Eyeing the distant city, Isaac noticed that the people coming into the city paid a small fee.
With the distance, Isaac only saw 'cards' being passed to the guards. Regardless, Isaac had no choice but to either rob someone or sneak through with his Light's Reflective Veil technique.
Isaac only had the confidence to use this technique as the jail he just escaped seemed grander than this small city.
He severely doubted that a Rank-4 mage would reside in this small city. If by any chance, there was however, he once again doubted that they would resort to being entrance guards.
Preparing to use his technique, Isaac channeled his mana. Although he had more than enough mana reserves to use this technique, he didn't have the stamina.
Regardless, Isaac made a run towards the city, hoping the heavens won't frown upon him again.
Reaching the short line, Isaac moved quietly along the dirt, with him being barefoot helping, he finally in ear's reach to hear the guards talking to the person at the front.
"Like I said earlier, the cost is 10 UC." The guard on right, told the merchant.
"B-but sir, just a week ago, it was only 5!" The merchant exasperatedly said. As a proud merchant, he'll do anything to save a few bucks.
"We both know due to the upcoming conflict that prices have been inflated, Unfortunately, we can only wait until it's over." The guard, this time on the left seriously said.
"Haah," Sighing, the merchant knew he had no choice but to pay up. The merchant gave the guards his magic card, showcasing his identity on it.
Bringing it up to the magic tool, it confirmed its authenticity.
Being paid, the guards withdrew their weapons, allowing passage.
Unknowingly, they allowed entrance to not one, but two.
Slipping in, Isaac was faced with many houses, they weren't exactly in perfect condition, however, definitely hospitable.
Isaac didn't know when to de-activate his technique, fortunately, there was a turn and as soon as he reached it, he disabled his technique.
Isaac's current clothing was laughable, a torn shirt, pants that didn't reach his ankles, and, worst of all, he was barefoot.
Ashamed of his condition, Isaac decided to visit a few stores.
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Adorned with white robes, Isaac continued venturing, noticing a nearby merchant, Isaac nonchalantly walked up to him.
"If I may ask, what town is this?" Isaac said, trying to appear as noble as possible.
"A-ah... Yes sir! This is the bright town of Freedawn!" The merchant stumbly replied, trying to keep his composure.
The man in front of him seemed to be one of higher status, not daring to offend, the merchant instead saw this as a slight opportunity.
"Sir, do wish to purchase a map of the surrounding regions?" The merchant 'kindly' offered.
"Sure." Isaac replied, smiling. Hearing his response, the merchant ran towards the section of his shop where he held his maps.
Pointing at one, he turned, "Sir, would yo-"
The noble man was gone.
'Fuck! he saw through my great acting skills! I knew that man wasn't simple!' The merchant grumpily thought, imagining how much money he could've got from that golden thigh.
Going back to the front of the shop, the merchant didn't notice two maps vanishing.
----
After touching the clothes with his Light's Reflective Veil technique, Isaac realized that they too, would cloak themselves from the naked eye, although it spent slightly more mana.
With this new knowledge, Isaac decided to take those two maps from the merchant, along with food from other merchants he came across.
Ultimately, he was now bunkered up in an inn. Thanks to the coins he stole, he was easily able to afford a single night.
Fortunately, he didn't go to his room as soon as he bought it. He first bought a drink and sat at one of the many tables offered.
There, he heard many conversations, notably, Isaac learned about the current state of this kingdom and its currency.
The currency followed a very simple system.
Around 40 years ago, all the kingdoms signed a treaty, where UC was born.
UC (United Currency) was followed by everyone, no matter the location.
Every kingdom, empire, followed this system. 3 dollars USD would be around 1 UC.
UC was stored within a person's unique, agency card. This card held the user's adventurer guild if they were affiliated, regardless, it held their finances there.
Now, without a doubt, Isaac knew that there was another transmigrator. With the cards appearing 40 years ago, Isaac knew that this transmigrator had either left this world, died, or still resided, as the emperor of this world.
Knowing he wasn't the only transmigrator was definitely bad news, however, the next was unimaginably worse.
The kingdom Issac was in was called, "Freesia." and it was currently in a bout with a neighboring kingdom, "Ares."
In simple terms, the two neighboring kingdoms were in war.
Not only does Isaac have to live with the fact that his kingdom might be overrun, apparently, the Ares kingdom takes all survivors as war prisoners.
Isaac had two options.
Leave Freesia or become strong enough that he could tilt the favor of the war to his side.
The easier choice would be to leave freesia, no matter how guarded it was. However, Isaac had no if this bodies' Isaac had parents around.
He also knew, however, that it was unlikely to find them. However, his mind kept feeding himself one thought, "What if my parents also transmigrated into this world?"
Isaac sighed. Regardless of what comes, he needs to grow stronger. With his thoughts settled with, Isaac took out the maps he stole.
Analyzing them with the intent to learn about the world, Isaac was alarmed by a yellow panel.
[1. World Map (Rank-1)
Do you wish to assimilate the knowledge of this method within your mind?
{Yes} {No}]
He was once again greeted with his system.
"System, aren't you supposed to be unable to offer anything to me?"
[Yes. However, I'm not offering you anything. The system is merely doing its job.]
Realizing that the system could aid him infinitely, Isaac gladly pressed,
{Yes}.