At night, as we counted the day's earnings in the back room of our shop, I sighed, looking at the heavy pouch of small and big gold coins on the wooden table.
"This is getting ridiculous," I muttered, shaking my head. "I can't just keep stacking these pouches under my bed."
Elvie, who was wiping her hands after handling the sales ledger, leaned back in her chair. "Exactly. You need to store your money somewhere safe."
Ella nodded. "And not just for security. If word spreads that you're hoarding mountains of gold, it might attract unwanted attention."
I groaned. "Great. As if I don't already have enough problems."
Elvie smirked. "That's why you should deposit your earnings with the town's Merchant Guild."
I blinked. "Wait, do they do that?"
"Yes," she confirmed, "It's not exactly a bank, but it works the same way. Merchants and traders deposit their wealth at the guild for safekeeping. The Guild keeps records and ensures that your money is available whenever you need it."
Ella added, "It also gives you legitimacy. If you ever want to expand or apply for larger trade deals, showing that you're trusted by the Merchant Guild will give you credibility."
I leaned back, processing their words.
No banks? Of course, this world didn't have banks. But a merchant-based financial system made sense. The guild likely acted as a vault, offering security and protection for a small fee. If I wanted to grow my business, I had to start thinking ahead.
"Alright, let's do it," I finally said, standing up. "Tomorrow, we'll visit the Merchant Guild and open an account."
Elvie and Ella exchanged satisfied smiles. "Smart choice," Elvie said.
The next morning, we arrived at the Merchant Guild, a grand stone building bustling with traders, craftsmen, and adventurers seeking supplies. The interior smelt of parchment and ink, the scent of business and bureaucracy.
Miss Agnes, the Merchant Guild representative, greeted us warmly. "Dirk, what a surprise. Here for more trade deals?"
I shook my head. "Not today. I'm here to deposit my earnings."
Her eyebrows raised in pleasant surprise. "Ah, a wise decision. Follow me."
She led us to a private office, where a ledger and a heavy iron vault stood behind a desk.
"The Merchant Guild provides secure storage for traders like yourself. Your balance will be recorded in our ledgers, and you can withdraw at any time," Agnes explained as she prepared the documents.
I placed my pouch of gold on the table with a heavy thud. "I'd like to deposit three hundred small gold coins and one hundred big gold coins."
Agnes whistled. "Not bad for a new merchant." She glanced at Elvie and Ella. "Looks like you've been guiding him well."
Elvie smirked. "He needs it."
After finalising the deposit, Agnes handed me a small Guild Token—a wooden disc marked with my merchant identification. "Show this token whenever you want to withdraw or deposit more gold. It's proof of your account with us."
Another Ding
Hidden Quest Completed
Reward: +1 Level
Ignoring the screen, I took the token and slipped it into my pouch. "Thanks, Agnes. This gives me peace of mind."
She nodded. "Smart merchants don't just think about earning gold. They think about keeping it safe."
As we left the guild, I couldn't help but feel a new sense of security. My business was booming, and now, with my wealth safely stored, I could focus on my next steps.
After leaving the Merchant Guild, we headed straight to the marketplace, which was bustling with activity. Stalls lined the streets, displaying everything from fresh produce to finely crafted fabrics and accessories. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, fresh bread, and spices.
"Alright, let's get you two some things," I said, glancing at Elvie and Ella.
"You don't have to, Dirk," Elvie said, but I waved her off. "You've both been a huge help. Consider this a thank-you gift."
We browsed the stalls, picking out new outfits, sturdy boots, and warm cloaks for both of them. Ella's eyes sparkled as she picked out a pair of leather gloves, while Elvie chose a small silver hairpin with a delicate flower design.
"This is too much," Ella muttered as I handed a few small gold coins to the merchant.
"Nonsense. You two deserve it," I said with a grin.
Once we finished shopping, our stomachs were growling, so we stopped by a small food stall run by an elderly elf woman. The scent of grilled meat skewers and vegetable stew was too tempting to resist.
"Three servings of your best meal, please," I ordered.
As we sat at a wooden table, enjoying our meal, Elvie sighed in satisfaction.
Ella nodded as she took a bite of her stew. Once we finished eating, we made our way back to my shop, where a line of customers was already forming. The moment they saw us approaching, some of them started waving, eager to buy more of my products.
