NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: New Destiny (4)
"How strange..." Merle suddenly mutters rather loudly, and I focus on him as I get confused. 'Seems like he can't speak quietly.'
"What is strange?" I ask him curiously, looking at him as my curiosity is piqued. "You don't have any markings. I knew you were weird!" He exclaims as my eyes widen slightly. Well, it actually makes sense for me not to have magic. I'm not from this world, after all.
"Don't mind that. It's not important right now." I say and sigh, dodging his question as I avert my gaze. I don't want to reveal that I'm not from Elarion.
'I bet that if they knew, everyone here will try to stone me to death...'
I look back at Merle just as a gentle breeze blows through the air, a refreshing sensation. I catch a small detail as I look at Merle.
"Hm? Are those elf ears?" I ask myself, although I forget to keep my voice quiet. He looks at me as he most likely overheard me. It doesn't surprise me anymore at this point...
"What? No!" Merle nearly shouts, and I flinch at his sudden outburst. I blink as I stare at him with a dumbfounded expression. 'Ah. Did I mess up? I probably exposed his secret.' I kinda feel bad for this. Damn me.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I saw a glimpse of your ears, that's why I asked." I explain as I scratch the nape of my neck rather awkwardly.
"Tsk, damn it. I don't like revealing this to lousy strangers like you, but you already saw it, and I'm forbidden to kill." He says with a tone that suggests he's rather upset. I'm really grateful to anyone who forbade him to kill...
"I'm a half elf, but keep it a secret. Or else I'll seriously bury you somewhere." He says with a frown and looks at me with a cold and hard glare. I guess he's not as simple as I thought...
"Got it. I'm not one to spill a precious secret. Believe it." I say and promise him. After all, I have a bigger secret than him to keep hidden.
A secret that nobody can know...
"Alright... But I'm going to keep an eye on you." He says and narrows his eyes a bit. Well, at least he won't kill me. "Understood." I say and nod, keeping it straightforward and simple. And then, I realise that I have a big problem...
Money! I don't know what currency they use here or how to make it! If I'm going to be stuck here, I need money. Cash is survival, after all. Who wouldn't want to be rich?
"Rousk is what they use here. It's divided into three types. Bronze, silver, and gold. 1 silver is equal to 20 bronze, and 10 silver equals 1 gold." Hewie explains to me, and I feel a chill run down my spine.
Seriously, how does this bird know what I'm thinking?! Can it even be called a bird...? However, I'm grateful for that explanation. But I still need to know how to acquire it.
"Uh... Merle? Do you know how I can earn some coins?" I ask as I look up at him and patiently wait for his answer.
He gives me a confused look but answers me nonetheless. I must look stupid... "You can take some commissions in a local guild, or you can work somewhere. I can tell you how I make money. But I want something in return."