There is people in here.
“This isn’t a Pocket Dimension.”
Looking around, I was surrounded by what appeared to be multiple wood and stone houses. The people walking around me give a strange glance at my clothes. It was the glance of fear, disgust, and respect.
“Why? What’s wrong with my outfit?”
I don’t bother to suppress speaking it out loud. The conversation of people around me tells me another fact about this place.
“Aku mau beli ini dan itu, berapa harganya?”
“Wah, Mbak cantik. Kebetulan mereka segar baru datang dari Desa Asri. Untungnya aku punya stok yang banyak, jadi gimana kalau cuma 3 Silver dan 50 Bronze?”
“Serius om? Bunga seperti ini kamu anggap segar? Lagipula ini cuma bunga yang biasa dipakai untuk datang ke kuburan. 2 Silver harga normalnya.”
“Jangan gitu dong mbak, bunga bunga aku beneran baru datang langsung dari Desa Asri. Mbaknya juga tahu sendiri kualitas bunga Desa Asri kan? Keluarga mbak yang datangi pasti bakal senang dapat bunga ini.”
“Om, kalau untuk keluarga aku tidak masalah. Tapi ini mau kupakai untuk mantan pacarku, bunganya mau kusebar didepan rumahnya. Aku juga harus pesan boneka jalangkung setelah ini.”
“….”
The conversation between a middle-aged man and a young woman comes from my left. They are speaking in an unknown language. I have never heard that language despite my years of working in a library and going around the world for business trips.
They also appear to not understand my language.
I thought momentarily among the crowd and took out the grimoire again.
Sure enough, another page has their dried blood removed. The third page opened for me to read
[The Common Language
Relationship is the basic form of social contact. They are created when communication of any kind is possible. What is the connection between relationship and desire?
…
]
The ritual for the third one is easier to draw, and its ingredients can also be procured at the same time as the first two rituals.
“The Grimoire is responding to my need? Or is it a coincidence?”
An I-type Irregular that can interact with their entity holder reminded me of the Irregular on my right wrist. The Watches of Watcher.
Irregular I-2766 Name Watches of the Watcher Type Item History The cult of Time leader was called the Watcher. The Watcher of the past tried to turn back time but failed with the Safe company’s intervention. One of the few items left behind is the personal watches of that Watcher. Description A digital watch that contains several smaller watch screens inside. I-2766 has 4 modes that can be changed with a simple rotation wheel. The outer shell resembling a common 19th watch hides Entity time’s sinister truth. Unique Characteristics The Four Mode of Present Time First mode : Will show the present time and its relative with the Time. Second mode : Will show the Entity any of their chosen present status. Third mode : Will show the Entity any of their chosen present status. Fourth mode : Will show the Entity time of death. Note When the Entity switches the mode, a 24-hour countdown will start ticking.
IF the Entity looks at a clock or any other Time-related device and finds out the present time, the Entity in question will suffer Time Oddities. I-2766 itself doesn’t count.
DO NOT switch to the fourth mode.
AFTER the 24-hour countdown, the Entity can change what status they wanted to see for the second and third modes. Entity only need to imagine the status they wanted to see
IF Entity suffers a Time Oddities unrelated to the effect of I-2766, Time will direct its attention to the Entity.
It’s a gift from someone, but both the positive and negative effects are no joke. Glancing at the watch again, I see that it currently shows my overall health status, including physical and psychological.
“All seem normal.”
Because the effect of Panacea still in the work. The watch previously indicated that viruses invaded my body, but it is still normal now.
“Virus…”
Looking around, the building around me are in medieval style. This unique architecture and the unknown language make me think I was in…
“Another world?”
That’s the most possible hypothesis. It’s crazy, yes. But it explains all the clues. While no other world has yet to be found in the past, with how weird the Irregulars in the world acted, it should be possible.
The second one was it is a very complicated illusion with high power. Switching to the third mode of my watch shows my mental status is as usual. An Irregularity that can resist the influence of Time is unheard of unless it’s also related to Time.
Switching to the first mode, the time shown doesn’t seem abnormal. This means I am currently unaffected by another Irregularity with Time influence. Returning to the Second mode, I spotted the 24-hour countdown at the top right reset again.
“Fortunately, this place looks medieval. No clock should have existed during this period?”
I don’t need to be careful about where to look here.
Since the second hypothesis easily failed, I was in Pocket Dimension for the third hypothesis. Regardless of how unusual it is, in the end, I can’t just rule out I am currently on Pocket Dimension.
Then, for the fourth hypothesis…. Just then, a green-haired boy bumped into me from behind.
