Chapter 4: The Banker's Hearth and the First Mandates
The last rays of the setting sun painted the cobblestone streets of Aethelburg in hues of orange and purple as Kaelen made his way back towards his humble home. The clamor of the market was beginning to fade, replaced by the inviting glow of tavern lights and the quiet murmur of evening conversations. His feet ached from the day's labor and endless walking, but a profound satisfaction hummed beneath the weariness. He had earned coin, gathered crucial intelligence, and, most importantly, initiated his first transaction with the Banking System.
His encounter with Gorok and the Ironclad Brothers had been a pivotal moment. The stunned looks on their faces when the coins materialized, the quick shift from suspicion to awe – it was a powerful validation. He'd found his niche, a service so novel in this realm that it felt like cheating. Secure, instant, transparent. It was everything Borin the Usurer was not.
As he reached the familiar, winding path leading to his house, the scent of something warm and savory wafted from within. His stomach, which he'd momentarily forgotten amidst his financial musings, growled in appreciation. He pushed open the creaky door.
"Mother, I'm home!" he called out, stepping into the cozy, dimly lit interior. A small fire crackled cheerfully in the hearth, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
Elara looked up from where she was stirring a pot over the flames, her fiery red hair catching the light. She looked tired, a faint sheen of sweat on her brow, but her eyes held a spark of anticipation. "Kaelen! You're back. And you actually smell of honest labor! Did you manage to earn anything, you surprising rascal?"
Kaelen grinned, pulling out the remaining three coppers from his physical pouch and the five coppers from his first day's labor. He held them out. "Five coppers from hauling lumber. And another three from… a consultation. Enough for dinner tonight and a little more." He decided to keep the details of his "consultation" vague for now. She wouldn't understand.
Elara's eyes widened. "Eight coppers! By the Ancestors, Kaelen! You actually worked! And 'consultation'? What in the blazes did you consult on?" She took the coins, weighing them in her hand, a genuine smile gracing her lips. It was a sight Kaelen realized he hadn't seen enough of in her tired, sick existence. "Well, bless my stars. Come, sit. I made venison stew. The last of that buck you helped me track a few moons ago."
He settled onto the worn chair at the table, the warmth of the hearth a welcome comfort after the chill of the evening. The stew was simple but hearty, rich with tender meat and root vegetables. It was the taste of home, of care, something Hiroki had rarely experienced. He ate slowly, savoring each spoonful.
"So," Elara began, watching him with that keen, sharp gaze. "What possessed you to go off on this sudden bout of industry? Not that I'm complaining, mind. My old bones ain't what they used to be for foraging." She coughed lightly, a softer cough than before, but still present.
Kaelen paused, chewing thoughtfully. He couldn't reveal the System, not yet. But he could articulate his burgeoning ambition. "Mother, this world… It's different. It's vast, and there's so much opportunity. I realized today that our current situation… It's not ideal. You need proper care, and I need to ensure we're secure. And to do that, I need coins. Lots of it." He looked at her directly, his red and amber eyes serious. "I want to do more than just survive. I want to thrive. I want to build something important."
Elara stared at him, her expression a mix of bewilderment and a flicker of pride. "Build something, eh? My Kaelen, the lazy lump, now a builder? What in the blazes are you planning, boy? To build a bigger outhouse?" She chuckled, but there was a genuine curiosity in her eyes. "You sound like your father. God rest his impatient soul. Always chasing some grand idea."
"Something grander than an outhouse," Kaelen affirmed, a slight, knowing smile playing on his lips. "Something that will change how things are done here."
He finished his meal, the warmth spreading through him, both from the food and the quiet satisfaction of the day. As Elara cleared the bowls, Kaelen excused himself, stepping outside to the small, makeshift privy. Away from his mother's watchful eyes, he focused.
[BANKING SYSTEM (PRIMAL)]
The translucent blue interface flickered into existence. He wanted to check his balance, assess his progress.
Current Balance: 0 G, 0 S, 8.99 C (He'd deposited the initial 8 coppers before sitting down for dinner.)
Then, a new notification pulsed on the interface, highlighted in shimmering gold.
[NEW MANDATES AVAILABLE!]
[Mandate 1/5: Establish Client Base] Goal: Secure 5 unique clients who utilize the [BASIC DEPOSIT] function. Reward: 10 Silver Coins, 0.5% increase to [Credit Limit] growth rate.
