After using his power against a human for the first time, Wein realized that he didn't feel anything in particular. There was no joy, but no regret either. However, it would be a lie to say he wasn't grateful for the free sword. It looked like a very decent weapon—almost brand new.
Now that the fight was over, he decided to continue his objective: getting a job.
The truth was, getting a job wasn't his main reason for coming to the city. He did say he was looking for work, but in reality, he just wanted to explore. He had heard stories about the city his entire life, and now he finally had enough power to reach it on his own. What he hadn't expected was that it would cost so much money just to enter.
Perhaps I should just climb the walls at night, he thought.
But that would be very risky. Angering the city guards if he got caught didn't sound like a good idea.
After dismissing the intrusive thought, Wein walked farther away from the gate and waited for incoming merchants—or anyone leaving the city—to ask for a job.
However, what he didn't expect was that each and every one of them gave him one bronze coin.
Every time Wein told them that he was an awakened looking for work, the merchants gave him a strange look. Their eyes drifted to the unsheathed sword in his hand, and then they casually tossed him a bronze coin before moving on.
After receiving twenty bronze coins, Wein began to feel confused.
Did they think i'm a beggar? Do I look like one?
I just beat up a thug with my awakened powers. How did people start treating me like a beggar?
Wein was genuinely puzzled.
Unknown to him, the merchants didn't actually think he was a beggar.
They thought he was a new thug who had just taken control of the area after defeating the Red Serpent gang members.
I didn't get a job, but I'm getting money this way. This isn't bad at all.
If I asm five hundred merchants for work, I might eventually have enough money to enter the city!
After thinking about it, Wein realized that his situation wasn't bad at all. Nobody hated easy money—including him.
Wein also concluded that the merchants were surprisingly kind people. Despite his unusual appearance, they still gave him money.
What generous people, he thought.
At the same time, rumors about a new thug near the city gate began spreading.
Some people claimed the mysterious thug had picked a fight with the Red Serpent gang without provocation, revealing the strength of an Awakened Bloodline. Others said he was indirectly collecting "security fees" from passing merchants.
Hours passed, and eventually the news reached the headquarters of the Red Serpent gang. Naturally, the beaten members had already reported that one of their own had been defeated by a newcomer.
While Wein continued collecting coins near the gate, nearly 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the city gate stood a large two-story building inside an outer village near the city walls.
In an upstairs room, a red-haired man sat beside a table, carefully listening to his subordinate's report.
"Send Kolish and Slovko," the red-haired man ordered.
Near the city gate, Wein had now collected forty bronze coins.
He had never earned so much money so easily.
After counting his coins, he tore a piece from his tunic and fashioned it into a small pouch to hold them.
Then he looked down at himself. The right side of his shirt was completely ripped off.
I really do look like a beggar now.
But maybe people will give me more money if I look like this.
Wein didn't really care how he got the money. He had no intention of hurting people just because he now had power. But if people mistook him for a beggar and gave him money willingly, he certainly wouldn't complain.
After securing his coins inside the makeshift pouch, Wein noticed a massive wagon approaching.
It was nearly ten meters long, with five wheels on each side, pulled by four enormous horses, each larger than any horse Wein had ever seen.
At the front of the wagon sat a man who looked to be in his sixties, with a wrinkled face and white facial hair. Despite his age, his body still looked strong, with good posture and a muscular build.
The wagon moved slowly, so Wein easily caught up with it.
"Mister Merchant, do you need a bodyguard? I'm an awakened!" Wein called out.
In truth, Wein wasn't even sure the old man was a merchant. But guessing had worked so far, so he figured he must be doing something right.
The old man glanced to his right, already aware of Wein's presence.
He saw a teenager who looked like a beggar—holding a bag of coins in his left hand and an unsheathed sword in his right.
Then he noticed Wein's unusual hair and eye color, and he smiled as he stopped the wagon.
"A bodyguard? What a coincidence," the old man said. "My bodyguards have important business inside the city, so they couldn't accompany me this week."
"How about I hire you for seven days to guard my wagon? What would be your price for a week of service?"
Wein was surprised. For the first time, a merchant didn't treat him like a beggar. But at the same time, he felt a little disappointed. Easy money might disappear.
Wein carefully considered the question.
If I stay here for a whole day, I might actually earn a hundred bronze coins… just by being mistaken for a beggar.
He made up his mind.
"Seventy silver coins."
That was roughly equal to seven hundred bronze coins.
Wein was honestly nervous. Seventy silver was a lot of money. He worried that he might have asked for too much.
The old man nodded with a smile.
"Well then, it's a deal. Go sit at the back of my wagon."
Wein's heart suddenly started beating faster.
He accepted? I'll get seventy silver?
That's so much money! I'm rich!
"But before that," the old man added, "my name is Bernard Valazquez."
"My name is Wein. Just Wein."
Bernard nodded and gestured for Wein to climb onto the wagon.
Wein walked to the back and climbed aboard.
His mind was still spinning.
Such easy money. Being an awakened is truly great. Not only do I get powers, but I can also earn money easily.
Not long after Bernard and Wein left the city gate area, two men arrived.
Each carried two swords, their hilts decorated with red scales.
One of them was bald with brown eyes, while the other had short brown hair and brown eyes. Both wore light armor.
At the same time, inside the city, three figures wearing dark blue robes entered a tavern.
Two of them—both men—walked into a private room inside the tavern.
The third, a woman, sat down near the bar.
She spoke calmly.
"I saw an interesting awakened today. You might want to hear about it."
The bartender listened as he poured her a drink.
"Tell me about it," he said.