He quickly runs away without a word of apology.
A bit surprised, I knew the boy was suspicious. Being stared so intensely from behind, it’s impossible not to notice it. There is also a little bit of malice being directed at me, although it’s more directly at my items than at myself.
“I thought you were also curious about my outfit. Who would thought…”
Patting my empty right coat pocket, my candy pouch and task objective item are missing.
“… It’s a pickpocketing.”
~~~~~
“How am I going to pay up today’s debt…?”
I was anxiously wandering in a small alley between two stone houses. The bustling main road was full of people, yet most of them weren’t easy to handle. They are all resident of this part of the district.
“Why are they increasing the price of sister medicine now? This city is far from the frontline!”
My green hair bang covered my exhausted face as I muttered to myself.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“System.”
Name Jacob Hanitu Race Human Age 15 Class Thief Lv 10 Side-Class Criminal Lv 8, Nurse Lv 7, Clerk Lv 4 Health 99% Mana 100% Stamina 71% Skills Pickpocketing Lv 9, Stealing Lv 9, Escaping Lv 7, Nursing Lv 7, Scamming Lv 5, Negotiating Lv 4, Administration Lv 4, Documentation Lv 3. Spells - Title - Unique -
No longer staring into the System Window, I sighed a bit.
A little bit more, then I could change my Thief class to Tier-1 Thief. With such a level, I should be able to target more people easily and safely.
Once again, scanning for a target, I found one among the crowd I had seen for the first time.
A woman in her mid-twenties wearing a simple white dress and a little bit of accessories. Although it look like that, I can spot the high-quality fabric of her dress. It’s usually worn by nobles and priests.
“Is she a noble in disguise?”
If so, I was lucky.
Nobles have high levels, but they are too arrogant and conceited to not be careful when walking around in disguise. They also tend to bring enough money that it should be my expense for one to two months.
Wanting to get close, the woman suddenly turns around and stares at me. Her face and eyes are covered by large glasses but I know, She smiles slightly with forgiving type of stare before continuing her walk. She resemble someone I know yet didn’t look like one.
“That’s…”
She immediately stared at me when I just started to have the intention to pickpocket her. I looked at the back of the black haired beautiful woman.
That’s when I pieced the clue together. One of her accessories, the necklace, bears the symbol of the System. Then, she is wearing an outfit that is too plain, even for a noble in disguise.
I can think of only one type of people, and it’s for a good reason.
She is a priest of the System church.
They have a very broken observational spell and a danger perception skill.
“Insight and System Warning.”
Biting my lips, I sighed in relief.
“Thank you, System God for your Mercy.”
System Priests, are a group of people who believe all classes and races are equal. No matter how weird or diabolical it is.
Well, except for the Demon races and classes connected with the Demon God.
“Am I lucky or unlucky?”
Unlucky enough to get found out immediately and lucky enough that she is a System Priest known for their merciful trait.
“That priest look a bit like sister if she didn’t…”
Shaking my head, I decided to not think of it much.
“Maybe I should move to another neighbourhood to find other people to pickpocket?”
I went out of the alley and went to the opposite way the System Priest went. Halfway down the street, I saw a peculiar man.
He was wearing a high-quality, all-black outfit from head to toe. He even wears a black glove. There is a bit of brown mud at the bottom of his coat. Lastly, his big and long bag may contain heavy tools.
Such set of clothes and bag mean you have the ominous class of Gravedigger or Gravekeeper, maybe both. As far as I remember, there are no funerals in these neighbourhoods today. I am curious why he is here, but I don’t care much. Something more important come into my mind.
They are known to be rich. Weak in Stamina, and frowned upon by the guards. It’s also safe to pickpocket them because people tend not to help people from ominous classes. I don’t need to be worried about other people intervening.
Walking closer to the man, I stopped for a moment.
A memory comes to mind.
There was an old gravedigger who refused to receive payment after knowing my family was financially in debt. He even gives me some food for my sister and me.
Maybe it was a fake kindness but it doesn’t change I am able to adjust myself from the changing situation during that time because of his actions.
Staring at the strange man, I decided to pickpocket less than usual from him.
I am sorry, but my sister is more important.
~~~~~
“Haa… Haa… Haa…”
I am breathless. The man was more tenacious than I originally thought. The chase lasted for one and a half hours, and dusk arrived.
Sure enough, no one went to help him. I could freely use the environment to increase the distance among us and finally fool him with a dead end.
Another happy matter was when I felt the man had lost me, I heard a notification from the System. Considering my level, it only means one thing.
“System.”