"Looks like business isn't slowing down anytime soon," I muttered as I rolled up my sleeves.
Elvie laughed. "Well, let's get to work then!"
In the afternoon, I stood in the doorway of the new shop, feeling a mix of pride and disbelief. From a simple stall in the marketplace to an actual store... in just a few days?
Ella elbowed me playfully. "Look at you, big-time merchant! How does it feel?"
I grinned. "Like a dream."
Elvie, arms crossed, smirked. "Told you so."
Even with the move to a bigger space, the lines hadn't stopped. Customers still flocked to buy my products, and my limited inventory kept the demand high.
For now, I only had four products in the market—water, mamon, cup noodles, corned beef, and hotdogs. But I knew this was just the beginning. With this kind of momentum, who knows how big my business could get?
As I stacked the last of the mamon on the display, an idea struck me.
"Elvie, do you think it's time I introduced my three-in-one coffee mix?" I asked, turning toward her.
She looked up from organising the counter, her eyes lighting up with interest. "You mean those magical creamy drinks we've been having every morning?"
"Yes," I grinned. "I think it'll sell well."
Elvie tapped her chin thoughtfully as we stepped inside the shop. "It's definitely unique. I haven't seen anything like it here. But what are you going to name it?"
Ella, who was busy counting today's earnings at the back of the store, perked up. "Ooooh! Another special from the magical merchant?"
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head. "I think I'll just keep it simple. I'll name it the same way I did with the water bottle—Dirk's Coffee."
Elvie smirked. "You sure do like putting your name on everything."
I laughed. "Well, why not? No one here can read the writing on the original packaging anyway. It makes branding easier."
Truth be told, I had originally bought these coffee mixes from the Filipino grocery store I worked at part-time. Among them was my favourite—Kopiko Black. And since no one in this world could read Earth's language, I could easily rename them however I wanted.
Just like I had done with Dirk Corned Beef, Dirk Hotdog, and Dirk Mamon.
Of course, if some high priest summoned another hero from Earth, I'd be in trouble. But from what I had heard, summoning a hero was a rare event that only happens every fifty years. Worrying about it now would be pointless.
Besides, even the plastic wrappers and bottles of my products mysteriously disintegrated after use, leaving behind no trace of waste. No pollution, no evidence. That meant I could continue my business without concerns about making a mess.
*****
Later that day, I gathered Elvie, Igor, and Ella to discuss my newest products—Dirk's Coffee Mix and Dirk's Sugar.
The latter had come to me as a happy accident. It all started when I was digging through my backpack and found a few small sugar packets from 7/11—the kind you get for free with coffee.
I had thought nothing of it... until I showed one to Igor.
The old elf took the packet and inspected it closely. Then, when he tore it open and poured the sugar into his palm, his eyes went as wide as dinner plates.
"By the gods... This is sugar?" His voice trembled as he held up the tiny white crystals. "I've never seen sugar this fine, this pure!"
Elvie and Ella leaned over to get a closer look.
"It's so... beautiful," Ella whispered in awe.
I nearly burst out laughing. "Guys, it's just sugar."
But Igor shook his head, his expression dead serious. "Dirk, do you have any idea how rare sugar is here? It's a luxury item—something only nobles can afford. Most of the sugar we have is rough, grainy, and takes hours to process before it can even be used."
"And you're telling me this sugar is just... ready to use?" Elvie added, staring at the packet like it was a priceless treasure.
I shrugged. "Yeah. I mean, it's literally free in my world."
"FREE?!" all three of them shouted in unison.
Igor clutched the sugar packet like it was the last hope for humanity. "Dirk, listen to me. You need to be careful. This kind of product will draw attention. If a noble from the mainland catches wind of this, they won't just buy it—they'll try to monopolise it."
Ella nodded. "He's right. You've already made a name for yourself in the local market, but word travels fast. I heard from a friend that the head of the merchant guild is already asking about you."
That made me pause. The head of the merchant guild?
That wasn't just some random noble—it was one of the most powerful people in the kingdom's economy. If he was interested in my products... It could be either a blessing or a disaster.
Elvie sighed, crossing her arms. "For now, I suggest we take it slow. Introduce the coffee mix first. Sugar could come later."
I nodded. "Good idea. No need to put a target on my back just yet."