As sunlight pierced through Osas's eyes, he found himself momentarily blinded, a reflexive squint obscuring his vision. Yet, relief soon followed as the woman before him cast a shadow with her Vietnamese hat, providing a respite from the glaring rays. With his eyes gradually adjusting, Osas's gaze fell upon the mysterious figure.

She was adorned in a dark black robe with blood-red roses that seemed to bloom amidst the shadows. The garment enveloped her form entirely, only her hands and feet remained exposed to the world, offering glimpses of her skin against the rich fabric.Upon the underside of her right wrist lay a tattoo, a striking insignia resembling three kunais arranged in an inverted formation, their points directed forward.

As Osas's eyes traveled downward, he noticed the sandals adorning her feet, reminiscent of the footwear worn by commoners during the Joseon Dynasty. Crafted from rough-hewn materials, they provided rudimentary protection against the harsh terrain, their simple design reflecting the pragmatism of an era long past.

Veiling the lower half of her face was a dark black veil, its opacity making it difficult to discern her features. Only the tendrils of her dark hair, cascading down to her shoulders in unruly waves, offered a glimpse of her true essence. Tangled and unkempt, her locks bore the telltale signs of an era where commoners seldom indulged in luxuries like frequent bathing or the use of shampoo, a testament to the harsh realities of life in ancient times.

Amidst his observance of the enigmatic figure before him, Osas was suddenly drawn back to reality by the woman's soothing voice.

"Had enough of looking?" she inquired, her words laced with a playful teasing that carried a tone that seemed to suggest amusement, as if she found his attempts to discern her secrets cute.

...sh*t... should I answer her? If I don't, she will think I'm easy prey. Who knows, she might be a child kidnapper... At these times I should appear confident and point at a fancy looking place so as to hint that I have a background...

"Yes! I think you look better if you don't cover yourself, sister!" Osas responded cheerfully, aiming to convey his lack of fear.

"...Brave boy," she remarked, her tone betraying a hint of surprise at his boldness. Continuing with her inquiry, she asked, "Where are your parents, boy?~ Or do you not have any?~"

Prepared for the question, Osas pointed forward with his right hand at a place in the distance, his arm forming a perfect right angle with the ground. There, a magnificent pagoda stood, its golden shroud gleaming in the sunlight. Ten stories tall, it boasted a finial adorned with a plum blossom stone, its pink hue contrasting with the golden center.

The woman followed Osas's gesture, her gaze settling upon the distant pagoda. Turning back to him with a grin that left him momentarily bewildered, she spoke, "Go along now, don't make your parents worried," before vanishing into thin air.

W-What?!... Where did she go?

She was right in front of me!

Osas's horror-stricken expression betrayed his inner turmoil as he hastily darted back into the bustling crowd, his heart pounding with unease. He hoped to shake off any potential pursuit by losing himself amidst the throng of people, his movements guided solely by the flow of the crowd. With no clear destination in mind, he allowed himself to be swept along, a mere speck in the sea of bodies.

After enduring a considerable amount of squeezing and stepping, Osas made a decisive turn, veering from the northern trajectory to the east. Pushing through the final barriers of the crowd, he emerged into a relatively open space, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Placing both hands on his kneecaps, he bent down slightly, the hot ground adding to the chaos surrounding him.

Regulating his breathing, Osas finally lifted his gaze, only to find himself faced with a narrow path barely wide enough to accommodate a modern-day sidecar motorcycle. To either side of the path, poorly constructed shacks loomed, their structures offering scant shelter from the elements. Some sported makeshift doors, while others stood open, their interiors exposed to the bustling activity beyond.

Amidst the clamor of voices and the bustle of activity, Osas observed the comings and goings of people from the shacks, the scene reminiscent of a busy marketplace. Some of the shacks even bore signs, as if proclaiming their identities to passersby.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

...This should be a market or shopping place. I can find food and water here... hopefully the ten copper coins I found will be enough...

Just as Osas was about to spring into his next course of action, he noticed a problem which he overlooked.

How did I understand and converse with woman from before? I habitually spoke in english... Did what I said automatically get translated into the language of this world or am I just speaking using the memories of the previous owner of the body?

I can also understand what the signs say. That eliminates the second option... Is this one of the perks of a transmigrator?

