Garrick walked in with a cup of water in his hand and gave it to Osric.
"How are you moving already after that close call yesterday?" He asked while scratching his beard.
"You think it's easy? That monster beat me up good." Osric answered.
"By the way, where's my money?"
Garrick chuckled and reached for his pocket.
"Here. 12 silver for the win and 76 from your bet. You better use it to pay the doctor here since I don't have that kind of money."
"Which infirmary is this?"
"It's the smallest one in the common district, but definitely better than any you can find in Lowbrook."
"Alright. Thanks for carrying me."
"Sure. It's honestly impressive that you managed to do what you said. I really thought you were full of shit and just too arrogant."
Osric exasperated. "No. You were right. I thought that I was cautious and calculating enough, but I let my recent success get to my head."
"I knew that I would have to fight dirty to win and that it would be dangerous, but I struggled a lot more than expected. He almost killed me on multiple occasions."
Garrick smiled.
"That's definitely true."
'At least he's humble enough. Most kids his age would've been blinded by such a win and filled with arrogance.'
"Let's get out of here. I need to count my current wealth at the inn and then we should discuss what comes next."
"Are you sure? You better ask the doctor."
A few minutes later, the doctor was checking on Osric's current condition.
As he removed the bandages to examine him better, he was surprised.
"Wow. Your recovery speed is very impressive. Of course your fractured bones and face cuts need more time, but most of your bruises are already fading. Your movement capacity is also beyond what I expected so soon."
Garrick was also surprised to hear that. Osric however expected this with his high vitality. He was still relieved though.
"I can give you some medicine for the pain if you want, but otherwise, the only thing you need to do is rest. Don't strain your body for at least a week. Normally I would've said 2-3 weeks but your recovery speed is superior to most."
"I don't need medicine but thanks. What's the cost for the treatment?"
The doctor looked a little caught off guard but the young man in front of him. It was clear that Osric was in a life threatening fight yesterday, but he seemed completely fine by his expression.
"Oh. Um, that would be 3 silver."
Osric handed over the coins and stood up before turning around to leave.
"Thanks doctor. Goodbye."
"Sure. Bye." He said with a curious look.
'What a strange kid. And that rough looking man looks like his guard. Is he someone important?'
—
A couple of hours later.
Garrick and Osric were eating together in the inn they now both stayed at.
"So, how does your current wealth look?"
"None of your business."
"Hah! Hey now, I thought we had gotten closer. Don't you trust me?"
Osric's expression didn't change as he chewed on his chicken.
"Why do you want to know?"
Garrick shrugged. "Just curious how we compare in that department."
"It's a little over a gold crown right now. You?"
"Holy shit! Didn't you only become an adventurer a few months ago? How did you save up so much while working alone for the most of it?"
"I just spent it wisely and took missions that were profitable to me. How much do you have then?"
"Uh, well. About 30 silver."
Osric almost choked on his chicken as his eyes widened in shock.
"What the fuck? How do you have so little when you've worked as a mercenary for so many years?"
"What can I tell you? I don't go on that many missions and I can't earn a lot as a solo mercenary anyway. I also don't like to bet on my fights in the arena."
"Plus there was a phase where I spent a lot of money of booze."
Osric sighed.
"How can you be so irresponsible despite your age? You act like most young mercenaries."
Garrick looked annoyed but couldn't counter it.
"From now on, spend your money wisely and save up when we complete missions."
"Once we begin our mercenary work in the future, I'll need to be able to rely on you and your experience. I can't have you act recklessly."
Garrick didn't even argue this time. He knew that Osric was right and he was also more determined to follow him less half heartedly than he planned before.
"Fine."
Osric drifted into his thoughts. 'I have 133 silver coins and about 1100 copper coins. That makes roughly 1.4 gold crowns.'
'What should I do with it? That's a lot of money for someone like me. I think I'll save it, but is storing it in my inn room the correct choice?'
Osric didn't want anyone to steal it. He knew how much theft there was in Ashbrook.
'This inn is one of the safest in Ashbrook, but it still worries me to leave my whole so unguarded. I can't really carry it around everywhere either.'
Garrick noticed Osric's expression immediately.
"What?"
Osric tapped his fingers lightly against the wooden table.
"I need to convert most of my copper and silver."
"Hm? Why?"
"Too much weight. Too much risk carrying it around."
Garrick nodded slowly.
"Fair enough. Walking around with over a thousand copper is stupid."
Osric frowned slightly.
"…Don't say it so loudly."
"Hah!"
Garrick leaned back in his chair.
"There's a money changer in the merchant district. Most adventurers use it once they start making decent money."
"Is it trustworthy?"
"As trustworthy as anything in Ashbrook can be."
Not reassuring.
But realistic.
A while later—
the two of them walked through the crowded merchant district again.
The cold air outside still the same despite it being the middle of the day.
Osric kept his hood up while Garrick walked beside him casually.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a narrow stone building squeezed between two larger merchant shops.
No signs of luxury.
But two armed guards stood outside.
And unlike most guards in Ashbrook—
they actually looked alert.
"See? Even thieves know not to mess with money changers." Garrick said.
Inside, the room smelled faintly of metal and old paper.
Several barred windows separated the workers from the customers.
A middle-aged man with thin hair looked up at them.
"What do you need?"
"Currency exchange." Osric answered directly.
The man's eyes briefly scanned their appearances.
Especially Osric's remaining injuries.
Then his expression changed slightly.
"…You're the one from the arena last night."
Osric said nothing.
The man cleared his throat awkwardly.
"What exactly do you want exchanged?"
"100 silver and 1000 copper."
The worker quickly calculated.
"That would become one gold crown and nine silver instead of ten, since we take one silver as commission."
Osric nodded immediately.
"Do it."
The man disappeared briefly before returning with the exchanged currency.
For the first time in his life—
Osric held a gold coin in his hand.
It was heavier than expected.
The gold surface reflected faintly under the candlelight.
Not flashy.
But valuable.
Very valuable.
Osric quietly stored it away.
Current Wealth:
1 gold coin.
42 silver coins.
119 copper coins.
Much easier to carry.
Much easier to hide.
Garrick whistled quietly as they stepped back outside.
"You became rich fast."
Osric ignored the comment.
'Still not enough.'
The amount looked large now.
But once he started fully supporting a party—
equipment, food, medicine, missions, travel, and future mercenary work would consume money quickly.
Power needed resources.
And resources needed money.
"Let's go to the guild." Osric said.
Garrick stretched his shoulders before following him.
"Sure. I'm curious what kind of reaction you'll get after last night."