[Mandate 2/5: Accumulate Copper Wealth] Goal: Deposit a cumulative total of 50 Copper Coins into the System. Reward: 1 Silver Coin, access to [TRANSACTION HISTORY ANALYTICS].
[Mandate 3/5: Accumulate Silver Wealth] Goal: Deposit a cumulative total of 100 Silver Coins into the System. Reward: 1 Gold Coin, access to [ADVANCED CREDIT APPRAISAL].
[Mandate 4/5: Accumulate Gold Wealth] Goal: Deposit a cumulative total of 5 Gold Coins into the System. Reward: 5 Gold Coins, access to [REMOTE TRANSFER (INTER-CITY)].
[Mandate 5/5: Establish Physical Presence] Goal: Identify and secure a suitable location for a permanent banking establishment within Aethelburg. Reward: 2 Gold Coins, 0.1% reduction in all System fees.
Kaelen's eyes widened. Missions! Objectives! This was exactly what his corporate-trained mind craved. Clear goals, tangible rewards. And the rewards themselves were significant: increased credit limit, analytical tools, remote transfers – these were all crucial for building his empire. And the ultimate goal: a physical bank.
Five mandates. Each one a stepping stone. He already had his first client, Gorok, the adventurer. He needed four more. And the wealth accumulation goals were ambitious, especially the gold. He only had 8.99 coppers. That was a long way to 5 gold.
But the "Find location for bank" mandate was particularly intriguing. It wasn't just about finding any building; it was about securing a suitable location. It implied strategy, negotiation, possibly even renovation. This was where his real-world experience, his understanding of logistics and infrastructure, would come into play.
He spent a moment longer studying the mandates, a quiet excitement building within him. This wasn't just a fantasy adventure; it was a business venture of epic proportions. And he, Kaelen, the former cubicle drone, was perfectly suited to manage it. He felt a thrill, a deep-seated satisfaction that far surpassed any bonus check or promotion in his past life. This was genuine, challenging, and filled with limitless potential.
He slipped back inside, the fire still casting its warm glow. Elara was already tucked into her simple bed, her breathing light, but with an occasional, faint wheeze. He pulled a spare blanket over her, a quiet gesture of care that felt surprisingly natural.
He settled onto his own cot, his mind buzzing, too stimulated to sleep. He reviewed the day's events, the information gleaned from Borin, and the initial success with Gorok. He mentally outlined his strategy for the coming days.
First, clients. He needed to find four more people, preferably adventurers or merchants who dealt with significant coin and could appreciate the benefits of his system. The market was a good starting point. He'd need a pitch, a way to quickly explain his service and build trust. Maybe a low introductory fee, or a promise of security against theft.
Second, wealth accumulation. This was interconnected with client acquisition. As more clients used his system, more coins would flow through it, even if just for short periods. He could also continue to take odd jobs, using his newfound strength and drive. He needed to be visible, to build a reputation.
Third, the bank location. He envisioned it clearly: not a grand, imposing fortress like the Guildhall, but a secure, accessible place.
Perhaps a renovated storefront in a busy commercial district, but not too close to the Usurer. A place that conveyed reliability and modernity. He'd need to observe the city more closely, looking at property, talking to people, understanding who owned what. He would need a front, a legitimate business that could house his burgeoning financial operations.
His last thought before sleep finally claimed him was a single, powerful image: stacks of gold, shining brilliantly, endless reserves flowing through his system. And at the center of it all, him. Kaelen. The King of Banking.
He sat on his cot but didn't lie down. Instead, he stared at the ceiling, thinking.
Tomorrow:
– Visit the market again.
– Offer services to merchants or guards.
– Refine a pitch: quick, secure deposits, no fear of theft.
– Explore the city—look for vacant shops or storage units.
– Start mapping out potential clientele and rivals.
The plan was forming. He could see it: a small building near the trade road, painted clean, with a ledger board out front displaying "Secure Transfers Accepted Here." No gold bars. No pomp. Just function, reliability, and trust.
He'd build it from nothing. And he would protect it all—his mother, his ambition, and his future.
Kaelen let himself lie back.
Tomorrow will be a new day.
And the Banking Empire… had just begun.