Although Osas found it strange, he resigned himself to temporarily setting aside his concerns and pressing onward. As he traversed the makeshift marketplace, Osas scanned the various stalls and vendors, searching for an opportunity to exchange his meager currency for much-needed sustenance. The clamor of voices and the enticing aromas of food wafting through the air heightened his anticipation, fueling his resolve to procure nourishment. After a few steps, his gaze fell upon an apple vendor, the vibrant hue of the fruit tantalizing his senses.

Approaching the vendor with a mixture of hunger and trepidation, Osas inquired, "How much is one?" His mouth watered at the thought of sinking his teeth into the juicy flesh of the apple, a simple pleasure he yearned for in that moment.

The vendor, an elderly woman with weathered features and a missing arm, responded in a hoarse voice, "One is 4 copper coins, and I'm keeping my eye on you, brat. Don't you dare try to steal anything from me."

...Her things must get stolen a lot...

One apple usually costs one dollar so 4 copper coins is equivalent to a dollar...

That's nearly half of what I have, looks like I will have to start thinking of ways to make money....

...Heh... no matter what world you're in, without money you're doomed...

With a self-deprecating sigh, Osas reached into the right side pocket of his ragged pants, carefully extracting the four copper coins needed to purchase the apple. Thankfully, the fabric in his pockets held firm, devoid of any tear that might have compromised its integrity. He breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful that his coins which was on the left side of his pants remained intact.

Taking the apple in both hands and stuffing it into the pocket with his currency, Osas wasted no time in sprinting toward a vacant alleyway with great unfamiliarity, his heart pounding with unease due to the dear of having the apple stolen from him. His steps echoed against the narrow walls as he darted into the secluded space.

As he rounded a corner, intending to put some distance between himself and the bustling marketplace, a sudden movement caught his eye. Before he could react, a pale, emaciated fist materialized before him, hurtling toward his face with alarming speed. With a sickening thud, darkness enveloped Osas as he succumbed to unconsciousness, the taste of the stolen apple lingering on his lips as oblivion claimed him.

Osas's heavy eyelids reluctantly parted, only to meet darkness once more. Disoriented and disconcerted, he strained to make sense of his surroundings as squeaky noises and faint nibbling sensations assailed his senses. Suppressing the urge to scream, he sprang to his feet, heart pounding with fear, and dashed toward the nearest source of light, guided by instinct alone.

Reaching the comforting glow of a lantern suspended above him, Osas gasped for breath, his chest heaving with exertion. With a momentary reprieve, he took stock of his surroundings, realizing with a sinking feeling that night had fallen while he lay unconscious. Panic surged within him as he fumbled through his pockets, only to discover the grim reality of his situation—he had been robbed.

The absence of the remaining copper coins, and the coveted apple served as cruel reminders of his vulnerability in this unfamiliar world. Perhaps due to the body of a child and the mentality of a young adult, Osas only sobbed for a moment before composing himself. In a situation where his survival was not guaranteed, he knew he had no time to waste.

As Osas ventured once more into the narrow path flanked by dilapidated shacks, a profound silence enveloped the surroundings, broken only by the soft rustle of the wind and the distant chirping of crickets. Although he could see humans, the absence of movements from them made him a little eerie.

...Looks like the shops are closed... I have no choice but to starve for today...

With no choice, Osas decided to call it a day in hope of continuing his search tomorrow. he turned left walked forward, guided by the soft glow of lantern light, he followed the winding path until the distant sound of running water reached his ears.

Heart pounding with anticipation, Osas quickened his pace, each step bringing him closer to the source of his newfound hope. As he emerged from the shadows, the sight of a tranquil stream greeted him, its gentle current meandering westward beneath the canopy of towering trees.

...Ugh... This stream was probably used the locals for their daily needs such as the washing of clothes and showering...But in my current situation, I can't afford to be picky.

...It's better than nothing...

Osas as he approached the water's edge as he reluctantly cupped his hands and scooped up the cool, refreshing liquid, savoring its sweetness as it cascaded down his throat.

With his thirst quenched, Osas settled into his chosen sleeping spot for the night—a cozy nook nestled between a bush and a sturdy tree. Despite his usual worries about insomnia, the weight of malnourishment and exhaustion pressed heavily upon him, promising a swift descent into slumber.

Leaning back against the tree trunk, Osas stretched out his legs and folded his arms across his chest. Tired, he surrendered himself to his fatigue, closing his eyes for the night.