“A single Copper Pen amounts to five Iron Tillings or fifty Iron Shills. See how this copper coin is bigger than the other one? It’s called a Copper Din, made up of two Pens.”

  “So this silver coin is equal to ten Dins, right?” Callum asked, pointing at a triangular silver coin.

  “Yep. That’s called a Tin, and the larger one is called a Pint, which amounts to five Tins.”

  In front of Callum lay a table filled with iron, copper, and silver coins. The iron coins were rectangular, the copper ones circular, and the silver coins triangular.

  For the past hour, Callum had been learning how the currency system works and the names of each denomination. It wasn’t that hard to understand. Ultimately, due to his insatiable hunger, the only significant purchase he made was food.

  As Nick explained, coins came in two sizes, with the larger ones distinguished by a hole in the center.

  He did try comparing this denomination to American dollars. Yet, this world’s economy is so different from the one he knew from Earth that it’s hard to find similarities. All he could do was adapt.

  “So, what’s a gold coin called?” Callum asked.

  “A Eul,”

  “Yull?”

  “E-u-l. Eul. And just like the others, gold has another type of coin. The larger one’s called Hein. But I don’t know how much they cost. Never even seen any. I just heard of them from my parents.”

  “Interesting,” Callum said, returning each coin to the sack they had come in.

  From what he had heard from Nicholas, a gold coin was rare among the lower class. However, most people manage with just a silver coin. After all, a single Tilling can buy a bread roll, making it five for one Pen!

  Currently, Callum has dozens of Shills, a couple of Tillings, a mix of Pens and Dins, and a single Tin he got as a bonus from his work. It totals about three thousand Shills, which is just enough to pay for a fifteen-day stay in their current inn.

  In short, he’s poor.

  His pay on the construction site only amounted to six Dins, with another couple of copper from his delivery gig. It was a blessing that the food in Lynn was priced around a single Din, but with his gnawing hunger, that wouldn’t be suitable before long.

  If not for Nick’s generosity in letting him stay, he would have been barely scraping by. Nonetheless, he somewhat imposed on living with them, so he had been contributing as much as he could toward their stay. However, with his meager wages, Nick mostly shouldered the inn’s expenses.

  Speaking of Nick, he had been an incredible teacher to Callum for the past week. During that time, Nick’s mood improved significantly. He appeared more vibrant and energetic, smiling and laughing throughout their stay at the inn. His previous guarded demeanor towards Callum melted away along with the tension he had maintained since their arrival in Lynn.

  However, from time to time, he would have bouts of nightmares. From this week alone, he had three. He also remained guarded toward strangers, and Callum could understand why.

  They were attacked by people, a scar that would never fade in their hearts. Holding that caution could keep him and his sister safe for the foreseeable future. Still, he hoped Nicholas wouldn’t shut people out forever, choosing solitude over connection.

  After all, Callum knew better than anyone else what loneliness felt like.

  Those endless days of staring into the vast ocean of mana within his mindscape, lost in thoughtless silence, would forever be etched into his soul. The overwhelming longing and suffocating melancholy were so nauseating that even recalling them left a hollow ache in his stomach.

  “By the way, how could you work non-stop from morning to evening without taking a break? Does it have something to do with your class?” Nick asked as Callum hid his coin pouch.

  “I’ve always been this way, even before I got my ,” Callum replied.

  Another thing that Callum had been doing was researching how the world works. He tried using mana, yet nothing came out of that. It feels like a wall is blocking him from accessing his deep reservoir of potential, as if he is pressing his entire body against a steel door.

  On the other hand, he can’t use his aura. Not because he’s incapable of it, but because of how troublesome it would be if people found out. He did try experimenting with the ability, much to Nick’s dismay. But after that first click of understanding, he couldn’t control it as much as he could before.

  His presence seeped through the visualized container he’d imagined, affecting not only his target but also those watching; the watcher being Sabrina. The ensuing chaos of the little girl bawling her eyes out from how scared she was made Callum hesitant to use his aura for the remainder of his stay. Using it in public was also out of the question after learning that an aura ability could only be obtained through multiple instances of

  Callum does guess as to why he had the ability. He’d been training his mind for almost a century as a corpse, and the cycle of regeneration and decomposition could be counted as cultivation. But those were only guesses, and the only way to know what was right was to find something, or someone, that would answer his questions.

  While the town held no libraries, he found a clue on where to get that information at a particular guild. Something that might risk his livelihood if his undeadness ever gets found out.

  “Why not sign up for the Adventurer’s Guild?” Nicholas asked as he strapped a guild-provided bow over his chest.

  The Adventurer’s Guild. A worldwide organization that was established during the Great Planar War. It’s also the very guild that marks the undead as a kill-on-sight creature.

