Thran was falling into almost pitch darkness, filled with cold fog.
He woke up, slowly opening his eyes. It took a moment for him to realize what was happening.
"AAAAGHGHGHHHG—"
Where am I? It's so dark… cold… I can't see anything…
A voice appeared—or more like, a voice spoke:"Time is ticking. Find your worth."
I woke up. I'm back… it seems to be afternoon now.
I'm still on the floor…
Pheww… thank God Elris didn't see me faint. If not, I would've gotten one hell of a scolding.
I stood up, went to the window, and took a quick breath of fresh air…
Since I've returned to this world, I'm guessing I don't have much time before chaos occurs—especially with that note. And also… from experience reading all those webnovels, manhwa, and manhua in the past…
It's pretty late. I should go look for Elris.
I went outside my room and headed to the streets.
I missed these streets… the people… and of course, the horrific smell of everything all at once.
Ugh… the smell is unbearable. Maybe I'm too used to modern life.
Elris seemed to have just finished shopping.
"Thran… why are you outside?"
"Why? Can't I go outside?"
"No, it's just… never mind."
"Ris, that's quite a lot of ingredients you have there."
"Yeah, I guess so. The merchants were so crowded today. I wonder why?"
"It's probably nothing, Ris. Maybe they brought something new."
"Hmmm… maybe. Oh yeah, I looked around earlier, but I couldn't find any… uhhh… honey over there."
"Hmm… why did you say 'uhhh'… did you—"
"Nooo. Whatever you're thinking, the answer is no."
"Fine, fine. Let's head back."
"Yeah, sure. I'll get some short rest before making the cake too."
"Sure, sure, Ris."
We entered the house just minutes before it turned dark.
Before I entered, something felt off.
Suddenly, I felt pressure… goosebumps all over my body.
Then it stopped.
I went inside, my mind filled with thoughts that weren't even worth mentioning.
Elris noticed I had turned pale and was sweating.
"Thran, you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."
"Maybe it was a ghost… but I'm sure it's nothing much."
"Please don't jinx it, Thran."
"Sure."
I sat down and helped organize the ingredients Elris bought. After that, we took a short rest.
While resting, Elris suddenly jolted.
"Shiiiiiittttt!"
"What?"
"I forgot I have homework for tomorrow. Thran, I'm sorry, but the cake has to wait."
"Sure. We also don't have any honey anyway."
"Alright, Thran, I'm going to do homework."
"Alright. You know who to ask if you need help."
As morning arrived, I heard a loud rush.
I wondered if that was Elris, so I went out of my room.
"Yo, Ris, what's with the rush?"
"Oh come on, I have school. I'm going to be late in a couple minutes!"
"Okay, goodbye."
Elris left. Honestly… I had no idea what I was supposed to do.
I went outside, strolling around the city with only three silvs coins and four links coins.
This is barely anything to spend…
…or is it?
Come to think of it, this is actually quite a lot. My modern mindset keeps telling me it's nothing.
This world has a decent currency, 10 bits make a link, 10 links make a silv, and 20 silvs make a crown…
And then… there's Seal.
Fifty Crowns for one.
A money that i will probably never see......
I hope I jinx this one
......That means I'm carrying more than enough for basic living.
Yeah… definitely enough for a couple weeks of groceries.
Now I can already hear Ris nagging me not to waste money…
Ehh, who cares.
Somewhere far away—
"ACHOOoooo…"
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
Time really has changed… or maybe not. Maybe it's me who has changed.
Welp… what's that?
I seemed to have walked into some sort of festival. I wonder what it's about.
"Hello, excuse me, madam."
I asked a granny guarding a stand.
"Yes, young man?"
"May I ask what festival this is?"
"Oh hoho, young man, have you not heard? This is a visit from the famous Veridians. Though we don't know much about them, this one seems to seek popularity. Well, whatever it is, I am simply a bystander on the sidelines."
"Very well, madam. Thank you for the information."
"You're welcome, young man. And I suggest you don't peer too far behind the curtain."
