A few steps later...
I finally arrived at a rather ordinary inn.
Ordinary enough for a bed that wouldn't make me die of boredom after sleeping all day.
But when I saw the room rate, my eyes went wide.
One night here... one gold coin?
"This isn't an inn, it's a jewelry center. Who knows, maybe there's a hidden jewelry store in the back." I stared at the price on the small sign, frowning.
"I thought I just needed a bed, not a place to pay off debt."
With a heavy sigh, I walked inside and approached the receptionist desk.
"Good Afternoon, I'd like to book a room for one night," I said with a slightly sharp tone, hoping I wouldn't have to ask how much the price was—it would be too embarrassing.
The receptionist gave a smile that was just a little too wide, as if sky-high prices were a regular thing.
"Here Five gold coin for you," she said, staring at me with a flat expression, clearly used to complaints like mine.
I stared at the price, then at the receptionist.
"Seriously? For this tiny room?" I glared while surveying the room, which looked more like a dusty warehouse than a decent place to sleep.
"At this rate, I'd rather sleep under a tree."
But since I was too tired and this was the only place I had found, I stepped back to leave. Suddenly, a man walked in.
"One room, like usual, Boss. One gold coin, right?" he said, glancing at the receptionist casually.
I stopped for a moment, hearing that sentence, and realized—yep, this was just one of the usual tricks in this kingdom.
With quick steps, I returned to the receptionist desk and tossed one gold coin onto the table with a bit of a thud.
"So, one gold coin, right, Boss?" I said, giving him a glance full of sarcasm.
The receptionist just nodded with a smile that somehow seemed even wider.
"Is there anything else I can help you with, Miss?"
I took a moment to process... then my eyes caught something even more ridiculous.
"Hey, that guy just a get regular room not just a dusty warehouse room, right?" I asked, pointing to the room next door. "And the price is one gold coin, isn't it?"
The receptionist nodded casually.
"Of course, that guy get a regular room. But if you'd like a more comfortable room, we have one for Seven gold coins."
She listed a higher price in a tone that almost sounded like a TV commercial.
"A larger room, with a window, a softer bed, and a view of the royal garden."
Seven gold coins? I almost laughed.
"What's the difference between that room and this one, other than the fact that the price could buy a whole dining set?"
I said with a cynical smile.
"Softer bed? Garden view? Maybe you got the price wrong. This is just for one night of sleep, right?"
The receptionist nodded quickly.
"But, if you'd like a more 'exclusive' view, there's an extra fee. You can see the harbor or even the secret royal garden." She spoke in a tone as if offering me a golden opportunity.
I snorted softly, unable to hold back a sarcastic smile.
"So... you could buy a whole harbor with five gold coins, huh? Impressive."
Morning came...
After finally finding an inn that didn't trigger a heart attack with its price, I slept like a baby—if that baby had just been chased by a debt collector.
As I went down to the first floor, my stomach made a loud protest.
Time to refuel... or at least make sure I wouldn't faint on the street from a lack of calories and the sheer cost of living.
On the front desk, written elegantly:
"Royal Breakfast – Specialty Menu! Only 2 silver coins!"
Only two silver coins?
With a tiny hope and a big stomach, I took a seat.
Not long after, a Waiter brought my breakfast.
And before me… was a piece of bread—hard as an ex's grudge—and a bowl of warm water with something that might be a leaf floating in it.
I stared at it.
She stared at me.
I stared at the bread.
The bread… reflected the morning sunlight like a gemstone.
"…Is this bread or a brick?" I asked with a half-defeated expression.
The waiter smiled.
Far too calm.
Far too peaceful.
"Both. Depends on how you intend to eat it, Miss."
I picked up the bread and tapped it lightly against the table.
Tok.
Tok.
Tok.
If I had this when I got mugged, it could've been both a lifesaver and an emergency weapon.
I tried sipping the 'soup,' but it tasted like… water.
Yep.
Warm water.
With a hint of fallen leaves.
"This is soup, right?"
"In our culture, it is a spiritual broth—cleansing the soul and... emptying your hopes."
"…Yeah, hope of eating well."
After three minutes of deep life reflection and contemplating whether air could be a valid meal, I got up from my seat.
"Thanks, I'm full. With disappointment and suffering."