  “I’m still thinking about it. Just give me a day or two to consider.”

  Nicholas nodded as he took his bag from the chest.

  “That’s good, but if you ever decide to join the guild, find me or Morrick. We’ll be happy to help whenever.”

  “That’s probably for the best,” Callum replied.

  “Are you going to the Guild again?” Sabrina asked her brother.

  “We can’t have Callum shouldering all our expenses after all,” Nicholas replied.

  “Then, can I go to the tavern?” Sabrina asked exultantly, jumping off the bed and slinging a small bag over her shoulders.

  “If you promise to stay there until I get you on my way back, okay?” Nick answered, patting her head as his eyes wandered to Callum.

  “I’ll take her there safe and sound,” Callum smiled.

  Nick nodded in appreciation before making his way out the door. The sun was still below the horizon, yet Sabrina’s excitement couldn’t be quenched. He smiled while watching her pick a few things from their chest, putting them in her sling bag.

  It was small enough to hold a few things a little girl needs, something Nick and Callum bought as a gift for Sabrina. The decision came from Callum after feeling bad for leaving the little girl alone at the nearby tavern.

  Though Nick opposed the thought of Sabrina working there, Callum thought it pertinent for little Sabrina to have something to do while they were away. But that doesn’t mean the girl didn’t feel lonely when they were gone. So Callum thought the bag would at least lift her spirits.

  When her preparations were done, he and Sabrina left the inn, making their way to an establishment Callum had been frequenting as of late. On the way, he was stopped by his favorite vendor, Tanz.

  “Oh, Callum! You headin’ to the fort?” The vendor asked while preparing his small shop.

  “Yep. Just dropping off this little rascal on the way,” Callum replied while ruffling Sabrina’s hair, much to her displeasure.

  “Well, if you’re heading there anyway, why not take one for the road?” Tanz said, holding out two piping hot buns filled with juicy ground beef.

  “I could never,”

  “You always say that, yet you kept eating them anyway.”

  Callum laughed, taking the hot snack with his hands and handing one to Sabrina.

  “Careful, it’s hot,” Callum warned her.

  She accepted the offering delicately, yet not even a second in, she held it with her other hand, performing hot potato on the meat buns he’d given her.

  “You should put it inside your bag if you can’t hold it properly.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “But how could you hold it without your hands burning?” Sabrina asked while she juggled her snack.

  “I’m just built different,” Callum said with a straight face. However, Sabrina was left confused by his statement.

  The vendor laughed at their spectacle, holding his chest as he caught his breath.

  “Thank you for the buns,” Callum said as he rummaged through his pockets for any coins.

  Seeing this, the vendor said, “No need. No need. Seeing you two is payment enough,”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Absolutely. I still remember how you made my little stall popular. Just think of this as a gift for doing that.”

  “Then, I’ll gladly take it.”

  With a thank you, Callum and Sabrina went on their way, letting the vendor finish his morning prep. Their destination? The Dragon’s Den.

  Callum asked Sabrina what she thought of the tavern so far. She had been there for a week now, the day after Nick and Callum had that talk. She suddenly grew an interest in finding a job after that day, much to Nick’s shock.

  At first, they didn’t approve of it. After all, she’s just a child. But a couple of tantrums later, the two found a suitable place for Sabrina to work, which ended up being the Tavern they are going to now.

  “It’s the best! The barmaids are so kind! Especially sister Tess!”

  Hearing the name, Callum flinched.

  “What did sister Tess say yesterday when I dropped you off?” He asked with a wry smile.

  “She said that you guys are bad people for leaving me there alone. She also said something about how you guys are scum. I don’t know what she meant, though. You guys aren’t dirty most of the time,” Sabrina said in innocence while she hopped along his strides. “But I know that’s not true! You guys are good people!”

  Callum lightly chuckled at that, though his heart was starting to pick up its pace as they neared the tavern. Looks like he’ll get another round of scolding from the barmaid when he drops Sabrina off.

  During their walk, Callum was greeted by numerous people. All of them wore smiles on their faces, waving and saying their good mornings.

  Some gave him some good luck on the way from his fellow construction workers. Their faces showed acceptance as Callum finally got to the Dragon’s Den. They knew what came after Callum stepped through those doors. After all, they’d seen the barmaid throw a punch at his face yesterday when he got too into his eating.

  Thinking about it now, the name ’Dragon’s Den’ suits the tavern well. Though their food wouldn’t get Gordon’s approval, its portions were what Callum would think a dragon would have. At the price of a single Din, he could buy a whole meal set filled with hearty portions of fried rice, soup, bread, and salad. That doesn’t even account for the large helping of ale he could have, which Calum abused with glee.

