John said goodbye to Lola as they arrived in Tumidus. Though smaller than the capital, it was still a bustling city—especially compared to the quiet villages they'd passed. The architecture leaned heavily medieval, reflecting the local lord's preference for traditional styles.
As they entered the city, John caught a whiff of the salty sea breeze carried by passersby hauling fish and goods along the worn stone roads. Tumidus, located southeast of Lememore, managed most of the imports flowing in from the southern regions.
John began exploring the city, asking around for a particular individual—a rogue mystic known to frequent this area. The mystic had a reputation for blending in, taking odd jobs, and vanishing into crowds. With people constantly arriving and leaving, Tumidus was the perfect place to hide in plain sight.
Despite his efforts, John couldn't track the mystic down. Either they were laying low or hadn't been active recently. So, he chose to wait it out a little longer.
In the meantime, he needed to find a way to earn money. His knowledge from the novel—his so-called cheat—had run dry. Now, he had to navigate this world using his own wits. Making money in a fantasy world might sound easy, but it was far from it when you started with limited resources. Tumidus offered many opportunities—transportation, tailoring, fishing, even opening a shop—but each came with its own risks and costs.
He knew information was the most valuable currency right now. That's why he spent time chatting with stall owners, porters, and workers around the city. As a noble, people were often wary of him, and that fear made them more willing to speak—if only to stay on his good side. Even idle gossip could carry a grain of truth, and where there was smoke, there was often fire.
One potential path was becoming a transporter, like Lola. Transporters traveled far and wide, gathering stories and news from all corners of the land. It would be a great way to earn and investigate at the same time. But it would also tie him to a nomadic lifestyle—constantly on the road, constantly on the move.
He could always hire someone to do it for him... but as a startup with no reputation, he needed to be hands-on. For now, at least.
Another idea crossed his mind: opening a restaurant.
John wasn't a professional cook, but with his knowledge of recipes from different eras—ranging from medieval stews to modern comfort food—he could create dishes that stood out. The plan was simple: start with a food stall, test the waters, and if it worked, expand into a full restaurant.
His target customers were middle-class workers in the transportation business or nobles passing through the city looking for something novel.
Checking his finances, John realized his coin pouch was growing lighter. After buying a fake ID and covering travel costs, he had about 49 stac left. A decent amount, but nowhere near enough to open a full restaurant—or support two mystics under his care.
He needed to start small.
A food stall wasn't glamorous. It meant renting space in front of someone else's building. But it could work as a temporary setup to earn both money and information.
He managed to find a stall spot for 1 stac per day. It was a bit pricey, but the location was solid—just off the center of the city, situated on the Grand Road: Tumidus's main artery, leading all the way back to Lememore. The road bustled with traffic at all hours, a constant stream of carts, people, and gossip.
He could hardly believe he'd gotten the location. Apparently, the previous vendor had packed up after failing to turn a profit. Bad luck for them—good timing for him.
With the location secured, John got to work.
He set up his stall in two days, with help from Theia and Hilda. His first product: burgers. No one in the city had ever seen anything like it. While other stalls sold soups, skewers, or fried vegetables, his burgers—made from grilled beef, fresh buns, and crisp vegetables—stood out as an exotic delicacy. At 5 coins per meal, it was affordable for the working class but still felt like a treat.
Visually, the stall didn't blend in either. While most were Victorian-style with wooden signage and open flames, John's setup had a cleaner, modern look—simple but sharp. It caught eyes.
As they finished prepping for the first day of business, Theia stood beside him, fidgeting slightly.
"M… Brother, when are we going to learn about… mystic?" she asked suddenly. Her voice was quiet, hesitant—but laced with curiosity. After all, they'd been traveling and working this whole time, but there hadn't been a single lesson in mysticism.
John blinked.
Right. He was still playing the role of a mystic who promised to teach her. At least… that's what he thought he was doing.
"What do you want to know?"
"Why are we selling food?" Theia asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Being a mystic costs a lot," John replied, pointing to Hilda, who was busy writing a sign for their stall. "Look at Hilda. It took her years to reach the third circle. My point is, money is essential if you want to advance in the world of mystics."
"But you said we could kill..." Theia began, her voice trailing off.
"It's not appropriate," John interrupted firmly. "The church will hunt you down. It might seem manageable now, but after years of running, you'll feel the weight of that decision."
Theia looked at him, her eyes sparkling with a newfound respect. Maybe being a heretic wasn't as bad as people made it out to be, she thought.
"Thank you for your wisdom, m... brother!" she said, her tone brighter now. "But still, do you think this food idea is really going to work?"
"I'm not sure," John admitted. "But if it doesn't, we'll try something else."
John knew they were taking a risk, but he was confident in his plan. Tumidus was a city full of opportunities; he just needed to seize the right one.
As the day progressed, John stood by the stall, observing the flow of people. The aroma of freshly cooked burgers wafted through the air, catching the attention of passersby. It was a new concept in Tumidus, and while some were intrigued, others seemed hesitant—unwilling to try something unfamiliar.