Shen Yi started walking, but after only a few steps his legs weakened, as if all his energy was draining away.Still, he pushed forward. After about seventy meters, he finally reached his destination.
Inside his robe was a small pouch. He checked it five copper coins. That was the currency used by mortals in this world.Cultivators use spiritual stones, he recalled. But that problem is for later. First, I need food.
He stopped in front of an old inn, a place that had stood here for more than seventy years. Shen Yi stepped inside.
A young man in a clean green robe similar to Shen Yi's, but far better maintained looked up and gestured for him to sit.
"What would you like to eat?" the young man asked, handing him a wooden menu.
Shen Yi wanted to look around first, but before he realized it, he was already sitting. Hunger had stolen control of his body.
Embarrassed yet desperate, he shamelessly asked, "What's the cheapest dish here?"
The young man smiled. "A bowl of warm rice with two boiled eggs. One copper coin."
"Okay… and anything else for the same price?"
"Two boiled potatoes, simple vegetable soup, and three cleaned raw fish. Each for one copper coin."
"I see. Then give me one bowl of warm rice, two boiled eggs, and the vegetable soup."
"Understood. Please wait a few minutes," the young man said before turning away.
Just as he was leaving, Shen Yi called out, "Ah where's the washroom?"
The young man pointed toward the back. "Down that hallway, second door on the left."
Shen Yi headed there immediately.
Inside, he approached a stone basin filled with water. A bronze tap dripped steadily; he twisted the knob and the water stopped. He washed his hands, legs, face practically his whole body removing the dirt caked on him. He wiped himself with the cloth hanging inside the washroom.
Only then did he stop resembling a beggar.
He looked into the oval mirror on the wall. His reflection stared back dark brown eyes, almost black; brown hair; pale skin.
Plain.
That was the only word he could use to describe himself.
He looked like a background NPC from Brown Soil Village, someone not worth mentioning. After adjusting his robe, he left the washroom and glanced around the inn.
Its name was Bright Wood Inn.
The hall was large, with three long rows of tables ten tables per row. The place could serve a hundred people at once. The interior was simple and unadorned, the tables a dark brown color. Only a few customers were present; it wasn't the busy hour yet.
He returned to his seat. Soon, his food arrived: warm rice, two boiled eggs, and a bowl of vegetable soup.
The moment he began eating, he felt like crying. Hunger had gnawed at him for too long no, he had been starving. It was no surprise his emotions were unstable.
As he ate, an odd feeling washed over him.Yesterday I was eating instant noodles… today I'm in a completely different world.His emotions rose and fell rapidly, as if two different lives were struggling inside his head.
When he finished, he leaned back, feeling a small emptiness.Haa… I really want to eat some meat.Back in the village's orphanage, only the poorest like him rarely had the chance. Meat once a week was already a luxury.
"Well, time to find a job," he muttered. "If this world is even slightly similar to the game, it shouldn't be too hard."
Just then, the young man from earlier approached. Shen Yi took out two copper coins and handed them over.
"Thank you," the server said with a polite bow. "I hope you enjoyed your meal."
"It was delicious," Shen Yi replied with a smile.
Though, in his mind, he thought, The soup barely had any flavor except salt… and I can't expect seasoning on rice or eggs.
Still two copper coins didn't buy much. And for what he paid, it truly wasn't bad.