  While he couldn’t get drunk, the taste of alcohol still funnily woke his neurons. He felt alive just drinking the thing, which was why he got sucker punched in the face by Tess. If it weren’t for that, he’d drink the tavern’s storage of ale dry.

  He unconsciously felt his cheek, the same one the barmaid had punched, as he walked up the steps to the tavern. He knocked at the door, his other hand making its way to the handle. However, he didn’t even get a chance to open the door since it swung with the force of a localized hurricane.

  With a bang, Callum saw the woman he’d grown to fear for the past couple of days. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her figure a bit smaller compared to Callum’s tall frame. Yet, despite her slim physique, the woman has the strength of a tiger. He’d know since he’d been subjected to it before.

  Her hair was like magma, eyes the color of flames as she glared in his direction. Though she wasn’t wearing her usual barmaid outfit, her plain white dress didn’t lower the woman’s intimidation. If anything, the contrast felt more unnerving.

  If he had to describe Tess’s demeanor, it would be fiery. She could bring warmth to those she deemed her friends while burning those she saw as enemies. And it looks like Callum was considered her worst enemy yet.

  “Oh, look. It’s the drunkard.” She said in a monotonous voice.

  “Didn’t even get drunk,” Callum muttered.

  “What’d you say?!”

  “Nothing! I’m just dropping Sabrina off before making my way to work,” He hurriedly said. He didn’t want to feel Tess’s wrath first thing in the morning. He’d die from it, and Callum had had enough of dying.

  Tess’s hostility seems to vanish into thin air after seeing Sabrina beside him, her face now adorned with a gentle smile you would only see a mother have. Even her quick change of personality scared him.

  “Hello, Sabrina! How have you been?”

  “Great! The vendor gave us some buns on the way here! Callum didn’t even get burned by it! And he held it with his bare hands!” Sabrina described with glee.

  “Oh, did he?” Tess asked, matching Sabrina’s energy. Yet, her eyes felt like knives when they made their way to Callum.

  Feeling like he didn’t belong here under the barmaid’s gaze, Callum coughed into his fist, gaining Sabrina’s attention.

  “Anyways, I’ll head out now. Make sure to follow whatever sister Tess says, okay? Don’t go causing trouble,” Callum reminded Sabrina.

  “Yes, sir,” She saluted with as much seriousness as a child could muster.

  “Yeah, go on now. You wouldn’t want to be late for your job, right?” Tess said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Just making sure Sabrina doesn’t experience your full wrath. Bye!” Callum said in a hurry as he escaped the woman’s intense gaze. He could hear Tess’ shock at his remark, yet she couldn’t do anything after he’d passed the streets.

  With a chuckle, Callum left the tavern and headed into the center of town, thoughts drifting to the woman caring for Sabrina.

  Though he occasionally found Tess terrifying, Callum knew how kind the girl was. He’d seen her tirelessly working in the tavern, sometimes doing two people’s worth of work just to give her co-maidens a moment to rest. He’d also heard stories about her from Sabrina, and it sounded like the girl had taken a liking to her.

  Even if he gets the woman’s ire, he still can’t find any reason to hate her. Sometimes, he even finds ways to get on her nerves, and the outcome is always a slap to the face or a kick to the shins. He didn’t mind the physical abuse the girl seemed to hand out; his body was much too sturdy to hurt anyway. Besides, Callum always liked playing with fire.

  The constant banter between them added life to his days here in Lynn, something which he appreciated the more he lived. It was a nice change of pace from the work he’d set out for himself; work that he enjoyed because of its simplicity.

  So with more pep in his step, Callum went to his first job of the day.

  ***

  It was nearing noon when Callum finally finished his work and took a break at the site. He had been carrying bags of sand and processed logs for the remainder of the morning, and his undead physique was tested multiple times by manual labor.

  Though he was offered a chance to take a breather an hour ago, Callum rejected the suggestion. He found himself more restless when he was doing nothing. After all, when left to his own devices, his hunger started to act up.

  The thought of his undead side taking over his body in the middle of town made him anxious. Even though he had been living life the past few days like everyone else, he knew he was still a walking hazard to the people around him.

  While the Dragon Den’s food muted the gnawing feeling in his stomach, it was still there. And with each passing day, it only grows stronger.

  “Callum, ya headin’ to the workin’ sector?” A middle-aged man asked as he handed Callum a waterskin, interrupting his thought.

  “Nah. Think I’m going to the Guilds,” Callum said as he drank.

  “The Guilds? Are ya finally signing up as an adventurer?” they asked.

  “I’m still thinking about that.”

