Ren looked up at the sky, where the soft morning sunlight stretched across the gray rooftops of the Starting Town.
The light was still gentle, not yet harsh, casting a pale golden hue over everything, bringing an unusual sense of peace after a chaotic night.
The air was still slightly cold, but not freezing.
It was still early, but Ren had no reason to delay. He took a deep breath, inhaling the morning scents of the town, a hint of freshly baked bread, lingering traces of soot from extinguished street lamps, and the distinct metallic scent from the blacksmith's forge.
After leaving the smithy, he made his way toward the guard barracks. He had never been there before, but it wasn't hard to figure out its location.
If the blacksmith's son was truly one of the patrol commanders last night, then there was a high chance he would be there, dealing with the aftermath of the battle.
As he approached, the scene became clearer. The barracks were surrounded by a sturdy wooden fence, with two guards stationed at the main gate.
Inside, soldiers were busy with their daily duties.
A small group was cleaning weapons, while others discussed patrol assignments. The atmosphere was serious and disciplined, but not overly tense.
It seemed that last night's attack had not unsettled them or rather, they were already accustomed to such situations.
Ren stopped in front of the gate, observing for a moment, wondering if he needed permission to enter. But then, he decided to just go ahead. He wasn't here without a reason.
One of the gate guards glanced at him, sharp eyes scanning him from head to toe.
"Who are you looking for?" The guard asked, his tone not threatening but still cautious.
Ren kept his voice calm. "The patrol commander from last night." He paused briefly before clarifying, "I'm here to claim my reward."
The guard nodded, not looking particularly surprised. He raised a hand and pointed toward a row of buildings behind the training grounds. "Commander Gareth is in there. Go straight in, but remember to knock."
Gareth.
It was the first time Ren had heard the name, but at least now, he had something to match the face he hadn't gotten a clear look at last night.
Ren nodded in thanks and walked forward, passing through the courtyard where a few soldiers were sparring.
The rhythmic clash of metal echoed in the air, the familiar sound of training bouts. But he had no time to stop and watch.
The office door was closed, but from inside, he could hear the rustling of papers and a deep voice discussing something. He hesitated for a second before knocking lightly.
There was a brief pause, then a voice came from within.
"Come in."
Ren pushed the door open.
The room wasn't large, but it had enough space for a sizable desk and several bookshelves filled with records.
Maps and reports were pinned to the walls, marking recent patrol routes. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the desk where a man sat amid stacks of documents.
When Gareth saw Ren, his gaze lingered on him for a moment before recognition flickered in his eyes.
"Ah, it's you." He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "You've come for your reward, haven't you?"
"You took longer than I expected."
Gareth studied Ren for a long moment, his sharp eyes carrying an unreadable thought before he gave a small nod, as if confirming something to himself.
He reached into his desk drawer, rummaged briefly, then pulled out a sizable pouch and placed it on the wooden desk with a heavy thud.
"This is your reward." His voice remained steady as always, but compared to last night, there was a sense of quiet acknowledgment, no longer distant or wary.
"The town council has already approved this. Not just because you helped the patrol hold the line, but also for your role in taking down the giant wolf."
Ren glanced down at the pouch before slowly reaching out to take it. As his fingers tightened around the rough fabric, he could feel its solid weight, far heavier than any of the meager rewards he had received before.
Perhaps this was the most substantial payment he had earned since stepping into this world.
A hefty sum, but also a testament to what he had endured in last night's battle.
"…Thanks." Ren spoke briefly, his voice devoid of excessive emotion. Then, he turned to leave, his steps steady and firm.
But just as he placed his hand on the door handle, Gareth's voice rang out behind him, low and carrying a deeper meaning.
"If you intend to keep wielding that sword…" He paused, as if making sure Ren was listening. "…Use that money wisely."
Ren's hand paused for a fraction of a second. But he didn't reply.
He simply pushed the door open and stepped out, leaving behind the gaze of a man who had seen countless battles, watching the back of someone who was steadily carving out his own path.
Ren tightened the pouch's strings, feeling its weight in his palm, not just the weight of gold and silver, but the weight of everything he had sacrificed to earn it.
As he stepped outside, he loosened the pouch slightly, letting the light catch on the gleaming coins inside.
These were more than he had ever possessed since arriving in this world, a testament to his struggles and the battles he had fought.
7,000 Cor.
That wasn't a small amount.
With this money, he could buy a better sword, upgrade his equipment, or even stock up on essential supplies, ensuring he wouldn't have to worry about survival for a long while.
It gave him security, a chance to prepare himself better before stepping into new challenges. But at the same time, it was a clear reminder that fighting was the only path to survival in this world.
Money earned through battle also meant that more battles would inevitably come.
Ren tightened his grip on the pouch of coins, feeling the rough fabric press against his palm.
He was no longer just someone who ran away.
Taking a deep breath, he let the crisp morning air fill his lungs before slowly exhaling.
He tucked the pouch into his inventory and walked forward with a newfound determination.
The money in his hands gave him options, and before diving into training or upgrading his gear, he wanted to check something important, the housing prices in the Starting Town.
For now, he could still rent a room, but having a permanent place of his own would help him avoid unnecessary expenses in the long run.
More importantly, having a place to call home would bring a sense of stability, something far better than drifting from inn to inn.
Leaving the barracks area, Ren headed straight for the central district, where the information boards and NPC real estate managers were located.
This wasn't the first time he had thought about buying a house, but before, it had always been a distant dream. Now, with 7,000 Cor in hand, he might finally be able to seriously consider it.
When he arrived, he saw a large notice board hanging right in front of the management building.
Rows of neatly arranged text displayed prices, locations, and housing conditions, allowing anyone to browse before entering for transactions. Ren scanned through the numbers.
Outskirts house – 50,000 Cor
Standard house in town – 150,000 Cor and up
He frowned.
Actual houses, places with comfortable living space and long-term stability, had absurdly high prices.
Even a small townhouse tucked in a back alley required at least 50,000 Cor, and if he wanted a standard home in the city, the cost was more than twenty times what he currently had.
Ren glanced down at the pouch at his waist, feeling its weight. 7,000 Cor wasn't a small amount, but to afford a proper home, he still had a long way to go.
"Looks like it'll be a long time before I can afford a house," he muttered before turning away.
For now, saving up and finding more ways to earn income were more important than thinking about homeownership.
Ren looked back at the price board, this time focusing on rental costs instead of full purchases.
Small rented room (shared facilities) – 300 Cor/month
Basic apartment – 2,500 Cor/month
Small wooden house – 6,000 Cor/month
Standard wooden house – 10,000 Cor/month
House with a garden – 15,000 Cor and up/month
He frowned. If buying a house was out of reach, then renting one was much more realistic.
With his current funds, he could easily afford a basic apartment for several months or opt for a small rented room to save even more.
But even if he went with the cheapest option...300 Cor per month for a small room, he would still need to constantly earn money just to sustain himself.
Ren remained silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of upgrading his living space.
Eventually, he let out a quiet sigh.
Before thinking about securing a comfortable place to live, he needed to ensure he was strong enough to survive in this world.
He would put off changing residences for now.
For the time being, his top priorities were training his sword skills and making more money.
'How long will I have to save up before I can afford a house?' Ren sighed.