"My life is just as miserable."
It had been three years since Darren, a nineteen-year-old, had transmigrated into a world of sword and magic. Yet somehow, he was still nothing more than a broke adventurer struggling to make a living.
He couldn't even get a proper job because of his low rank.
"Three years, and I'm still broke."
Before he transmigrated, he had been broke. Now that he had finally entered a world of sword and magic, he had thought he would be able to achieve great things.
But fate had other plans.
"I'm a freaking F-rank adventurer…"
Darren pushed open the wooden door of the familiar inn and stepped inside.
"Hey, Darren."
A muscular woman with a fox-like tail walked past him. She wore an apron and carried a tray of dishes toward one of the tables.
She glanced at him.
"Have you finally gotten a job? You still owe me money, you know."
Darren awkwardly waved his hand.
"Sorry, but I haven't. I promise I'll pay you as soon as I get some money."
The woman sighed.
"You came here for food and a place to stay again, didn't you?"
Darren scratched the back of his head.
"Well… you could say that."
He gave her an apologetic smile.
"But I'm going to pay you as soon as I have the money. I promise."
She sighed again and turned away.
Without saying anything else, she picked up another dish and went back to serving the customers.
Darren watched her leave.
"Still, at least she hasn't kicked me out yet."
He sat down at a nearby table.
After a while, the woman returned with a plate of food. She dropped it onto the table in front of him before walking away without even glancing at him.
Darren smiled.
He immediately dug into the meal.
"Ha-ha! This is so good!"
He picked up a large piece of meat and took a huge bite.
His eyes lit up.
"Delicious!"
Darren rubbed his stomach, feeling completely satisfied.
"Ah… that was good."
He leaned back slightly, patting his belly.
"I haven't eaten this well in a while."
Nearby, Ellen was cleaning one of the tables. Darren glanced at her.
She was still busy.
"Still, that doesn't change the fact that I don't have any money to give her."
He quietly stood up.
"Better go upstairs and stay in my room before she notices me."
Darren quickly made his way toward the stairs, trying his best to avoid Ellen's gaze.
If he could just get upstairs without her noticing him, he could pretend this entire thing never happened.
Darren entered his room and quietly closed the door behind him.
He looked around before jumping onto the only bed in the room.
"Finally…"
He let out a sigh of relief.
After a moment, he sat up and began removing the armor he was wearing. He placed his sword beside the bed before stretching his arms.
"Ah…"
He looked toward the ceiling.
"Status, open."
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Darren Kai]
[Level: 1]
[Skills: 0]
[Completed Quests: 0]
[Rank: F]
Darren stared at the screen for a few seconds.
He rubbed his eyes.
The status remained unchanged.
"Yep. Still pathetic."
He let out a tired sigh.
"Looks like tomorrow I'll have to go back and take those labor jobs the adventurer's guild offers."
He fell backward onto the bed, stretching out his legs.
"There's no point searching for herbs in the forest or wasting my time hunting wild rabbits."
Darren stared at the ceiling with a faint smile.
"Tomorrow is going to be another day of being broke."
With that thought, he closed his eyes.
A few moments later, Darren fell asleep.