The next morning, Leonard actually woke up early. Even he was surprised by himself. The night before, he thought, instead of sneaking out at night, he decided to do his training in the morning.
That's why after waking up, he did push-ups, sit-ups, squats, then ran two miles, and finally stretched afterward.
It was strange. Yesterday, he thought that his body would break down and die after all those workouts again. However, that didn't happen. He was tired, and his muscles were aching at some point.
But it was just enough for him to have a very deep sleep at night. And in the morning, instead of being half-dead, he was just… tired.
Tired, but alive.
Doing it in the morning also felt more productive. It was like he was starting his day properly instead of just wasting it away.
"It's not bad at all," Leonard muttered with a big grin on his face as he stretched his arms. He was already getting ready to go to the market.
After eating breakfast with Anika at a nearby food stall, the two of them went directly to the market. They were extra early for the day.
Still, the crowd was already gathering when he and Anika arrived. People were whispering and talking among themselves, their excitement spreading like fire.
Anika walked beside him. Now she was smiling, even brighter than the last time. She seemed more welcoming and proud next to him. It was as if she already accepted her job and her role fully.
When people saw them, the reaction was immediate.
"It's Leonard!" someone shouted from the front.
Then that word spread, like a wave washing over the crowd.
"Leonard's here!"
"They've come!"
"They're setting up!"
As they started setting up their small table at their usual spot, the cheering only grew louder.
Anika was already laughing under her breath, almost embarrassed but also clearly happy. Leonard, on the other hand, just smiled.
Once everything was ready, Leonard raised his hand to quiet down the crowd.
"As promised yesterday," he said with a huge smile on his face, "the first five people to line up today gets a free silver coin!"
That single line was enough to set people scrambling. The crowd moved like water, surging forward. Shouts and laughter mixed together as everyone fought for those first five spots.
When the line settled, Leonard really did it. He pulled out his pouch, and one by one, he handed a coin to each of the five lucky ones in front.
"Here. Use it well."
"Thanks for coming back."
"Good luck."
Leonard muttered as he gave out the coins. It was just 1 silver coin, but the people who received the coins reacted as if he had handed them gold bars.
"Oh my! Really? This is mine?" one man asked, holding it like it was treasure.
"Leonard gave me one! Look, he actually gave me one!" another one shouted, holding it up high for the others to see.
"Free coin! He really wasn't lying!"
"I really got a coin!"
"Dear heavens!"
The crowd roared again, some clapping, others already cursing under their breath that they weren't fast enough to line up first. The five who got coins were smiling from ear to ear, their faces were glowing.
Well, who wouldn't? They already won before even rolling the dice!
The game went as usual after that
The dice clattered across the table, the players bet their choice, the crowd cheered, and laughter burst every time someone won or lost. Either way, people kept coming back and lining up again.
Leonard did what he always did. He rolled the dice, smiled, and hyped the crowd. His voice was loud like the crowd, pulling more people in. He was getting used to it now.
But as time went on, his eyes started wandering around.
'Ha! Why would I need the system? Maybe I can do the location spotting alone."
That was why, in between each game, he would survey the area and look at the faces of the people who were playing in front of him.
'I could probably look for a shop. A small one. With a door, a roof, a place that's ours.
And people… yeah. I could find people here. Someone to help me run it. Someone I can trust.' He almost smiled at the thought, but then he paused.
The more he watched and stayed in the market, the more he realized it wasn't as simple as he thought.
The market was too cramped. Stalls were too near each other, leaving barely any space to hold a good crowd inside.
And the people themselves… he felt his smile dropping a little.
He was not trying to judge, but most of them didn't look trustworthy. Their faces were smiling when they won, but their eyes looked calculating and greedy.
He knew that they were playing fair now because he was there. But it made him question it. If he left something unattended or turned his back for too long, would they still be smiling?
Leonard exhaled slowly.
'Alright, I am damn wrong…'
No. It wasn't that easy.
A good shop and trustworthy employees…
It was about finding the right place and the right people. And right now, looking at this crowd, he wasn't sure if all of that existed here.
For a moment, his gaze dropped to the pouch at his side. It was already starting to be filled with coins again.
'Tch, but the system's fee is too expensive for me at the moment,' he scoffed and thought of the ridiculous price again.
Still, he sighed. He sighed and accepted it.
'Right…'
Slowly, the big smile on his face came back. His eyes gleamed with mischief again as he pushed himself forward and raised his voice.
"Come on, everyone!" Leonard shouted after a player's turn was done. The smile on his face widened as the crowd's attention fully back to him.
"Let's bet even bigger today!"
The crowd erupted instantly, and cheers and laughter followed like a tide. Some shouted in excitement, others clapped their hands, already digging deeper into their pockets.
Beside him, Anika laughed, her voice was bright and loud as she followed his words.
"That's right! Don't hold back now! Today's the day to win big!"
The loud noise that followed was deafening.
Leonard laughed with the crowd after. However, in his mind, he was already cooking up a good plan.
'Alright, let me earn a fortune today,' he thought as his eyes glinted in desire.