Worlds Between: A Traveler's Journey ( ORIGINAL)

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"Damn that hedgehog! Greed is the original sin. Even as a servant of God, they'll be banished from His kingdom after death."

Leaving the church, Karl muttered his frustrations under his breath. Seeing someone approach from the opposite side, he quickly lowered his head and murmured, "Merciful Lord of Dawn…"

The Lord of Dawn is indeed merciful to His followers, which is why Father Vick granted Karl time to prove his "devotion."

**Thirty gold coins.**

That was no small amount.

The Bergman family had no knack for financial management.

In contrast, they excelled at **squandering.**

His grandfather, though titled a baron for his war achievements, sold off the family's land just to sustain his lavish lifestyle.

Karl's father, who had brought him to Signo City years ago, had not managed to secure any real estate either, instead opting to rent in a less prosperous neighborhood.

Karl himself had drained almost all their savings to secure his position as a city inspector—a job that provided some semblance of respectability.

"Ah!"

Sighing, Karl decided against taking a carriage and walked to the bustling Rue de Rouen.

This street hosted the city's largest Champagne market, a key hub for goods from surrounding marquis territories.

**September.**

**The Month of Bounty.**

If the master was generous, even the serfs might have a little extra coin. Naturally, the marketplace was more vibrant than ever.

Where there were people, there was filth.

The streets were littered with dirty water and waste. A cacophony of shouting filled the air, mingling with an unpleasant medley of odors.

- "Fresh seafood from Puglia Bay! Various fish!"

- "Try our flower cakes paired with soft cheese bread—only six pence! Perfect for children and the elderly."

- "Fresh vegetables and fruits, cheap and wholesome!"

- "Bordeaux wine! A nobleman's banquet essential. One sip, and you'll never forget it!"

Karl navigated the crowd cautiously, his eyes darting around with vigilance. He clutched his pockets tightly; thieves were rampant here, and a finely dressed man without attendants was their ideal prey.

Eventually, he arrived at a familiar shop and relaxed slightly.

"Udir, isn't your father here?"

"He's out restocking," replied Udir, a shy, dark-skinned teenager of fifteen or sixteen.

"Give me a barrel of milk," Karl said, pointing to the corner. After a moment's hesitation, he added, "The cheapest one."

"Huh?" Udir blinked, surprised. "Mr. Karl, that milk isn't fit for drinking. Well… not unless you're desperate."

In dire circumstances, even sewage might suffice. Naturally, inferior milk wasn't out of the question.

"I know." Karl smiled faintly. "And ten pounds of salted meat strips—the cheapest ones as well."

"Well…" Udir shrugged. "Alright then."

"That'll be two crowns and three pence."

---

Crown coins, widely known as silver coins a few decades ago, weren't made of pure silver.

- One crown equaled **twelve pence.**

- A pound (also called a "gold pound") equaled **ten crowns.**

- Above pounds were **gold coins,** pure gold currency featuring the first king of Gondor's likeness. One gold coin was worth ten pounds.

As a city inspector, Karl earned around **two gold coins a month.**

**Thirty gold coins,** however, was an enormous sum, especially when he barely had over one gold coin left in savings.

---

After eating a quick snack on the streets, Karl returned home to find Mrs. Mary out at work. She was a long-term employee at a local bakery.

Jenny was practicing her singing.

Her unique voice resembled the song of a nightingale, a rare talent. If she passed her upcoming audition for the Barrow Choir, her future would change dramatically.

In this era, devoid of schools and education for commoners, a singer could transcend social classes.

This was why Mrs. Mary had relieved Jenny of all household chores to focus solely on her singing.

Listening to her for a moment, Karl felt his frustration ease. He then returned to his room with slower steps.

**Thirty gold coins.**

Placing the milk and salted meat aside, Karl pondered briefly before taking the sword hanging on the wall.

---

The weapon was a knight's broad sword, usable with one or two hands.

Its wide blade gleamed coldly, cutting through the air with a whooshing sound. Clearly, it wasn't just a decorative piece.

Weighing nearly three kilograms, it appeared ordinary but required significant strength for prolonged use. Only knight trainees undergoing rigorous training could wield such a weapon effectively.

"Ha!"

Karl let out a low cry and swung the blade downward. The edge stopped a foot above the ground, steady and precise.

**A vertical slash.**

Though simple, the move showcased his solid foundation.

The Bergman family had risen through military accomplishments, passing down the **Gale Sword Technique,** a powerful knight-level skill.

Unfortunately, his grandfather's illiteracy had prevented the family from obtaining the breathing techniques required to awaken life seeds and enhance their bodies.

Otherwise, Karl might already have been a knight trainee—or even a knight.

---

Changing into lightweight armor, he practiced swordsmanship until sweat beaded on his forehead. Finally, he stopped, a fierce glint in his eyes.

"Push me too far, and I'll do anything."

With that, he lay down on his bed, clutching the sword and the provisions tightly.

Of course, he couldn't resort to banditry. However, acquiring thirty gold coins didn't necessarily require robbery.

There was another way...

**Crossing worlds.**

---

As a faint glow enveloped him, Karl opened his eyes to find himself in an extraordinary place.

Endless stars surrounded him, while beneath him lay a stone seat carved with ancient, mysterious patterns.

The broad sword, milk, and meat remained with him.

But the environment...

Had completely transformed.

It felt as though he were floating in a cosmic abyss, or seated upon a divine throne overlooking infinite stars.

Not only had the surroundings changed, but Karl's emotions—anxiety, worry, excitement—all vanished, replaced by an overwhelming **rationality.**

At this moment, he radiated calm dignity. His brown eyes were steady, and every thought was under his absolute control.

In that instant, Karl felt like a **god.**

"Whoosh!"

Swinging his broad sword once more, he performed the same vertical slash.

This time, his movement was flawless—stable, powerful, and precise—reaching the level of a knight trainee.

---

**"As I thought..."**

In this realm, he gained absolute rationality and enhanced control over his body.

**"But what is this place?"**

Unable to find an answer, Karl stepped forward, and the scenery changed again.

**Crossing worlds.**

That's right.

Karl wasn't just a transmigrator—he could also use this mysterious realm to traverse to another world.

*(End of Chapter)*