Dusk has fallen on the vilge of Sunne. Yet two youths, one slightly rger than the other, hurried through the bustling, winding streets.

  "Ey Yuri, look at that!"

  Dren pointed at a stall on their left. A smoky grill crackled with skewered meat, the scent wafting through the air and alluring passersby.

  "Ah, I want to eat one so bad," Dren inhaled a mouthful of meaty aroma. "Pops bought me a piece once. I couldn't manage to sleep well that day!"

  Yuri raised his eyebrows. "Was it undercooked?"

  "No, dummy!" Dren shook his head, "It was good! How could I sleep well if the taste keeps returning when I close my eyes?"

  Yuri gnced at the barbecue stall, finding the setup a little unhygienic. He kept the words to his mouth, however, as he knew that this world would ck the proper sanitary means.

  Dren groaned, clutching his rumbling stomach as he relived the memory, "If only I had some money…"

  A sudden realization came upon him, "Oh right, Yuri. I forgot to tell ya!"

  "Hmm?" Yuri became curious.

  "You remember what I said about earlier? About earning money while tilling others' nds?"

  Dren started counting on his fingers like he was organizing a pn.

  "Yeah, what about it?" Yuri narrowed his eyes in anticipation. "You found someone?"

  "My uncle owns a plot of nd around the east side. Bit of a hike from where you are."

  Dren scratched his head, "It's a real pain to dig up, but the pay is good. He said he would reward you if you were willing to take the job."

  Yuri was surprised, wondering how the news would travel that fast.

  'Word really travels fast here, huh? No phones, no feeds, no stories. Just gossip with horsepower.'

  "Doesn't your uncle have servants to do that?" he asked. "If he owns that much nd, surely he's not short on bor?"

  "Well, he did," Dren scratched the back of his neck, "But one of them broke his leg while plowing, and the other left to work at the mill. That field's been untouched for weeks now.

  Uncle's been looking for someone, but he says they need to be capable."

  "Then why me?" Yuri asked, curious.

  "Because, idiot," Dren huffed, "You tilled an entire hectare like it was cake. You made that nd look like it wanted to be farmed. People would definitely notice, even my uncle."

  Yuri blinked, 'So that's how it was. In this era, reputation is built not on resumes or certificates, but pure and precise hard work.'

  "…How much?" he asked.

  Dren lit up, "He said half a silver piece for the full job. Maybe more if you impress him."

  'Half a silver,' Yuri contempted. He had no idea how much value half a silver piece meant, but Dren's glowing eyes said enough.

  "I can pick you up at your house tomorrow if you're in," Dren offered, puffing his chest like he'd just brokered a royal deal. "I'll go talk to Uncle after this."

  "That works for me," Yuri nodded.

  Eventually, the two youths arrived in front of a building with a steady flow of people. Some exited while carrying sacks or pouches. Others lingered in the doorway, haggling over prices with the staff in charge.

  "Is this the store you mentioned?" Yuri pointed, wondering if even he could buy something inside.

  "Yep, my uncle owns this store too!" Dren proudly stated, walking to the storefront as if he were his own uncle.

  Yuri followed, wondering what this store could offer him.

  The chatter inside died down as his figure entered. Their eyes gnced over him, and their mouths moved, hushing in soft tones.

  "Isn't that the one living in Old Garner's pce?"

  "Then does that mean he's…"

  Yuri pretended not to hear, but Dren's expression darkened. He didn't say anything. Only the clenched fists on either side of his hips said plenty.

  Then he strode to the counter and smmed his palm against the wood, the thud silencing the murmurs completely.

  "Sister Fu, help me get my brother here some good stuff." Dren tapped on the wooden counter, the force loud enough to shut everyone up.

  A woman with sleek bck hair approached from behind the counter. She looked to be in her twenties, dressed in pin but well-kept linen. Her eyes scanned Yuri's worn-out figure with polite curiosity.

  "Oh, of course, little Dren." She smiled, then faced Yuri, "And you, dear? What are you looking to buy?"

  "Uhm…" Yuri hesitated, "Do you have any clothing and food?"

  "Please follow me," Sister Fu said, taking them further inside.

  To the right, a partition separated rows of clothing, with a few clothes hanging from wooden lines. Sister Fu stopped near one and held a long-sleeved tunic made from coarse, breathable fabric.

  "This one's good for field work. Won't stop the sun completely, but better than burning."

  "How much?" Yuri asked.

