Chapter 8: To the Market
When we reached the front yard, two familiar figures caught my eye. Kyle sat on the wooden fence with a blade of grass in his mouth, his black hair slightly messy and brown eyes half-lidded in boredom.
Meanwhile, Mia stood beside him—black-haired, golden-eyed. They were siblings. And as usual, the moment she saw me, the small girl immediately ran toward me.
"Ren!"
I didn't even have time to react before her tiny body crashed into me with a hug.
"Eh—Mia..." I staggered a bit but held her steady so she wouldn't fall. "You don't have to run that fast every time you see me."
"But you're not mad, right?" she asked, staring up at me with sparkling eyes.
I sighed softly. "...No."
"Hehehe~" She only giggled and clung to my arm like a little leech.
Kyle, who had been watching us the whole time, finally spoke. "Tch. Ren, don't spoil her too much."
Mia spun around and puffed her cheeks. "Ren isn't like you, who keeps scolding his own little sister!"
"That's for your own good, Mia!"
Mia stuck out her tongue. "Bleeh~!"
I took a long breath, then looked at both of them. "Alright, enough. I'm just going to the market. Want to come?"
"If you want to join, come along. If not, I'll go alone."
""To the market?""
They exchanged glances, then nodded at the same time without saying a word.
"Alright! Let's go, Ren!" Mia shouted energetically, grabbing my hand tightly.
Kyle shrugged and walked behind us. "I'm only coming so you don't fall over because of her. Not because I want to shop."
I looked at him seriously. "Thank you for your tremendous sacrifice."
"Always," he replied with a lazy grin.
We left the orphanage yard. The city's morning air was still fresh, and the sloping road toward the market was already buzzing with merchants calling out to customers. The scent of roasted bread and fresh fruit filled the air.
Mia held my hand, eyes wandering everywhere with overflowing curiosity. "Ren, can we buy candy later?"
I glanced at her. "Candy? You're already sweet enough without it."
She flushed red instantly. "W-what are you saying, Ren..."
Kyle rolled his eyes behind us. "And that's exactly why every kid in the orphanage likes him. So annoying."
I pretended not to hear.
We stepped into the busy marketplace, surrounded by vibrant stalls and the shouts of merchants.
The air was filled with the smell of spices, smoked meat, and warm bread fresh from the oven.
The clatter of cart wheels and people's footsteps blended into the familiar rhythm of the small town's morning market.
Mia looked the most excited, of course. Her eyes sparkled at everything she saw.
"Waaah! Ren, look, apples! And that—sweet peanuts! Oh, oh! A doll!"
I smiled faintly. "You want to buy everything, don't you?"
"Hehehe… if I'm allowed."
Kyle shoved his hands into his pockets. "You sure bringing her was a good idea?" he grumbled.
"Relax, I brought plenty of money," I whispered, glancing at Mia who was now frozen in front of a fruit stall.
Yes—plenty of money, because I converted system points into coins, plus Milly had given me some, as if she'd predicted this would happen.
100 system points = 10 gold coins.
In short—I was rich.
The currency tiers in this world were: copper, silver, gold, platinum, and finally the black obsidian card.
Copper: 100 copper is enough for a week's worth of food for a poor family.
Silver: 1 silver = 100 copper.
Gold: 1 gold = 100 silver.
Platinum: extremely rare, even barons struggle to get it; 1 platinum = 1000 gold.
Black Obsidian Card: absurdly rare, owned only by high nobles; worth 10,000 platinum coins.
My journey to become wealthy is still long... I sighed inwardly.
I approached a vendor and pointed at two small sacks of flour and a packet of salt. "How much for these?"
"Four copper coins."
I handed over the coins Milly had prepared earlier. "Thank you."
The vendor smiled warmly. "You're a polite and cute kid. Your mother must be proud to have a son like you."
I only nodded without answering. No need to explain that I didn't have parents in this world.
Meanwhile, Mia tugged on my sleeve, her teary eyes staring at a jar of colorful candies.
"Ren...?"
I looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, just one."
"Yay!" She hopped in place, making a few passersby chuckle.
Kyle clicked his tongue. "So spoiled."
"Let her be," I said casually while paying for the candy. "Do you want something too? I'll pay."
Kyle froze for a moment, then turned his head away. "...Fine, if you insist."
We continued walking past the stalls. Some people waved at us, others stared at me with strange eyes.
I ignored it and stopped by a chocolate shop. The vendor smiled as we approached.
"Excuse me, how much is this chocolate bar?" I asked, pointing at one on display.
Mia and Kyle both looked at me—Mia with her candy, Kyle chewing on grilled meat.
"Chocolate? For who?" Mia asked between bites.
"For myself. Why?"
"...Nothing." She kept eating.
After buying everything we needed, we took a short break at a quiet corner of the marketplace. Mia sat on a wooden bench enjoying her candy, while Kyle and I placed the groceries into a basket.
"All done?" Kyle asked.
"Yes, we can head back now," I said, biting into my chocolate bar.
Kyle nodded, then suddenly looked at me seriously. "Ren, I want to ask you something."
I turned to him. "What is it?"
"Why do you look… alert?"
The question made me pause.
A gentle breeze blew by, rustling Mia's hair as she giggled on the bench.
"What do you mean, Kyle?" I answered calmly. "I don't get what you're talking about."
Kyle stared at me for a moment, then shrugged lightly. "Just a feeling, maybe."
I gave him a small smile. "Yeah, it's just your imagination."
Mia turned toward us, candy still in hand. "Hey, you two! Stop talking and enjoy the food!"
Kyle and I looked at each other, then laughed.
The atmosphere was warm—simple but comforting.
We sat for a while, enjoying the moment.
But at the same time… from far away, I felt something strange.
I had sensed it earlier, but now it was getting stronger.
Someone is watching us.
I turned my gaze toward a narrow alley on the west side of the market.
But who? I murmured inwardly.