A loud, piercing crow from the rooster jolted Edward awake.
He groaned, rubbing his eyes as the stubborn noise dragged him from sleep into the pale morning light.
"Damn village," he thought, stretching his stiff limbs that protested against the cramped space of his shabby bed. Despite the discomfort, he felt rested, more so than he had in his previous life.
He didn't linger.
The small, empty room offered nothing to hold him, and he had things to do.
He pulled his tunic tighter around his shoulders and stepped out into the early morning streets, where the fog had yet to lift and the smell of damp earth mingled with smoke from hearth fires.
It wasn't long before he met the Chief. The man's massive frame blocked the narrow road ahead.
He waved the moment he saw him, a faint smile crossing his aged face.
"Ahh, Edward!" the Chief called, taking a couple of steps toward the young man.
His gaze drifted downward, pausing on Edward's ragged clothing, a faint frown knitting his brow.
Edward opened his mouth to greet the man, but the Chief cut him off before he had the chance to speak.
"Please, don't take it as an offence, Edward, but you really are in dire need of new clothing."
Edward blinked. "Huh?"
The Chief dug into his pouch, the rustle of metal and leather filling the quiet corner of the street.
After a moment of searching, he pulled out a single gold coin and extended it toward him.
Edward froze, his eyes widened at the sight of the single gold coin.
He could remember from Edward's memories the meaning of that coin. The young orphan used to work in the fields seven days per week to earn just ten silver. That single gold coin was worth a hundred silver months of his expenses back then.
"Are you sure?" Edward asked, though his fingers already closed around the coin.
The Chief nodded.
"I believe I owe you a thank you for bringing that criminal to justice." His voice was calm but carried weight, the kind that made Edward straighten instinctively.
"Please, walk with me," the Chief added, "I have a matter to attend to on the other side of the village."
They began walking through the now-busy roads. Villagers carried baskets and jugs, pausing briefly to stare at the Chief and greet him with quiet nods.
"As for your reward," the Chief began, "ask me anything. If it is within my power, I will make it happen."
Edward paused, turning the gold coin over in his hand. He hadn't expected much. Truthfully, this coin alone would have been more than enough for most, but he had other plans. He didn't want a moment's luxury—he wanted more.
"I want a job," he said after a long pause.
The Chief blinked. "A job? That should be easy—"
"I want to solve crimes," Edward cut in, voice clear and unwavering.
"Crimes?" the Chief repeated, brow furrowed in confusion—never hearing that word before.
"Yes," Edward said, eyes meeting the Chief's steady gaze. "I want to find murderers… just like last time."
The Chief's expression shifted from surprise to serious consideration. He studied Edward for a long moment, perhaps weighing the boy's readiness.
"I don't think it is a job for someone your age, Edward. You've done well, but if the soldiers hadn't engaged the murderer, you would have been killed."
Edward inclined his head slightly. "I'm aware of the risks."
The Chief chuckled softly, a sound that seemed almost fatherly.
"You are one particular individual, Edward. How about this… I will find a soldier willing to take you in. You can shadow him while aiding in bringing criminals to justice. It should give you plenty of opportunities to use your... ways"
Edward felt a surge of anticipation.
This was more than he expected, more than even the gold coin or praise. With this, he would be able to pursue his own goals, uncover murders, and perhaps understand this strange world of life and death in which he found himself.
Before he could respond, the Chief came to a halt. "Ahh, my time is up. But we will continue this conversation later." He waved, offering a faint, approving smile before turning and disappearing into the village.
Edward lingered for a moment, his eyes dropping to the gold coin in his hand and then to his tattered clothing.
"Time to do some shopping."
Minutes later, he moved among the rows of stalls and merchants lining a single road within the village. He had already purchased two new sets of clothing, simple but a big improvement from his current ragged clothing.
Now, however, a different goal gnawed at him.
Hunger.
Ahead, a well-kept stall drew his attention. The counter was clean, and a dozen steaming buns sat in a tray, their aroma intoxicating. He was instantly drawn toward them.
An old merchant stood behind the stall, polishing a wooden ladle.
"How much for one?" Edward asked, his eyes locked onto the buns.
"Five silver," the merchant replied.
Edward blinked. "Five?! Isn't that a bit much?"
In truth, he didn't know how much food was worth in this world, but drawing on his past life's experiences, he assumed most merchants were rip-offs and decided to hustle the price.
The merchant chuckled, leaning on his counter. "Listen, kid… if you can't afford—"
"Four," Edward cut in, and added without hesitation, "I'll take five."
The merchant studied him for a beat, then nodded. Edward pulled out 20 silver coins, handing them over without flinching, and received the buns in return. He moved to a nearby set of chairs beside a well, sinking onto one with relief, the warmth of the freshly baked buns calling him.
One by one, he started devouring the buns. Each bite felt otherworldly against his empty stomach.
By the time he finished his third bun, he started to feel full, staring at the sky with a satisfied smile on his face.
Then, a shadow loomed above him.
Edward froze mid-bite on the fourth bun and slowly looked up.
Selene stood over him. Her hands hung at her sides, fingers twitching like she was holding something back. Black hair shimmered faintly in the morning light, but her eyes—burning with quiet fury—were what froze him in place.
The smile died on Edward's face. A ripple of unease slid down his spine under the weight of her stare.