  "20 copper," Sister Fu replied without hesitation.

  Yuri gnced at the small pouch hanging on his right. Though his previous self managed to save him some money, it wouldn't st long.

  'Being well equipped is better than pinching a small bit of coin. Dren's got me a job anyway, so I'll earn these back.'

  "Give me two, and that one as well," he pointed at a broad hat rge enough to shield his face from the sun during the daytime.

  Sister Fu nodded and collected them with grace, then turned back to Yuri, "Is there something else, dear?"

  "Are there shops that sharpen tools here?" Yuri whispered to Dren first.

  "Yeah, but they're a little pricey."

  "Does it cost more if I buy a new one?" Yuri inquired. The tools back at his pce weren't built to st. If he wanted to till more nd, he needed better gear.

  "Not really, but better to wait for my uncle," Dren smiled, forming a pn on his mind, "I'll haggle him to give you a better tool so you won't have to buy it yourself."

  Yuri raised his eyebrows, "And he'll just do what you say?"

  "Of course," Dren waved his hands as if the argument with his uncle ter was already concluded, "If he doesn't, then who else will till his nd?"

  Yuri chuckled, understanding Dren's intentions. Maybe this guy wasn't as simple as he looked.

  However, Dren's next words chilled his spine: "Just that… most of the tools my uncle has are a bit strange. Those who used it don't end up well after a while."

  "You're kidding, right?" Yuri's smile stiffened. What kind of tool is that? Was he there to plow or die trying?

  "Maybe," Dren put a hand on his chin, tilting his head innocently, "Nah, they can't be. I think the guys who used them are stupid, not as good as you are."

  Despite the reassurance, a faint sense of unease lingered in Yuri's gut.

  Sister Fu's voice cut in, her tone cool. "Are you two done whispering, little Dren?"

  "Oh, yes, ma-, uh, sister." Yuri almost misspoke, "May I ask where the food is?"

  Sister Fu guided the two youngsters around the store. After inquiring and selecting for a while, Yuri purchased several ingredients for food and a small pot to cook in.

  "That'll be two silver pieces."

  Yuri reached into his pouch and handed a quarter of his earnings. The pouch was noticeably lighter, but his shoulders felt steadier.

  Once the goods were packaged, they both exited the store, each having their thoughts.

  At that moment, a carriage rolled up to the storefront, halting just inches from where Yuri and

  Dren stood and nearly hit them both.

  "What the—?!" Dren stumbled back, furious about the careless driver, "Hey, can't you see where you are going?!"

  Yuri's eyes narrowed, a faint unease stirring within him.

  "Step back, peasant!" barked the coachman up front, an older man with a rge sneer pstered on his slightly obscured face.

  Dren clenched his fists, but before he stepped forward, Yuri gripped his shoulder and shook his head.

  "Don't. It's not worth it."

  "But they almost killed us!" Dren insisted.

  "They might if you pursue it," Yuri warned lowly, his eyes turning colder.

  Dren paused, startled. The shift in Yuri's presence was subtle, cutting off the anger inside him. He exhaled and stepped aside, seething internally.

  The carriage door opened.

  Two young girls stepped out, their movements elegant and deliberate. For a moment, the crowd's quiet resentment faded as curiosity took hold.

  "Uncle Kus, what happened?" the girl at the front asked, her voice as soft as an angel.

  "Nothing, young miss. Just two… peasants not knowing how to look at the road." Uncle Kus, the arrogant coach, replied.

  "Hmph, this pce is full of ignorant fools, my dear princess," came another voice, from a young man dressed in a high-colred noble coat, his chin practically touching the sky. "I don't know why you'd waste your time in this backwater."

  His voice was loud and clear, drawing the ire of all nearby people. A storm silently brewed in the storefront, yet at that moment, a commotion nearby broke the increasing tension.

  An entourage of armored guards stepped down from behind the carriage. They wore full pte armor, polished and gleaming under the night sky. Their weapons were sharper than any tools these vilgers had seen, meant to silence those voices before they rose.

  At that moment, the princess gnced at Yuri, "That one has interesting eyes…" and walked into the store, ignoring the rest of the vilgers.

  The young nobleman gred at Yuri and snorted, following behind the princess.

  "Let's go," Yuri tugged at the infuriated Dren, not wanting to stay in this pce any longer.

  'Power like that walks on arrogance.' He thought, turning away, 'But did such pride protect anyone from the earth six feet beneath it?'