As Ran was about to get on a horse, Era joined him and insisted on coming with him. She knew the area and would certainly be very useful once in town so he had no reason to refuse.

They rode for several hours along the Jura forest where Ran appeared the first time, talking about everything and nothing. Era didn't seem to want to go back over what had happened the day before and Ran didn't want to rush her. The trip was relaxing, no monsters to kill, no villagers in distress, Ran was able to take advantage of the ride to put his thoughts in order.

To survive in this world, he had to keep getting stronger, even if he didn’t have a village to protect the threats were numerous and varied, monsters, bandits, corrupted nobles, he would not be surprised if demons were to pop up one day.

So he had no choice, to raise his power he had to kill monsters...or men, emotions had no place here, this world was cruel and dangerous, levels and magic were irrational and added an unknown variable that could lead him to his doom if he didn’t adapt.

On top of that there was the question of money, one could not develop a village with good feelings and he himself would need a source of income to survive.

But Era provided him with the information he needed, in this world, there was the profession of adventurer, it was just the official term for mercenaries supervising the extermination of monsters and taking requests of all kinds, but the guild that managed them ensured an efficient organization and their rules prevented excesses.

It was a quick and efficient way to increase one's level while earning money.

Ran also thought of joining them because they were not affiliated with any particular country and he could sell his prey more easily at a trade counter affiliated with the guild than at any other shop.

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Era also told him about the local economy, gold, silver and copper coins were this world's currency, 10 copper coins were worth 1 silver coin and 10 silver coins were worth 1 gold coin, a medium quality loaf of bread was worth 1 copper coin, at least the monetary system was not too complex.

Ran had recorded all this information and thought of all the things he would need to buy once he got to town, he would probably have to hunt much more if he wanted to have the funds he needed, or he had to find yet another way.

While he was thinking, Era shook him because they had arrived near Hua, the largest trading city in the Kingdom. Anything could be found there as long as you had the money to pay for it.

The city was surrounded by a high stone wall, and merchants' carts came and went through the wide gateway with a portcullis overhead, soldiers strolled here and there playing cards or drinking alcohol. No one checked them as they passed through the entrance, and Ran despaired at the low level of security; what good was the wall if anyone could walk in and out at will?

But it made his job easier, he would have been in trouble if he had been refused entry or asked for identification. Once inside, Era explained to him the division of the city. The southern district where they had arrived was a commercial zone where merchants came to negotiate, the eastern and western districts were made up of houses and to the north was the city's underbelly, where all sorts of illegal activities took place, day and night, and it was better not to venture there.

The city was very lively, the stalls lining the streets were full of food, supplies and weapons. Passersby were bargaining, weighing, analyzing each item. Street musicians also added to the festive atmosphere.

But among the crowd Ran could see people wearing large iron collars and a shadow passed before his eyes, poorly dressed, often serving as porters, pulling heavy carts through the crowded streets, there was no doubt about their nature.

The concept of slavery was apparently an integral part of human history, no matter the world.

"Era, is this city always this busy?"

"No, today is special, one of the king's daughters is coming to visit the city tomorrow so obviously it causes a stir, many merchants are counting on her presence to do business."

"I understand, so what do we do now? "

"Hmm, I think it's better to go and register as an adventurer before selling your spoils, it'll avoid the scams, not many merchants would dare cheat an adventurer."

"Well, I count on you."

He smiled at her and she slightly blushed, tturning her head away.

"L...Let's go!"