I left the stand and continued strolling around. I saw a stage and an announcement board.
10:50 AM – Mr. Astin, the Traveling Weaver
Hmm… that's starting in 20 minutes. I still have some time to stroll around.
I walked around and heard a ruckus.
I wondered what it was and walked toward it.
"YOU CHEATED! RETURN MY MONEY!"
Oh… a gambling place. Poker… that seems fun.
"That's on you for losing."
"BUT YOU CHEATED! ALRIGHT, I'M DONE WITH THIS!"
I saw the man about to punch the other person, so I stepped in.
I stopped his punch and said, "Calm down. Just win your money back."
"ARE YOU STUPID? I'VE LOST ALL MY MONEY, AND HE'S DEFINITELY CHEATING!"
"You sure he cheated?"
"Yes!"
"Alright. I'll lend you my money. How much did you lose?"
"14 silv."
Damn… that's a lot. Still, fine. I'll get your money back.
"How?"
"Watch me play."
10 minutes later…
"How… I ONLY HAVE 1 SILV LEFT!!!"
"I told you he's cheating."
"I guess you're right…"
Alright… who cares. I only have two pair anyway. I'm going to lose.
I placed my cards down, hoping the opponent had a worse hand.
"ALL IN."
"ALL IN? You only have 1 silv left! What are you even going to do? HAHAHAHA!"
The watchers laughed.
"Fine, I'll also go all in. 30 silv."
"Reveal the cards."
Two pair… and four of a kind.
What…? I'm sure I only had two pair…
Wait… that means I won.
"WHAT?! IMPOSSIBLE! YOU CHEATED! HOW DID YOU HAVE FOUR OF A KIND YOU SWITCHED OUR CARDS?!"
"Cheated? I'm as clueless as you."
I was sure I had two pair… so how did that happen?
Suddenly, he tried to hit me, but I countered his attack, stopping him completely.
Guards nearby rushed in.
I let him go and explained briefly.
After that, they made sure we got the earnings, then we left.
"Holy… how did you do that? I'm sure you had two pair."
"Actually… I'm wondering the same thing."
"Here's your 14 silvs… and an extra 1 silv for getting me dragged into that gamble. Call it a thank-you—or whatever you want."
"Thank you so much. By the way, we haven't exchanged names. I'm Maru. What about you?"
"Nice to meet you, Maru. I'm Thran."
"Oh—you're Thran from the ancient research department! I'm a junior. I've heard about you before."
"Oh… yeah. I was in college back then… well, still now, I guess."
"I've heard you've been absent lately."
"Let's just say I have my reasons. It doesn't matter anyway—I'm graduating next month."
"Well… alright then. Thanks for everything. See you later."
"Very well."
I can't believe I have 16 silv now… I guess I can spend more freely.
Hmm… what's that? A fortune teller? Let's check it out.
"Hello? Anyone there? … Hm, no one?"
"Well, hello there."
"AGHHHH!"
"AGHHHHH!"
"WHY DID YOU SCREAM?!"
"YOU SPOOKED ME! WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?!"
"WELL, NOT SCREAM!"
I sighed and sat down.
"Fine… I'm sorry."
"Me too. Sorry for spooking you."
"So… what would you like to know?"
"What do you offer?"
"Have you never been to a fortune teller?"
"Uhhhh...Alright… I'd like to know the past, present, and future."
"Then… shuffle these cards."
"Wait… aren't these poker cards?"
"JUST shuffle. Tarot cards that look good are too expensive."
I shuffled and handed them back.
She spread them out.
"Pick two cards three times. Each pair represents the past, present, and future. Which do you want first?"
I already know my past… better start with the future.
"Then take two cards while thinking of your future."
I picked two cards.
"Flip them."
I flipped them.
Ace of spades… and ace of diamonds?
"Uhhh… that is… uhh… The Magician. It means… in the future, you will have the power to command the room. Yeah… that."
I whispered, "This sounds so sketchy…"
"Did you say something?"