of Collapse
Chapter 3: A City on the Brink of Collapse 🏰
The dirt road stretched endlessly ahead, winding toward a walled city looming in the distance. Towering stone fortifications stood as a testament to the kingdom's past glory, though the cracks in the masonry hinted at years of neglect.
Guard towers punctuated the walls, archers stationed atop them, their watchful gazes scanning the horizon. At the gate, armored knights stood tall, their polished breastplates reflecting the twin suns. Spearmen patrolled alongside them, their rigid formations exuding discipline.
Kim Minho adjusted his grip on the leather pouch hanging from his belt, the weight of gold reassuring yet dangerous.
"So this is my starting point, huh?"
He could see a steady stream of travelers heading toward the entrance—caravans laden with goods, weary adventurers clad in mismatched armor, merchants haggling over prices even before reaching the city. Soldiers in dull, dented armor patrolled the roadside, their weapons worn but functional.
Minho blended into the flow of people, keeping his posture relaxed but observant. He needed information, and the best way to gather intel was through quiet observation.
✨ DING! ✨
A familiar blue screen popped up before him, invisible to everyone else.
🔹 [Status]🔹 [Financial Summary]🔹 [Online Shop]🔹 [Withdraw Gold]🔹 [Loss Reward System]
"Let's check my stats."
He tapped [Status], and a detailed profile unfurled before him.
Kim Minho – Level 1
🔹 Titles: [The Reincarnated Tycoon] [System's Chosen]🔹 Strength: 10 (Below Average)🔹 Agility: 12 (Slightly Above Average)🔹 Intelligence: 25 (Business Genius)🔹 Luck: 999/1000 (Outrageous)🔹 Magic Affinity: [All Elements] (Dormant)🔹 Gold: 9,999,999,898
Minho's eyebrow twitched.
"Why is my luck so ridiculous? And my strength… Well, at least I'm not completely weak."
It was clear that his combat prowess wouldn't be carrying him anytime soon. He'd have to rely on money, connections, and strategy.
Before reaching the city, he decided to fix his attire. His modern-looking outfit—casual slacks and a button-up—stood out like a sore thumb.
He pulled up [Online Shop] and scrolled through the clothing section.
👕 [Traveler's Outfit – 5 Silver Coins]👕 [Fine Merchant's Attire – 3 Gold Coins]👕 [Noble's Silk Robes – 20 Gold Coins]
"Too flashy, too expensive… Ah, this will do."
✨ PURCHASED: Traveler's Outfit ✨
A dark, durable tunic and simple trousers appeared in his hands. Stepping off the road briefly, he changed into the era-appropriate clothing, completing the look with a rugged leather belt and a cloak to blend in further.
"Now, I look like any other traveler."
By the time he reached the city gate, the line had grown longer. Minho calmly took his place among the crowd, keeping his ears open.
"—Damn taxes keep rising, and the merchants are bleeding us dry."
"The lord doesn't care about us common folk. The grain shipments barely last a month."
"Hah! Forget food. Have you seen the price of iron? Even basic weapons are costing a fortune now."
Minho's sharp mind pieced the conversation together.
So, the kingdom's economy is crumbling. Food shortages, rising taxes, overpriced goods… This place is a mess.
Unlike other fantasy worlds where cities charged an entrance fee, this one didn't—probably because they needed every coin circulating inside.
As Minho passed through the gate unchallenged, he finally got a good look at the city.
🏙 A City in Decline
The streets were wide but filled with potholes. The buildings, once grand, had chipped walls and faded paint. Market stalls lined the roads, their vendors shouting half-heartedly, trying to sell goods that few could afford.
Soldiers roamed in small patrols, their armor showing signs of wear. The people moved with a subtle tension in their shoulders, as if accustomed to hardship.
Minho sighed.
"Welp, looks like I really am in the weakest kingdom."
His first priority was securing a place to stay. Spying a modest inn named The Rusty Mug, he stepped inside.
The common room smelled of stale ale and cheap stew. A few travelers sat at wooden tables, nursing drinks and whispering among themselves.
A burly innkeeper with a gruff beard eyed him from behind the counter.
"Room's three silver a night," he grunted.
Minho, still in businessman mode, reached into his pouch and handed over one gold coin with a casual, "Keep the change."
The room fell silent.
The innkeeper's eyes bulged. A single gold coin was ten times the room's price!
A man in the corner nearly spat out his beer. A waitress froze mid-step. The quiet murmur of the inn turned into hushed whispers.
"…Did he just tip an entire gold coin?"
"Who the hell is this guy?"
"That's more money than I make in three months…"
Minho immediately sensed his mistake.
Shit. I tipped like I was in a five-star hotel back on Earth.
Suppressing the urge to facepalm, he turned on his heel and casually walked toward the stairs.
The innkeeper stood frozen, holding the coin as if it were a sacred relic.
Minho shut his door and sighed.
"Okay. Lesson learned. Gold is worth way more here."
He needed guards—not just for protection but to avoid getting targeted by desperate thieves.
🌆 The Merchant District – A Lesson in Economics
The next morning, Minho stepped into the bustling merchant district before heading to the Adventurer's Guild. If he was going to hire bodyguards, he needed a proper grasp of the economy.
Shouts filled the air—
"Fresh fruit! Just five copper a piece!""Finest silk from the southern regions! Two silver per yard!""Steel weapons! Best quality for only three gold!"
Minho watched the transactions, quickly calculating the exchange rate.
💰 Currency Exchange Rate (Based on Prices):🔹 100 Copper = 1 Silver🔹 100 Silver = 1 Gold🔹 1 Gold = A week's wages for an average worker
No wonder people reacted so strongly to his careless tipping.
"I need to be more careful about how I spend… publicly, at least."
He continued walking, his mind absorbing every bit of information. With his wealth, he could single-handedly shift the market… if he played it right.
And soon, the next step of his plan would begin.
🏹 Next Stop: The Adventurer's Guild!
—To Be Continued…