  “C’mon, Callum. Everyone knows how you’d be perfect for the job. Those muscles ain’t for show, is it?” his co-worker pointed out, nodding towards Callum’s toned arms.

  He did try to keep himself healthy before he died, and his work in multiple jobs sculpted his body throughout the years. But being proud of the body he has was an afterthought now. Death, after all, doesn’t choose its victim.

  “The same thing could be said of you, Hal.”

  “These things may get the ladies, but it’s nothing compared to yours,” Hal said as he flexed and prodded his biceps. “You could take on a job that five men would struggle to finish! So take the damn chance and go with it!” he said, slapping Callum on the back.

  Callum could only laugh at that as he returned Hal’s waterskin.

  He had thought about registering. Nick signed up the day they arrived, and Callum’s class—and undead resilience—made him sturdier than most townsfolk.

  However, the risk of being hunted down was very much real. The guild didn’t take kindly to monsters. After all, it’s their source of income.

  Killing rampaging beasts and people-eating monsters was part of their jobs. So, if anyone finds out he was undead, that would cut his life short.

  Also, being an adventurer would mean being susceptible to more danger. Of course, that came with the job; everyone who considered registering understood it. But none of them knew what the other side was like.

  After getting a taste of death, Callum grew more scared of it.

  However, being an adventurer would allow him to explore the world more freely. It’s literally in the name. Not only that, but the promise of knowledge about and the workings of aura was pretty enticing.

  Lastly, the pay was much better than what he had.

  Now that he thought about it, all he needed was to cover his eyes. Moreover, he has a plan for the last part of the registration.

  The process called for a drop of blood, another indicator of his undead origins. But with his weird sensing ability, he should be able to do it without being detected. Those were the only tells of his undead identity, after all.

  Although being an adventurer would heighten the stakes, it would also give Callum the key to strengthening himself with this world’s power progression system. He did wish that some magical blue box would explain the whole situation to him, but that would be too good to be true.

  So, with a made-up mind, Callum stood up with a grunt and dusted off his bum.

  “We’ll see if I can get in.”

  “That’s it! The whole crew will be cheerin’ you on. Maybe even celebrate once you get your card,”

  “And who’s gonna cover the bill for that celebration?”

  “Who else but you?”

  “Hah! Just don’t expect a good outcome.”

  They laughed as they parted ways, Callum heading to the Guilds.

  He wound through the streets of Lynn, its roads now filled with carriages pulled by horses. After living here for a few days, he had familiarized himself with the town’s layout, noting how the settlement is divided based on its purpose.

  At present, he was in the center of town. He should have been walking towards the Industrial area of Lynn, which was also called the Working Sector by the townspeople, for his next job.

  However, that wasn’t his destination for today. After all, his destination is the most essential part of every other large settlement in Faunnir.

  Callum set his foot into the Guilds. The roads were filled with a bustling crowd of adventurers and traveling merchants. Here, every guild hall and building is constructed, making it easy to navigate each guild.

  The Merchant Guild, Construction Guild, and even a Food Guild, this district has it all. But the most well-known guild in all of Faunnir was his stop for today: the Adventurer’s Guild.

  Stoic men and women walked with purpose, paying Callum little attention. After all, he wasn’t the only person with unusual accessories; his accessory was merely a blindfold.

  He could see hooded figures with staffs in hand, brutes with large axes slung behind their backs, and even heavily armored individuals carrying large shields, one of whom was heading straight toward Callum, unaware of him behind their visor.

  “Watch it,” the man said as his shoulder bumped into him.

  Callum couldn’t say anything back, he could only continue towards the Adventurer’s Guild. If he did, he would only get into trouble, and he couldn’t afford to get the guards interested in him.

  The attitude that some of the adventurers here exhibit is also what makes Callum hesitant to join the guild. It’s as if they owned the place, showing no regard for others but themselves.

  Since one of the requirements of becoming an adventurer was having their first instance of they acted like they’d been chosen. He could taste the narcissism from some people here, and Callum disliked it. However, not all of them were jerks.

  People like Morrick advocated for the masses. He also introduced Nick to the guild, and they have been good friends ever since.

  Morrick’s personality, attitude, and moral compass were what Callum imagined an adventurer to be, and that’s what he desires as one. He wants to be someone who can help, to give everyone safety, someone who can save two people from the cruelties of the world.

  So, with renewed vigor, Callum made his way towards the Adventurer’s Guild, his strides gaining the attention of a group of people making their way out of the district.

  “Is that him?” a gruff voice asked.

  “I don’t know, but it could be?” a woman replied.

  The man sighed.

  “I guess we’ll find out when he exits the Guilds. In the meantime, let’s get something to eat.”

  The adventurers left the street, heading to a particular tavern just a few turns away.