Name Jacob Hanitu Race Human Age 15 Class Thief Lv 1 (Tier 1) Side-Class Criminal Lv 8, Nurse Lv 7, Clerk Lv 4 Health 94% Mana 100% Stamina 10% Skills Pickpocketing Lv 10, Stealing Lv 10, Escaping Lv 8, Nursing Lv 7, Scamming Lv 5, Negotiating Lv 4, Administration Lv 4, Documentation Lv 3. Spells - Title - Unique -
“YES!”
I screamed out of happiness in the alley.
Not only did I level up my main class, but three of my skills also levelled up. With this, I can target more people and earn more money.
“Maybe I could buy sister a new pillow and blanket before winter.”
Overjoyed, I did a short dance around despite my exhaustion. That’s when I noticed my haul for pickpocketing.
There are only two items, both inside of an exquisite-looking pouch. I grinned a little, even if the haul today is too few. I will try to do another pickpocket today since I wanted to try my levelled-up skill.
Who would have guessed the gravedigger would have luxurious items in his pocket.
I opened one of the pouches, the one with lighter weight, and the items inside were small. I don’t recognize it for a moment before my face changes into a shock.
It was candy.
Taking out one of the candies, I inspect it very carefully.
It was a high-grade candy.
The one who is usually eaten by nobles. In fact, it seems to be higher due to the different motifs between each candy. The brightly coloured candy is also fascinating.
“Why does he have this?”
Each candy can be sold 1 gold, 2 gold if I tried to sell it to a noble. Considering how much candy is inside the pouch, I am set for half a year of expense.
My heart stifled for a moment.
“Did I offend someone I shouldn’t have? No, he isn’t that high-levelled since he can’t catch me. Maybe he got it as a reward from a very important funeral?”
Important funeral…
A few days ago, a duke was killed in the war against demons. Maybe he got it from that funeral? The new duke is also a young girl… But the funeral is in the Central district, not here.
“This will be hard to sell. In the worst case, I might just give it to my sister.”
Placing the candy back into the pouch, I check the second pouch. It is heavy and square-shaped.
Opening it, I found a silver-coloured item. The shape is a square, and on one of its sides, a cylinder is attached to the item.
“What is this?”
There are several buttons around the other side of the item. When I tried to click it, a familiar shout could be heard from the deep alley.
“Hey, isn’t this our kid Jacob?”
“Yeah, that disgusting green hair can only be Jacob’s hair.”
“Dude, good evening. Have you paid today’s debt yet?”
Six thugs-looking guys walk to me. I wanted to immediately run, but my stamina hadn’t recovered yet.
“He-hello. Good evening. I will pay you back after I sell my haul to Old Yarn.”
“So you pickpocketing today! Maybe you should stop your stupid clerk job and be a thief every day.”
“Yeah. You will eventually become one of us if you do so.”
“Boss will clear your debt if you join us.”
“What’s that on your left hand? Is that money?”
One of them pointed to the pouch that held the candies. I forgot to hide them.
Damn it, I can’t let them see the candies else I will be beaten and robbed.
“Oh uhh, this is candy. My victim today is possibly a young noble girl in disguise.”
The one with a fierce tattoo on his head mocked me.
“You target little girls? No. You aren’t the type to target such people. You are lying. Let me see.”
“You are right, brother. Jacob, come here and let us see your haul.”
How did these fools remember such things? Watching them move closer, I took several steps back.
“Trying to run, huh?”
The one who pointed me had a bandana on his head, he haughtily said
“It is either money or a very valuable item.”
I thought it was my lucky day…
“Can’t you guys wait? I will give you money anyway.”
“How would we know if you aren’t hiding imp- Who are you?!”
Hm? They are looking at my back? A man voice come from behind me. It was gibberish.
“ymg’ geb.”
A hand tapped my left shoulder. The hand holds a baton-like item. Another hand moved forward and clutched the square item on my right hand.
Both hands are covered in black gloves and a long black coat.
Glancing to my right, I was greeted with the face of a man. His face is hidden by his glasses and bangs, but it can only barely be enough to hide his handsome face.
He is the Gravedigger.
The smile on his face somehow feels unsettling.
He raised the square-shaped item and directed the item to the thugs.
“Jacob, who is he?”
“You are friends with another Gravedigger now?”
One of the fingers moves to a big button.
Clicking it.
“Whatever. Since you didn’t give us the haul and called for help, today’s debt will be doubled, and we will take your stuff forcibly.”
A small window appeared on the item. It somehow shows the thugs that are coming closer to them, some words are written around the small window. The man moved his finger to another button.
And clicked it.
A bright light flashed through the alley.
It's directed toward where the thugs located.